STE: Thanks for the memory?

[rubber_jonnie]

So with regards to the Blitter, I think TOS 1.62 has the Blitter disabled by default, so it may work, but 2.06 has it enabled by default so it may not.

Whilst a shifter reseat is definitely worth doing, but I would add that a full white screen usually means a ROM issue and a white border with black screen usually means a RAM issue.

As for the TOS being correctly installed, if you pop one IC out and look at the silkscreen on the board, it should show positions for 28 and 32 pin mask ROMs which will confirm if in the correct location. I'd suggest they likely are, based on what you're seeing on screen.

What you could do is try a Diagnostic ROM, hooked up to serial and a terminal on your PC, that might give some clues if it works, but would will need to have some RAM installed.

Also, I note your RAM sticks are parity ram, in other words they have 9 IC's. There is some disagreement around parity RAM and STE's but I would suggest you use non-parity RAM to avoid any potential issues. I use non-parity RAM in mine and don't have any issues.

Ah! I did wonder if there would be a specific type of RAM that it would use. I'll see what else I have.
If it's a ROM issue do I just need to order some TOS replacements?

It would be very unusual for the ROMs to be bad, not that they can't fail, but I've never seen it myself. There are ROM replacements in the store, however the white screen ROM fail is just as likely to be related to a logic issue as a bad ROM.

[Badwolf]

So with regards to the Blitter, I think TOS 1.62 has the Blitter disabled by default, so it may work, but 2.06 has it enabled by default so it may not.

I think you'd have to connect a jumper if you removed the blitter as simply removing the chip would break the bus grant chain.

BW

[Steve]

I have a feeling he might just have the reset issue? @LeakyBatz once you're on the white screen, press reset on the rear of the STe and see if it starts working.

[olivier.jan]

When you have a white screen, how long do you wait ? On some machines it May take quite a while to drop to desktop.
Another thing to check, if your STE is PAL and your monitor can tell you if it receives a PAL signal, it would mean that the ROM starts executing code.

[LeakyBatz]

I have a feeling he might just have the reset issue? @LeakyBatz once you're on the white screen, press reset on the rear of the STe and see if it starts working.

I've tried that before, but I'll try it again after re-seating the chips

[LeakyBatz]

When you have a white screen, how long do you wait ? On some machines it May take quite a while to drop to desktop.
Another thing to check, if your STE is PAL and your monitor can tell you if it receives a PAL signal, it would mean that the ROM starts executing code.

I've waited for a couple of minutes & it stays on white screen (floppy light on keyboard & drive also stay on.) Other thing is the only chip that gets warm is the 68K & actually, it gets hot.

[LeakyBatz]

Hi, sorry, work & stuff got in the way there.

@exxos You mentioned trying a diagnostic card. Where's the best place to get one? I've seen one on EBay, but I don't know if it's any good though.

ST_Diag.JPG (38.11 KiB) Viewed 125 times

Has anyone tried one of these?

Also, would it be worth re-capping the PSU?

[rubber_jonnie]

Hi, sorry, work & stuff got in the way there.

@exxos You mentioned trying a diagnostic card. Where's the best place to get one? I've seen one on EBay, but I don't know if it's any good though.

ST_Diag.JPG

Has anyone tried one of these?

Also, would it be worth re-capping the PSU?

A diag cart is always useful however have you tried 8 chip non-parity RAM yet? If you haven't then I'd usggest you do.

[exxos]

@exxos You mentioned trying a diagnostic card. Where's the best place to get one? I've seen one on EBay, but I don't know if it's any good though.

They are in the store..

https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/#0165

https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/#0191

Like @rubber_jonnie removing the parity chip would be a good start. If your shifter is a 1712 then they cause no end of issues on some machines.

But do you even know the simms are good to start with ?

[LeakyBatz]

Thanks @exxos I'll have a look at them.

Regarding the memory, errr.....I guess I need to pull out my 386 & check them. They are from a bag of previously tested sticks, though.

Would this be the kit for recapping the Atari STE PSU?

PSU_Caps.JPG (47.45 KiB) Viewed 93 times