Apple Composite Monitor Troubleshooting Guide
Fault-finding on the AppleColor Composite Monitor IIe and IIc and the ColorMonitor IIe and IIc, from Apple's symptom chart. Identify the series first (two hinges with metal pins on the control door: Series "S"; three plastic hinges: Series "H"), because some actions apply to one series only. Try the actions in the order listed.[1]
Series "H" Rev. B monitors have a live chassis connected to the mains neutral. Work on them only through an isolation transformer.[2] Read CRT Discharge Procedure and Apple Composite Monitor General Maintenance before opening any of them.
Symptom chart
[edit | edit source]| Symptom | Actions, in order |
|---|---|
| No raster | Adjust the external brightness control. Series "S": check fuse F871 on the power supply board. Series "H": check fuse F901 on the main logic board. Check all connectors on the power supply and main logic boards. Series "S": replace the power supply board, then the rear panel/AC cord. Replace the main logic board. Replace the power switch. Replace the CRT |
| One horizontal line | Series "S": check that the internal service switch SW800 is in its normal position. Check the yoke connector. Replace the main logic board. Replace the CRT |
| One vertical line | Check the yoke connector. Replace the main logic board. Replace the CRT |
| One side of the raster a different height (keystone) | Replace the CRT |
| Other abnormal raster | Check that all connectors are seated and in the right places. Replace the main logic board |
| Horizontal linearity bad | Replace the main logic board |
| High-pitched noise | Replace the main logic board. Series "S": replace the power supply board |
| Small, abnormally bright raster | Check the yoke connector. Replace the main logic board. Replace the CRT |
| No vertical sync | Set the rear vertical hold. Replace the main logic board |
| Raster not centred | Replace the main logic board |
| Colour, contrast or brightness will not adjust | Replace the main logic board |
| Characters jitter | Check all ground straps. Check that nearby computer equipment is properly grounded. Series "S": replace the power supply board. Replace the main logic board |
| Vertical linearity bad | Replace the main logic board |
| Black spot remains after switch-off (burnt phosphor) | Replace the CRT |
| Picture too dark or too bright | Adjust the front brightness. Series "S": adjust the internal sub-brightness. Replace the main logic board. Replace the CRT |
| Raster one predominant colour | Do the colour adjustment. Replace the main logic board |
| No colour | Check that the software is meant to display colour. Check that WHITE ONLY is out. Replace the main logic board. If colours are seriously out, adjust the internal colour controls |
| Flashing or wavy screen | Gently crimp the metal tabs on the video connector |
If the problem remains after the chart, Apple's technicians called their Regional Technical Support Center.[1]
Before replacing a board
[edit | edit source]- A Series "H" monitor that blows F901 repeatedly may still have a 3.15 A 250 V fuse fitted. Apple replaced those with 4 A 125 V parts after finding a one per cent failure rate.[3] Series "H" also has a second fuse, F902 (1 A fast-blow).[4]
- A dead power light after fitting a Rev. B logic board to a Series "H" IIe monitor is the reversed LED polarity of the Rev. B board, not a fault. Swap the two LED leads in the connector.[5]
- Series "S" and Series "H" modules are not interchangeable: the main logic boards (661-0308 and 661-0317) and CRT assemblies (076-0173 and 076-0194) are different parts.[6]
- A composite monitor shows the Apple II's composite output only. Apple's 1987 data sheet steers Apple IIGS owners who want the IIGS colour graphics to the AppleColor RGB Monitor.[7]
Related pages
[edit | edit source]- Apple Composite Monitor
- Apple Composite Monitor General Maintenance
- Apple Composite Monitor Documentation
- Capacitor Failure Symptoms
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Apple Computer, AppleColor Composite Monitor IIe/IIc and ColorMonitor IIe/IIc Technical Procedures, in Apple Service Technical Procedures: Apple II Family, Volume Two, 072-0229, November 1991 build, Troubleshooting, pp. 2.2-2.5 (PDF pp. 22-25). Hosted here: File:AppleColor Composite Monitor and ColorMonitor IIe and IIc Technical Procedures.pdf.
- ↑ AppleColor Composite Monitor IIe/IIc and ColorMonitor IIe/IIc Technical Procedures, Adjustments, warning, p. 4.1 (PDF p. 121).
- ↑ AppleColor Composite Monitor IIe/IIc and ColorMonitor IIe/IIc Technical Procedures, Service Notes, Upgrade Procedure for Fuse F901, p. 0.5 (PDF p. 9).
- ↑ AppleColor Composite Monitor IIe/IIc and ColorMonitor IIe/IIc Technical Procedures, Take-Apart Series "H", Logic Board Fuses, p. 3H.50 (PDF p. 120).
- ↑ AppleColor Composite Monitor IIe/IIc and ColorMonitor IIe/IIc Technical Procedures, Service Notes, LED Polarity Reversal Procedure, p. 0.9 (PDF p. 13).
- ↑ AppleColor Composite Monitor IIe/IIc and ColorMonitor IIe/IIc Technical Procedures, Illustrated Parts List, pp. 5.3-5.9 (PDF pp. 137-143).
- ↑ Apple Computer, AppleColor Composite Monitors data sheet, July 1987, A2F2220. Hosted here: File:AppleColor Composite Monitors Data Sheet 1987.pdf.