Yeah, that sounds possible. Did you update the ROM recently?
There are Boot rom update floppy images kicking around on the internet. I think there might be a floppy image on the BeOS R5 CD image too.
So - it feels like RAM or something. You could try this:
- remove the RAM
- remove/disconnect the various daughter cards
- clean all contacts with isopropyl alcohol or similar
- if you know electronics, try testing components
- put it all back together
- pray to your preferred god figure.
If it is the boot Rom, it is an issue. The Boot Rom is not just a Rom, there are two parts. It has a “nub” and the main updatable image. You’d need to find a way to program a new chip with the nub part at the very least (I don’t think the boot ROM Update disks ever touch that part.)
I have been playing a lot with old Mac hardware recently, and old hardware is tricky. It an look bad, but just have a dirty contact. I thought I killed my 9500 a number of times but stripping it and putting it back together… it is just problematic sometimes.
I don’t own a BeBox anymore, so I’m sorry i can’t help more. You might get info fromt he old Be Newsletters about troubleshooting this type of issue. Also, maybe reach out to someone like Joseph Palmer. Who knows…