On Thu, 16 May 2002, Garry wrote: > Constant, > > There is a clue here. > > By indicating that you were able to print something > normally after the switch was removed, you have a > good probability that it's your cable or connectors. > > Check your connectors *carefully* for bent pins, > dirt, loose pins, or any damage to the cable itself.
Having removed the data switch, you should have two "spare" cables. Try them instead of the present cable. If that doesn't fix it, but swapping the I/O card does, look at the I/O card pins. The solder around a pin where it goes through the board sometimes stress-cracks from flexing, causing an intermittent connection. The best way to find a crack is to hook up a solid connection to the pin using a single socket from a mating connector. Use a "beeper", test light, or VOM to check for continuity. Use a clip or probe to make a good connection to the trace, either at a lead or another solder joint, or at least back from the joint in question. If gently wiggling the pin, or pressing on it with a small stick, etc. breaks continuity, you will find a microscopic crack around the pin - but you will need a bright light and a strong magnifying glass to see it. The same test could be used on the printer board connector - but that is probably a real pain to inspect. If you find a bad joint, resolder it, making sure to get a good clean joint. My sympathies - intermittent faults are the worst kind of problem to find. :-( Boyd Ramsay [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe from SURVPC send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with unsubscribe SURVPC in the body of the message. Also, trim this footer from any quoted replies. More info can be found at; http://www.softcon.com/archives/SURVPC.html
