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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Rhuantavan on February 18, 2015, 07:27:32 PM

Title: A500 memory upgrade card busted?
Post by: Rhuantavan on February 18, 2015, 07:27:32 PM
Hi,

I have an (1MB?) battery-backed clock memory expansion card for an A500 and have replaced the leaked battery with a new one. However, when turning the thing on (with the mounted switch) and powering the amiga, the expansion started to smoke. In the first picture you can see the blackened thin trace on the lower left edge of the board %&$#?@!%&$#?@!%&$#?@!8211; that's where the smoke was coming from.

The images: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xsxkcua68lnzlj5/AADCjnljoFbZox6YefJHGlrZa?dl=0

Can anybody suggest what is to be done? I can solder, but don't have much knowledge of electronics. Thanks!
Title: Re: A500 memory upgrade card busted?
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on February 18, 2015, 07:33:18 PM
Your picture won't open for me, you know you can attach pictures directly to posts by clicking on the "Manage Attachments" button under "Additional Options" below the "Submit Reply" button, right?

In any case, that sounds unsafe.  If you can solder you should be able to find the broken traces and solder a jumper wire to repair, but it might be better peace-of-mind to just pick up a replacement on ebay?

(Most A500 trapdoor expansions are 512K, BTW)
Title: Re: A500 memory upgrade card busted?
Post by: Rhuantavan on February 18, 2015, 07:53:51 PM
I have attached the images.

Yes I could pick up a replacement, but where's the fun in that? :)
Title: Re: A500 memory upgrade card busted?
Post by: paul1981 on February 18, 2015, 08:13:30 PM
Quote from: Rhuantavan;784799
I have attached the images.

Yes I could pick up a replacement, but where's the fun in that? :)


It would be a bad idea to repair the trace before first locating the component that has obviously failed and short circuited. If you repair the trace with wire that will take more current than the original trace, then you will burn out something on your Amiga. If the trace got magically repaired (hypothetically) and you turn on your Amiga without first repairing the cause of the short circuit, then it will burn the trace again and possibly burn a component on the Amiga side (if it's not already done so). My advise is to buy a replacement 512K ram expansion.
Title: Re: A500 memory upgrade card busted?
Post by: Rhuantavan on February 18, 2015, 08:22:41 PM
Sigh, I hoped there was a way for me to repair it as money is tight.