GVP A530 HD not recognised with RAM enabled

[Mogsy]

I'm having issues with a GVP A530.

It will not detect the hard drive when the RAM is enabled. I have switched RAM around between 8MB, 4MB and 1MB, tried another known working 4.13 ROM, cleaned all contacts, tried different HD's and SCSI leads and reseated all chips. All make no difference.

If I set the RAM not installed jumper it detects the HD and boots fine.

If I remove the autoboot jumper and boot with a Workbench disk, the A530 RAM is detected, but no HD is then present.

A530 has a 4.3GB HD installed and is connected to an A500+ with 2MB RAM with KS 2.04 ROM.

Strangely, it booted when I folded the HD back so it was upside down and when I moved it back into its correct position, it didn't boot again.

I'm seriously losing my patience with this and would appreciate any help.

Thanks.

[Mogsy]

Panic over. I engaged my brain as it was obvious when moving the HD that something in that area was causing the issue. I made a new SCSI lead and it's now working. I wonder why removing the RAM allowed it to boot...

[Mogsy]

Panic not over...

Back to not booting again. No matter which lead, hd, rom etc is used....

Any help will be appreciated.

[nogginthenog]

Have you tried cleaning the edge connector? A pencil eraser might work or if not some isopropyl alcohol.

[Mogsy]

I tried all sorts.

I discovered applying pressure to the power plug allowed it to boot, so I changed the power socket. Still didn't work.

Applying pressure on the case itself allowed it to boot, so I checked the edge connector and gave it a good clean, still no good.

In noticed one of the IC's near the edge connector was not centred on its solder pads, so I removed it and soldered it back on and it seems to have done the trick.

[Archxyz]

Very similar problem for me. Just installed 2x4mb Simms into my GVP Impact Series II A500-HD+ the hard drive will not boot or mount in workbench. I get a white screen on powering up. If I remove the RAM however the hard drive boots

A500 Rev 5
GVP is rev 6 with 4.13 ROM
RAM is recognised in workbench

Any advice would be gratefully received!

[Mogsy]

Just make sure they don't have to be in specific sockets.

I spent ages on different ideas as to why mine wasn't working. I replaced components and reflowed an IC.

It ended up being the edge connector as by chance I found that if I applied pressure on the board at a certain point it booted. I bent the pins a little and it worked flawlessly.

[Archxyz]

Thanks for the advice. I stripped the unit and checked for any broken solder joints etc.. all looks good, although it may be time to dig out the multi meter.

Also tried your suggestion and bent the pins in the edge connector for a better connection but sadly no change.

I've used Isopropanol to clean the connections, which were quite filthy but again no joy.

The RAM is plugged into CN9 & CN10 and I have set the correct jumpers as per the manual. I've also experimented with different jumper settings and RAM sockets often ending in Guru.

I find it very strange that both the RAM and Harddrive work, just not together!

My thoughts are:
1. There might be an issue on the Amiga side, although this seems unlikely as everything works great until the RAM is installed on the GVP.
2. The RAM is somehow incompatible. Its 4MB 8 chip non-parity FPM 30 pin SIMMS. 80NS.

Is there anything else I can try?!

[WarderKT]

My on my GVP a530Turbo SIMMS are 60NS not 80NS

Wondering if upgrading to 3.1.4 ROM would help?

How are you powering your A500 & your GVP a530Turbo?

[Jope]

Originally Posted by WarderKT

Wondering if upgrading to 3.1.4 ROM would help?

I very much doubt this would make a difference.