General Stuff(tm)

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PhilC
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by PhilC »

Is it possible it can be memory related? I’ve fixed a few QLs that either had bad memory or 74LS257 chips.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by stephen_usher »

PhilC wrote: 03 Jan 2024 20:41 Is it possible it can be memory related? I’ve fixed a few QLs that either had bad memory or 74LS257 chips.
It passes the memory test but fails the POST it seems, getting to stage 5.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by stephen_usher »

Found the diag list!

OPD-Errors.JPG

So, looks like an SRAM issue. I'm guessing that it's actually caused by the back-up battery being bad.
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Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Oooh, interesting, be good to see what fixes it.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by stephen_usher »

I was going to go out and do some more work on the OPD tonight but I'm not going out in this rain. I'd get soaked just getting to my outbuilding and opening the door.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by stephen_usher »

Well, found the problem causing the "SRAM" error.

I took the machine apart and found that /CE1 on the SRAM chip was not going low. Traced this over to an inverting transistor on the far left of the board... and then traced the control of this transistor over to the mid-right and then rear of the board... And onto the monitor/power input socket.

It turns out that this is the power-good signal from the power supply.

So the problems were caused by a bad connection on the connector to the PSU board, but only the power-good line. *sigh*

Of course, by opening the machine up I've caused another problem, this time the keyboard.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: 06 Jan 2024 13:12 Well, found the problem causing the "SRAM" error.

I took the machine apart and found that /CE1 on the SRAM chip was not going low. Traced this over to an inverting transistor on the far left of the board... and then traced the control of this transistor over to the mid-right and then rear of the board... And onto the monitor/power input socket.

It turns out that this is the power-good signal from the power supply.

So the problems were caused by a bad connection on the connector to the PSU board, but only the power-good line. *sigh*

Of course, by opening the machine up I've caused another problem, this time the keyboard.
What's up with the keyboard?
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by stephen_usher »

Some of the keyas wouldn't work. I've reseated the ribbon cable and it's fine now. *phew*
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: 06 Jan 2024 14:35 Some of the keyas wouldn't work. I've reseated the ribbon cable and it's fine now. *phew*
Phew indeed!

Mine had a couple of bad rubber domes, but luckily I had some spare domes from an ST, and though it was a faff, they do work.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by stephen_usher »

One shift key has an issue with its dome. Good to know that ST ones work, not that I have any spare.

P.S. Just bought one from eBay.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.

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