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Subject: Re: Standalone chess computers

Author: William Kerr

Date: 15:18:04 06/27/04

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On June 27, 2004 at 16:22:36, steven blincoe wrote:

>hi Will
>
>you certainly seem to know how to repair these old relics..
>can i ask you..
>i have two computers that are defective...
>one is a Conic 7013..which uses metal tipped pieces inserted into holes in the
>board to register a move..like closing an electrical circuit
>it has a completley dead H file..meaning the computer recognizes no pieces
>anywhere along the H file
>
>this really bothers me because it was the only computer to be endorsed by
>Korchnoi and carries his signature on the face of the computer(as with all of
>the Kasparov computers)
>
>the other is a Yeno 320 XT...standard pressure sensory computer..the entire 5th
>rank is dead as a door nail
>computer does not register  any squares being pressed along the 5th rank
>
>do you think these defects are repairable?


>Best
>Steve

Hi Steve;

I would think so but its going to involve a ohm meter to measure continuity and
wire tracing to determind which ICs the board sensors connect to. These units I
would guess as with the Boris drive either the ranks or files of the board and
the computer senses which piece is moved. It sounds like from your discription
that those two chess computers have the same problem the Boris had except it
pertaines to the board versus the operating switches. A defective driver chip
driving one of the board rank/file lines may be causing the problem. It could
also be a defective receiver chip that receives the input when a piece is moved.
With a ohm meter you need to find the ICs that the board switches connect to.
One of the chips will be the driver and one the receiver (there may be two or
more chips for each function). It could also be that the signals go directly to
the microprocessor or some special I/O chip. If its the microprocessor, it may
be difficult to find a replacement. If its a special I/O chip designed by the
manufacturer of the chess computer then your screwed. It may take someone with
an oscilloscope to trace the signals to determine which chip (receiver or
driver) is defective. Hopefully once found a replacement can be found. Post here
if you get the part number I may have it or know where to get it or recommend a
substitute. The tough part is finding the bad IC. The old chip needs to be
un-soldered and removed - best done by someone who has plenty of experience.

Good luck.
Bill




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