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Re: The latest member of the family
Posted: 30 Jan 2025 08:14
by Higgy
What is the A1200 PSU (physically) lightweight with 3A on the 5V line? And the A500 a physically heavy one with 5A on 5V line?
There is also a physically lightweight PSU with 5A on 5V line. I think this is more of a switch mode design.
I've found in the PSUs there is a resistor that has heat marks, so I replace those with higher wattage versions.
Re: The latest member of the family
Posted: 30 Jan 2025 08:48
by rubber_jonnie
JezC wrote: 29 Jan 2025 21:23
I'm just hoping you have a lot less hassle with the A500...
:crossed1:
I'm sure it'll be fine, seems like a really solid machine.
If I can get the 1200 stable, which it seems to be after cleaning the connectors and re-capping the accelerator (all the caps were reading really low when I tested them) then were good to go.
The other thing I noticed about the accelerator was all the jumpers were a bit loose, so they're all replaced too. Just need to replace the battery for the RTC, luckily a CR2032, and it should be fine.
The A500 RAM expansion should be here today too.
Re: The latest member of the family
Posted: 30 Jan 2025 08:54
by stephen_usher
The alternative to a trap door RAM expansion is to populate the extra RAM sockets on the motherboard, if you have a Rev.6 board.
Re: The latest member of the family
Posted: 30 Jan 2025 09:05
by rubber_jonnie
HigashiJun wrote: 30 Jan 2025 01:26
rubber_jonnie wrote: 29 Jan 2025 13:11
As for the GW I'm just finding it won't write ADF files at all. @HigashiJun if you have any pointers I'd be grateful.
No worries, but please give me some time.
I have to take out my GW from the closet, find my 3.5" floppies and take a screenshot of the settings.
Much appreciated, thanks. All I need now is a load of floppies that work!
Re: The latest member of the family
Posted: 30 Jan 2025 09:08
by rubber_jonnie
Thanks for the info, I'll see how the original one goes once the re-cap is done. I could also get a Meanwell replacement for the guts, but I think it'll be ok now the accelerator seems to have settled down.
Re: The latest member of the family
Posted: 30 Jan 2025 09:13
by rubber_jonnie
stephen_usher wrote: 30 Jan 2025 08:54
The alternative to a trap door RAM expansion is to populate the extra RAM sockets on the motherboard, if you have a Rev.6 board.
I haven't opened it up yet :)
The trapdoor expansion was only £10 so that'll do for now until I open it up and think about what I may do. I suspect I'll at least do an RGB2HDMI, though I'm not overly bothered about acceleration TBH.
Re: The latest member of the family
Posted: 30 Jan 2025 11:35
by JezC
rubber_jonnie wrote: 30 Jan 2025 08:48
The A500 RAM expansion should be here today too.
I'd be interested to know which one you went for...just in case I can't repair the one I have that has suffered the attack of the Varta battery...heavily inspired by the video from BW...
Re: The latest member of the family
Posted: 30 Jan 2025 11:52
by rubber_jonnie
JezC wrote: 30 Jan 2025 11:35
rubber_jonnie wrote: 30 Jan 2025 08:48
The A500 RAM expansion should be here today too.
I'd be interested to know which one you went for...just in case I can't repair the one I have that has suffered the attack of the Varta battery...heavily inspired by the video from BW...
It should be here this afternoon, I picked one that had CR2032 as they don't tend to leak and it's apparently working. I'll post pics when it arrives.
Speaking of CR2032's I just replaced the one on my accelerator, so I should be back in the land of real time on the 1200 imminently.
Varta's and Maxell batteries have anded far too many computers for my liking.
On another subject, I used to have a Amiga tank mouse for my 1200 and now I can't find it, quite annoying as it would be nice to have one for each machine.
Re: The latest member of the family
Posted: 30 Jan 2025 12:13
by Higgy
With the Gotek you can have an 'onscreen' display, you need an additional STM32 blue pill. Saves cutting case or having to look sideways at the Gotek if you have an OLED screen.
https://github.com/keirf/flashfloppy-osd/wiki
I think a rotary controller is a real benefit to easily change disk images. I mounted mine at the back, although numpty here fitted so it blocks a case screw with the rotary knob on.
But how many times do you need to open the case, we never do right :lol:
A500s (not 500 plus) seems pretty bullet proof. I've had it where one did not boot, but an IC just needed pulling and pushing back in.
A1200 PCB needs caps changing. Also one thing that caught me out on newer accelerator cards, is that some (seems to be 1B revisions) don't have a chamfer on the trapdoor edge connector. This can wreck the connector on the accelerator. Easily sorted with a file.
Re: The latest member of the family
Posted: 30 Jan 2025 13:10
by rubber_jonnie
Higgy wrote: 30 Jan 2025 12:13
With the Gotek you can have an 'onscreen' display, you need an additional STM32 blue pill. Saves cutting case or having to look sideways at the Gotek if you have an OLED screen.
https://github.com/keirf/flashfloppy-osd/wiki
I think a rotary controller is a real benefit to easily change disk images. I mounted mine at the back, although numpty here fitted so it blocks a case screw with the rotary knob on.
But how many times do you need to open the case, we never do right :lol:
A500s (not 500 plus) seems pretty bullet proof. I've had it where one did not boot, but an IC just needed pulling and pushing back in.
A1200 PCB needs caps changing. Also one thing that caught me out on newer accelerator cards, is that some (seems to be 1B revisions) don't have a chamfer on the trapdoor edge connector. This can wreck the connector on the accelerator. Easily sorted with a file.
I've seen people do this before on ST's but I didn't think it was necessary to have an ST32 Blue Pill, but I do have a couple spare so might be worth a look, thanks. I remember when I first owned an A500 BITD, it was a very solid reliable machine.
I checked my label and the A1200 caps were done in 2020, doesn't time fly when you're having fun!
Can't say I'd really noticed a chamfer or not, but I'm loath to remove the accelerator again as once it's in and working it seems stable. I just replaced the CR2032 RTC battery so it shouldn't need to come out again, but I'll check if I have to remove it any time soon, thanks again.