Hey Michael, (tracking down a fault) Message #11 Posted by Norm on 7 June 2003, 12:55 p.m., in response to message #10 by Renato
Hey Michael Meyer,
When they say 'tracking down a fault' dont trust them, that's actually referring to my pioneering method of using tracks.
I think there is even one other way to look at this problem, in terms of troubleshooting.
Philosophically speaking, you've been given one thing that is to your advantage: it works fine initially, then abruptly goes nuts. That's better than if it never even turned on.
When it goes bonkers, the goal is either to get it to return to normalcy, or, keep it from going there in the first place. Beyond that, determine WHY so that it can be repaired genuinely.
HERE is a further example: Put the darn thing in the freezer!! :o) Then run it for awhile from there, does it NO LONGER go bonkers ???? i.e. that proves its definitely thermal once and for all. Beyond that, you still have to find out what is expanding and contracting to open a connection, make a cap go weak, make an inductor coil open up, etc etc.
And you don't even have to take anything apart to put it in the freezer. SAY that it solves the problem (putting it in the freezer) well, after that, try putting it in the fridge. It just gives you add'l data.
Again, the fact that it works for awhile, philosophically, can be used to help troubleshoot it. I fixed a computer monitor for somebody a couple years ago. Worked fine for 30 minutes, then went nuts. The problem was ultimately traced to a cracked solder joint (it didn't flow right, then it cracked as well). After resoldering that joint, it always worked perfect after that. The 30 minutes was a thermal effect.
If the problem is INSIDE one of the chips, well, then you'll need to find replacements.
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