Apple II Troubleshooting Tips

General Aple II Issues Cardiocomp for Aple II Flexicomp for Aple II Physiogrip for Aple II Spirocomp for Aple II

General Apple II Issues

Computer Does Not Respond to Key Presses Make sure that the Caps Lock key is pressed. If the computer froze just as you selected a feature from the MAIN MENU try one of the following: Make a new system disk. Adjust the rotational speed on the disk drive. Clean the magnetic heads on the disk drive. Printing Doesn't Work Make sure that the printer card is installed in slot 1 of the computer and that Super Serial is selected in the program preferences. If you indicated that a printer is attached to your computer when in fact you do not have a printer AND the P command key is pressed, the computer will lock up. You must reboot (turn the computer off and on). If the P command key is pressed and your system does have a supported printer, check to see if the printer is turned on or selected. If the printer is off, turn it on. If the printer is not selected press the select button on the printer to get the ball rolling again. Make sure that you selected the corect printer at printer setup. Picture Printed Is Garbled Check the dip switches on the Interface Card (if their are any) for the proper settings for your printer. Check all of your cables. Reboot the and make sure that you selected the correct printer setup. Disk Error When Saving Experiment Data to Disk Check the following: Is the data disk initialized? If not, use the data disk initialization feature in the Disk Commands section. Use data disks created by the Intelitool software (Disk Commands - "INITIALIZE Data Disk") only. Only DOS 3.3 disks will work. The Intelitool software uses a special "souped up" DOS 3.3 operating system which manipulates files much faster than DOS 3.3 or ProDOS. The data disk should be initialized by an Apple DOS 3.3 system. (It is best to use data disks initialized by our software) Data plots Look Strange or Noisy/Fuzzy (All But Cardiocomp) An ungrounded computer can cause the data to be jumpy. Plug the computer (and stimulator in the case of Physiogrip) into a grounded electrical outlet. Also, if the transducer has been stored and not used for a long period of time, the potentiometer (POT) inside can become slightly corroded and dirty - particularly in humid environments. Try turning the large pulley back and forth through its full range several times to "clean" the contact wiper. If you feel comfortable enough doing so, you can even disassemble the Spirocomp or Physiogrip transducer and spray some television tuner cleaner into the POT and then rotate it back and forth through its full range. To access the POT, simply remove the four screws from the metal back plate of the transducer box (the plate on which the connector is mounted). The potentiometer is the round thing with three terminals on it. Only one device can be connected to the game port at a time. If you have a Apple ][e or Apple ][gs, you cannot have a device connected to the internal DIP type game port connector and the external D-Sub connector simultaneously. If some other device is connected to the game port, you must disconnect it to get good results.

Cardiocomp for Apple II

Noisy Signal The Cardiocomp hardware is very sensitive due to the small voltages being measured. As a result, noise can be easily introduced into the signal from a number of sources. To ensure a clean signal, pay special attention to the following points. First, make sure that you do a good job "prepping" the subject and positioning the electrodes. Abrade the skin well with an alcohol pad, and use the appropriate amount of electrode gel in order to enhance conductivity. Try to position the electrodes over an area of the skin that has little or no hair and which overlies as little muscle as possible. Securing the ends of the electrode cables to the subject with tape (so as to prevent movement at the attachment of the cable to the electrode) can help as well. Try to get the subject to relax as much as possible, since electrical impulses generated by background muscle tension can appear as noise in the signal. Having the subject lie down is ideal, with a relaxed seated position being the next best choice. Make sure all of the electrodes and electrode jacks are firmly connected. Finally, electromagnetic noise from other electrical equipment in the room - especially 60 cycle interference from florescent lighting, electric motors and the like - can also introduce noise into the ECG signal. Computer Not Responding in Data Acquisition Mode You must specify the slot in which the Cardiocomp data acquisition board is installed via the Control Panel as well as in the Intelitool software preferences. Computer Locks and Does Not Respond If the computer froze when you selected a data acquisition screen, make sure that the Cardiocomp board in in the slot the you told the software it was in during the setup configuration. Apple ][GS Only: The slot that your Cardiocomp1 board is in must be set to YOUR CARD in the Apple ][GS control panel (see Cardiocomp User Manual for details). If you have done it, check the control panel and make sure that it was done correctly.

Flexicomp for Apple II

Software Doesn't Wait for Hammer Application (Continuous Trace) The problem is either in the transducer cable, the transducer, or the hammer itself. If the problem persists with the hammer disconnected from the transducer, then either the cable or the hammer connector on the transducer is shorted. Swap in a known good cable to determine where exactly the problem lies. If, with the hammer disconnected, the problem goes away (software states that it's waiting for hammer application and there's no continuous trace running across the screen), then the problem is a faulty hammer which needs to be repaired or replaced. Transducer Rotation Not Reflected on Graph Make sure the thumbscrew on the transducer is tight. You should re-calibrate after tightening it. Hammer Stimulus Application Not Detected This is most likely the result of a faulty hammer, but the problem could also be with the hammer connector on the transducer or the transducer cable. Try swapping the components to pinpoint the source of the problem. Can Not Calibrate Transducer If you seem to be stuck in a loop where you can't get past the transducer calibration, try the following: Make sure that after you set the calibration number to 0, you are tightening the thumb screw before pressing the space bar and opening the transducer to 150û.

Physiogrip for Apple II

Motor Point Pointers Obtaining a good set of data with Physiogrip can require patience and persistence in locating the subject's motor point. There is also a great deal of individual variation in the quality of the twitch response you will obtain from electrical stimulation. Following are some pointers which should increase your chances of acquiring good data. Try warming the muscles up a bit first by squeezing a ball or hand grip or just repeatedly making a tight fist and relaxing. Stretching the muscles by pulling the fingers toward the back of the forearm and massaging the forearm can also aid in the warm-up. Prep skin surface just as you would for an ECG - both the back of the hand where the negative electrode is attached as well as the volar surface of the forearm where you will be stimulating. Make sure you are using the lightest weight spring on the Physiogrip transducer and that the tension is backed off as much as possible by turning the wing nut in a counter-clockwise direction. Sometimes, replacing the spring with a lightweight rubberband will reduce the dampening even further. Often, just the act of rotating the forearm into position on the transducer can lead to a loss of the motor point under the probe. Therefore, instead of grasping the transducer like a pistol, keep the hand palm-up, and position it under the transducer so that the 3rd or 4th finger is pulling the trigger from underneath. Use books, rags, or other items to prop up the arm so that the hand (and finger) rests in the most favorable position under the trigger. Females frequently have a little more trouble than males. This is probably due to differences in subcutaneous conductivity. With females in particular, often the best results can be achieved by using the fourth finger rather than the third finger. Try using a stimulator probe other than the one supplied. Some people have achieved good results using a large electrode such as an ECG electrode. You may find that with the large electrode you will stimulate too many muscle fibers. Be carefull, however. With a large electrode it will be easier to slip up and apply a voltage to the left hand. If you are still having trouble, and you are sure that you have followed the directions carefully, try a different subject.

Spirocomp for Apple II

Tidal Cycles Not Detected During TV & ERV Measurements How the spirometer responds to different breaths can be adjusted by changing the tidal sensitivity setting in the software preferences. Consult the Spirocomp User Manual for details. Calibration Difficulty If you are using the Phipps & Bird 6 liter spirometer, make sure that there is a friction band (rubberband) inside the groove of the white pulley over which the chain rides. A dry rotted or missing rubberband will cause the chain to slide over the pulley without turning it, resulting in an inability to calibrate. If you are using the Phipps & Bird 6 liter spirometer, make sure that the white pulley has not separated from the black knob. They should turn together as one unit. If the white pulley is loose and sloppy and turns independently of the black knob, the bond between the pulley and knob has failed and the unit needs to be repaired. You can perform the repair yourself. All you need is a small allen (hex) wrench and some super glue or other strong adhesive. Use the hex wrench to loosen the small inset hex screw on the side of the black knob, and then remove the knob and pulley. Glue the two back together with the adhesive, making sure that the holes are centered, and then reassemble. Chain Jumps Off Pulley During Inflation If you are using the Phipps & Bird 6 liter spirometer and the chain tends to jump off the pulley during volume measurements, check that nothing has become lodged under the friction band in the groove of the pulley, thereby causing a high spot and a tendency for the chain to slip off the pulley. Remove the rubberband and then reseat it. Also, if the bell float is not remaining level throughout its travel, that could also contribute to the chain's tendency to jump off the pulley. See the next tech tip for help with that problem. Bell Float Tips to One Side (Does Not Remain Level) This may happen with some Phipps & Bird 6 liter spirometers. At its worst, it could cause the chain to jump off the pulley during volume measurements. Sight the vertical portion of the chain as it descends from the pulley to the bell float and make sure that it is perpendicular to the top of the bell from all angles. In particular, the chain should be absolutely vertical when viewed in line with the long axis of the float (i.e. parallel with the scale arm). If it is not, gently twist the support post on which the scale arm is mounted. This should improve alignment and will tend to straighten out a leaning bell float. Another thing to try is turning the bell float around so that it is oriented 180 degrees from the way it was originally. This is accomplished by removing the bell float from the tub, spinning it 180 degrees, and reinserting it. You might have to compress the sides of the bell float slightly in order to get it past the retaining pins which protrude from the inside top of the tub. If all else fails, you may have to resort to using one or more counterweights to level the bell float. Simply place coins, microscope slides, or any other handy lightweight small items on the high side of the float to even things out. Readings Seem Unrealistically High Check that the BTPS factor was not inadvertently set to some unreasonably high value. The BTPS factor can be changed in the Preferences section of the software and is accessed under the Edit menu. Readings Seem Unrealistically Low Make sure that the transducer is properly calibrated. Recalibrate it if in doubt. Check that the BTPS factor is not set to some unreasonably low value. The BTPS factor can be changed in the Preferences section of the software and is accessed under the Edit menu. The chain may be "slipping" over the transducer pulley because of a missing, poorly seated, or old (dry rotted) friction band. The friction band is a special size rubberband which sits in the groove of the large pulley. If the chain is slipping, then the pulley isn't turning as much as it should, thereby resulting in low readings. This problem is likely to be most noticeable during rapid movement of the bell float such as VC measurements. Try reseating or, if necessary, replacing the friction band. Data Seems Noisy or Jumpy An ungrounded computer can cause the data to be jumpy. If at all possible, plug the computer and McADDAM II interface into a grounded electrical outlet. Also, if the transducer has been stored and not used for a long period of time, the potentiometer (POT) inside can become slightly corroded and dirty - particularly in humid environments. Try turning the large pulley back and forth through its full range several times to "clean" the contact wiper. If you feel comfortable enough doing so, you can even disassemble the transducer and spray some television tuner cleaner into the POT and then rotate the knob back and forth. To access the POT, simply remove the four screws from the metal back plate of the transducer box (the plate on which the connector is mounted). Capacity of Spirometer Insufficient Unfortunately, there's not much you can do if individuals exceed the capacity of the 6 liter Phipps & Bird spirometer. You can try "overfilling" the tub slightly, but that's about it. If you own the Phipps & Bird 9 liter spirometer, this should not be an issue. Valves Leaking Air If there is air escaping from the valves, make sure you follow the disinfecting procedure outlined in the Spirocomp Lab Manual. Immersing the valve assembly in the alcohol solution and then rinsing between subjects not only disinfects, but the wetting of the valves helps the rubber diaphragm to seal better. If the rubber diaphragm is warped and doesn't seal properly even when wet, then replacing the valve(s) is the only option.