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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: EzdineG on February 27, 2012, 02:31:04 PM

Title: Amiga 3000D won't boot [SOLVED]
Post by: EzdineG on February 27, 2012, 02:31:04 PM
Hello all!

I have an Amiga 3000D that worked fine when I stored it about 2 years ago.  Yesterday I hooked her up and she wouldn't power on.  When I hit the power button I can see the green power LED flash real quick but then return to it's dead state.  I have a SCSI CD-ROM connected externally and can hear it "seek" when I power cycle the A3000.  No fans, hard drives, etc. actually power up though.

What I've tried to no avail:

1. I've stripped everything from the machine except the daughterboard (I understand it needs this to power on?)

2. Disconnected all peripherals.

3. Tried a spare A3000 power supply I have laying around.

Chances are both of these power supplies are dead but I really don't know how to test them if they're not coming on at all.  I understand you can replace them with ATX power supplies if you have -5v and match the pinouts.  I don't know if A3000 power supplies are "smart" and won't power on without a signal, one that is possibly missing and resulting in both supplies having the same effect.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Amiga 3000D won't boot
Post by: Castellen on February 27, 2012, 05:23:09 PM
I wrote this guide (http://amiga.serveftp.net/A3000_HardwareGuide/booting-problems.html) which may offer some assistance.
Title: Re: Amiga 3000D won't boot
Post by: SpeedGeek on February 27, 2012, 06:45:04 PM
The A3000 PSU has a protection circuit which will shut down if a short circuit or excessive load is placed on it's +5V output. So before assuming you have 2 dead PSU's disconnect the hard and floppy drives and remove any Zorro boards first. If you can get the A3000 motherboard to power up then try the floppy, hard drive and Zorro boards separately.
Title: Re: Amiga 3000D won't boot
Post by: dougal on February 27, 2012, 07:44:54 PM
I take it you checked to make sure the battery did not leak?
Title: Re: Amiga 3000D won't boot
Post by: EzdineG on February 28, 2012, 12:57:46 AM
Quote from: SpeedGeek;681692
The A3000 PSU has a protection circuit which will shut down if a short circuit or excessive load is placed on it's +5V output. So before assuming you have 2 dead PSU's disconnect the hard and floppy drives and remove any Zorro boards first. If you can get the A3000 motherboard to power up then try the floppy, hard drive and Zorro boards separately.


I've stripped the system of everything except the daughter board to no avail.  Would I be able to jump two pins (bypassing the protection circuit) on the power supply while disconnected to see if it will power up?  That way I can focus on the board.

Thanks!

Quote from: Castellen;681687
I wrote this guide (http://amiga.serveftp.net/A3000_HardwareGuide/booting-problems.html) which may offer some assistance.


Thanks for the link!  The issue I'm having may supersede most of that article, however.  My system won't power up at all; no drives, lights or anything.  The battery had been previously removed, but had caused some damage beforehand.  Perhaps previous battery damage has the board shorting so the power supply is cutting (as per above?)

Quote from: dougal;681706
I take it you checked to make sure the battery did not leak?


Aye, the battery leaked years ago and was removed.  It is possible it was barely in the tolerances of working when I stored it and not anymore.  I hope that isn't the case!  

Thanks for your replies!
Title: Re: Amiga 3000D won't boot
Post by: EzdineG on February 28, 2012, 01:19:05 AM
Well, damn..  If I unplug either power supply and power them up they run fine.

I guess it's safe to say there's a short in the board.  :(

Time to start poppin' out chips.
Title: Re: Amiga 3000D won't boot
Post by: AmigaClassicRule on February 28, 2012, 04:14:32 AM
Quote from: EzdineG;681671
Hello all!
 
I have an Amiga 3000D that worked fine when I stored it about 2 years ago. Yesterday I hooked her up and she wouldn't power on. When I hit the power button I can see the green power LED flash real quick but then return to it's dead state. I have a SCSI CD-ROM connected externally and can hear it "seek" when I power cycle the A3000. No fans, hard drives, etc. actually power up though.
 
What I've tried to no avail:
 
1. I've stripped everything from the machine except the daughterboard (I understand it needs this to power on?)
 
2. Disconnected all peripherals.
 
3. Tried a spare A3000 power supply I have laying around.
 
Chances are both of these power supplies are dead but I really don't know how to test them if they're not coming on at all. I understand you can replace them with ATX power supplies if you have -5v and match the pinouts. I don't know if A3000 power supplies are "smart" and won't power on without a signal, one that is possibly missing and resulting in both supplies having the same effect.
 
Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance!

They say that a human being lives longer if he is working than if he is not working. You are used and not rusting away, the same concept applies to everything in life even as simple as a kitchen faucet. Your Amiga have being placed for two years without being used, the "sense of uselessness" will bring it to it's death bed than using it twenty four hours non stop.
 
When I received my A1200 from this old guy he have not used the Amiga 1200 for so long that the enternal disk drive was literally almost dead. But as I kept using the A1200 every day and alot and alot, now she is awake and fresh and ready and my internal disk drive in my A1200 that was ones considered dead is now kicking like a racing horse. It is the first disk drive that ticks before the other two external one ticks, when it was dead before it never ticked.
 
Maybe your A3000D is now long gone..but remember, Amiga's like to be used and they live longer if you turn it on everyday and use it for at least couple of hours a day. If you decide to use it for more than that everyday it is even better.
Title: Re: Amiga 3000D won't boot
Post by: magnetic on February 28, 2012, 04:36:40 AM
Quote
Amiga's like to be used and they live longer if you turn it on everyday and use it for at least couple of hours a day. If you decide to use it for more than that everyday it is even better.


You are awesome :)
Title: Re: Amiga 3000D won't boot [SOLVED]
Post by: EzdineG on February 28, 2012, 09:48:25 PM
Turns out the motherboard is toast.  Applying power shorts the supply, even with all socketed chips removed and nothing plugged in to the board other than the power supply.

Fortunately I have a spare motherboard, unfortunately battery damage destroyed the integrated scan doubler years ago :(

Thanks to all for the help.