Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!julius.cs.uiuc.edu!apple!netcom!avery
From: avery@netcom.UUCP (Avery Colter)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: Apple IIgs Problems
Keywords: runs for awhile and screen goes black, system hangs
Message-ID: <14102@netcom.UUCP>
Date: 29 Sep 90 11:57:10 GMT
References: <28555@nuchat.UUCP>
Organization: Netcom- The Bay Area's Public Access Unix System {408 241-9760 guest}
Lines: 46

jeffn@nuchat.UUCP (Jeff Noxon) writes:

>First, my system description:

If my theory (based on VERY personal experience) proves right,
all that is irrelevant.

Try this:

Hold the Option key down when you turn on the computer.

Wait a few seconds, then press 2.

See if that does the trick.

See, I have learned - after having my own GS do something very similar
to what you describe, locking up on startup regardless of configuration -
that there is a virus around, known to experienced botanists as
Paralysis ControlPanelia.

The common name for this virus is Blackout.

It lives in your track zero boot code. It orders the control panel to
turn off the speaker and set all screen colors to black.

You have probably noticed that the control panel CDA does not allow you
to set the color of the text the same as the color of the background.
There is evidently a major bug with the hardware which causes the
processor to have a kynipshun fit if they are set that way.

So, Blackout bypasses the control panel, sets all the screen colors to
go to black pending the next boot order. Hit open-apple-ctrl-reset or
turn the computer off and on again and BANG - instant kynipshun fit.

The option-2 thing I told you basically forces access to a special screen,
which you won't be able to see when you first do this (the colors still
being blacked out), but which gives you four choices, the second of which
is to set the control panel options to their standard settings. This pulls
the screen colors back to the factory defaults, and your computer suddenly
feels like talking to you again.


-- 
Avery Ray Colter    {apple|claris}!netcom!avery  {decwrl|mips|sgi}!btr!elfcat
(415) 839-4567   "Fat and steel: two mortal enemies locked in deadly combat."
                                     - "The Bending of the Bars", A. R. Colter