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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