Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!rutgers!husc6!think!maynard!campbell From: campbell@maynard.UUCP Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec.micro Subject: Re: Flickering Rainbow. Message-ID: <1033@maynard.BSW.COM> Date: Thu, 3-Dec-87 21:50:56 EST Article-I.D.: maynard.1033 Posted: Thu Dec 3 21:50:56 1987 Date-Received: Sun, 6-Dec-87 22:07:54 EST References: <8712030220.AA03580@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> Reply-To: campbell@maynard.UUCP (Larry Campbell) Organization: The Boston Software Works, Inc. Lines: 27 Keywords: toast smoke lossage ribbon power cable Summary: Beware self-immolating Rainbows In article <8712030220.AA03580@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> $$$I$JV@NERVM.BITNET writes: <> <> ... My system over the last few months has started to burp <>quite consistently with the monitor. It dims, flickers, and even flashes <>off. Best medicine - a solid little thump and everything clears up. Take heed and beware! I have observed this problem in several Rainbows, and every time it has turned out that the power cable -- the hefty ribbon cable that connects the power supply to the motherboard -- was toasting itself. Shut off your Rainbow and remove the power cable. Inspect it carefully. You're likely to find one or more of the contacts in the cable ends darkened or scorched. If you do, leave your Rainbow powered off, and get a replacement cable immediately. Do not delay -- I lost the contents of my winchester once because of this problem. I now buy two replacement cables every time this happens, just to make sure I have a spare on hand. They're pretty cheap. And I inspect the power cables on my Rainbows regularly -- every couple of months -- to be sure I catch a bad cable before it catches me. A word to the wise... -- Larry Campbell The Boston Software Works, Inc. Internet: campbell@maynard.bsw.com 120 Fulton Street, Boston MA 02109 uucp: {husc6,mirror,think}!maynard!campbell +1 617 367 6846