kpneal@pobox.com writes:

> My box has a 400 watt PS. I assume this is a normal ATX power
> supply, correct? It does have a small cable coming out of the PS
> that appears to loop back somehow (I didn't unhook it from itself
> so I'm not 100% sure).

This is probably the hack-around to the fact that the 164 boards don't
support ATX soft-power, so something needs to tell the power supply to
get started.

> We were hit with large power droops today because it was windy. Generally
> when this machine is hit with power sags it shuts off and has to be
> manually turned back on. Today I can't get it back on. Power cycles
> don't work. Unplugging it for a few minutes and then plugging it in
> doesn't work. Leaving the power switch on, unplugging, waiting,
> turning the switch off, and then plugging it in doesn't work. 

What level is it failing at? Does the fan in the power supply spin up,
for example? I wouldn't be too suprised if the power condition
eventually killed the supply.

> Is there anything special to the 164LX? Might there be a fuse in
> the power supply (I'm a little hesitant to take the PS apart since
> it does have capacitors that might be nasty)?

There probably is a fuse inside the supply, but if it's blown, you
really just want to replace the supply.

I think the only special thing about the power to the 164LX is the
lack of soft power support. If you have a voltmeter handly, you could
check if pin 9 is producing the 5v it should always be producing when
the power cord is in and any physical switch on the supply is turned
on. You might also try jostling the loopback cable, which should be
going from PWR-OK, pin 8, to any of the ground pins.

        - Nathan