What to check before powering on TRS80 Model III in unknown condition

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Having managed to source a TRS-80 Model III that I'm told hasn't been powered on for quite some time (and I suspect this is a massive understatement), I'm worried that the first thing that might happen when I apply power is that there will be a large flash and/or bang, followed by not much at all :-)



Although it is a specific machine, I'm happy if some answers are generic, so as to cover a wider audience (or is it visience when you're reading rather than listening?).



So my question is hopefully a simple one. Given its unknown condition, the high liklihood that it may not power up correctly, and my innate paranoia about destroying something I just bought, what should I check before I even plug in the power?






power trs-80 trs-80-model-iii







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  • 4




    Possible duplicate of Is it safe to turn on a 40-year old TRS-80?
    – tofro
    3 hours ago










  • Have made specific to the model 3 to differentiate from suggested duplicate (which is specifically for model 1).
    – paxdiablo
    7 mins ago















up vote
5
down vote

favorite












Having managed to source a TRS-80 Model III that I'm told hasn't been powered on for quite some time (and I suspect this is a massive understatement), I'm worried that the first thing that might happen when I apply power is that there will be a large flash and/or bang, followed by not much at all :-)



Although it is a specific machine, I'm happy if some answers are generic, so as to cover a wider audience (or is it visience when you're reading rather than listening?).



So my question is hopefully a simple one. Given its unknown condition, the high liklihood that it may not power up correctly, and my innate paranoia about destroying something I just bought, what should I check before I even plug in the power?






power trs-80 trs-80-model-iii







share|improve this question



















  • 4




    Possible duplicate of Is it safe to turn on a 40-year old TRS-80?
    – tofro
    3 hours ago










  • Have made specific to the model 3 to differentiate from suggested duplicate (which is specifically for model 1).
    – paxdiablo
    7 mins ago













up vote
5
down vote

favorite









up vote
5
down vote

favorite











Having managed to source a TRS-80 Model III that I'm told hasn't been powered on for quite some time (and I suspect this is a massive understatement), I'm worried that the first thing that might happen when I apply power is that there will be a large flash and/or bang, followed by not much at all :-)



Although it is a specific machine, I'm happy if some answers are generic, so as to cover a wider audience (or is it visience when you're reading rather than listening?).



So my question is hopefully a simple one. Given its unknown condition, the high liklihood that it may not power up correctly, and my innate paranoia about destroying something I just bought, what should I check before I even plug in the power?






power trs-80 trs-80-model-iii







share|improve this question















Having managed to source a TRS-80 Model III that I'm told hasn't been powered on for quite some time (and I suspect this is a massive understatement), I'm worried that the first thing that might happen when I apply power is that there will be a large flash and/or bang, followed by not much at all :-)



Although it is a specific machine, I'm happy if some answers are generic, so as to cover a wider audience (or is it visience when you're reading rather than listening?).



So my question is hopefully a simple one. Given its unknown condition, the high liklihood that it may not power up correctly, and my innate paranoia about destroying something I just bought, what should I check before I even plug in the power?






power trs-80 trs-80-model-iii




power trs-80 trs-80-model-iii






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 8 mins ago

























asked 5 hours ago









paxdiablo

247213




247213







  • 4




    Possible duplicate of Is it safe to turn on a 40-year old TRS-80?
    – tofro
    3 hours ago










  • Have made specific to the model 3 to differentiate from suggested duplicate (which is specifically for model 1).
    – paxdiablo
    7 mins ago













  • 4




    Possible duplicate of Is it safe to turn on a 40-year old TRS-80?
    – tofro
    3 hours ago










  • Have made specific to the model 3 to differentiate from suggested duplicate (which is specifically for model 1).
    – paxdiablo
    7 mins ago








4




4




Possible duplicate of Is it safe to turn on a 40-year old TRS-80?
– tofro
3 hours ago




Possible duplicate of Is it safe to turn on a 40-year old TRS-80?
– tofro
3 hours ago












Have made specific to the model 3 to differentiate from suggested duplicate (which is specifically for model 1).
– paxdiablo
7 mins ago





Have made specific to the model 3 to differentiate from suggested duplicate (which is specifically for model 1).
– paxdiablo
7 mins ago











3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
4
down vote













First, do a visual inspection. Make sure it's reasonably clean, no liquid damage etc. Check for foreign objects and possible shorts.



Then check the power supply. It's easier with external types but some internal ones can be disconnected from the main board and tested individually. At the very least, check for shorts between the supply rails and ground. Also visually inspect capacitors for leaks.



If your country has fuses in plugs make sure its the right fuse, generally the smallest available. 3A is more than enough.



Then finally carefully power it up and be ready to switch it off again if it smokes.



You can do more if you have the right equipment and time to go over it in detail, but that should generally be enough for most machines.






share|improve this answer



























    up vote
    4
    down vote













    The TRS-80 Model III is a pretty robust machine but there is one common problem -- the RIFA capacitors on the power supply. These were paper-type and very often short out producing lots of smoke though generally don't cause any damage to the machine itself. There is an excellent page devoted to that procedure:



    http://www.akhara.com/trs-80/psrepair/index.html



    Also note that some care must be taken when opening the machine as it is easy to damage the CRT neck when doing so.



    There are other common problems that are troublesome but not dangerous to the machine. Stuck brightness/contrast knobs. Keys that don't work. Disk drives that need lubricating. I highly recommend this video as a how-to guide:



    TRS-80 Model III checks before powering up






    share|improve this answer



























      up vote
      3
      down vote













      This is not a full answer, feel free to improve it.
      Let's start with the basics:
      Use ESD protection when touching any PCBs.
      Clean the PCBs.Inspect for any physical damages.
      Inspect all capacitors to see if any is leaking.
      Check any batteries.
      If possible, check the function of the power supply when it is not connected to any PCBs.






      share|improve this answer




















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        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes








        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes








        up vote
        4
        down vote













        First, do a visual inspection. Make sure it's reasonably clean, no liquid damage etc. Check for foreign objects and possible shorts.



        Then check the power supply. It's easier with external types but some internal ones can be disconnected from the main board and tested individually. At the very least, check for shorts between the supply rails and ground. Also visually inspect capacitors for leaks.



        If your country has fuses in plugs make sure its the right fuse, generally the smallest available. 3A is more than enough.



        Then finally carefully power it up and be ready to switch it off again if it smokes.



        You can do more if you have the right equipment and time to go over it in detail, but that should generally be enough for most machines.






        share|improve this answer
























          up vote
          4
          down vote













          First, do a visual inspection. Make sure it's reasonably clean, no liquid damage etc. Check for foreign objects and possible shorts.



          Then check the power supply. It's easier with external types but some internal ones can be disconnected from the main board and tested individually. At the very least, check for shorts between the supply rails and ground. Also visually inspect capacitors for leaks.



          If your country has fuses in plugs make sure its the right fuse, generally the smallest available. 3A is more than enough.



          Then finally carefully power it up and be ready to switch it off again if it smokes.



          You can do more if you have the right equipment and time to go over it in detail, but that should generally be enough for most machines.






          share|improve this answer






















            up vote
            4
            down vote










            up vote
            4
            down vote









            First, do a visual inspection. Make sure it's reasonably clean, no liquid damage etc. Check for foreign objects and possible shorts.



            Then check the power supply. It's easier with external types but some internal ones can be disconnected from the main board and tested individually. At the very least, check for shorts between the supply rails and ground. Also visually inspect capacitors for leaks.



            If your country has fuses in plugs make sure its the right fuse, generally the smallest available. 3A is more than enough.



            Then finally carefully power it up and be ready to switch it off again if it smokes.



            You can do more if you have the right equipment and time to go over it in detail, but that should generally be enough for most machines.






            share|improve this answer












            First, do a visual inspection. Make sure it's reasonably clean, no liquid damage etc. Check for foreign objects and possible shorts.



            Then check the power supply. It's easier with external types but some internal ones can be disconnected from the main board and tested individually. At the very least, check for shorts between the supply rails and ground. Also visually inspect capacitors for leaks.



            If your country has fuses in plugs make sure its the right fuse, generally the smallest available. 3A is more than enough.



            Then finally carefully power it up and be ready to switch it off again if it smokes.



            You can do more if you have the right equipment and time to go over it in detail, but that should generally be enough for most machines.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 2 hours ago









            user

            1,784211




            1,784211




















                up vote
                4
                down vote













                The TRS-80 Model III is a pretty robust machine but there is one common problem -- the RIFA capacitors on the power supply. These were paper-type and very often short out producing lots of smoke though generally don't cause any damage to the machine itself. There is an excellent page devoted to that procedure:



                http://www.akhara.com/trs-80/psrepair/index.html



                Also note that some care must be taken when opening the machine as it is easy to damage the CRT neck when doing so.



                There are other common problems that are troublesome but not dangerous to the machine. Stuck brightness/contrast knobs. Keys that don't work. Disk drives that need lubricating. I highly recommend this video as a how-to guide:



                TRS-80 Model III checks before powering up






                share|improve this answer
























                  up vote
                  4
                  down vote













                  The TRS-80 Model III is a pretty robust machine but there is one common problem -- the RIFA capacitors on the power supply. These were paper-type and very often short out producing lots of smoke though generally don't cause any damage to the machine itself. There is an excellent page devoted to that procedure:



                  http://www.akhara.com/trs-80/psrepair/index.html



                  Also note that some care must be taken when opening the machine as it is easy to damage the CRT neck when doing so.



                  There are other common problems that are troublesome but not dangerous to the machine. Stuck brightness/contrast knobs. Keys that don't work. Disk drives that need lubricating. I highly recommend this video as a how-to guide:



                  TRS-80 Model III checks before powering up






                  share|improve this answer






















                    up vote
                    4
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    4
                    down vote









                    The TRS-80 Model III is a pretty robust machine but there is one common problem -- the RIFA capacitors on the power supply. These were paper-type and very often short out producing lots of smoke though generally don't cause any damage to the machine itself. There is an excellent page devoted to that procedure:



                    http://www.akhara.com/trs-80/psrepair/index.html



                    Also note that some care must be taken when opening the machine as it is easy to damage the CRT neck when doing so.



                    There are other common problems that are troublesome but not dangerous to the machine. Stuck brightness/contrast knobs. Keys that don't work. Disk drives that need lubricating. I highly recommend this video as a how-to guide:



                    TRS-80 Model III checks before powering up






                    share|improve this answer












                    The TRS-80 Model III is a pretty robust machine but there is one common problem -- the RIFA capacitors on the power supply. These were paper-type and very often short out producing lots of smoke though generally don't cause any damage to the machine itself. There is an excellent page devoted to that procedure:



                    http://www.akhara.com/trs-80/psrepair/index.html



                    Also note that some care must be taken when opening the machine as it is easy to damage the CRT neck when doing so.



                    There are other common problems that are troublesome but not dangerous to the machine. Stuck brightness/contrast knobs. Keys that don't work. Disk drives that need lubricating. I highly recommend this video as a how-to guide:



                    TRS-80 Model III checks before powering up







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 1 hour ago









                    George Phillips

                    3,3481421




                    3,3481421




















                        up vote
                        3
                        down vote













                        This is not a full answer, feel free to improve it.
                        Let's start with the basics:
                        Use ESD protection when touching any PCBs.
                        Clean the PCBs.Inspect for any physical damages.
                        Inspect all capacitors to see if any is leaking.
                        Check any batteries.
                        If possible, check the function of the power supply when it is not connected to any PCBs.






                        share|improve this answer
























                          up vote
                          3
                          down vote













                          This is not a full answer, feel free to improve it.
                          Let's start with the basics:
                          Use ESD protection when touching any PCBs.
                          Clean the PCBs.Inspect for any physical damages.
                          Inspect all capacitors to see if any is leaking.
                          Check any batteries.
                          If possible, check the function of the power supply when it is not connected to any PCBs.






                          share|improve this answer






















                            up vote
                            3
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            3
                            down vote









                            This is not a full answer, feel free to improve it.
                            Let's start with the basics:
                            Use ESD protection when touching any PCBs.
                            Clean the PCBs.Inspect for any physical damages.
                            Inspect all capacitors to see if any is leaking.
                            Check any batteries.
                            If possible, check the function of the power supply when it is not connected to any PCBs.






                            share|improve this answer












                            This is not a full answer, feel free to improve it.
                            Let's start with the basics:
                            Use ESD protection when touching any PCBs.
                            Clean the PCBs.Inspect for any physical damages.
                            Inspect all capacitors to see if any is leaking.
                            Check any batteries.
                            If possible, check the function of the power supply when it is not connected to any PCBs.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 3 hours ago









                            UncleBod

                            3073




                            3073



























                                 

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