Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: curtis on October 05, 2010, 11:28:32 PM
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As in before I trust Amigakit to do any work on my minimig again!
Purchased the 4Mb upgrade for my minimig, sent it in and waited.
Got it back and unpacked it. Very nice soldering job.
Plugged it in, and NOTHING!!! Power light comes on, but zero activity from the memory card and no boot screen. NADA!
Pulled the memory card and checked the contents. Yep, minimig files are present as are the kickstart files, and at least the workbench files. Re-insert and try again. Same thing.
Looks like my ARM controller has been erased by their techs. While it's not a HUGE problem, it is very annoying to send in something working and get it back needing work.
Okay, now that I've gotten that off my chest, I'll go and manually re-program the ARM controller.
Curtis
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Any chance that X-Ray's or some other technology used for customs or security could've erased or corrupted it? Or would that be a snowball's chance in hell? :lol:
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I think it is fair to be a little upset when a piece of hardware comes back not working but you would probably accomplish more by contacting AmigaKit first before going off on a forum. I am sure they are not intentionally screwing you over, and stuff like this can happen with what is near "home brew" electronics.
You could always use another Amiga vendor! Oh wait...
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you would probably accomplish more by contacting AmigaKit first before going off on a forum.
+1 and even if it didn't accomplish anything more, it would still be the correct thing to do.
Hope you are feeling better having vented :)
Regards,
AmigaEd
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Pfft.
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I am very disappointed and suprised to read this on a public forum.
Our Technician provides the highest quality work with Minimigs and thoroughly soak tests all equipment working for hours before returning to customers. Perhaps you should have contacted us first before making statements like these on a public forum.
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I am very disappointed and suprised to read this on a public forum.
Our Technician provides the highest quality work with Minimigs and thoroughly soak tests all equipment working for hours before returning to customers. Perhaps you should have contacted us first before making statements like these on a public forum.
+1
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Any chance that X-Ray's or some other technology used for customs or security could've erased or corrupted it? Or would that be a snowball's chance in hell? :lol:
+1 Customs is paranoid about anything traveling across borders. I doubt that it was AmigaKit that caused the problem.
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I have not actually had Amigakit repair anything of mine, but I have ordered from them and I must say that I have always been pleased by them. I think that every company will mess something up every once in a while and dont think that makes them a bad company. Maybe this experience wasnt the best, but i must say I dont believe they would intentionally screw with your stuff.
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Hi,
I cant believe how this thread is playing out.
I had that Minimig on test for 3 days solid. After which time it was given a QA tested sticker packed up and sent via fedex back to the customer.
The ARM controller was not touched, niether the SD card.
I have done well over 50 minimig RAM upgrades and never had one not work or play up. I have had lots sent with ARM controllers and again never had a problem.
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Any chance that X-Ray's or some other technology used for customs or security could've erased or corrupted it? Or would that be a snowball's chance in hell? :lol:
Check the comments on this site:
http://www.techxplore.net/2008/12/14/airport-x-ray-technology-damage-hard-disk-storage-drive-data/ (http://www.techxplore.net/2008/12/14/airport-x-ray-technology-damage-hard-disk-storage-drive-data/)
I guess they use MRI now to see things in more detail.
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I think you might have "jumped the gun", or "leaped before you looked" curtis.
AmigaKit has one of the best (if not THE BEST) customer support reputation of any Amiga retailer/repair facility left on planet Earth. Complaining here BEFORE you tried to work it out with them is a bad move and will get you no sympathy from most members here. I am sure AmigaKit tech's are not immune to making mistakes, but I have seen some of them at work during the last couple AmiWest Shows in Sacramento, CA, and can assure you that they are very careful and qualified to do good work.
I hope you can get your Minimig working again soon without too much trouble, but unless you have undeniable proof that it was AmigaKit's fault for your current problem, I don't think you should be so quick to make accusations on assumptions.
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@curtis
That's pretty damn harsh now to come straight out in public and have a go at a company like that. You obviously don't have a clue what happened to cause the problem, but seeing as it has travelled half way around the world via FedEx, and then through the crazy customs procedures at your country's borders, anyone with an ounce of logic could see that it might have actually been damaged in transit.
Maybe you should learn to relax a little and think things through before mouthing off ill-informed opinions in public. It may improve your quality of life by allowing you to try things you would otherwise dismiss...
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Well, one thing is for sure is that Curtis will now know how to handle a customer complaint after this forum is through with him. :furious:
It will be alright Curtis, simple establish a "Support Ticket" from Amigakit website and explain what you are experiencing. Surely, you are not the only one who has experienced this with sensitive electronics being shipped, especially overseas. I would throw in an apology while you are at it, it would not hurt. :)
I have the highest regards as to Amigakits attention to quality service and shipping standards. Having purchased from the several times I'm always amazed on how long it takes me to get into one of their very protective packaging jobs. :roflmao:
The Dawg
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I have to say that I sent my v1.1 to AmigaKit for the RAM upgrade. I sent my ARM along with it to make sure it was completely tested before they mailed it back.
They did an excellent job.
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Oh Curtis, check your power supply!
I use a 4.5v power supply instead of a 5v and I've had quite a few instances where I plug it in, lights come on but no boot activity and no screen. I've sometime had to plug and unplug it many times before it suddenly boots and keeps on working.
I've wondered if it is the extra components (RAM and ARM) putting a drain on it. It is a variable supply and the next setting is 6v. I don't know whether to risk it or not.
Doesn't happen often, just when it has been left off for a while. Once it boots once it is good for multiple hard resets.
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Okay, I apologize to the people at Amigakit for my too quick reaction. Should've gone to them first. I was just upset that I had spent that much money and it's acting like a doorstop right now.
Since Follett has identified himself as the tech that worked on the unit, I'm taking this off-line and will talk to him regarding what went on. I will update as things develop.
Again, I apologize for my rashness.
Curtis
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Curtis,
One thing I can offer if you need to troubleshoot the board is to mail it to me in Louisiana and I can try your board with my PSU, ARM and SD Card or try your ARM in my board, etc.
Might save you a small fortune in postage.
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I'm not crazy about the support ticket system, I wish you could just email them, I'm old fashioned I guess but I miss the days when you could call for tech help. Heck I'd even be willing to pay for tech help if I got to talk to a living breathing human being. I am honestly thankful that we have a quality Amiga dealer like Amigakit though.
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I'm taking this off-line and will talk to him regarding what went on.
Curtis
Not sure what you mean by this.
However, the support ticket system is alot better, as myself and amigakit, check it randomly through the day. We get 100's of emails every day, so emailing is not the best way to go.
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We all know that public forums are the best place to direct the first complaints, right? :roll:
On a side note, I once made hell freeze over when playing Dwarf fortress. I Dug all the way down and then flooded it with a river, that froze when winter came.
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Well, CRAP!!!!!
I do believe I may have inadvertently erased my ARM. I didn't notice the serial jumper was set to MCU and not FPGA.
Anyway, was going to update everything and see what was what using my old PIC and it suddenly dawned on me I"m not getting any sort of picture because the blasted thing is locked in 50Hz! Seeing that I'm in the US, that is a bit of a problem!
I've tried pressing F1 on power up, but that doesn't seem to help. Heck, even tried all the other F keys with no luck.
How do I get this little bugger to boot in 60Hz?
I'm also strongly considering taking Darrin up on his offer as this will save me a TON of postage and, in the long run, a lot of hair from being pulled out of my head. :biggrin:
Curtis
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I do believe I may have inadvertently erased my ARM.
Heck's whistles, that'll slow your typing down a bit.
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Any chance that X-Ray's or some other technology used for customs or security could've erased or corrupted it? Or would that be a snowball's chance in hell? :lol:
I do know that customs detained an 030 accelerator I had ordered from Amigakit. I had to call and explain to the customs officials what the item was before they would release it.
You know, better safe than sorry, if that 030/40 with 68882 FPU fell into the wrong hands....
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You know, better safe than sorry, if that 030/40 with 68882 FPU fell into the wrong hands....
[youtube]yxfrWnLI-dc[/youtube]
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I do know that customs detained an 030 accelerator I had ordered from Amigakit. I had to call and explain to the customs officials what the item was before they would release it.
You know, better safe than sorry, if that 030/40 with 68882 FPU fell into the wrong hands....
Wonder if those customs guys in the US are all fat and enjoy candy, cos just about every time I send my sister some good old fashioned Scottish sweets (Macaroon Bars especially), they either never get their or the package has been opened and some of it's missing... :)
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I'm not crazy about the support ticket system, I wish you could just email them, I'm old fashioned I guess but I miss the days when you could call for tech help. Heck I'd even be willing to pay for tech help if I got to talk to a living breathing human being. I am honestly thankful that we have a quality Amiga dealer like Amigakit though.
Hi, and yes we can be quick to blame, when some thing goes wrong,and i have to admit i was very rude to a member of amigakit ,and spent a while feeling very guilty ,until i apologized on the phone for being such a plank,
i must say i have spoke with Amigakit many times on the phone and they were brilliant and offerd loads of help ,Brian:):):):)
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Well, CRAP!!!!!
I do believe I may have inadvertently erased my ARM. I didn't notice the serial jumper was set to MCU and not FPGA.
Owch! With the ARM erased, how do you reprogram it? Can you do it off the SD card or Serial Port?
Anyway, was going to update everything and see what was what using my old PIC and it suddenly dawned on me I"m not getting any sort of picture because the blasted thing is locked in 50Hz! Seeing that I'm in the US, that is a bit of a problem!
No CRT handy?
I've tried pressing F1 on power up, but that doesn't seem to help. Heck, even tried all the other F keys with no luck.
How do I get this little bugger to boot in 60Hz?
I'm also strongly considering taking Darrin up on his offer as this will save me a TON of postage and, in the long run, a lot of hair from being pulled out of my head. :biggrin:
Curtis
Well I have several monitors that can handle 50Hz as I like to use my Amigas in PAL. I can still help, but I won't be home until the 20th. :)
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ARM is supposed to be able to be reprogrammed via either SD card, if working, serial port, or USB.
Only crt I have is a 1084 and no adapter from 9 to 15 pin.
It will be waiting for you when you arrive on the 20th!
Curtis
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I think you might have "jumped the gun", or "leaped before you looked" curtis.
AmigaKit has one of the best (if not THE BEST) customer support reputation of any Amiga retailer/repair facility left on planet Earth. Complaining here BEFORE you tried to work it out with them is a bad move and will get you no sympathy from most members here. I am sure AmigaKit tech's are not immune to making mistakes, but I have seen some of them at work during the last couple AmiWest Shows in Sacramento, CA, and can assure you that they are very careful and qualified to do good work.
I hope you can get your Minimig working again soon without too much trouble, but unless you have undeniable proof that it was AmigaKit's fault for your current problem, I don't think you should be so quick to make accusations on assumptions.
Hi,
@Amigadave
Haven't you heard that the customer is always right. If Curtis said that AmigaKit destroyed his whatever, then they destroyed his whatever. I don't think Curtis is wrong no matter what the Tech says.
I have been a Tech for darn near 30 years now and it is nice to see someone yelling at someone besides me.
And remember Tech the customer is always right.
smerf
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And remember Tech the customer is always right.
I hear this statement quite often and have come to the conclusion that it is said within organizations that can't figure out how to implement an effective customer service function.
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Customer is Hardly ever right since most times they don't know which way is up.. Which is why i don't build and sell PC's to idiots (yes i do test the client before i build a system).
Who want to spend countless hours holding someones hand just because they can't use a computer (well not me anyway).
Having said that i have been to quiet a few places where the sales staff/Tech support (Telstra anyone (Aussies will know what i mean), have about as much IQ as an ant (sorry for the insult ants... please forgive) :D
In the world one should always look before jumping in......
Main note i have bought a lot from Amigakit and have always been very happy with their service,items and delivery.
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Hi,
@Amigadave
Haven't you heard that the customer is always right. If Curtis said that AmigaKit destroyed his whatever, then they destroyed his whatever. I don't think Curtis is wrong no matter what the Tech says.
I have been a Tech for darn near 30 years now and it is nice to see someone yelling at someone besides me.
And remember Tech the customer is always right.
smerf
A coffee place around here had a sign saying "the customer is always right, but we're not sure if you are a customer yet"
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ARM is supposed to be able to be reprogrammed via either SD card, if working, serial port, or USB.
Only crt I have is a 1084 and no adapter from 9 to 15 pin.
It will be waiting for you when you arrive on the 20th!
Curtis
No problem. I'll check it out for you and then mail it back. :)
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Progress!!!
I switched monitors and keyboards and lo and behold, after holding down the F1 key for what seemed like forever, I have the insert Workbench screen!
Bad keyboard? That's the next thing to test.
Anyway, Darrin, won't be taking you up on your offer AT THIS TIME! I do appreciate the offer and may take you up on it at a later date.
Next thing, after testing my other keyboard, find a WB 1.3 image and then try to figure out the ARM.
Curtis
No problem. I'll check it out for you and then mail it back. :)
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Progress!!!
I switched monitors and keyboards and lo and behold, after holding down the F1 key for what seemed like forever, I have the insert Workbench screen!
Bad keyboard? That's the next thing to test.
Anyway, Darrin, won't be taking you up on your offer AT THIS TIME! I do appreciate the offer and may take you up on it at a later date.
Next thing, after testing my other keyboard, find a WB 1.3 image and then try to figure out the ARM.
Curtis
Thats awesome news, :). I knew it was'nt faulty.
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Good news :)
I'm at Rio airport right now on my way home.
If you like, drop me a PM with your address and I'll mail you a DVD with that Classic Workbench HDF to try out (I'll make sure I set it for an NTSC screen).
You can use a PC to copy it to your SD card off the DVD.
Regards,
Darrin
Progress!!!
I switched monitors and keyboards and lo and behold, after holding down the F1 key for what seemed like forever, I have the insert Workbench screen!
Bad keyboard? That's the next thing to test.
Anyway, Darrin, won't be taking you up on your offer AT THIS TIME! I do appreciate the offer and may take you up on it at a later date.
Next thing, after testing my other keyboard, find a WB 1.3 image and then try to figure out the ARM.
Curtis