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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: DD_One on April 19, 2008, 07:08:02 PM

Title: A600HD problems
Post by: DD_One on April 19, 2008, 07:08:02 PM
I have one A600HD which doesn't read discs. The computer starts upp and takes me to the "insert disc" screen but when I pop in the disc it loads for a while but then it takes me back to the same screen. I know the disc works, I've tried to replace the internal disc drive without any luck. I've also tried different cables but still no luck. I'm running out of ideas so I'm hoping someone here has one.

The Amiga has KS 2.0 if that helps.
Title: Re: A600HD problems
Post by: a1200 on April 19, 2008, 07:20:33 PM
Sounds like a CIA chip may have failed. You can test this by swapping them or easier still just buying a new CIA chip and soldering it in. There are 2 CIA chips, but both are identical, just responsible for different IO functions.
Title: Re: A600HD problems
Post by: Xamiche on April 19, 2008, 07:27:34 PM
The chips on the A600 are surface mounted. Replacing the floppy controller chip could be quite a task. Hope you're handy with a soldering iron. Also, I think the floppy controller is in the Paula (Audio and I/O) chip on an Amiga 600. It doesn't have CIA chips. As far as I'm aware.

Edit: No wait. I've found a 8520PL (U8) chip by the floppy connector. It's listed as the CIA for the 600.
Title: Re: A600HD problems
Post by: Eclipse on April 19, 2008, 08:39:27 PM
Have you tried a different floppy drive?
Title: Re: A600HD problems
Post by: tokyoracer on April 19, 2008, 10:18:11 PM
Replacement motherboards and FDDs can be found on eBay occasonally, that's if the 600HD one is the same as the normal ones.
Title: Re: A600HD problems
Post by: Xamiche on April 20, 2008, 06:15:54 AM
The A600HD's floppy drive is the same type, but it's physically shorter. The A500 and A1200 FDs wont physically fit in the A600 case. I had to replace a 600 FD a few years back and had to order one specifically for the 600. I'm pretty sure he said that he tried another FD and that didn't work either.

Quote
DD One Wrote:
...I've tried to replace the internal disc drive without any luck.

Unless I'm reading it wrong and what he meant was he 'tried' to replace the FD but could not replace it. As opposed to 'tried' replacing the FD, but the disk still wouldn't boot.  :-?
Title: Re: A600HD problems
Post by: DD_One on May 05, 2008, 08:42:01 AM
Sorry for the late answer.

Yes, I've replaced the FD but it still didn't work. And soldering isn't one of my favorite things in the world, no. So, basically you're saying it can't be fixed without soldering?
Title: Re: A600HD problems
Post by: motorollin on May 05, 2008, 08:48:42 AM
Well if it's not the disk, not the drive and not the cable then it must be the motherboard. If you can't replace whichever chip on the board is dead (by desoldering it and soldering on a new one) then you will have to replace the whole motherboard. Here are some very cheap ones:

Link (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AMIGA-600-MOTHERBOARD-NEW_W0QQitemZ370044430095QQihZ024QQcategoryZ8086QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247)

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moto