Re: [M100] M-102 keyboard flat ribbon cable

[Bert Put]

Hi Keith,

I will take you up on that offer, thank you.  I'd like more than one
since I'm sure I'll manage to mess up the replacement :-)  I'll email
you off-list.  I doubt I can get them any sooner then you, and I'll be
more than happy to pay for shipping and whatever number of ribbons
you're prepared to let go of :-)

Thank you for you offer Sir, it is much appreciated!

Cheers,Bert


On 2020-07-29 19:30, kjohnson3...@gmail.com wrote:
> Hey Burt,
> 
> Funny you mention that. I had the same problem with my M102. I tried to
> glue the tracks down and it didn't work for me.
> 
> I'm actually going to be placing an order on Aliexpress tonight. I found
> 100 ribbons for $20.
> 
> They will take till early September to get here. I would be willing to
> mail you one when I get them... I would like a few spares... but 100 is
> overkill.
> 
> If not I can post the specs. and you can order them yourself.
> 
> Keith
> 
> On Wed, Jul 29, 2020 at 7:12 PM Bert Put  > wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> Watching all the recent activity about the bad memory battery
> replacements scared me sufficiently to go ahead and open up my M-102 and
> M-100 to check them.  I did, and sure enough the battery in the M-100
> had started to corrode but luckily with very little reaching the
> motherboard, so I whipped that puppy out, and I'll hit up arcadeshopper
> for some replacements :-)  The M-100 is back together (minus a battery)
> and working great.
> 
> The battery in the M-102 looked OK but I think I'll go ahead and replace
> it as well.  Cheap insurance.  However, I messed up the re-assembly of
> the ribbon cable for the keyboard.  I agree with Josh that they cheaped
> out on building the M-102, although it was still working after 30 years
> so I guess I can't really complain :-)
> 
> I have not succeeded in re-installing the ribbon cable into the edge
> connector on the keyboard end.  It turns out that it's difficult to get
> a straight-line force to insert the edge.  Some metal tracks on the end
> of the ribbon have moved and I'm concerned that if I keep fiddling with
> it I'll tear it up even further.  I've left it disconnected while I
> think about it some more.  I'm wondering if I can glue the tracks down
> on the ribbon or something similar?  The keyboard connectors on the
> M-100 are much more sturdy and I had no trouble at all getting that back
> together.
> 
> Any thoughts about how to proceed from here?  The keyboard ribbon cable
> on the M-102 is the only problem at this point.  All the caps in both
> machines looked good, no sign of swelling or leakage.
> 
> Cheers,    Bert
> 
> p.s. the REXCPM is going into the working M-100.  That was always the
> plan since the M-102 has a REX classic in it.
> 
> 

Re: [M100] M-102 keyboard flat ribbon cable

[kjohnson3 . 14]

Hey Burt,

Funny you mention that. I had the same problem with my M102. I tried to
glue the tracks down and it didn't work for me.

I'm actually going to be placing an order on Aliexpress tonight. I found
100 ribbons for $20.

They will take till early September to get here. I would be willing to mail
you one when I get them... I would like a few spares... but 100 is overkill.

If not I can post the specs. and you can order them yourself.

Keith

On Wed, Jul 29, 2020 at 7:12 PM Bert Put  wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Watching all the recent activity about the bad memory battery
> replacements scared me sufficiently to go ahead and open up my M-102 and
> M-100 to check them.  I did, and sure enough the battery in the M-100
> had started to corrode but luckily with very little reaching the
> motherboard, so I whipped that puppy out, and I'll hit up arcadeshopper
> for some replacements :-)  The M-100 is back together (minus a battery)
> and working great.
>
> The battery in the M-102 looked OK but I think I'll go ahead and replace
> it as well.  Cheap insurance.  However, I messed up the re-assembly of
> the ribbon cable for the keyboard.  I agree with Josh that they cheaped
> out on building the M-102, although it was still working after 30 years
> so I guess I can't really complain :-)
>
> I have not succeeded in re-installing the ribbon cable into the edge
> connector on the keyboard end.  It turns out that it's difficult to get
> a straight-line force to insert the edge.  Some metal tracks on the end
> of the ribbon have moved and I'm concerned that if I keep fiddling with
> it I'll tear it up even further.  I've left it disconnected while I
> think about it some more.  I'm wondering if I can glue the tracks down
> on the ribbon or something similar?  The keyboard connectors on the
> M-100 are much more sturdy and I had no trouble at all getting that back
> together.
>
> Any thoughts about how to proceed from here?  The keyboard ribbon cable
> on the M-102 is the only problem at this point.  All the caps in both
> machines looked good, no sign of swelling or leakage.
>
> Cheers,Bert
>
> p.s. the REXCPM is going into the working M-100.  That was always the
> plan since the M-102 has a REX classic in it.
>
>
>

[M100] M-102 keyboard flat ribbon cable

[Bert Put]

Hi,

Watching all the recent activity about the bad memory battery
replacements scared me sufficiently to go ahead and open up my M-102 and
M-100 to check them.  I did, and sure enough the battery in the M-100
had started to corrode but luckily with very little reaching the
motherboard, so I whipped that puppy out, and I'll hit up arcadeshopper
for some replacements :-)  The M-100 is back together (minus a battery)
and working great.

The battery in the M-102 looked OK but I think I'll go ahead and replace
it as well.  Cheap insurance.  However, I messed up the re-assembly of
the ribbon cable for the keyboard.  I agree with Josh that they cheaped
out on building the M-102, although it was still working after 30 years
so I guess I can't really complain :-)

I have not succeeded in re-installing the ribbon cable into the edge
connector on the keyboard end.  It turns out that it's difficult to get
a straight-line force to insert the edge.  Some metal tracks on the end
of the ribbon have moved and I'm concerned that if I keep fiddling with
it I'll tear it up even further.  I've left it disconnected while I
think about it some more.  I'm wondering if I can glue the tracks down
on the ribbon or something similar?  The keyboard connectors on the
M-100 are much more sturdy and I had no trouble at all getting that back
together.

Any thoughts about how to proceed from here?  The keyboard ribbon cable
on the M-102 is the only problem at this point.  All the caps in both
machines looked good, no sign of swelling or leakage.

Cheers,Bert

p.s. the REXCPM is going into the working M-100.  That was always the
plan since the M-102 has a REX classic in it.

Re: [M100] REXCPM 102 - it's arrived - Let's Livestream an install!

[Bert Put]

Thank you Josh, for an excellent install video.  Can't wait to get my
(4MB) unit :-)  When I saw CP/M start I did the same as you: "That is SO
COOL!" -- Brings back good memories.

Cheers,Bert

On 7/29/20 8:25 AM, Josh Malone wrote:
> The stream video is still up -?? https://www.twitch.tv/48kram
> 
> It won't be up for long though (2 weeks I think?). However, I do plan on
> making a better video for this. Yes, I did get to bootstrap CP/M and we
> even wired up Zork!
> 
> -Josh
> 
> On Wed, Jul 29, 2020 at 7:59 AM Stephen Adolph  > wrote:
> 
> Hi Josh,
> Didnt see it, is it something I can watch offline?
> Do you cover bootstrapping the machine, and getting to CP/M?
> 
> If so that's going to be helpful to others who need a better
> explainer than what I put at the wiki.
> 
> Thx
> ??Steve
> 
> On Wednesday, July 29, 2020, Josh Malone  > wrote:
> 
> Thanks, everyone! It was fun to do. My unfortunate overhead
> camera setup makes my very conscious on getting my head in the
> way and I tend to forget things like screws and board covers.
> :-/?? I appreciate everyone's support. I'm still figuring my way
> around CP/M in general so I can do a proper video on this.
> 
> As I mentioned on stream, a bunch of YouTubers are doing
> #SepTandy again this year and I hope to join them.
> 
> -Josh
> 

Re: [M100] REXCPM 102 - it's arrived - Let's Livestream an install!

[Josh Malone]

Real (rehearsed) video will include that part, yeah. Someone else will have
to do the M100 install video though. :-P

On Wed, Jul 29, 2020 at 9:39 AM Stephen Adolph  wrote:

> Yah I went and checked it out.  Fun!
> Would be good if you could, to include the RXCMGR installation part, also.
>

Re: [M100] REXCPM 102 - it's arrived - Let's Livestream an install!

[Stephen Adolph]

Yah I went and checked it out.  Fun!
Would be good if you could, to include the RXCMGR installation part, also.

On Wed, Jul 29, 2020 at 9:25 AM Josh Malone  wrote:

> The stream video is still up -  https://www.twitch.tv/48kram
>
> It won't be up for long though (2 weeks I think?). However, I do plan on
> making a better video for this. Yes, I did get to bootstrap CP/M and we
> even wired up Zork!
>
> -Josh
>
> On Wed, Jul 29, 2020 at 7:59 AM Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> Hi Josh,
>> Didnt see it, is it something I can watch offline?
>> Do you cover bootstrapping the machine, and getting to CP/M?
>>
>> If so that's going to be helpful to others who need a better explainer
>> than what I put at the wiki.
>>
>> Thx
>>  Steve
>>
>> On Wednesday, July 29, 2020, Josh Malone  wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks, everyone! It was fun to do. My unfortunate overhead camera setup
>>> makes my very conscious on getting my head in the way and I tend to forget
>>> things like screws and board covers. :-/  I appreciate everyone's support.
>>> I'm still figuring my way around CP/M in general so I can do a proper video
>>> on this.
>>>
>>> As I mentioned on stream, a bunch of YouTubers are doing #SepTandy again
>>> this year and I hope to join them.
>>>
>>> -Josh
>>>
>>

Re: [M100] REXCPM 102 - it's arrived - Let's Livestream an install!

[Greg Swallow]

Josh,

Watching the video right now. Pointing out the mistake of PCB not under 
tabs. Good video. Makes me glad I got the M100 REXCPM. So cool.


GregS <><

On 7/29/20 6:25 AM, Josh Malone wrote:

The stream video is still up - https://www.twitch.tv/48kram

It won't be up for long though (2 weeks I think?). However, I do plan 
on making a better video for this. Yes, I did get to bootstrap CP/M 
and we even wired up Zork!


-Josh

On Wed, Jul 29, 2020 at 7:59 AM Stephen Adolph > wrote:


Hi Josh,
Didnt see it, is it something I can watch offline?
Do you cover bootstrapping the machine, and getting to CP/M?

If so that's going to be helpful to others who need a better
explainer than what I put at the wiki.

Thx
 Steve

On Wednesday, July 29, 2020, Josh Malone mailto:josh.mal...@gmail.com>> wrote:

Thanks, everyone! It was fun to do. My unfortunate overhead
camera setup makes my very conscious on getting my head in the
way and I tend to forget things like screws and board covers.
:-/  I appreciate everyone's support. I'm still figuring my
way around CP/M in general so I can do a proper video on this.

As I mentioned on stream, a bunch of YouTubers are doing
#SepTandy again this year and I hope to join them.

-Josh

Re: [M100] LCD Botton 4 Lines (WAS) Listserv Search

[Jeffrey Birt]

> Yes, just for no other reason than to make sure the ribbon in the connector 
> was making good contact. 

OK, just making sure I understood.

 

>Look below: I never understood if my logic probe results on the CS pins were 
>correct.

I will have to double check that on the computer and let you know. If it is 
continuously writing to the screen you should see them toggle. 

 

>as I was writing this just now I moved the M100 in front of me on the >desk, 
>hit CTRL and BREAK and it is flawless again.  

 

>So fair to say not the ribbon?

This sounds like a classic bad connection. It could be the ribbon connector a 
bad solder joint on the main board connector or screen, etc. These can be hard 
to find. 

 

 

>Also, T21 looked a little twisted

T21 is part of the main power supply switching circuit. If it did not work you 
would have no power at all. As long as you measure -5, +5 you are OK

 

> I'm wondering if its capacitors C47 or C54 - a hunch. 

C64 is part of the modem circuit so probably not an issue for this problem. It 
looks like C47 is in that area as well based on schematic.

 

Intermittent problems are tough. I have spent months tracking them down before 
as they have a habit of never occurring when you are looking for them.

 

Good luck

 

Jeff Birt

 

From: M100  On Behalf Of Chris Fezzler
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 10:43 PM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] LCD Botton 4 Lines (WAS) Listserv Search

 

Yes, just for no other reason than to make sure the ribbon in the connector was 
making good contact.  Look below: I never understood if my logic probe results 
on the CS pins were correct. I also tested a few other components with my 
multi-meter.  All were okay.  

 

Then I reassembled, fired up and no result.  Then, why I don't know, I turned 
unit on while holding down just CTRL and BREAK (No reset) and it worked for two 
days!  

I ran a burn in test.  Just a full line of text that scrolled and looped.  Ran 
it overnight once.  Flawless.

 

 

Dumb luck (likely)? What is happening when I hold just CTRL and BREAK and turn 
on?  Some variation of an initialization?  I know cold/hard reset is CTRL, 
BREAK, RESET and turn on.

 

What the!?!  After trying all sorts of reset combinations today to no result, 
as I was writing this just now I moved the M100 in front of me on the desk, hit 
CTRL and BREAK and it is flawless again.  I'm running the loop. 

 

So fair to say not the ribbon?

 

I think I have an intermittent issue with a component due to heat or power on.  
A guess.  In randomly ready about the LCD and looking at service manual, I'm 
wondering if 

 

its capacitors C47 or C54 - a hunch.  Also, T21 looked a little twisted after I 
replaced the internal battery and I noticed it was REALLY hot.  To hot to touch 
with your finger.  After straightening it some, it ran cool.  Is that T21 
failing after heating up?  I assume T=transitor.

 

I'm close!  If I only knew what I was doing!  

 

 

Re: [M100] REXCPM 102 - it's arrived - Let's Livestream an install!

[Josh Malone]

The stream video is still up -  https://www.twitch.tv/48kram

It won't be up for long though (2 weeks I think?). However, I do plan on
making a better video for this. Yes, I did get to bootstrap CP/M and we
even wired up Zork!

-Josh

On Wed, Jul 29, 2020 at 7:59 AM Stephen Adolph  wrote:

> Hi Josh,
> Didnt see it, is it something I can watch offline?
> Do you cover bootstrapping the machine, and getting to CP/M?
>
> If so that's going to be helpful to others who need a better explainer
> than what I put at the wiki.
>
> Thx
>  Steve
>
> On Wednesday, July 29, 2020, Josh Malone  wrote:
>
>> Thanks, everyone! It was fun to do. My unfortunate overhead camera setup
>> makes my very conscious on getting my head in the way and I tend to forget
>> things like screws and board covers. :-/  I appreciate everyone's support.
>> I'm still figuring my way around CP/M in general so I can do a proper video
>> on this.
>>
>> As I mentioned on stream, a bunch of YouTubers are doing #SepTandy again
>> this year and I hope to join them.
>>
>> -Josh
>>
>

Re: [M100] REXCPM 102 - it's arrived - Let's Livestream an install!

[Stephen Adolph]

Hi Josh,
Didnt see it, is it something I can watch offline?
Do you cover bootstrapping the machine, and getting to CP/M?

If so that's going to be helpful to others who need a better explainer than
what I put at the wiki.

Thx
 Steve

On Wednesday, July 29, 2020, Josh Malone  wrote:

> Thanks, everyone! It was fun to do. My unfortunate overhead camera setup
> makes my very conscious on getting my head in the way and I tend to forget
> things like screws and board covers. :-/  I appreciate everyone's support.
> I'm still figuring my way around CP/M in general so I can do a proper video
> on this.
>
> As I mentioned on stream, a bunch of YouTubers are doing #SepTandy again
> this year and I hope to join them.
>
> -Josh
>

Re: [M100] REXCPM 102 - it's arrived - Let's Livestream an install!

[Josh Malone]

Thanks, everyone! It was fun to do. My unfortunate overhead camera setup
makes my very conscious on getting my head in the way and I tend to forget
things like screws and board covers. :-/  I appreciate everyone's support.
I'm still figuring my way around CP/M in general so I can do a proper video
on this.

As I mentioned on stream, a bunch of YouTubers are doing #SepTandy again
this year and I hope to join them.

-Josh

Re: [M100] REXCPM 102 - it's arrived - Let's Livestream an install!

[John R. Hogerhuis]

Great stuff Josh.

Makes me realize I could help by adding a fast DOS injector and get the
fast CP/M stuff finished in LaddieAlpha.

Can't help with the soldering stuff but at least the software load can be
faster.

I'll try to attend your live streams live in the future

-- John.

>

Re: [M100] LCD Botton 4 Lines (WAS) Listserv Search

[Chris Fezzler]

 Yes, just for no other reason than to make sure the ribbon in the connector 
was making good contact.  Look below: I never understood if my logic probe 
results on the CS pins were correct. I also tested a few other components with 
my multi-meter.  All were okay.  
Then I reassembled, fired up and no result.  Then, why I don't know, I turned 
unit on while holding down just CTRL and BREAK (No reset) and it worked for two 
days!  I ran a burn in test.  Just a full line of text that scrolled and 
looped.  Ran it overnight once.  Flawless.

Dumb luck (likely)? What is happening when I hold just CTRL and BREAK and turn 
on?  Some variation of an initialization?  I know cold/hard reset is CTRL, 
BREAK, RESET and turn on.
What the!?!  After trying all sorts of reset combinations today to no result, 
as I was writing this just now I moved the M100 in front of me on the desk, hit 
CTRL and BREAK and it is flawless again.  I'm running the loop. 
So fair to say not the ribbon?
I think I have an intermittent issue with a component due to heat or power on.  
A guess.  In randomly ready about the LCD and looking at service manual, I'm 
wondering if 
its capacitors C47 or C54 - a hunch.  Also, T21 looked a little twisted after I 
replaced the internal battery and I noticed it was REALLY hot.  To hot to touch 
with your finger.  After straightening it some, it ran cool.  Is that T21 
failing after heating up?  I assume T=transitor.
I'm close!  If I only knew what I was doing!  



On Tuesday, July 28, 2020, 06:10:24 PM EDT, Jeffrey Birt 
 wrote:  
 
 
You squeezed the end of the ribbon cable that plugs into the main board? 

  

Jeff Birt

  

From: M100  On Behalf Of Chris Fezzler
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 2:45 PM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] LCD Botton 4 Lines (WAS) Listserv Search

  

:(  Short lived.  Worked for 2-day.  Back to old glitch.

  

  

  

On Sunday, July 26, 2020, 06:26:04 PM EDT, Jeffrey Birt  
wrote: 

  

  

Excellent! Let us know!

 

Jeff Birt

 

From: M100  On Behalf Of Chris Fezzler
Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2020 5:19 PM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] LCD Botton 4 Lines (WAS) Listserv Search

 

Working but "uncle" LOL.

 

After logic prob test, I got some pliers and gently squeezed the LCD connector 
to ensure good contact with the clip and wires before reinstalling.

 

Fired it up.  Nothing.  Blank screen.  Warm boot, nothing.  Hard rest, LCD 
pixels went dark momentarily.  Then nothing.

 

About to call it quits but something told me to switch off, hold just CTRL and 
BREAK while turning on (no reset button).

 

It fired up perfect, all lines.  

 

Who knows?

 

We'll see if it sticks before installing REXCPM.

 

 

 

On Sunday, July 26, 2020, 05:42:36 PM EDT, Chris Fezzler  
wrote: 

 

 

For what it is worth, logic probe results for LCD connector chip select pins:

 

CS01 (pin 18) = H

CS20 (pin 14) = H

CS21 (pin 12) = H

CS22 (pin 10) = H

CS23 (pin   8) = H

CS24 (pin   7) = H

CS25 (pin 16) = L

CS26 (pin 15) = L

CS27 (pin 13) = L

CS28 (pin 11) = L

CS29 (pin   9) = L

 

I took the prob positive from C83 and ground from C8.

 

 

On Sunday, July 26, 2020, 03:55:00 PM EDT, Chris Fezzler  
wrote: 

 

 

No after market ROM.

 

Logically, I would think the fact that the top four lines are perfect, the hard 
reset produces a perfect Menu screen, and just the bottom four lines are 
garbled would be a clue where to look.

 

I know nothing other than reading a lot off Internet.  My instinct tells me the 
issue is a component that regulates power or signals to the LCD driver chips 
for the bottom half of the screen.  The are getting power (because we see 
gibberish and the perfect Menu screen) but perhaps it is the wrong voltage or 
intermittent power or signal.

 

Thoughts are:

 

Capacitors C47 or C54 and or M17 and/or M25.

 

But I don't know how to determine their impact on the issue.

 

 

 

 

On Sunday, July 26, 2020, 11:25:01 AM EDT, Jeffrey Birt  
wrote: 

 

 

When comparing your two pictures, after rotating them right side up, I noticed 
just now that not only do you have blank blocks but some of the characters are 
reversed.  That is really bizarre. I’m not sure if that points to a problem 
with how the LCD drivers are being configured/initialized or what data is being 
sent to them.

 

If the driver ships are outputting a built-in font here it might be a chip 
configuration issue. If the display is always bit mapped, then it would be 
something else.

 

Do you have any sort of aftermarket ROM installed? 

 

Very interesting problem. 

 

Jeff Birt

 

From: M100  On Behalf Of Chris Fezzler
Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2020 9:47 AM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] Listserv Search

 

Gladly.

 

 

 

On Sunday, July 26, 2020, 08:36:06 AM EDT, Jeffrey Birt  
wrote: 

 

 

Can you attach a picture of the cold boot screen too? 

The positive and negative clips go to a +5 and ground source on the M100 PCB 
itself. The