Blizzard PPC Crisis

[CU_AMiGA]

Hello :-(

Tragedy struck for me yesterday, BIG TIME. I was planning on listening to a bit of REM on the Amiga, i switched the machine on and waited for it to boot up, but nothing happened apart from a blank screen. I then noticed that the green LED was flashing like a mad thing. I switched the machine off (for about 30 seconds) and switched back on. But no luck, i just got the same problem as before (blank screen and flashing LED). I reapeated that step many times and even tried it this morning, but still no luck.

I opened up the tower, to see if anything came loose, etc. I also made sure all the chips, ROMS were seated properly. I switched the machine back on, but the same as before. I then disconnected the CD/CDRW ROM Drives and the HD and tried again, but still kept persisting. So then i took out the Blizzard PPC and Blizzardvision, and this time i got the Workbench disk screen, it was okay like that, it was working.

I then realised that there maybe a problem with the BPPC, so i took out the meg simms and took off the Blizzardvision and reinserted the BPPC on its own, and to my horror it confirmed the nightmare that i had been dreading. I have also cleaned the  connector on the Amiga 1200 expansion slot and the BPPC, via cleaning fluid but still no luck, i get the same error as before.

I think that it could be a BPPC problem, but i am going to try the BPPC on another Amiga 1200 tonight. I am not to sure if it is an over heating issue or not, i looked at both 060 and 603e chips, and there were no signs of over heating whatsoever. Can anyone else think of what the problem could be and what i could do about it, and put me out of my misery!

Thank you in advance,

[CU_AMiGA]

Thanks very much for the replies,

I was going to reflash the card (as a last ditch effort). I haven't tried the startup sequence yet, the green LED literally flashes after 2-3 seconds when i switch the machine on. It's funny cos i was listening to mp3s before, then i took a 30 minute break went back on, and then i get all this trouble.

I have a power tower and a 240 watt PSU, so i think i am okay there. I also cleaned the BPPC out at the beginning of January, although when i looked at it yesterday, it was a little grubby. Well, anyway, i will try what you two said and:

1) Rook at startup and see if the card itself is recognised.

2) Reflash card

3) Try new A1200 mobo

Again, your tips are much appreciated.

Cheers,

[CU_AMiGA]

@Karlos,

No, my BPPC has no SCSI on it. What happens is i switch the machine on, it attempts to bootup, the green LED lights up and then the machine seems to try and bootup (after around 3 seconds) and then resets and the LED will keep flashing. I think the machine does attempt to reboot, cos the CD/CDRW drives were going crazy, their LEDs kept flashing (like they would when you first switch a computer on).

Cheers,

[CU_AMiGA]

Hi Fellas,

I tried the BPPC out yesterday and still not working. I have also found out that the LED flashes literally a second after switch on, and i can't access the early startup menu thingy. I have also tried the BPPC on 2 other A1200 mobos and got the same problem. I might disconnect everything else and see if i get a result, but i think the BPPC card is dead.  :-(  I took a closer look and maybe it could have been the slight overheating signs on some of the pins that done it, although evrything was working okay before that, it was like it when i brought it (second hand).

I think i am running out of options here, what else can i do, i am not a techi guy as you probably guessed, so i can't do anything else really. I don't think it is worth getting it repaired, so i may sell it as "spairs" if anyone want's it(!). Not sure what to do afterwards, get a new BPPC or sell all the Amiga parts and buy a PC.  :-(

Regards,

-edit-

The card definately tries to boot and then resets, just a bit too quicky.

[CU_AMiGA]

He guys,

Okay. Things took a twist yesterday. I tried amigamad's idea and check the PSU. I disconnected everything apart from the mobo. I switched on the Amiga, the green LED flashed once and then done nothing, apart from a blank screen. This carried on for about 20-30 secondsa, then the machine rebooted and done the same other. I thought i was making some progress at that point, so it maybe the PSU instead of the Blizzard PPC that has blown. This was later confirmed. I connected both CD/RW drives, the HD and both FD and switched. I was about to get the shock of a lifetijme, after about 3 seconds the PSU blew up!  :-o

So it sounds as though it was the PSU. So i have to get another PSU to get anything working again. But before i do, i would like to know the answers to these questions please, as it may save me time and money:

1) Are all PSU the same interms of size and screw layout?

2) What would be the best voltage/watts PSU specs for my setup: Amiga 1200T / BPPC and BVision (possibly mediator in future).

3) How much would they cost and where to get them from.

4) Any other thing i should be aware of and my Power Tower setup.

I was actually going to look in PC World later and get one, but i wan't to have the green light before i do so. As i said, your replies and help will be much appreciated.

Cheers,

[CU_AMiGA]

That's splendid news. Just another point, would any of my hadrware got frazzled by the incident.

Cheers,

[CU_AMiGA]

Hi everybody,

Okay i have just been in PC World and seen a 300W PSU ATX. I will probably buy it, but am a little confused by ATX. Would it work with my Amiga? If no-one replies in 1/2 hour then i will just buy it, as that is the only amount of time i have got in using a library computer! :-)

Cheers,

[CU_AMiGA]

@everyone

Okay, thanks for the help. Shame it was a little too late! :-) Luckily, i still have a bit of cash flowing about to get yet another PSU. Could someone please provide a link as to where i can get an AT PSU (300W), homebrew or company. Or how could i make this ATX PSU work at all (it won't even switch on!). Thanks again for all the help guys, i think i can get through this! :-)

Cheers,

-edit-

@kgrach

Or how to make an ATX adaptor  :-D

[CU_AMiGA]

Spyros wrote:
I think you guys are all wrong.

It's obvious that the cause of this problem is the fact that he switched on the machine with the intention of listening to REM.

Amigas tend to brake down when switched on with the intention of listening to crap music, the only exception being A2000 Professional Systems equiped with Military Grade Chips (MGC), which are designed to withstand such abuse.

The only solution to your problem is playing a Hawkwind record, not forgetting to place the turntable close enough to the faulty unit, for the positively charged psychedelic energy waves to be able to reach it.

I hope this solves your problem and please don't send any money for my helpful instructions. I'm always glad to help. :-)

:lol:

OI! What's wrong with REM?!  :-D  If REM are that "bad" then God only knows what would have happened if i switched on Tina Turner, and her cat walling! :-)

[CU_AMiGA]

@Ryu,

I have already searched for AT PSU on google, but i just kepted getting ATX ones  :-x I have also looked on Elbox and Power Computing websites, but they just stock the standard 240W ones, i may get that as a last resource, but really want a 300W one. To be honest, i only thought there were one type of PSU, not AT and ATX.

Cheers

[CU_AMiGA]

@Ryu

Oh, i completely forgot about eyetech.

Cheers,

[CU_AMiGA]

Found the ATX - AT adaptor! :-) I will have a closer look tomorrow. Cheers,

[CU_AMiGA]

Okay, i just sent an email to Eyetech about the ATX To AT adatpor thingy. I have had a look at the guide and pics about the ATX thing, and although i am grateful, i don't think i have the skills enough to do it. Maybe a second look may change my mind! :-)

Cheers,

[CU_AMiGA]

GRRR!!! Eyetech, haven't even bothered to email me back, despite me emailing them twice!  :-x  How lame is that. I took another look at the instructions on do-it-yourself ATX PSU. But that sort of hacking stuff is way over my head me thinks. Can anyone else fix one up for me, i will pay good money! :-)

Regards,

[CU_AMiGA]

@Stedy,

Thanks for that link. But i really wan't to make use of the ATX PSU i have got at the moment. I will use that link, or get a replacement from Power Computing, as a last ditch effort.

Cheers