My 500+ Project

[djos]

Amiga Maniac has a web site here: http://www.amigamaniac.com/

I've bought a few items from him over the last couple of years, always been pretty good service, he's based in NSW.

He sells rom chips at a good price aswell.

Cheers, I sent him an email. :cool:

[djos]

Well I finally got around to finishing making my DB23-GBS Cable and I also swapped around the two CIA chips to no avail - on a positive note my flashing screen is in colour (green)!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71121999/Amiga/2012-06-22%2019.21.41.jpg

PS, the power light blinks 2 times by my count so I need to look that up.

PSS, I dont drink Carlton Mid, that is actually a Coopers Clear (wife has me on a diet from my normal Pale Ale, all for 20 bloody calories!)!

[djos]

Ok found some doco here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power-on_self-test#Amiga_POST

Tells me bad Chip-ram or Agnus Chip (i'd reseat it but lack a PLCC extraction tool) - I'd be inclined to think the traces from Gary to the chip ram are damaged based on this. :eek:

Looks like my Rev6a is gonna get a 512kb chip ram and a Super Denise upgrade when it arrives (will have to look out for an 8372B Fatter Angus so I can got to 2MB chip ram later on).

[djos]

Cheers Cammy. (bloody Ni-Cad Batteries!)

I do have some good news tho, I have been offered an Agnus 8372AB which is a 2mb unit that is pin compatible with the Rev6a Mobo (8375 from rev8a isnt) I bought so I'll be able to turn the Rev6a board into a 500+ spec board minus the battery backed RTC. :cool:

[djos]

Sad to hear the result djos.  But it sounds like you haven't totally given up.  Even if you have a suitable replacement option.

Yeah not entirely, next weekend I'll get a small fine wire brush (eg toothbrush size) and try to clean up some more joins and then freshen up the solder as I think there may be 1 or 2 dry joints needing sorted.

Failing that I'll pimp out the Rev6a Mobo I've ordered so it's Full ECS - I even managed to find a Super Fat Agnus 8372AB 2mb chip in the USA (8375 from 500+ wont work in a rev6a Mobo). Im trying to talk Tomthul into making a 1.5MB chip-ram trapdoor board with Battery backed RTC for those with 6a's wanting to pimp them out to 2MB.

It's a fun project tho and in the mean time i've been teaching myself Amiga using WinUAE (very handy training tool, I even simulated formatting my CF Card and installing WB3.1 on it using a 2GB USB Stick). :cool:

PS, Yesterday I ordered an IDE68k from Mika and from FleaBay a SanDisk 4GB CF Card and an IDE-CF Card module so it's all staring to come together nicely.

[djos]

The Viper 530 looks impressive but to be honest I'll be happy with what im aiming for, which is:

68010 (so F10 works to exit whdload games)
Full ECS Chipset
2mb Chip Ram
8mb Fast Ram
IDE68K -> CF Reader -> 4GB CF Card


once I've got all that up and running I'll prolly look for a 1200.

[djos]

Nope, looks like the rev8a board is toast, plan b is to pimp out the rev6a board I've ordered to full ECS levels including a super fat agnus 2mb 8372AB I bought via amibay - I've now ordered my 8mb ram board from tomthul and ide68k from Mika.

[djos]

Btw I've been discussing the possibilities of a 2mb chip ram trapdoor board for 500's fitted with 8372ab or b super fat Agnus chips and he has found as I suspected that it would work as long as the onboard chip ram is disabled. :cool:

So if you don't have a mini megachip for your 500 i suggest you track down an 8372ab or 8372b (from the 3000, they are pal/ntsc agnostic too) and pm tomthul ASAP!

[djos]

I Finally solved my WinUAE 500+ w/ KS3.1 ROM issue and I'm now happily formatting my 4GB CF Card into 2x 1.9GB partitions in Workbench 3.1 .. happy days!

Just need some more bits and pieces to show up now so I can use the CF card as a HDD in my real 500+! :cool:

[djos]

My 8MB Ram Module and Agnus 8372AB (Rev6a pin compatible 2MB Agnus) showed up today; Im just waiting on my replacement Mobo from Germany so I can bring my 500 back to life!

In preparation for it arriving, i've cannibalised all the socketed chips from the rev8a board (was slightly careless and destroyed a CIA chip, DOH!) so when my Rev6a arrives all of the ECS chips (Super Denise & Agnus 8372AB) are going straight in along with the 68010 which is already sitting proudly on top of my 8MB Ram module from TomThul.

[djos]

have you tried the usual simple pushing down on it?
might help.

Yep, removed it and reinserted it. There's obviously trace damage to the memory lines from the battery leak that I can't see.

[djos]

My IDE68k v402 arrived today, here it is with my 68010 and 8mb RAM Board sitting on top of it - I had to remove the IDE connectors plastic shroud to get the ram board on as if I'd gone the other way I wouldnt be able to install the keyboard. As it is the RF shield no longer fits and has been retired. :cool:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71121999/Amiga/2012-07-17%2019.41.00.jpg

Ordered a nice simple switch operated rom switcher today from a chap in Germany but still waiting on my replacement mobo!!! :rolleyes:

[djos]

Yeah I saw that but frankly I've already spent triple what my 500+ cost me and the wife will get suspicious if the CC doesnt start going down RSN! :eek:

PS, I so want the ACA500* + ACA1220, what a sweet sweet combo!!!  :afro:

*Only thing I dont like is the 2mb Ram, really should be 8mb!

[djos]

It not quite back from the dead yet but it will be shortly

Nice collection of miggy's tho!

[djos]

Hey, I just wanted to tell you how impressed I have been reading through this thread.  I hope you get the 500+ working!  You have put in some really hard work and deserve a working machine!


Cheers!!
-P

Cheers, been a fun project so far and gave me a chance to dust off my soldering skills and diagnostic after not having used them properly for a long time (my c64 restoration project was much simpler as it was 95% replacing socketed chips).

[djos]

Are you wanting to sell the faulty 500 plus board? You can take all the chips etc out, just needing the component above the denise chip. Will take a photo and up it a little later.

Although my soldering skills suck ;-)

Lurch, I've started salvaging the mobo for parts, which one exactly do you want?