CD32: How do you know if it is PAL or NTSC?

[freqmax]

If you have the "french" version with an 8-pin mini DIN video connector you can get RGB video with the right cable. Anyway either way you can use the luminance pin to check if you have 15 625 Hz line frequency or 50 Hz vertical sync.

That last expansion accessory seems to indicate these signals are available directly on the expansion bus. Proberbly so the mpeg module can do it's overlay of played movie.

[freqmax]

I guess someone confused floppy and video connector. On A500 the video connector on the computer is a DB23-male (compare)

[freqmax]

smerf, Does it really use -12V DC ?

http://www.hardwarebook.info/Amiga_CD32_Power

[freqmax]

Seems this thread gives the answer: Amiga cd32 psu pinouts + A500 psu pinouts

CD32 4-Pin Din Male (At PSU end looking directly on)



1 = 12v yellow
2 = Unused
3 = GND
4 = 5v Red

I'm not certain if Commodore PSUs use the same colour conventions as modern PC PSUs, but I've based those colours from the ATX PSU I'm using for my CD32.

The A500 male plug



1 = Shield
2 = +12v Brown
3 = -12v White
4 = GND Black
5 = 5v Red

However I'm unsure on the "not used" because RS-232 ports may malfunction silently. As RS-232 needs at least -3V to be standards compliant. This can be accomplished with an charge pump if not provided by the PSU directly.

[freqmax]

Watch out for bad capacitors in the power supply. And run it for a while and measure it before use.

[freqmax]

i recall buying stuff from the UK and got .. no plug. Perhaps it's a custom there.

[freqmax]

What kind of monitor is on the last two photos in this link ..?

Seems advanced..

[freqmax]

What makes it better than any random TFT screen with RGB input?

[freqmax]

Regarding power, perhaps the 50 vs 60 Hz will screw things up? ie saturate transformer core such that it would overheat with enogh time.

Can't overscan be adjusted on the monitor?

[freqmax]

Measure the power supply!

Or at least follow the PCB traces..

[freqmax]

OK, I got it to work (followed the images with actual RED and YELLOW cables attached) and it works.

So this is the picture that shows the correct connections?




Regarding the CD-drive, perhaps you could test the drive with a  MKE/Panasonic interface found in som really old PC-soundcard like Sound Blaster Pro, CT1330, Gravis Ultrasound MAX and Gravis Ultrasound CD3 soundcards ..?

And even better get an extra drive with Panasonic/Sony/Mitsumi interface and see if the CD32 runs with it. Just remember it's neither IDE, P-ATA or SCSI-8.

Considering the age and use of the unit. It's no wonder that the mechanical side of things are broken. Getting an original (non-FPGA) Amiga to work is likely expensive buys + repairs. Knowhow doesn't hurt either. And some sellers just don't have the equipment to test these things.

[freqmax]

I hope you haven't given up? If I were you I would search ebay.com for some "Panasonic/Sony/Mitsumi/MKB interface" that most PC owners would send to trash normally. And then buy it dirt cheap.

At least then you could try the unit by opening it and using the alternative CD. With real luck you might piece together the original form factor too.

[freqmax]

I think this is the pinout:
http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~theom/electronics/panasoniccd.html

However if you look at the Gravis soundcards (and perhaps soundblaster) you can see three sockets. CD-Rom interface was a mess those days!
(S-ATA + BluRay is a breeze in comparision)


(Anyone up for Amiga CD64 with Blu-Ray? )

[freqmax]

Perhaps there's some diagnostic program one can run from floppy?

[freqmax]

Yeah amen to CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT, the sticker is there for a reason. Value your eyes over any machine.
But a photodiode could be used to detect the beam.

I would also check if the rotation motor work (does it even have power?), that the sled motor that moves to the head to the right track can move and have power too etc..