Preparing for first power up

Discuss construction, troubleshooting, and operation of the Altair 8800c computer

Preparing for first power up

Postby Curto » May 8th, 2022, 6:53 pm

My build is nearing completion. What would be the most methodical way to test a new build?

I was thinking along the lines:

1. Bare back plane, check voltages.
2. Install CPU and check clock? Or is that necessary. I hear so many people saying clock issue is practically a given.
3. Install panel interface panel and FDC+
4. Verify front panel operation, store and examine some values in memory
5. Use built in memory test from from panel "code insertion"
6. Maybe do a kill the bit or other simple front panel program. Can be loaded from front panel "code" insertion.
7. Add serial card. Run terminal echo test on both ports.
8. Jump to Monitor in ROM. Verify operability.
9. Use FD emulator on serial car to load basic, etc.

Thoughts? Or would you just turn it on and try to load Basic? Lol
Curto
 
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Re: Preparing for first power up

Postby BillO » May 9th, 2022, 8:30 am

Looks like a decent list.
BillO
 
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Re: Preparing for first power up

Postby Wayne Parham » May 9th, 2022, 9:48 am

Plug it all in, power it up and watch for smoke. If you see some smoke come out, blow it back in.

All jokes aside, that looks like a great checklist. I think I'd definitely check that power was applied to the right places before plugging in cards, but after that, it's probably safe to give it a go.

Fingers crossed! Let us know how it goes!
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