A500 crash when harddrive connected - post recap.

[Munchkin]

I've recapped my 500 and replaced the old PSU. Booting up without the harddrive controller (GVP HD8+) connected everything seems to work just fine. Boots up from floppy and everything I've tried works just fine.

However, when I connect the controller/harddrive something happens. At first the self tests seem to work fine, it flashes a few grey screens but then the power light starts to blink a few times, the screen turns momentarily black and then it reboots to do the same process over and over.

It worked before I did the recap end psu-replacement, just not very stable due to age and having been in storage for 20 years. So, something has happened that doesn't affect the computer when nothing is connected through the expansion slot.

Ideas?

[smerf]

Hi,
If I remember right, been a long time since I threw out all my Amiga stuff, i remember having to have a GVP.scsi somewhere in there and maybe a GVP library.  been so long since I traitored over to the dark side and not using an Amiga but maybe this hint will help out.

smerf,

[paul1981]

PSU issue perhaps? What have you replaced the old PSU with? Have you tried the old PSU again? Apologies for asking obvious questions.

[Munchkin]

Hi,
If I remember right, been a long time since I threw out all my Amiga stuff, i remember having to have a GVP.scsi somewhere in there and maybe a GVP library.  been so long since I traitored over to the dark side and not using an Amiga but maybe this hint will help out.

smerf,

Nah, it's not something like that. It worked before the renovation, everything was just a bit unstable.

[Munchkin]

PSU issue perhaps? What have you replaced the old PSU with? Have you tried the old PSU again? Apologies for asking obvious questions.

A Meanwell RT65-B. It has worked fine for others so I doubt this is the cause as well. Can't try the old one I'm afraid, didn't think I would ever need it again so didn't note where the wires were soldered. No markings on it where which wire goes so. You live and you learn.

I doubt it's a serious problem since it boots up fine from floppy without the controller connected. I guess I just have to go through the process of checking each cap to make sure they're all properly soldered again. Gonna try and clean everything as well, even though I doubt a little dirt would cause this.

[duga]

Why not the RT-50B? It has stronger -12V.

[Munchkin]

It's what I've seen others use and it was a lot easier to get hold of. But does it really? When I check on Meanwells site both state 0.5A on -12V.

Though. I removed the 68000 and mounted my VXL-30 (I have to redo one cap because it's to high so I can't really have that on but I used a lose socket I had to make the card clear just for now) and now everything works just fine. Boots up from floppy and harddrive with no issues.

So, it seems my 68000 is faulty somehow but it doesn't show until I connect the controller.

[paul1981]

Maybe the 68000 socket is a bit dodgy? Some of these plug-in expansions with thick pins can really knacker the socket.
Also, another thing to check on A500's is that slender piece of shield than runs along the side expansion slot - make sure there's no shorts or anything when the edge connector is in use.

[Munchkin]

Maybe the 68000 socket is a bit dodgy? Some of these plug-in expansions with thick pins can really knacker the socket.
Also, another thing to check on A500's is that slender piece of shield than runs along the side expansion slot - make sure there's no shorts or anything when the edge connector is in use.

You might be right about the socket. Doubt that the shield had anything to do with it though, it would most likely have failed with the accelerator mounted as well then.

There is something not quite right with the computer though. Recap and a new PSU didn't resolve the instability, it behaves exactly the same as before. So, might get a diagnostic rom to test it with.

[giZmo350]

I'd put lavender in my bath if it wasn't the side car socket.

Or, you might experience instability with ANY expansion card connected to the side car socket as maybe the socket is fine at the frontend, but the problem lies from the back of the socket to anywhere on the motherboard that handles signals from the expansion port.

Let's think about this.... time and money for a DiagROM or checking continuity from the back end of the connector to pretty much everywhere on the motherboard.

I would A) go for the DiagROM or, B) replace the expansion connector, or C) spring for a Rev6 motherboard.

BTW, do you know what revision motherboard you have? Let us know as the rev might give an additional clue.

Yo smerf, good to see you post up!!!! 

[Munchkin]

It's a Rev 5 board.

Not sure what you mean with "side car socket" though, you mean the expansion slot?

[giZmo350]

Have you ever used Keir Fraser's Systest? It's very comprehensive. It's a small executable that takes over the machine, and can also be downloaded as a bootable ADF image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6F...RvOXVDd3M/view

Might give some insight.

[Munchkin]

Have you ever used Keir Fraser's Systest? It's very comprehensive. It's a small executable that takes over the machine, and can also be downloaded as a bootable ADF image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6F...RvOXVDd3M/view

Might give some insight.

Never actually heard about it. Thanks for the tip, I'll test that out. That link didn't work though.

[giZmo350]

Have you ever used Keir Fraser's Systest? It's very comprehensive. It's a small executable that takes over the machine, and can also be downloaded as a bootable ADF image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6F...RvOXVDd3M/view

Might give some insight.

Never actually heard about it. Thanks for the tip, I'll test that out. That link didn't work though.

Try here on GitHub.... appears to be an updated version too. 

https://github.com/keirf/Amiga-Stuff

[Munchkin]

Have you ever used Keir Fraser's Systest? It's very comprehensive. It's a small executable that takes over the machine, and can also be downloaded as a bootable ADF image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6F...RvOXVDd3M/view

Might give some insight.

Never actually heard about it. Thanks for the tip, I'll test that out. That link didn't work though.

Try here on GitHub.... appears to be an updated version too. 

https://github.com/keirf/Amiga-Stuff

Thanks, I found it myself eventually. Gonna try that and see.