A3000 - Cyberstorm MkIII problems

[AmireX]

@Framiga

Thank you .. I moved the 060 a little and hoped it helped but I didn't press it at while bootup.

I will try it :-)

[Framiga]

Anyway, if the problem is the socket, its fixable.

EDIT- its a Phase5 or a DCE?

[AmireX]

It's from Phase 5. And the quality of the board is really good. I have three other cards from Phase 5 (2 x Cybervision 64 and the other Cyberstorm MkII) and never had any problem.

[X-ray]

@ Amirex

"..I pushed it and the spaces worked well with my old Cyberstorm card.."

---------------------------------------------------------

I had a problem recently with using the wrong spacers on a PPC card. I had a MKII in my machine, and I got a PPC board, but I left the MKII spacers on my machine because they were difficult to remove and as far as I could see they were fine with the PPC. I also had boot problems, but mostly it didn't boot. Have a look at these pics (they are my A4KT, but the problem is the same):

http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=872
http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=873


You MUST use the spacers supplied with the card, whether the other spacers appear to work or not. Trust me on this, I made a big tit of myself because of these spacers.

[AmireX]

@ X-ray

Ok, I will check this. And your boot problems were solved with the right spacers ? I thougt they give only more stability to the card. But we will see :-)

[PaSha]

X-ray wrote:

I had a problem recently with using the wrong spacers on a PPC card. I had a MKII in my machine, and I got a PPC board, but I left the MKII spacers on my machine because they were difficult to remove and as far as I could see they were fine with the PPC. I also had boot problems, but mostly it didn't boot. Have a look at these pics (they are my A4KT, but the problem is the same):

http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=872
http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=873


You MUST use the spacers supplied with the card, whether the other spacers appear to work or not. Trust me on this, I made a big tit of myself because of these spacers.

The wrong-sized spacers were delivered by escom with A4000T's, and are too long, making the card sit in the fast slot at an angle.
Of course, the spacers you have may be something from an a4000t and hence too long. Safest bet is to try running it with no spacers. Anyways, the long spacers are easy to spot, if your CS isn't paralell with the a3000 mainboard, the spacers are too long. (It is quite visibly tilted with the long spacers).

-Paul

[x56h34]

I don't think you can use any kind of spacers other than the default metal ones that come with A3000. The motherboard has no holes for them. So basically, you need to secure your accelerator card by using a pair of non-conductive washers and a pair of screws. You can only do this for the left and right hole on the side that's close to the cpu slot connector. The other two holes on the other, far side are useless with A3000.

I like this method a little better since once your accelerator card is screwed in, in your A3000, it can never pop-out as it can with A4000, during movment or even shipping of your case. :-)

[AmireX]

Ok, back again and the last night I hope. In the A3k case there are other spacers then in the A4k. The card should working also without these spacers. If everything is running fine once can fix the card with 2 screws. That's not the problem.

I pressed the card a little at different positions and found an interesting electronic part. Dont know exactly what it is, but maybe a temperature fuse. If I do some pressure on this element the card is booting. But it needs decent pressure. So the card is twisting a little and the contact problem could be elsewhere.

But anyhow .. the magic part is labeled with "150 PU90" and it's made of two metal parts on top of each other. It is in the near of the voltage regulator and a little diode is direct connected labeled "PH-".

So the card has a problem, because, if I put my finger on this metal all the time it boots up, so my hardware config is ok. But I have only 2 hands and need them both  :-)

How can I post a image ? Then I could show the special part.

[blitter_be]

- Did you check the INT2 modification before you moved in the CSMK3?
- You say you have no SCSI devices (physically) connected, but what devices are logically connected? Switch of all devices with the CS boot menu screen.
- Is the card secure in the CPU slot (could be causing the occasional green screens)

[AmireX]

No success at all. The card has a contact problem or is incompatible in a special way with my A3k.

I GIVE UP - Thanks for the fantastic help and ..

[doctorq]

I take it he didn't want to refund you any money?

[Framiga]

AmireX . . . beleive me . . .its the 060 socket.

Don't care if you push (incidentally) on those component.

Pushing down on those "thing" you deform/bend a little bit the PCB and therefore the lacks of contact, will works then.

Its a coincidence . . . point your attention, on the 060 socket.

1- remove the 060 and with a small tip (its OK the Multimeter probe tip), check one at a time, ALL the female pins (i know its a nightmare).

Tilt gently, EVERY single pin until you'll find the one (or more) desoldered.

2- more easy . . . send it to Amiga France :-)

btw . .  do you have SMD/reworking tools/skills?

[AmireX]

At work I have a SMD workplace and a good environment. But I dont want to do any hardware modification and measurements before Effy definitivly says, that he do not pay the money back.

Because if I pull out the 060 or do some measurements - he will say, that i have destroyed his perfect card ...

So I'm waiting 24 hours and then I know, that I lost my money. If you are really interested I can send you the card.

[Framiga]

me?!? try a "compromise" with Effy.

Everyone here, has lost some money before or after :-(

[AmireX]

Framiga wrote:
me?!? try a "compromise" with Effy.

For testing only of course, dont want to make the same "deal" like Effy.

[Framiga]

but . .don't you have someone closer to you?

I could even "attempt" to perform a fix but remember that this kind of things, are always a "jump in the dark".

btw . . .EFFYYY!!!! where are you? :-)