exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

HigashiJun wrote: 30 Sep 2024 11:38 @rubber_jonnie

Ouch, quite hot for 4116 RAM...

Better to fit heatsinks or maybe replace them with 4164 RAM for reliability ?

That's not unusual for 4116 TBH, it's the dead one that is cold that bothers me more :)

rubber_jonnie wrote: 30 Sep 2024 11:57 That's not unusual for 4116 TBH, it's the dead one that is cold that bothers me more :)

The cold one is definitely dead.

HigashiJun wrote: 30 Sep 2024 12:03

rubber_jonnie wrote: 30 Sep 2024 11:57 That's not unusual for 4116 TBH, it's the dead one that is cold that bothers me more :)

The cold one is definitely dead.

Definitely dead:

I was going to say that's VRAM problem.

Yes, replace then with hacked 4164 chips and you will probably not need the -5V or +12V.

stephen_usher wrote: 30 Sep 2024 12:25 Yes, replace then with hacked 4164 chips and you will probably not need the -5V or +12V.

A wise advice !

stephen_usher wrote: 30 Sep 2024 12:25 I was going to say that's VRAM problem.

Yes, replace then with hacked 4164 chips and you will probably not need the -5V or +12V.

Indeed, I'm about to hack a 4164 :)

I did have some 4116's but I think I used them in the last Spectrum I resurrected, so the 4164 is my only option.

I'm just going to replace the dead one for now though.

OK, so RAM hack done:


And things are looking much better:


So I think next I'll have a look at if I can get a composite signal out of this thing.

No need to solder pin 1 of a 4164 as it's not connected, so just cut it off. :-)

You should be able to get RGB out of it with a daughter board which fits underneath the TMS VDP chip. https://videogameperfection.com/product ... -v2-board/

Seems my excitement was short lived...


Looks like another RAM IC has died. No huge surprise, just not 100% sure I have enough RAM to replace it all.

stephen_usher wrote: 30 Sep 2024 13:39 No need to solder pin 1 of a 4164 as it's not connected, so just cut it off. :-)

You should be able to get RGB out of it with a daughter board which fits underneath the TMS VDP chip. https://videogameperfection.com/product ... -v2-board/

I have sometimes used 41256's so it's a habit I have of soldering it to GND. Also, I don't like cutting pins off good IC's :)

BTW I have seen the RGB out mods but I don't have any RGB displays, so I usually use composite out via a Retrotink to HDMI.