I’ve mentioned this before, but if you want to buy a daisywheel for your obsolete ’80s wedge, it’s generally cheapest and easiest to buy another (compatible) obsolete ’80s wedge …

IBM 6715 alongside an Adler SE 1011 (daisywheel donor machine)

There was a time when I thought the ‘6715 was a big typewriter. That was before I got a Sharp ZX-500 (you’d think I would have learnt my lesson, but no) and now this Triumph-Adler SE 1011 …

At the very least, for $20 AUD, I got myself a new daisywheel for my IBM 6715.

A “new daisywheel” as in a (Madeleine) typeface I didn’t already have; the other daisywheels that came with this machine being duplicates of ones I already own (Prestige Cubic, Prestige Elite, Elite Modern, Helen 12, Primus 10).

T-A compatible daisywheels

~

As for the non working typewriter, if I can’t get it to work soon, it’s going in the recycling bin.

The problem? Well I don’t know what the problem is, but when I power on, all the LEDs to the left of the keyboard light up amber. …

The old lady I bought the typewriter from had no idea what the problem was either, but I took it off her hands anyway, thinking I’d possibly figure it out — and if I didn’t, well at least I had a few more daisywheels, some interesting sales literature about the Triumph-Adler SE 10XX series of electronic typewriters (more about that in a follow-up post) plus a list of Adler daisywheel typefaces courtesy of Imperial Typewriter Sales (WA) Pty Ltd circa 1983/84 (see update at end of post).

Click here for the PDF (1 MB): adler-daisywheel-typefaces

So back to the problem:

• If I press the impression control (top) button, I get a continuous beep that won’t stop until I power off again.
• If I press the pitch selection button (middle), the other LEDs go off, however pressing any key either results in a beep (most keys) or the key does absolutely nothing.
• If I press the line-space selection button (bottom) the typewriter goes into print test mode (so I at least know the type wheel and the ribbon are engaged correctly).

Madeleine type wheel

~

The lid is properly closed as far as I can tell, and I don’t see any evidence of a missing or bent lever under the hood that might trick the typewriter into thinking the lid is open.

Since I don’t have the all-important instruction guide, which is critical for a function-key-rich machine like the SE 1011, I’m clueless as to what trouble-shooting measures might help remedy the problem.

Disappointingly, this typewriter is also afflicted with the same disintegrating foam that plagues many an IBM machine  …

As I sit and contemplate this beautifully styled yet non-functioning German electronic machine, it occurs to me that ignorance can be bliss.

As Gary Numan once said:

“[…] Now I can think for myself, about little deals and issues, and things that I just don’t understand. […] You know I hate to ask, but are ‘friends’ electric? Only mine’s broke down …”