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Hi from Manchester UK

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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Hi from Manchester UK

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 2:30 pm An RS232 loopback is an RS232 loopback really. It may or may not test the modem control lines as well so that wiring could possibly be different.
Looking at the connected pins I think mine may test the modem control lines, as I say it came with my full test harness so I believe it to be reasonably comprehensive, though I can't say for any other dongle.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
Vipersan
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Re: Hi from Manchester UK

Post by Vipersan »

A quick copy ...
Cup of coffee....then test
:D :D :D

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Vipersan
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Re: Hi from Manchester UK

Post by Vipersan »

dongle fitted in 25 pin modem port..
waited for the menu to catch up..
ran test S = serial.
55 IRQ ok ?
56 RS232 transmit error 68901
fail at cycle 000001

conclusive ?
could be faulty silicon U203 ...or maybe another chip...or possibly another open circuit trace ?

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stephen_usher
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Re: Hi from Manchester UK

Post by stephen_usher »

There's not a lot between the MFP and the rest of the system so probably buzz out the data lines, address lines and /DTACK on the chip back to the CPU.

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Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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Re: Hi from Manchester UK

Post by Vipersan »

Yes indeed..
I'll let you know if I find anything..
I tend to use this :-
Clearer...active search...and has proven to be very helpful so far.
file:///C:/Users/Vipersan/Downloads/kicad-conversions--atari-ste-motherboard--c300780-001--v1.0.0-2.pdf

a must have for aged failing eyes like mine.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Hi from Manchester UK

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Have you run the timing test (T) from the cart to see if it behaves like it does at boot time?
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
Vipersan
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Re: Hi from Manchester UK

Post by Vipersan »

Just did that Jonnie T =
Testing MFP,Glue timing Video
Green screen / Pass

Then a long wait time of about a minute before the menu returns and I can then run another test.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Hi from Manchester UK

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Vipersan wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 4:22 pm Just did that Jonnie T =
Testing MFP,Glue timing Video
Green screen / Pass

Then a long wait time of about a minute before the menu returns and I can then run another test.
If you hit space after a test finishes it should go right back to the menu immediately.

Definitely a weird one.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
Vipersan
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2026 11:54 am

Re: Hi from Manchester UK

Post by Vipersan »

Been doing some probing with the meter in continuity..
RXW Checked pin 1 U203 to various destinations..all check out ok
SERIAL TX Ckecked pin8 U203 to U206 pins 4 and 5 ...ok
SERIAL RX checked pin 9 to U207 pin 3 ..ok
VCC pin 11 U203 ..ok
now for my first oddity
Pins 7 , 10 , 16, All reference timer_d (U203)
Not checked the pcb underside as yet ...but probing these pins component side.. I would have expected them to be connected together ??
but they are not..
sure enough pin 7 U203 is connected to pin 10 ....but pin 16 is isolated ?
this merits further investigation imo...but my old eyes are tired so clocking off for today.
What say you Stephen or Jonnie ..
should all 3 pins be connected together...?
rgds 2 all
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Hi from Manchester UK

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Vipersan wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 9:55 pm Been doing some probing with the meter in continuity..
RXW Checked pin 1 U203 to various destinations..all check out ok
SERIAL TX Ckecked pin8 U203 to U206 pins 4 and 5 ...ok
SERIAL RX checked pin 9 to U207 pin 3 ..ok
VCC pin 11 U203 ..ok
now for my first oddity
Pins 7 , 10 , 16, All reference timer_d (U203)
Not checked the pcb underside as yet ...but probing these pins component side.. I would have expected them to be connected together ??
but they are not..
sure enough pin 7 U203 is connected to pin 10 ....but pin 16 is isolated ?
this merits further investigation imo...but my old eyes are tired so clocking off for today.
What say you Stephen or Jonnie ..
should all 3 pins be connected together...?
rgds 2 all
Not sure I'd have to look at the schematics, will have a look tomorrow.

My eyes are not so young any more either...
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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