Amiga 4000 sound problem

[manicx]

Not very original eh? A problem with the sound in a A4000. Before I describe my problem, I need to type down my A4000 spec:

-A4000/040 Rev B/Buster 11
-16 Fast RAM
-3.1 ROMS
-2HDs using a buffered IDE interface + 1 CD drive 24x
-CV64/4MB
-Internal scandoubler (Arxon using the video exp.)

So, on to my problem now. A noise is coming out of the left speaker. The noise is
this (248 Kb). Before you start saying about the C433s I need to describe the history to my problem:

My Amiga was packed for sometime due to my military commitment. After the army, I found a wee flat in Athens but had no space to set up my A4k. So I had to take it out of a box and install it when I wanted to use it. This started about a year ago.

I was using an external EZ-VGA scandoubler before I buy the Arxon SD. The scandoubler was pusing a bit the left RCA socket but it was not something to worry about.

About 8-10 months ago, I started hearing that noise. It was not happening as soon as I booted but usually after some time (more than an hour anyway). I thought that it was the crappy speakers but it was not.

The noise was not coming up constantly. I could hear it for a few secs, then it was going away, then it was coming back and so on. Strangely enough, when I was moving the speaker cable and the RCA sockets, it seemed that the noise was going away.

About a month ago, the noise became very disturbing while playing Kick Off 2 with my pals. The next day I decided to connect it to my amplifier and get some real sound. I got pure noise instead. I can hear the sound but the noise is coming out too.

So, I took out the mobo, and checked the connectors. They look okay. I also used a cotton bud to clean some parts of the mobo and the sockets. Put it back and noise was not coming out in the beginning. After 30-45 minutes it started again. Bummer!  :-x

So, before I asked for your suggestions/recommendations, I would also like to say that the Amiga clock is always showing the same date when I boot: August 27/1999! The battery looks okay (although I noticed some white crap on both poles - I cleaned it and put some vaseline like we did in the good old days with car batteries). Anyway, I ordered a new battery and it will be with me any day now.

So, what do you think guys? Is this a dry capacitor? Is this a problem with a faulty RCA socket?A friend of mine told me that if it was a problem with a C433, it should have happened ages ago. What tests should I do?

Basically, I do not know where to start. I am not very keen with electronics, and there are no Amiga repair shops in Greece (I have the audio scematic though). I love me A4k more than any girlfriend I had today and I want it to remain fully functional.

[manicx]

Thanks. Well, I always lived on the expectation that my miggy will never have problems. I did buy some backup hardware like a PSU but never a mobo. I will try my replacement PSU (original A4kD) and I will replace the battery first. If problem persists, I will try and take out the left RCA socket and replace it with a new one. Finally, I will try to replace the capacitors. I will start from easier and move to more difficult tasks. I have some friends who can help me, but I really hope to find a vacuum for the melted iron. This way I will be able to replace the faulty bits easy.

[manicx]

Just a wee question guys. Are these the two C433s? I think they are but need a second opinion just in case  :-D !

[manicx]

This is cool info. Thanks. I wonder why there are no more people like you living in Greece! I have to rely on friends who are competent with soldiering irons but have no idea about Amigas.

In any case, can I just email you? I may be able to get super-duper close-ups of my mobo and the capacitors. I may need some advice too. Thanks for your feedback...

[manicx]

Cass, I phoned the commodore repair centre in Greece a while ago but had no luck. After posting the link, I thought: "What the hell, let's give it another shot". To my surprise, they answered the phone. The guy told me that they don't do Amiga repairs anymore but I insisted and I described him that the problem is not with Paula, but with the output. He will have a look in my amiga although he said it may take a while because he is very busy at the moment.

Anyway, I don't care how long it will take. All I want is a healthy Amiga and that's all. I prefer to be without an Amiga for a month than without an Amiga for the rest of my life....  :-)

[manicx]

@ manicx:
Great to hear you found an Amiga repair place in Greece. Get them to fix the battery clock at the same time.
We don't have the luxury of anything like that in New Zealand! It seems I'm unofficially the Amiga repair place for the country

If you want it done faster, you could always send the motherboard here...
Would probably be a bit faster, but shipping would be the killer. I would imagine something like US$20 each way??

Well, I prefer to keep my enthusiasm for later. Meanwhile, I am still waiting for a battery I bought through eBay from the states. It's nearly a month now and it's not here  :-x ! The sooner I get (?) this, I will take my miggy for repair. I will take a deep breath and wait for the guy to tell me "It's fine now". Only reason why I am freaking a bit, is that although the guy used to be the official commodore technician in Greece, he is not anymore.... I hope his memory is still perfect...

But I may ask the post office the costs to send something in New Zealand. It may sound crazy but you seems like DA MAN when it comes to Amiga repairs. 20$ each way is dead cheap and I am sure it is more than that...

[manicx]

Where about in Italy is this guy? I was in Milan last May and I have good Amiga friends in Milan and Rome.