[DSP-10] Moth balled DSP-10 has some troubles

[Don AE5K]

On 03/29/2013 09:17 AM, kd7ts wrote:
> On Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:52:08 -0700, Don AE5K <donj at ae5k.us> wrote:
>
>> In addition, with a different laptop than from years ago (it is now a 
>> Dell 610), I boot with a CD-R into MSDOS 6.22.  It works some of the 
>> time, but earlier today when booting that way, I had to do it three 
>> times before it went all the way properly.  I mention this as it 
>> could be related I suppose to the main problem.  (Several years ago, 
>> the CD-R boot worked like a charm every time so I know it is correct.)
>>  Any ideas of where I can look?
>
> Hi Don,
>
> Just reading through your query, and putting 2 and 2 together. It 
> appears you have the original EPROM that shipped with the EZKit Lite 
> 2181.
>
> This required that you use EZFAST.EXE or EZLD.COM to load UHF3.EXE to 
> the 2181 memory before loading UHFA.EXE to the PC memory.
>
> If this is the case, seeing a screen full of stuff flying by means 
> that the loader did not get the monitor which is needed to load the 
> 2181 memory.
>
> It is common with the factory EPROM that it MUST be reset every time 
> to get the monitor back. Reset can be done by turning the DSP power 
> off and back on, or by the little button inside the DSP box that is 
> labeled "reset". This is not a fault, it is just how the monitor works 
> in that application.
>
> The EPROM has a distinctive and annoying sign on, some music and a 
> female voice announcing it is ready. This is why I used to leave the 
> speaker disconnected.
>
> Anyway, your observation of screens flying by, seems to point to an 
> original EPROM and the DSP not being reset. There is no way around 
> this other than replacing the EPROM or ALWAYS doing a reset.
>
> I don't see any hints from your previous messages that there is a 
> computer problem.
>
> Mike KD7TS

Hi Again Mike,

Yes, that describes the "ready" message exactly -- distinctive and 
annoying ;-)

Well that explains the *one time* this has happened.  Now to figure out 
the rest of the problem(s).

My DSL was down most of today, cannot find where I put the old Toshiba 
to try, so batting out on this Friday.  I also see that my short reply 
to Bob's email last night somehow did not get sent. Anyway, Bob, if you 
are reading this, thanks for all the info and things to look for -- I 
appreciate you taking the time.  So it looks like I have enough to keep 
me busy for awhile, and I'll report back any findings.

If it is not a computer problem, then using the old slow Toshiba laptop 
(90 MHz) will exhibit the same troubles.  And that most likely means 
some component has aged or failed over the years.  Then it is time to 
take the cover off, get my scope and meter out and go from there using 
Bob's hints.

73,
Don AE5K

P.S. - Poor photo of my DSP-10 entered in the 4SQRP (4-state QRP) 
group's homebrew contest, Feb. 2003, and me at 
http://www.4sqrp.com/archive/feb03/feb03c.htm go to page 3 and it is the 
powder blue box with cover open on the table in the very last photo.  
Grand Prize.  Click on the photo for larger image.