Building an STe536

[Steve]

Exxos was kind enough to send me an STe 536 to build up, here is my progress.

Here is the board:

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I need to find out which is GND on the JTAG in order to find the correct orientation for programming it. I buzz out the GND pin.

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Here is my Pi Zero2 Xilinx programmer, back in action! I literally only use it once per year or even less, so I have to remind myself how to use it every time! Luckily I keep notes.

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I hook up 5v and GND to my bench power supply (it's important NOT to plug in the 3.3v pin on the JTAG!)

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Flashing successful!

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Now time to remove the incorrect buffer chips.

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Hey presto! I used low-temp-solder to remove the chips easily and quickly. It's my favoutite way of removing SMD chips, even though I do have a heat gun etc.

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Time to solder in the 030 socket!

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Now to solder the 68k header pins! I like to firstly put a dab of super-glue on the plastic, which holds the headers in perfectly straight ready for me to solder on the other side!

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Voila! I also put some double-sided tape on the bottom of the dummy cpu, to hold it in place.

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Close up shot of the top header soldering

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IDE header installed!

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All finished and ready for testing!

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[Steve]

I am currently testing, but so far I am just getting a white screen. So I am thinking it's something ROM related. I have tried the on-board ROM, still white screen. I also tried putting my other spare ROM from my TOS switcher into the STe536, but this also just showed white screen.... hmmm I wonder what's up.

I did buzz all the 68k header pins and only the ground connections were linked. So that shouldn't be an issue.

I usually have a socketed TOS switcher installed, but I have unplugged it for this testing of course.

[exxos]

There's a solder pad and a cap to add on yet.. I'll not be home until late Sunday night to take a image unfortunately..

[HigashiJun]

:bravo:

Well done.

I guess you will find out the white screen issue quickly.

[rubber_jonnie]

Very nice.

White screen sounds ROM related, perhaps the missing parts @exxos mentioned are the problem.

[Dead_Cat]

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I probably should have started with something easier than this to solder SMD! But (with the exception of a damaged pin from mishandling while opening the package) I got it installed and no shorts from testing. But I cant get the CPU to seat in the socket..

[Dead_Cat]

I probably should have started with something easier than this to larn how solder SMD! But (with the exception of a damaged pin from mishandling while opening the package) I got it installed and no shorts from testing.

But I cant get the CPU to seat in the socket.. I have checked all the sockets by putting in a spare round pin, they are all clear.

After looking at the images, I need to clean the board, I blew dust all over it (installed my new exhaust fan the wrong way and covered my work area , then went to bed :P )

[Steve]

@Dead_Cat it does take a lot of insertion force. I had to put my desk weight on top of it to press down, couldn't do it with my hands.

[Dead_Cat]

Thank you, I was afraid to force it.

[Dead_Cat]

Well, it's in, I hope I never need to remove it! That was way way more force than I wanted to put on this. there is still a small gap between the CPU and the socket, but I'm fairly certain that all the pins are in good contact so I'm going to stop before I break something.