BassGuitari Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Short version: the Aquarius keeps "holding down" the A and 1 keys. It makes BASIC almost unusable, and it interferes with game controller usage with the Mini-Expander. A diagnostic check with the Aquaricart indicates bad RAM, and I suspect that's also preventing my 16K RAM cart from being read (unless I just have a bad 16K cart, which would suck).Is there a workable solution to this apart from replacing RAM chips? If they're socketed (IIRC they're not) it wouldn't be problem, but if came down to de/soldering I'd just get another Aquarius. Last thing I need is another project.Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybird3rd Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 The Mini Expander Diagnostic in the Aquaricart only tests the expanded RAM, not the 4K of onboard RAM. So, if the RAM diagnostic is failing, it's almost certainly a problem with the 16K module. Does the keyboard function normally without the RAM module installed? The keyboard issue could also be caused by dirty contacts. It's fairly easy to open the Aquarius and unplug the keyboard cable; the fingers at the end of the cable can then be cleaned with a cotton swap dipped in isopropyl alcohol. I've had to clean a few Aquarius keyboards to get them working again. While you're at it, you might as well try cleaning the card edge fingers inside the 16K module, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted December 12, 2014 Author Share Posted December 12, 2014 The Mini Expander Diagnostic in the Aquaricart only tests the expanded RAM, not the 4K of onboard RAM. So, if the RAM diagnostic is failing, it's almost certainly a problem with the 16K module. Does the keyboard function normally without the RAM module installed? The keyboard issue could also be caused by dirty contacts. It's fairly easy to open the Aquarius and unplug the keyboard cable, and the fingers at the end of the cable can be cleaned with a cotton swap dipped in rubbing alcohol. I've had to clean a few Aquarius keyboards because of dirty contacts. Bummer about the 16K cart. Even without the RAM cart it acts wacky. I mean, the keyboard itself works fine -- all keys respond as they should -- but even if I don't touch the machine it'll start spitting out a bunch of As and 1s. I originally thought it was a dirty keyboard and opened it up and cleaned it, but obviously that didn't solve it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.