A4000T not booting... help apreiciated..

[marcfrick2112]

Hello all, Well I tried to upgrade the RAM on my CyberStorm Mk-III in my A4000T today. Now it won't boot up. All I get is one quick screen flash, then just a black screen, I can hear the SCSI drives spin up and click initially. It won't boot with a floppy either. OK, I had to unplug all SCSI cables, as well as the 4000T's port module to get access to the CS. I am sure that it's something that I missed while putting it back together. I removed all Zorro cards, and made sure the CS is in firmly. Anything else I should try?
I hate to ask, but if I had connected the 2 ribbon cables to the port module wrong, could I have blown something out? Just once right after upgrading the RAM on the CS, it booted up, but the mouse wasn't working, now it doesn't boot at all...

There is a guy who could probably repair it here in the states, but maybe you guys have some ideas?

Here's what I know about the machine: A4000T (AT) OS 3.1 80MB RAM CS MK-III, SCSI HDD about 500MB x 2, SCSI CD-ROM, SCSI CD-r, using the CS's SCSI ... Video Toaster/Flyer now removed...

Thanks for any help....

[marcfrick2112]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I took everything out but the CyberStorm, still no joy, it won't try to boot from the floppy. Tried removing and re-inserting the SIMMs, tried several different sets... and with no RAM on the CS at all. Ugh, not looking good. OK, what's left that could keep it from booting up? If the ports module was not in right, or If the motherboard RAM was not making good contact would that do it? Although, the motherboard RAM was working before I got the bright idea to upgrade the CS RAM.
I hope I didn't wreck my CS ....
 :cry:

[marcfrick2112]

Hi DarkCoder and everyone ... very grateful for the advice ... Sadly, still no luck. I stripped the machine completely, cleaned all contacts with tuner/contact cleaner (the $30.00 per can stuff techs. use, not the useless junk that RadioShaft sells) tried re-seating all SIMMs, the CyberStorm, pulled, reconnected, and checked all ribbon cables, re-seated the ROMs... she's still dead...
OK, before I start 'crying in my beer' If the disk module was connected wrong, could it have blown out? Or would it have blown out something on the motherboard? Could the CyberStorm have gotten blown out? Any final ideas before I decide weather to pay even more $$$ to someone who may not even be able to repair it,.... or put it up in my attic ... (my attic is turning into a funeral home for electronics ...)

I don't know what's worse, losing the Amiga I wanted more than any other.... or having  Toaster/Flyer/TBC IV/PAR cards quite literally gathering dust.
Again, thanks to everyone for the help. Now, if you'll excuse me, I gonna get really drunk...
 :boohoo:

[marcfrick2112]

Thanks Sprocket, I checked tonight, I'll double-check tommorow in better light....
BUT, have some more questions for you guys. I'm pretty sure my power supply is suspect, ... in fact, it's pretty much dead, ATM. OK, is the PSU in an A4000T standard? using a multimeter on the PSU just before it went, I wasn't getting +12V on the yellow wire, more like 8V (on the 4-pin molex connectors) . Is it common, or even possible, that a PSU can 'start to go bad' before it finally dies? If, by some merciful chance, this is my problem, how hard is it to replace the 4000's PSU? Many Many Thanks everyone.
Marc

[marcfrick2112]

@rkauer: Thanks for the tips... I will pull the PSU and test tommorow, busy getting drunk tonight  :pint:
edit; Actually, I decided to un-plug everything and try the PSU by itself right after I read your post, checked the voltages ... now I am even more confused. OK, all I had handy for an electric drain was a 15V DC fan, I got +5V on the +5V line, exactly ... but the +12V line read +11V ... As always, more questions, I got +8V from the 12V line when everything was connected, how power-hungry is the CyberStorm? Mind you, I tried both with and without RAM installed. The 4000T motherboard has the max. 16MB installed. Also, how picky are the terminators in a SCSI chain, in other words, do they need full power to work at all? I had read that if the SCSI chain(s) on a 4000T aren't terminated properly, the machine won't boot. (Doh! sorry just read ALL of your last post, sorry too tired

I think it still could be a PSU problem, but I can't seem to make 100% certain...
I know my dad's accelerated A1200 had lots of probs. until I got him a dedicated PSU (actually MADE for A500/A1200, would you believe, Applied Engineering..)

[marcfrick2112]

Kristian95: Well, I don't have the skills to do serious mobo-type repairs on miggies, so...

ajlwalker: give away even a broken 4000T, not on yer life  :-D

Well, as mentioned in another thread, I sent it in to Ed Jeffries in Mission, KS to be repaired. Can't remember all that was wrong, but my putting the ports module in backwards fried a chip and some caps on the mobo, according to Ed.

I am sure that some Amiga's can actually be 'beyond repair' but this guy in KS has some real skill.. He already repaired a 4000 desktop w/WarpEngine for me.

Now, I just need to make room for the monster w/ its' 3 external drives

[marcfrick2112]

Kristian 95:

OK, PM sent... Hmm, since his contact info is already on amiganews.de, I might as well post it here, I am sure others' may find it useful...

n USA Ed Jeffries with his company "Video Lab" offers the repair of Amiga 4000-motherboards an.

Contact:
Video Lab - Ed Jeffries
6909 Johnson Dr.
Lower-level
Mission, KS. 66202
Phone: 913-403-0045

 :-)

[marcfrick2112]

Hey Charlie,

Well, I saw that thread, there's just so much crammed into that 4000T that I couldn't tell the cables were connected wrong. Ugh... And the RAM I got from you always worked, even before my failed attempt to upgrade the CS RAM. Now all is well, just need to get a few more power cords/free oulets to install the beast permanantly... 6 hard drives, sheesh!

 :-D
Marc

[marcfrick2112]

Kin-Hell:

No worries, mate... Since I had to pay to get the beast repaired anyway, I had Ed put 3 of the drives into ext. enclosures, all with separate PSU's and fans...
The 4000T has 'only' 3 hard drives internally... 2 system drives, one for the PAR.  :-D