CompuServe Messages

Keith, Humm…no idea on the no boot without keyboard. Mine (A2000) boots just fine without it. 8520's are VERY static sensitive, and also directly attached to some of the external ports. For example, it generates the keyboard clock, and read the keyboard data. The external disk connector also has some lines going to the 8520 as does the mouse ports and parallel ports. The serial port also has some control lines going thru one of the 8520s, but they're buffered so are less sensitive to static. In any event, simply plugging in, or unplugging one of the connectors can blow one of the 8520s. It depends on how much static is present, and what steps you take to discharge it prior to making/breaking the connection. For me, I keep the rug in my computer room sprayed with anti-static spray. I made sure the electrical outlets in the room were properly grounded and polarized. I never make or break a connection without making sure I'm touching the metal case first. Before I make a connection, I touch the shell of the connector to the metal case. In other words, I try to follow proper static precautions. I've only lost one 8520 in 5 years with the Amiga, and that was due to a lightning strike on my phone line (fried the modem and came thru one of the control lines). Blown 8520s are probably the #1 problem for Amiga owners. Don