Acorn Engineering News Issue 2 'PAGE CONTENTS Introduction Archimedes Field Change Orders Disc Compatibility and Transferring Software to the Archimedes Archimedes Keyboards Archimedes ROM upgrades Archimedes Serial Port FileStore Service Econet Customer Support Common Problems Section External Second Processor Unit - Tube ULA Master 128 Master Compact Archimedes Test Equipment Service Reports / Obtaining Spares Acorn Warranty - reminder Repair of Hardware - external agencies Connecting a 5.
Customer Services Department Acorn Computers Limited Cambridge Technopark 645 Newmarket Road Cambridge CB5 8PB Telephone 0223 214411 Telex 81152 ACNNMR G Fax No 0223 214382 Direct dealer / ASC lines Support 0223 215452 Engineering / Returns 0223 215454 Dear Colleague Welcome to an edition of Engineering News. This is the last version that you will receive on paper, as we will be putting future Engineering Information on SID - the Support Information Database.
Archimedes Field Change Orders Two Archimedes Field Change Orders will shortly be issued for the modification of a number of Archimedes that show problems in the field. FCO E008 relates to a modification which you may have seen implemented in recent production computers the addition of an electrolytic capacitor soldered between two of the pins of IC68. This modification reduces the spurious noise found on the audio signal through the loudspeaker.
Archimedes Keyboards There are two types of Archimedes keyboards that have been used in production - known as Keyboard Products (KPL) and Keytronics. These units are electrically compatible, however, KPL keyboards and Keytronics keyboards differ slightly in their fitting arrangement, and therefore it is important that keyboards used for fault rectification by swap out in the field are of the same type as those installed originally, i.e. KPL for KPL, and Keytronics for Keytronics.
Archimedes Serial Port The Serial port on the Archimedes is designed for connecting a modem. As such any device connected to the port must appear to the computer as a modem in order that the handshaking runs correctly.
Econet Unfortunately, as we are all aware, the first time that a user realises that archiving of data is a good move is just after the incident that needs the archive! We now have a program that can be used to overcome one of the more common reasons for having to archive - the loss of the password file due to its deletion, overwriting, or some other calamity. This program will only be issued in specific cases - and on direct request. If a FileStore suffers this problem, the solution is somewhat simpler.
Much of this information is provided as text in telesoftware format. Once registered as a user, you can accesIf the access string does contain a D then it is probably better to use: *ACCESS PASSWORDS *RENAME PASSWORDS OLDDIR If the file was not found, rejoin at this point. Now it is possible to copy the new password file from the disc that was prepared earlier to the fileserver disc. Do this using the following: *MOVE :NEWDISC.$.PASSWORDS :FS.$.
you wish to sample the system, a limited version of the database is maintained as a Viewdata system and available on Cambridge (0223) 243642. This contains a response frame allowing you to request information on a full SID subscription. SID has an electronic mail facility, allowing for messages to be passed between users. Mailboxes are included for requests for return of goods, enquiries on 6502 and ARM based producs, MS-DOS, Econet queries etc.
Master 128 This unit is sent out from the original manufacturer with the 64K Sideways RAM paged in and therefore the two 32K ROM sockets (IC37 & IC41) paged out. Confusion often sets in when ROMS or EPROMS are plugged into the M128 here and it does not appear to register its presence,which often results in the end-user suspecting the Firmware immediately without looking any further.
Another drive problem with early machines concerned computers that reported 'Drive empty' when it was occupied. This will occur if there is no power to the disc drive, so check that the power connector is not loose, and if it is OK, check that 5v, 0v and 12v are all present on the drive crimp connector.
DRAM ELECTRONICS LTD Unit 12 Kingston Mill Chestergate Stockport SK3 0AL Tel: 061 429 0626 Acorn Warranty - reminder It is not uncommon for us to receive requests to write to dealers informing them that they may carry out the repair of a particular item under warranty, when the customer can provide a proof of purchase, but where the unit was purchased from a different dealer from the one being requested to repair the unit.
UNIT PRODUCT CODE IN-WARRANTY Archimedes 305/310 Monitor -Archimedes BBC B BBC B+ Master 128 Master Compact AKB10/15 AKF01/11 ANB01-04 ANB51-55 AMB15 ADB 10 ADD04 ADF31/32 AEH26/27 ANK01 ANC01 ANC04 ANC06 ADC08 ADC06 ADD03 AND01-02 AND51-53 ACW44 AVC11-18 ADF10 AEH20 ANB28 ADF13/ADF14 ALA01 AJP01 ANE01 ANE02 ANF03 ALF03 ABX03 ABX18 ANF01 OUT OF WARRANTY G.M.0 (H) G.M.0 (H) RCS/Gosling (*) RCS/Gosling (*) RCS/Gosling G.M.0 (K) G.M.0 (K) Monitor -Compact G.M.0 (K) FileStore E01/E20 RCS IEEE Interface I.
Proof of purchase should take the form of the Customer's Receipt from the Dealer. If this is not available then contact the Returns Dept. at Acorn. Usual turn-around time is approximately 10 working days plus postal times. The addresses and contact names of the above are as follows: G.M.0 (H) G.M.0 (K) GRANADA MICROCARE LTD Chattsworth Road HARROGATE North Yorkshire HG1 5HX GRANADA MICROCARE LTD 32 Lyons RoadInd.
AB Elec. A & A Elec. AB ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS LTD Prince Of Wales Ind. Estate Abercarn NEWPORT Gwent NP1 5AR A & A ELECTRONICS Unit E Geillihirion Ind. Estate TREFOREST Mid Glamorgan CF37 5BR Tel: Tel: 0495 244 555 BOL 044 385 4242 FE Elec. BRITISH OLIVETTI LTD 73 Mercers Drive BRADVILLE Milton Keynes MK13 7HJ FE ELECTRONICS LTD Chesterton Mill Frenchs Road CAMBRIDGE Tel: 0908 311555 Contact:Bill Linton Tel: 0223 353355 Contact:Ray Fordham I.Interf.
Connecting a 5.25 inch Disc Drive to a Master Compact The Master Compact Microcomputer uses 3.5 inch disc drives. It is therefore not directly possible to read 5. 25 inch discs, which may have been created from other BBC Microcomputers such as the B, B+ and Master 128. It is possible to connect a 5.25 inch disc drive to the Master Compact for the purpose of transferring information betwen 5.25 inch and 3.5 inch formats. However, 5.25 inch discs should not be used as a means of data distribution, and only 3.
Service Capability of Dealers / ASCs We are compiling a directory of local sites that we can advise customers to contact when they have problems with their equipment, both in and out of warranty. If you are interested in being included in this directory, please complete the form at the back of this newsletter, and send it to us at Acorn - the address is printed on the form. Thank you for your help.
Upgrades The following items for upgrade purposes are available from the Customer Service Department at the prices shown beneath. Users should return the items marked, together with a cheque for the total amount made payable to Acorn Computers Ltd. These prices include VAT. UPGRADE COST RETURN COMMENT From BIOS 1.00 to BIOS 1.03 £20 All 4 discs Includes new discs, application note and manual .From BIOS 1.01/2 to BIOS 1.03 £15 Disc 1 only Includes new disc and application note £5.00 £7.
Dealer / ASC Servicing Questionnaire Please return this form to: Alastair France (ENGNQ), Engineering Services Manager, Acorn Computers Ltd, Cambridge Technopark, 645 Newmarket Road, CAMBRIDGE, CB5 8PB Doc.
Please indicate your selection by ticking one or more boxes below as appropriate. P|ease reg|ster me for Warranty author|sat|on purposes. P|ease add my name to your ma|||ng ||sts so that | can be adv|sed of new product deve|opments and upgrades ava||ab|e for my system from Acorn or from third party supp||ers. OR Please reg|ster me for Warranty authorisation purposes ONLY. P|ease do not add my name to your ma|||ng ||sts or d|sc|ose |t to third part|es.
Your co-operat|on in comp|eting the fo|lowing customer survey would be much appreciated.
