1040 STE Has No Video

[Steve]

So at this point, the computer is nothing more than a big paperweight ready to to recycling once I find a replacement 1040ste.

That's not really in the spirit of things, we all come here to learn how to repair these machines, it usually isn't anything too difficult. Are your ROMS socketed (I think they should be?) have you tried taking them out, putting contact cleaner in the sockets and re-seating? Have you removed the RAM, cleaned the sockets and re-installed? Like it was mentioned earlier, it's probably the ROMs.

[rubber_jonnie]

So at this point, the computer is nothing more than a big paperweight ready to to recycling once I find a replacement 1040ste.

That's not really in the spirit of things, we all come here to learn how to repair these machines, it usually isn't anything too difficult. Are your ROMS socketed (I think they should be?) have you tried taking them out, putting contact cleaner in the sockets and re-seating? Have you removed the RAM, cleaned the sockets and re-installed? Like it was mentioned earlier, it's probably the ROMs.

@atrain01us I have to say I'm in agreement with @Steve

I'd suggest if you feel it is a paperweight, then try and sell it to fund another machine, or even donate it to somebody wanting a project, but be aware that all machines of this era do come with the caveat that they will at some point need maintenance, and you need to be prepared for that.

Aside from what Steve said, it could be something as simple as a bad PSU, which are cheap to replace.

I have machines that were working perfectly fine and died after being put away for a period of time, or died whilst in use. They get repaired, not sent to e-waste.

[stween]

That's not really in the spirit of things, we all come here to learn how to repair these machines, it usually isn't anything too difficult. Are your ROMS socketed (I think they should be?) have you tried taking them out, putting contact cleaner in the sockets and re-seating? Have you removed the RAM, cleaned the sockets and re-installed? Like it was mentioned earlier, it's probably the ROMs.

@atrain01us I have to say I'm in agreement with @Steve

I'd suggest if you feel it is a paperweight, then try and sell it to fund another machine, or even donate it to somebody wanting a project, but be aware that all machines of this era do come with the caveat that they will at some point need maintenance, and you need to be prepared for that.

Aside from what Steve said, it could be something as simple as a bad PSU, which are cheap to replace.

I have machines that were working perfectly fine and died after being put away for a period of time, or died whilst in use. They get repaired, not sent to e-waste.

Agreed; my experience with a lot of these machines is that they can be brought back to life without too much work. Also I'd hate to see an STE put out to pasture.

[atrain01us]

Before i put this computer on the shelf, I ordered the US version of TOS v2.06 for the unit. I just received them and installed the chips.

I got video when the machine booted up but it displays 3 bombs and then goes blank and re-displays the 3 bombs in a loop. Also the floppy drive is still not getting power so that's a mystery.

Is the 3 bombs an indicator of another issue that can be hopefully repaired by me? Or is it something that is beyond user repair and will need servicing by someone who knows what they are doing? Could it be a problem in the new TOS chips I just received?For the STE, are there any settings on the mb that should be changed to recognize the updated TOS so it can boot the computer?

Thanks,

[frank.lukas]

Epromtyp

571001/27C1000/531000 - W102= 2 and 3 - W103= 2 and 3 - W104= 2 and 3
27010/571000/27C1001 - W102= 1 and 2 - W103= 2 and 3 - W104= 1 and 2

[rubber_jonnie]

Aside from the jumper settings, TOS 2.06 will fail if there is no FDD connected at boot, though it's usually 4 bombs for that IIRC.

[atrain01us]

Seeing that the jumper settings include soldering, can anyone recommend an inexpensive soldering kit that will do the trick. Also it appears that the motherboard must be removed in order to do this or can the process be done without removing the motherboard completely? With all of the youtube videos i looked at, removing the motherboard completely is not something i am looking forward to doing if i don't have to and only as a last resort.

I saw one youtube video where a heat gun was used to remove and reset the jumpers without removing the motherboard. Does such a thing exist? If so, I'll take recommendations on which model to track down and buy and order one.

Thanks,

[exxos]

Also it appears that the motherboard must be removed in order to do this or can the process be done without removing the motherboard completely?

Moving the jumper links can be done without removing the motherboard but can be more tricky if you have never soldered before.

With all of the youtube videos i looked at, removing the motherboard completely is not something i am looking forward to doing if i don't have to and only as a last resort.

Its not that hard really https://exxosforum.co.uk/atari/last/stedis/main.htm

I saw one youtube video where a heat gun was used to remove and reset the jumpers without removing the motherboard. Does such a thing exist? If so, I'll take recommendations on which model to track down and buy and order one.

If you are looking to do this as your first soldering project then basically I advise against it because generally everyone fails at it. It either results in damage tracks which then drags on for weeks or even months trying to diagnose what has been damaged, or using a heat gun can warp or even burn a hole in the motherboard which is also happened.

IMHO, you may be better selling the machine as a spares or repairs machine and putting that money towards another one. You can of course try and fix it but again, if you are not confident in such work and have not had some practising soldering then I do not advise you taking on such work as you are undoubtedly end up making things a lot worse making machine totally unrepairable even by an expert.

[sporniket]

IIRC @BlankVector made a video of doing such a thing without removing the motherboard, and after much struggle, he did succeed :

[Dlfrsilver]

Before i put this computer on the shelf, I ordered the US version of TOS v2.06 for the unit. I just received them and installed the chips.

I got video when the machine booted up but it displays 3 bombs and then goes blank and re-displays the 3 bombs in a loop. Also the floppy drive is still not getting power so that's a mystery.

Is the 3 bombs an indicator of another issue that can be hopefully repaired by me? Or is it something that is beyond user repair and will need servicing by someone who knows what they are doing? Could it be a problem in the new TOS chips I just received?For the STE, are there any settings on the mb that should be changed to recognize the updated TOS so it can boot the computer?

Thanks,

the floppy drive gets no power ? a recap of the PSU capacitors is needed, and the 2 big caps on the motherboard also have to be replaced......

Regarding the non expensive soldering station,here they are on Amazon, you can have one for 40-60 dollars :

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=solder+stati ... _sb_noss_2