Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: new2amga on September 28, 2008, 05:23:02 AM
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I purchased an A4000 earlier this summer and have been slowly getting around to working with it. I used to have an Amiga when I was younger, and being the pack rat that I am I kept almost all of the software and working hardware I had. So I had several joysticks and some software. While tinkering with WHDLoad to get some old games to work, I noticed that I couldn't go up with the joystick. Following the advice and use of a program by a user on another site that I have visited I found that it wasn't the joystick, but the actual port. I don't really know what to do, as I am not steady with a soldering iron. I talked to the gentleman who runs Softhut, and he gave me the phone number and address to their repair service, which is, coincidentally near where I live. Looking around for people with similar issues, I have come across that most replace the motherboard. I am dead broke right now, and where I can afford to to repair the motherboard, I highly doubt I could afford to replace it. I apologize for the life story, but I am curious if there is anything that a low tech user like me can do? Thanks for the help.
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Replacement of the MoBo is not necessary. Most of the times there are two possible faults when the joystick malfunctions:
1) The soldering has become bad. This is an easy thing to repair, just heat-up the soldering iron and rework al 9 (or so) soldering joints.
2) One of the CIA chips is broken. These can be replaced. In earlier Amiga's they were socket-mounted and therfor easy to swap. In the 4000 they're soldered (I believe). Still a bit of work but do-able and probably cheaper than a new / refurbished motherboard.
You could also try and find an Amiga-user near you with soldering skills who is willing to help you out at the cost of a crate of beer and material-cost.
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To get a feel for what's involved, look here. (http://amiga.serveftp.net/JumpyMouse.html)
If it's just the joystick direction (up) that's not working, then I'd suspect the 74HCT166 (U975), one of the EMI beads, or maybe the pull-up resistor pack. As Antony mentions, it may also be a battery that corroded some of the traces when it leaked. All the info is there - have a look.
banzai