COMMODORE CLINIC ■ ■■ ■■■■/•'.■ \i
.■.-:■ ■: -
■■■.
JIM STRASMA
Do you have a problem or question about your Commodore computer) Commodore
even If the light is on normally, the
blown by plugging in the joystick
power supply could still be inade
while the computer was turned on.
Clinic can help. Just send your question
quate. The way to be sure is to borrow
(We all do that, but the chip isn't buff
(limit one per entry) on a postcard to:
a different power supply and try it.
ered, so sometimes it doesn't work.)
If the problem goes away, your power
Jim Strauma
supply
Commodore Clinic
column, but, due to the volume of mail, only those questions that appeal to the majority of our readers will be published. enclose
a
(o
be
fixed
or
self-addressed
stamped envelop?, since we cannot provide personal responses or answer questions before publication.
lem, let me make a couple- of sugges tions.
First,
You can probably fix the problem by replacing Ul. You'll find ii sol dered in place, but add a socket when
Since (his is such a common prob
Queries are answered only through Ihis
not
have
replaced.
12J.S Itichland AllB. Lhirvln, IL 62f>56
Please do
will
be
sure
your
power
supply is plugged in properly; on some (i4s, it's possible to force its connector in the wrong way. On most
units, the dimple in the side of the connector should face up when plug ging in. Second, keep your power supply
replacing it, so you'll never have to un
solder it again. Radio Shack has a good cheap desoldering iron, but since (5r>'.>(5 chips are hard to locate,
you may still prefer to leave the repair to your dealer.
To avoid future occurrences, plug in your joystick with the computer oil. You might want to buy two joysticks and leave them in place all the time.
in an open area. It needs ventilation, because it is in a sealed case and
REPAIRS
Q
generates a lot of heat Third, try to minimize the number ol addons you plug into a (it using the
My Commodore 64 seems lo
lock up about five minutes after I turn it on. If I turn it off for a few minutes, it will work for a few min utes
before
the
problem
appears
again. Do you know what could be causing this problem? John Allison Rockville, MO
r\:
Heat. 1 receive letters like
yours several times a week, and. in
most cases, the culprit appears tn be
an overheating power supply. As a
general rule, if a (i'l fails anywhere from five minutes Id a few hours after
being turned on, the problem is heatrelated, and the power supply should be checked first.
If the red power light on the lop Of the keyboard dims or goes out, the
power supply Is probably at fault. But 106 / RUN JULY 198!
Standard power supply, and be sure
their connectors are on properly. Fourth, if your power supply fails,
Q
I have a 1525 printer that
doesn't pull labels through. Commo dore sent me instructions on adjust ing the printer to let labels move through, and I tried three times to ad just it, with no luck. Could you give
try to replace it with one ol the repair
me better instructions on adjusting
able or oversized power supplies now-
the printer or, better yet, the name
being offered by various companies.
and address of a company whose la
Q
bels will run on a 1525F I'm having a problem with joy
stick port 2 in my 64. f get no response from the joystick on it, even though the joystick works in port 1. Problems running programs are also evident. This just happened recently. What is the cause, and have you any tips on preventing it from happening again? Barry Gray El Paso, TX
John Gehrkc
Brooklyn, NY The 1525 isn't noted for its pa per-pulling ability, bul. before giving up, take your instructions to a Com
modore dealer (such as Mei/.ner Busi ness Systems in your area), and lei
them try to make the adjustment You might also try the new transparent
plastic labels offered by Quill Corp. (100 S. Schelter, Lincolnshire, IL) and
Both joyports are controlled by
others. They are thinner and more
the 6526 CIA chip at Ul on your (i4's
flexible than paper labels. If anyone else would like the Com-
circuit board. Most likely, ii has been