exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

Been giving my newly acquired STE some TLC, with a good clean, recap kit and TOS 2.06 - unfortunately when I left the momory test during bootup running, it showed an 'X' - before ordering replacement RAM, is this something likely to be fixed by some electrical cleaner and reseating?

Sorry for awful picture quality, still waiting for ST2VGA adapter :-)

Does the X always show up in the same place ?

Yes, every time, no matter if cold start or if nice and warm and toasty :-)

If the X is in the same place, then you can clean your simms, but likely faulty RAM I would assume.

Try https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... ?f=25&t=28

Thanks exxos! Don't have any physical media spare at the moment to get the YAART program over to the machine, but will work on trying to track down some floppies

dazcoull wrote: 01 Nov 2019 12:15 Thanks exxos! Don't have any physical media spare at the moment to get the YAART program over to the machine, but will work on trying to track down some floppies

Get yourself a diagnostic cartridge from exxos' store, and you'll never have to look for media for YAART or GEMBENCH again. :)

You'll only have to look for wherever you left the cart ... :mrgreen:

Okay, after much messing around cleaning and inspecting, the RAM is no better - swapping pairs just moves the "x" in memtest. I guess because of way the RAM banks work, I couldn't just put in 2MB (2x1MB) as wouldn't boot with stripes on screen.

So... have bit the bullet and just ordered from the store a set of RAM, 4 new sockets (2 of mine were partly broken on clips) and the diag cartridge :-)

Cheers

Darren
"Supporting Exxos since 2019" :D

dazcoull wrote: 02 Nov 2019 05:18I couldn't just put in 2MB (2x1MB) as wouldn't boot with stripes on screen

You should be able to do that, but you have to install every 2nd SIMM in slot:
SIMM
EMPTY
SIMM
EMPTY

Thanks tzok

Will at least keep me running until the new bits arrive - the old ram was two brands, Toshiba, and Mitsubishi, and each RAM set was different speed - one was 100ns and the other 120ns, so probably best to get something new & matched :-)

Just need to find out which pair is the faulty one, then the others can be spares (shame I can't use some old RAM I already have as it is 64MB EDO and 16MB EDO)

I'm leaving the PSU/RAM cover and case screws out for now as I fear they will wear out with the number of times I've opened this thing up lol

I actually leave those covers off permanently as it aids with cooling.

Both 100 and 120ns ram should be fine but youd need something quicker than 120 if using a booster.