A570 not doing much

[subcon959]

I picked up an A570 recently and can't seem to get it to load discs. It powers on fine and the screen shows the CDTV logo, but when I insert a disc all it does it show the activity LED for a couple seconds and that's it. When I eject the caddy the CD is usually spinning as it pops out, but sometimes it's not.

If I press any keys on the A500 it takes me to the setup screen where I enter the date/time etc. The only setting that seems to get saved is the screensaver timeout. The date/time are always reset.

I've tried both audio CDs and the encyclopaedia one that came with it but am not getting anywhere. I figured I'd ask here first incase I missed something obvious, before throwing curses at the seller.

 

[rkauer]

Hard to tell, since I never had one.

But first obvious thing is carefully open the case and do a thorough clean in the laser lens with a very soft cotton brush.

For the settings not saved: do you have a clock in the trapdoor of the A500? Does it have a working battery in there?

Did you replaced the battery on the A501 (or equivalent) with a non-leaking type?

Did you installed the software needed to make the unit work in a hard drive? Or even boot using the companion software disk?

 

[subcon959]

EDIT: Double post, more detailed reply below.

 

[subcon959]

Hm I replied ages ago but it said something about moderator approval and never showed up?

EDIT: LOL the reply has suddenly appeared above this post! Oh well..

Hard to tell, since I never had one.

But first obvious thing is carefully open the case and do a thorough clean in the laser lens with a very soft cotton brush.

I did want to try this right away but noticed that one of the screws was blocked by an intact warranty seal. I'd have to be sure I wasn't returning it first as I'm sure the seller wouldn't take it back knowing I'd opened it up.

For the settings not saved: do you have a clock in the trapdoor of the A500? Does it have a working battery in there?

Did you replaced the battery on the A501 (or equivalent) with a non-leaking type?

I just have a basic 512k expansion card with no clock/battery. Is it possible this could somehow be conflicting with the A570? I will try removing it and see if I get anywhere.

For some reason I assumed the A570 had its own clock but I guess this isn't the case?

Did you installed the software needed to make the unit work in a hard drive? Or even boot using the companion software disk?

Well, I have the original disk that it comes with but it isn't bootable and there are only a few utils on there like a CD Player for Workbench etc. I understand that the drivers for the A570 are supposed to be built-into the OS?

Oddly enough, the Amiga freezes if I try to launch the prefs utility in Workbench. It's as if it has no idea there is an A570 attached. I can't get any discs to show up.

Part of me wants to take the plunge and open it up, and therefore accept it as a faulty item that I won't be returning (I hate the idea of this because the seller might have known it was faulty!). But at the same time I'm hesitant because I doubt I will have the skills to fix it myself if it's something like a motor or laser problem.

 

[rkauer]

Hm I replied ages ago but it said something about moderator approval and never showed up?

EDIT: LOL the reply has suddenly appeared above this post! Oh well..

That's absolutely normal for low post-counting users. A few more posts and this will not happen again with you.

I did want to try this right away but noticed that one of the screws was blocked by an intact warranty seal. I'd have to be sure I wasn't returning it first as I'm sure the seller wouldn't take it back knowing I'd opened it up.

Then at least try to clean the upper part of the lens with a cleaning CD. May help.

I just have a basic 512k expansion card with no clock/battery. Is it possible this could somehow be conflicting with the A570? I will try removing it and see if I get anywhere.

For some reason I assumed the A570 had its own clock but I guess this isn't the case?

The A570 don't have its own battery, nor clock.

The A501 will not clash with the unit, they are too far away.:jester:

Seriously, no, there are no incompatibilities using a trapdoor 512kb expansion and the A570.

Well, I have the original disk that it comes with but it isn't bootable and there are only a few utils on there like a CD Player for Workbench etc. I understand that the drivers for the A570 are supposed to be built-into the OS?

No, drivers are not available at boot time. If you have a 1.3 ROM Amiga, duplicate the Amiga Workbench boot disk and store the original in a safe and dry place.

With the fresh copy in hands, open the driver disk and locate the "Expansion" drawer. Copy that drawer to RAM disk, remove the disk and then copy over the drawer stored in RAM to the fresh copied Workbench boot disk.

After that, turn the Amiga off, wait ten seconds (just to be sure) and boot the Amiga again with the new boot disk. Now the CD will work.

BTW: there is a special mode in the A570 to play CDTV titles: turn the volume button all the way to the left (you'll hear a click). Put the CDTV title in the caddy and start to play!

Oddly enough, the Amiga freezes if I try to launch the prefs utility in Workbench. It's as if it has no idea there is an A570 attached. I can't get any discs to show up.

I think your boot disk may be corrupted. Or the time utility is moaning about the lack of the battery/RTC chip.

Part of me wants to take the plunge and open it up, and therefore accept it as a faulty item that I won't be returning (I hate the idea of this because the seller might have known it was faulty!). But at the same time I'm hesitant because I doubt I will have the skills to fix it myself if it's something like a motor or laser problem.

Don't twist your arm yet!