exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

LeakyBatz wrote: 15 Dec 2025 14:32

rubber_jonnie wrote: 15 Dec 2025 14:11 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?

rubber_jonnie wrote: 15 Dec 2025 14:11 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.

Steve wrote: 15 Dec 2025 18:44 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 wrote: 15 Dec 2025 18:54 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 wrote: 22 Dec 2025 21:51 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?

LeakyBatz wrote: 22 Dec 2025 21:51 @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.