Help - A500 boot issue.

[Robofruit]

Hi. Hoping for some help.

I have an Amiga A500 rev 6a. I installed a Pi Storm and all was ok but then I think the pins must have made contact from the Pi to the keyboard (Shield removed for space). I had shielded with tape but they poked through.

The Pi was fried so I got another. All booted up ok but then when launching games I just got a white screen. I installed the original
Processor rather than the Pi Storm and it booted with the attached image (ghost of disk). If I used a modulator I got the boot screen albeit with a faded blue and white disk grainy picture.

So I then decided to reseat the chips and accidentally put Paula back in the wrong way around (I know stupid but I was tired). Now I just get a grey screen and nothing else.

Any pointers? I probably need a new Paula but I think this will just put me back to the original issue of a ghost image when using RGB.

 

[QuarXky]

Hi

Sorry to hear that but yes the first you need a new paula shure she was damage due was insert in wrong way.

From there, the situation will become clearer.
If there was a short in the Pistorm, it's possible that a trace or power protection circuit burned out, but that's not so certain.

Start by replacing the Paula circuit; it might work.

I recommend doing these things with a clear mind and paying attention, otherwise things will get worse. Murphy's Law exists.

 

[darefail]

If possible try with a different Denise chip, without Paula, and check if it gives any colors on start-up.

 

[Robofruit]

Thanks for the responses. I will do as advised

 

[Robofruit]

Update ! I am awaiting a new Pi Storm but I have done some more testing.

Paula replaced with known good one.
I can get monochrome output from the RCA Jack.
I can also get the faded colour image if I use a modulator.

I still cannot get any output from the RGB lead. This is a new lead so it's known to be good.

When I receive the new Pi Storm I was wondering if I could just buy a Frame Thrower and if this would be a working solution. My question is do I still have an issue with Denise or is it working because I get mono and modulator output?

Many thanks

 

[Watson]

Update ! I am awaiting a new Pi Storm but I have done some more testing.

Paula replaced with known good one.
I can get monochrome output from the RCA Jack.
I can also get the faded colour image if I use a modulator.

I still cannot get any output from the RGB lead. This is a new lead so it's known to be good.

When I receive the new Pi Storm I was wondering if I could just buy a Frame Thrower and if this would be a working solution. My question is do I still have an issue with Denise or is it working because I get mono and modulator output?

Many thanks

I'd personally swap out Denise just to rule that out. Then you can move on knowing if she's defective or not.

 

[btp]

If composite mono (RCA) shows an image normally and everything else seems to be working as expected (did you try loading any game?) this means that Agnus and Denise are fine. So the fault probably lies somewhere in the RGB path between Denise and the 23-pin connector.

 

[Robofruit]

If composite mono (RCA) shows an image normally and everything else seems to be working as expected (did you try loading any game?) this means that Agnus and Denise are fine. So the fault probably lies somewhere in the RGB path between Denise and the 23-pin connector.

Thanks I did think that Denise must be working in some way to give signals. I also got a signal with my VGA converter box albeit with interference (this was always the case and why I stopped using it). Unfortunately I can't load games atm as I don't have my Pi Storm, my disk drive failed some time ago and one reason I started using other solutions such as RPI Drive and now Pi Storm.

I am going to order a Frame Thrower and see how I get on.

 

[btp]

I would suggest to purchase a gotek or a DiagROM. They will definitely help you to troubleshoot the machine and determine the nature of your problem without much cost.
IMHO adding further (and delicate) expansions like PiStorm and the FrameThrower before you are certain of the machine's state its not a smart move.

 

[Robofruit]

I would suggest to purchase a gotek or a DiagROM. They will definitely help you to troubleshoot the machine and determine the nature of your problem without much cost.
IMHO adding further (and delicate) expansions like PiStorm and the FrameThrower before you are certain of the machine's state its not a smart move.

How easy is the DiagROM to interpret? I have read posts about people not knowing what the output all means. Do you recommend a particular version? Thanks.

 

[btp]

I believe most tests are self explanatory.
John Hertell, the author of DiagROM is constantly improving it, so I would choose to use the latest v2 beta.

https://www.diagrom.com/files/daily/DiagROMV2.zip

Since your Amiga seems to be booting I would suggest first to try and run the Amiga Test Kit by Keir Fraser using a Gotek.

Releases · keirf/amiga-stuff

Contribute to keirf/amiga-stuff development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[Robofruit]

Hello again. So I have tested the Amiga with the Diag Rom 1.3 and no errors have turned up. The graphics tests work albeit with monchrome composite and modulator. The RGB test displays with the modulator and all other tests are come back ok, can I assume Denise is ok?

Thanks.