Help with A3000T not booting, battery damage?

[amigo-mexicano]

Hello guys!

I am trying to fix this A3000T that does not boot. Already configured the jumpers as default, since it does not have any accelerator card on it, but still it shows just a black screen on power on.

Power led remains bright green, caps lock on keyboard responds. I've tried everything I could find to make it boot (here and on google) and still no luck.

I removed the battery, it had minor leak, but after applying lemon juice and water, I think one trace is damaged. I am not sure, so I add some photos here, maybe someone with more experience in battery leaks and trace repair could give me an opinion:

This is just after removing the battery, no lemon juice yet:

These are after lemon juice and water treatment:

The damage on the label of the kickstart ROMs was done when making a final clean with isopropylic alcohol. Just damage to the paper label (which I think are termic paper), no big deal.

So, do I need to go further that road, even remove the FPU? Or maybe the no boot issue could be something else?

Thanks in advance for any help here!

 

[rkauer]

First, scrape the varnish over the suspect trace and solder a small wire over it. Test the machine again.

Check the voltage levels from power supply. Motherboard must be hooked in.

Then check the tick from the power supply (60Hz, I presume?).

Then sack all the FAST RAM zip chips and even the socketed CHIP RAM (eight DIL chips).

Check the custom chips, one by one. Lift (a little) and reinstall (press down) every one.

 

[roy_bates]

looks like there is something under the fpu...

and the kickstart chips dont look healthy to me.

how far did the damage go?

remember the damage can go through and under and in ic's and sockets.

and i can tell you,the battery can leak all the way to the bottom of the motherboard on this machine as its on its side.destroying/eating everything in its path.

 

[LTAC]

I see suspicious things below the FPU (pins before the number 1):

 

[amigo-mexicano]

The first picture was before cleaning, so I say the damage was little. Nothing on the back of the motherboard.

I need to remove the FPU to check below there?

How do I safely remove the varnish?

Thanks guys.

 

[roy_bates]

The first picture was before cleaning, so I say the damage was little. Nothing on the back of the motherboard.

I need to remove the FPU to check below there?

Thanks guys.

the damage might not show on the other side of the board just the top may be effected.(reverse side or solder side,top side is component side)

yes,you will have to remove the ics and sockets from the area to check under them.

i wish you luck.

you can remove the varnish with fine wet and dry paper soaked in ipa,just dont rub too hard.or a abrasive pencil eraser.
check for continuity first beforehand.

 

[vibros]

Hello,

you can leave out the two ROM and see if there is something wrong on the traces.
The contacts of the two sockets need to be shining and not opaque.

Regards
Stefano

 

[amigo-mexicano]

Ok, thanks roy_bates, I will start with these tasks and post back.

Will check that too Stefano, thanks!

Just tried reseating all custom chips, and removing all ram chips, same black screen.

 

[LTAC]

Check the PSU, the ROMs, the ZIP Ram Mem (Chip & Fast).
Is it an original A3000T with all his original chips?

 

[amigo-mexicano]

Dumb question, how do I check the PSU? connected to the motherboard and turned on?

I already took out all the zip ram, same results.

Yes LTAC, it is an original A3000T with all original chips. It doesn't have the metal shield where you install the HDDs, tho.

 

[Exilent]

Well here it is the SERVICE MANUAL A3000T, the real one in pdf.


Use this link, Beware its BIG: ftp://ftp%40magix%2Ews:ftp%40magix%2...ce%20Manual.7z

2nd link:

http://www.a1k.org/forum/showthread.php?t=32892

 

[Deling]

do you have a multimeter ? for check voltage in psu ? basic first check is V in psu

 

[amigo-mexicano]

Thanks Exilent!

Yes Deling, I have a multimeter. I just testes continuity of the suspected trace and it works! But I don't know if I can test safely with the PSU connected to the MoBo and turned on...

Also, there's no other option to take off the FPU than use a heat gun right? I don't have one so I'll have to but iy...

 

[amigo-mexicano]

Ok, tested the PSU with the multimeter, all good.

Just bought a hot air station to take out that FPU. Will post back what happens.

Oh, almost forgot. When I change J104 from 1-2 to 2-3, the screen turns kinda light fuscia, the power button flickers quickly between dim and normal, and the fuscia screen kinda like resets every 2 seconds. CPU gets very very hot. This mean something? Took back the J104 to 1-2...

 

[amigo-mexicano]

Hey guys, if I remove the FPU with hot air, it will damage the chip? I can't re-use it?

Been reading all over that this removal damages the chips...

 

[roy_bates]

Hey guys, if I remove the FPU with hot air, it will damage the chip? I can't re-use it?

Been reading all over that this removal damages the chips...

no it wont damage the part as that is how it was placed on the board in the first place.

make sure you use plenty of flux paste preheat the board to warm it up and also protect any capacitors in the area from the heating or remove them first.
be careful not to go too high or too close with the heat as it will scorch the board if its too close.

you can always fit a socket after you remove the fpu later,it makes for easier testing.just make sure you clean the legs of excess solder first.

 

[amigo-mexicano]

Thanks for the info Roy.

Guys, my patience is over with this A3000T. I can't get the FPU out, and I don't want to stress it more.

I will sell it to someone that has the patience and time to fix it.

Check the Hardware for sale section, it will be listed there.

Thank you all!

 

[amigo-mexicano]

Ok guys, last resort before giving up on this.

Anyone can help me repair it? I mean, if I ship it? I know it won't be cheap since it will ship from Mexico, and I am sure the one repairing it will end up living somewhere in Europe. But I might give it a try.

Please, can someone help me with this?

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[hese]

Please, can someone help me with this?

I can fix it for you, drop me a PM.

 

[amigo-mexicano]

Thanks hese, PM sent!