A2000 mystery problem

[orb85750]

I can't figure this one out, but maybe someone else has had a similar problem in the past?  I have an A2000 with OS2, two floppies, HDD on a GVP SCSI card, and separate memory card.  The floppy drives are not recognized.  No problems booting from the HDD **until now** after I fiddled with the machine a bit.  I put the memory card and SCSI card in different slots, then the machine wouldn't boot up at all.  I put them back in the original slots and still no booting (but there is power to HDD).  I checked all connections and they are secure.  If I take the SCSI card out, I never even get to the screen asking to insert the OS2 floppy disk.  Does the system need to detect a floppy drive presence in order to get to this screen?  Anyone with any clue about what the hell might be going on?

[save2600]

Yes, floppy drive connector needs to be connected - else the machine will either not show the Kickstart screen OR take an inordinate amount of time before it finally does.

Sounds like your power supply may be getting weak.

Did you try re-seating all your chips? Especially the CPU, Kickstart and CIA's...

BTW: I'd install your SCSI card in the closest slot to the CPU. Memory board to the left of it. Good general practice anyway, but may also indicate that you've got a power supply problem. How is the system without the RAM card installed?

Somebody here is selling an A2000 power supply for $25 + shipping. Every big box Amiga owners should have a backup if they don't know how to restore theirs:

http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=55197&highlight=amiga+2000+power+supply

[Buzzfuzz]

Even without the floppy drives and scsi card, it should present kickstart after about 30 seconds.
It seems like a dead PSU if it's that sudden.

[Franko]

I can't figure this one out, but maybe someone else has had a similar problem in the past?  I have an A2000 with OS2, two floppies, HDD on a GVP SCSI card, and separate memory card.  The floppy drives are not recognized.  No problems booting from the HDD **until now** after I fiddled with the machine a bit.  I put the memory card and SCSI card in different slots, then the machine wouldn't boot up at all.  I put them back in the original slots and still no booting (but there is power to HDD).  I checked all connections and they are secure.  If I take the SCSI card out, I never even get to the screen asking to insert the OS2 floppy disk.  Does the system need to detect a floppy drive presence in order to get to this screen?  Anyone with any clue about what the hell might be going on?

When I had my old A1500 which was just the same as the A2000 (just without the HD), when I finally installed an HD & SCSI and extra memory I too ran into similar problems. I resolved it however by replacing the PSU and it ran fine after that, could be the same for you, if you can check all the voltages and currents from the PSU it might be starting to fail...

[save2600]

Franko, what happened to your old avatar? This MJ one is quite disturbing    lol

[Franko]

Franko, what happened to your old avatar? This MJ one is quite disturbing    lol

I came across that one last night and found it quite funny at first, but now it's kinda putting me off my dinner, think I'll change it back to the old one now...

[orb85750]

Thanks guys.  I'll try reseating chips and replacing the power supply.  (I have a couple of spares from partially dismantled A2000s.)  I also agree with the comment about Franco's MJ Avatar. :-)

[Franko]

@ save2600 & orb85750

Sorry guys, as you can see normality has returned...
(it was starting to creep me out too... :nervous: )

[Tenacious]

I can't figure this one out, but maybe someone else has had a similar problem in the past?  I have an A2000 with OS2, two floppies, HDD on a GVP SCSI card, and separate memory card.  The floppy drives are not recognized.  No problems booting from the HDD **until now** after I fiddled with the machine a bit.  I put the memory card and SCSI card in different slots, then the machine wouldn't boot up at all.  I put them back in the original slots and still no booting (but there is power to HDD).  I checked all connections and they are secure.  If I take the SCSI card out, I never even get to the screen asking to insert the OS2 floppy disk.  Does the system need to detect a floppy drive presence in order to get to this screen?  Anyone with any clue about what the hell might be going on?

You didn't say it, but, the first thing I thought of was did you pull the cable off your floppy drives without marking and matching the drive to the connector.  Did you remove the drives from their mounting plate?

IIRC, the drives are jumpered to match their location on the ribbon cable.

[orb85750]

You didn't say it, but, the first thing I thought of was did you pull the cable off your floppy drives without marking and matching the drive to the connector.  Did you remove the drives from their mounting plate?

IIRC, the drives are jumpered to match their location on the ribbon cable.

Thanks for your help.  Actually, the problems started without me even touching the floppies.  They never worked correctly in this unit, and I've never gotten a click from either of them.  (Needless to say, I'm not the first owner of this A2000.)

[kolla]

I came across that one last night and found it quite funny at first, but now it's kinda putting me off my dinner, think I'll change it back to the old one now...

Dang, I must have missed that one.
How about a gallery of Franko's avatars, with a monthly poll or something :laughing:

[Franko]

Gawd, you'd think that I changed them everyday or sumpthink... :rolleyes:

I've only used these one, so far...

............

Coming soon...

......

One day I'll find the right one... :lol:

[gertsy]

Mad Hatter Rools...

[Tenacious]

Yep, I thought the Mad Hatter was a self-portrait.  Sorry.

[Franko]

Yep, I thought the Mad Hatter was a self-portrait.  Sorry.

No need to be sorry... it's pretty close to the truth actually... :lol: