Coleco Adam Start-Up Troubleshooting

[Smack2k]

Hey all,

 

I tried to hook-up an Adam I picked up last night. When I first turned it on, the printer made its noises and the printer module moved a bit, while the dial spun (sorry if terms are wrong, I dont know this computer that well!). When I typed letters, it would correspond with the letters on paper, albeit about a half second delay between key press and actual printer typing. I turned the system off to move it. When I turn it back on, the printer module now sits to the far left and the dial spins and spins making the same noise until I turn it off.

 

What can I look at to try and fix this? The machine is very dirty, so a cleaning is in order, but aside from that, what can I do / try to get it working properly?

 

If any additional details are needed, just let me know what they are and I can provide them.

[adamcon]

Hey all,

 

I tried to hook-up an Adam I picked up last night. When I first turned it on, the printer made its noises and the printer module moved a bit, while the dial spun (sorry if terms are wrong, I dont know this computer that well!). When I typed letters, it would correspond with the letters on paper, albeit about a half second delay between key press and actual printer typing. I turned the system off to move it. When I turn it back on, the printer module now sits to the far left and the dial spins and spins making the same noise until I turn it off.

 

What can I look at to try and fix this? The machine is very dirty, so a cleaning is in order, but aside from that, what can I do / try to get it working properly?

 

If any additional details are needed, just let me know what they are and I can provide them.

The half second between key press and type seems ok, that is after all a very short time. You said it is dirty, and that may well be the problem with the print head. The cycle is like this; power on, print head goes left until it contacts a switch on the case at the left, then print head moves right to start position (spin on print wheel is correct) Sounds like your contact switch is dirty; you can take the cover off and test this by manually. Move the print head all the way to the right side, turn on the power, then manually depress the switch. Print head should stop and move right. If that works, you know the switch is ok; just dirty and/or misaligned. Clean and make sure the print head contacts tnd moves the swithc just enough to reset it and send the print head to the right at start position.

[Smack2k]

Thanks so much for that...will give it a shot.

 

Outside that....what do you recommend for a full cleaning of the machine? Its pretty dirty....

Edited August 30, 2016 by Smack2k

[adamcon]

Thanks so much for that...will give it a shot.

 

Outside that....what do you recommend for a full cleaning of the machine? Its pretty dirty....

Most of the time i just use denatured alcohol and a cloth, works wonders. Know of one user who soaked a keyboard in the bathtub, shook the water out and let it air dry for a week to clean....don't recommend that though. Probably a lot of cleaners out there, just don't get too harsh and melt the finish or something. Just clean with alcohol, electronic cleaner on the boards, soap and water, and lots of care; will work wonders

[Smack2k]

Can you pull the keys off the keyboard easily to clean them? I dont want to mess with it before I know...

[Milli V]

Sure - here is a video on how to do it:

 

 

Milli

[Smack2k]

Awesome...thank you for that...

 

Have an issue, hoping I didnt mess this printer up..

 

I took some parts off to clean the printer completely....when I did the wheels and the string that are on the sides of the printer mechanism came off as the wheels came out, focing the strings to fall. the string isnt ripped or cut, but not setup.

 

I tried to wind them back up by getting all the string out until the end of the string was all that was attached to the center wheel and then slowly turned the wheel bringing both wheels attached to the strings back into their places....but when you try to move the printer mechanism or turn the wheels, it immediately loses its tightness and gets really loose, falling out of the wheels again.

 

Did I screw this thing up or is there a way to get this restrung properly?

Edited September 2, 2016 by Smack2k

[Milli V]

Here is how they are wound:

 

Edited September 2, 2016 by Milli V

[Smack2k]

Is there a trick to that or is it just trial and error?

[NIAD]

Trial and error it is.... sometimes a real pain in the the arsh! You also have to be mindful of a stretched out string from heavy use, but most printers probably didn't get used and abused to the point of this being an issue.

[Smack2k]

One last question....do the strings both wrap in the same direction or are they wrapped in opposite directions on that wheel? I have wrapped it to look like those photos but the minute I move the printer head, the wheel turns and the tightness is gone and the string starts to get looser and looser.

Edited September 3, 2016 by Smack2k

[Milli V]

Opposite - look like 2 clockwise for left side and 2 counterclockwise for right

[Milli V]

Wind left side first - you can use a screwdriver and gently pry the Pully off the motor

[Smack2k]

OK, I dont know what I am doing wrong...

 

I tried to wind each side left side first, then right side and I get it wound up and tight. The minute I start to move the printer head back and forth the string gets loose and starts to fall off...

 

I took the pully off the motor as well and tried to wind it up, but cant get it wound and then put back on...

 

Feel like I am screwed, which sucks as if I can just get this part fixed, my Adam should be working!!

[Smack2k]

When I am trying to wind these up, if I start on the left side, should the printer mechanism be slid to the far right?

 

Also, when I turn it on once its wound up, what direction should I expect the device to go? I am assuming that since I do the right side second, the mechanism will be to the left side...so should it head right?

[adamcon]

When I am trying to wind these up, if I start on the left side, should the printer mechanism be slid to the far right?

 

Also, when I turn it on once its wound up, what direction should I expect the device to go? I am assuming that since I do the right side second, the mechanism will be to the left side...so should it head right?

AFIK, the print head position before startup makes no difference; upon startup, it will go fully to the left, contact the limit switch, then move right about an inch - at which time it is ready to start typing.

[Smack2k]

I find that mine (right now) when it starts will go to the right or left depending on where the mechanism is when I turn it on...but I dont know if this is due to the way I am stringing it or not? In either case, it gets loose so fast that I have to stop it.

Edited September 15, 2016 by Smack2k

[NIAD]

Print head should always move to the left when turned on, make contact with the switch, spin the print wheel, then move back to the right a little to it's home position.

 

If it does anything else, that could be a sign of issues to come... pully string loose or improperly wound, controller board, etc.

 

Even if unrepairable issues arise, just disconnect the print mechanism/controller board from the power supply and u got one helluva large system power supply.

[Smack2k]

Thanks man, I will continue to work with it...you mentioned they should always move to the left? Mine has started right a couple times but I know the string wasnt would right as it would immediately either get VERY loose and fall off or pull REAL tight and stop there as teh print head tried to keep moving but couldnt...