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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!rna!cubsvax!phri!timeinc!vax135!houxm!ihnp4!inuxc!inuxd!jla
From: jla@inuxd.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.micro.cbm
Subject: Re: Moving Cursor/Results
Message-ID: <691@inuxd.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 28-Jan-85 12:51:22 EST
Article-I.D.: inuxd.691
Posted: Mon Jan 28 12:51:22 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 3-Feb-85 01:05:49 EST
Organization: AT&T Consumer Products Div., Indianapolis
Lines: 42

Thanks to you all for your input into the cause/repair of the
moving cursor problem.  Many causes were reported, and for this
reason I am posting results on the net.

The most usual cause for this happening to others was a copy
protection device in a joystick port, or some other sick plug in.
My cursor moved without any peripherals plugged in at any port,
so I knew going in that the guilty part was within the unit
itself.  Lots of people suggested that a stuck key or spacebar 
was the problem.  One response talked about a spring in the
spacebar that comes loose, so the spacebar stays in contact.  
A very good idea came from Dave Wargo-- disconnect the keyboard 
and plug in the unit.  When the cursor continued to move, I 
eliminated the keyboard as the problem.

Next, I tried the company.  I called CBM "Customer Support" 
(a number given to me by Customer Service and touted as real help), 
and received what sounded like a recording--"Mail the unit along 
with $55"--the bimbo didn't know as much as I do--so what's she 
doing answering the phone at Customer Support?  I also asked Customer 
Service about repair possibilities here in Indianapolis.  They gave me
two numbers, one of which is out of service, and the other a
radio place that doesn't now, and never has, repaired computers.

So, I decided to fix the little sucker good, so I know I'm going
to FOR SURE get a whole new unit for my $55.  I started sticking
my screwdriver into places no screwdriver needed to go, and found
the problem--joystick port 1, the middle pin on the top (at
least, if you touch that pin, the cursor doesn't keep moving).  I 
can't fix it, you understand.  But I had a real good time hitting it.
(One reply suggested I hit it against my hand--a good idea if
something is just stuck.)  Since I was prepared to trash it,
anyway, I started doing some creative hitting.  If you hit it in
some places, the display screen goes blank blue.  If you hit it
another place, the display screen goes blank black.  If you hit
it in still another place, the display says "LOAD PRESS PLAY ON
TAPE."  Another hit stops the cursor, but doesn't allow any input
from the keyboard.  All of the hits were satisfying to me.

My poor C64 (and 55 of my dollars) has left for the motherland.
Thanks to all of you for your help.  I'll let you know how long 
it takes to get my returned unit.