Hello again. The only thing goofy on my IIe is the video jack, which is kind-of twitchy. The display gets fuzzy sometimes, and I found if I shift the cable at the jack, it fixes it. I have switched out the cable for a new one, which leaves the jack itself as the main suspect.
I have been watching eBay for some time thinking of picking up a video card as a backup. It looks like there are two different types. There is this Micro Max, which is generally the cheaper of the two, but looks like a big card with 2 video cables coming out the front?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MicroMax-ViewMAX-80-Video-Display-Card-for-the-Apple-IIe-/331762785692?hash=item4d3e9a5d9c:g:5hUAAOSwpRRWplti
Then there is something called the "Enhancer" which is usually more expensive, but is smaller with the video jack at the back.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/APPLE-IIE-ENHANCER-IIE-VIDEO-7-VIDEO-CARD-RARE-/182001401449?hash=item2a6020fe69:g:B3oAAOSwt6ZWUaEU
Does anybody have advice regarding one card vs. the other, and what a reasonable price would be?
Thanks,
Skip
Hello Skipper1947,
the first card Viewmax is not for the IIe but instead for the II+ !
The second one is Usable.
By your description i´m rather sure that oxydation of the plugjack is your problem and that there is
no need for a new card.
You might be able to remove that thin cover of oxydation by scratching at the metal surface
of that jack or by cleaning that plug with sandpaper to show blank clean metal again and
maybe it might be needed to press at the jack a bit the videocableplug itself gently so it gets firm
contact to the output jack.
speedyG
Thanks Speedy. I am glad you told me about the first video card, it even says it is for the IIe..
Also, thanks for the tip about cleaning the surface of the jack. I hadn't even thought of that. I will give it a try.
Skip
Often another source of fustration is the bad contact of the inner core contact.
To inspect this problem you´ld need a torch to inspect the plugcontact
at the rearside of the case from the inside of the case. Pulling the plug
and reinserting it while view the contact of the inner center of the plug often
uncovers the fact that the metal is worn out at little bending of the metalfan that
leads down to the mainboard often tightens the contact at the center firm again.
You should just keep sure that the cable plug has firm good contact at both
parts of the connector.
speedyG
Aside from removing the oxidation from the jack, the metal gets bent and needs to be bent back to make contact with the RCA male connector from the cable that you will be using.
Thanks for the tips guys. Good information.
Skip
If you know how to use a soldering iron, you might disassemble the old RCA socket and add a new Gold plated one.
Just a tip...