On 28/08/2019 09:15, Marvin Johnston via cctalk wrote: > I'm just curious how many people have powered up their TRS-80 > computers, and ended up with a bang and a room filled with smoke? > > So far, I've gotten the fireworks in two out of two TRS-80s (model 3 > and 4) when they were powered up. In both cases, the problem was with > the main line filter capacitor mounted on one of the power supplies. > The computers continued to work which was my first clue the problem > was not serious :). > > Is this a normal problem with these older computers? I'm used to > seeing the electrolytics give problems, but this is the first time > I've seen one of the X type line filter caps blow.
This is very common for these paper line filters. I've had the same failure with an Osborne 1, DECserver 200, DELNI and PDP-11/73. There are many more devices that have them; generally anything with an Astec brand power supply. I replace them before even powering up these days. Matt
