Joystick Port on my A600 playing up :-(

fitzsteve · 21 March 2011, 12:55

Hey Peeps.

I've noticed a fault develop on my A600, the one I've got the ACA630, Indi ECS, etc installed in.

The Joystick directions have stopped functioning correctly.

If I press UP on the joystick the Amiga registers UP & LEFT (Diagonal Left)

If I press UP and RIGHT (Digagonal Right) nothing happens.

DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT and lower Diagonals are working fine.

No pins are broken on port that I can tell, at first unplugging and reinserting the joystick cleared the problem but now its stuck like that.

Obviusoy I've tried serveral known working pads n sticks and they're all doing the same thing

Any tips where to start?

Cheers!

Steve.

Edit - I already made sure the Rom and ACA were seated correctly - should I try another Rom?

The fault is apparent in both 1.3/3.1 rom modes on the switch

FOL · 21 March 2011, 13:06

I had this problem on an A603. Turned out to be the dirty contacts on the A603 connector and A600 edge connector.

I would try that first.

fitzsteve · 21 March 2011, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOL

I had this problem on an A603. Turned out to be the dirty contacts on the A603 connector and A600 edge connector.

I would try that first.

Ahh, my A603 dosen't fit very well becuase of the IndiECS/ACA 630 - I'll check that!

Thanks

fitzsteve · 21 March 2011, 18:00

Hey FOL, looks like you were right about the cause. Had no idea chip Ram could make cause Joystick issues

Tried reseating the A603 and still the same, cleaned the connector on the A600 with a pencil erasor and the issue remains.

Removed the A603 and no problem with the Joystick port

So time to clean with IPA, once dried I'll update

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction

Steve.

EDIT:

Ok, put it all back together and still the same

Removed Indi ECS and its working fine.

Do you think the problem here is the Indi ECS or bad connection caused by the tight fit against the ACA630?

The Indi ECS touches the ACA CPU socket and causes the A603 to sit at a slight angle.

Guess I could remove the ACA630 but I don't really want to remove the screws and re-fit them for no reason.

EDIT 2:

I've just pulled the ACA, must be an issue in with the Indi ECS as the fault remains

I've just cleaned the contacts on the socket, so after that is dry I will try again.

fitzsteve · 21 March 2011, 20:05

Sorry TCD, making new post to get a bump

Still no go after cleaning the socket on the A603

This old post suggests it probably is a connection issue....

I don't know how to find where the fault lies between them

Steve.

Gah! Another edit.

Put the A603/Indi ECS in my other A600 and they are not causing the same issue. Connection issue must be with the A600/A603, some of the connectors look quite worn - probably from all the strip down and re-builds through the project.

Any idea's to improve the connection?

amigoun · 22 March 2011, 00:01

I have the same problem. I was reporting this roughly a year ago, but nobody was able to give a solution. Both of my Amiga 600 rev 1.5 have the joystick problem (UP-LEFT bug) when fitted with A603. When A603 removed or when I use old chipram expansion everything is ok.
I was had to buy another A600 with mobo rev 1.3 and there it finally works without problem.
I have done another interesting test. I fitted the problematic A600 (rev 1.5) with ACA630 and A603+ IndiECS and the problem remained. But after 10 minutes of working with it joystick started to work correctly. But this happens only when using heavy A600 PSU, with A1200 PSU or PC modified one, it never get to work fine.
So this is my own experience.
One man skilled with electronics suggested replacing the caps in Amiga and have done it. But unfortunatelly it didnt help.

fitzsteve · 22 March 2011, 09:50

Thanks for the info. I've been told to try adjusting the pins on the A603 to see if I can get better contact or maybe put solder on the connector of the A600. Anyway for now I've taken it out as I don't want to mess around with it anymore this week

Maybe at the weekend I'll have another go!

Cheers!

Steve.

Zetr0 · 22 March 2011, 10:11

@Stevie

there might be another way my friend - if it is a poor or weak contact then -

What you need is an abrasive eraser (or rubber), they are cheap and are very useful =) alas I cannot find one on eBay at the moment, I shall continue looking =)

fitzsteve · 22 March 2011, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zetr0

@Stevie

there might be another way my friend - if it is a poor or weak contact then -

What you need is an abrasive eraser (or rubber), they are cheap and are very useful =) alas I cannot find one on eBay at the moment, I shall continue looking =)

Thanks mate, I cleaned the contacts again last night with e pencil erasor and then some more IPA and they are sparkey like new!

Still the fault remains

What do you think about a drop of solder on each contact pad?

FOL · 22 March 2011, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitzsteve

Thanks mate, I cleaned the contacts again last night with e pencil erasor and then some more IPA and they are sparkey like new!

Still the fault remains

What do you think about a drop of solder on each contact pad?

If its only when indi is connected, why not try another core, older version?

fitzsteve · 22 March 2011, 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOL

If its only when indi is connected, why not try another core, older version?

I tested the A603 & Indi on my other A600 and its fine on that one, but can't swap the Mobo's as this other A600 don't like Accel's

Plus the RF on the Mobo I'm using has been desoldered for the VGA connector.

But if I use older core will I still have HighGFX/ADoom support?

Steve.

ps. Its has all been working fine for the last few couple of months, the fault only just started to happen

FOL · 22 March 2011, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitzsteve

I tested the A603 & Indi on my other A600 and its fine on that one, but can't swap the Mobo's as this other A600 don't like Accel's

Plus the RF on the Mobo I'm using has been desoldered for the VGA connector.

But if I use older core will I still have HighGFX/ADoom support?

Steve.

ps. Its has all been working fine for the last few couple of months, the fault only just started to happen

Cant hurt to flash core.
You can always go back if needed.

If I remember, you can still use HighGFX on older core.

Hewitson · 22 March 2011, 14:06

Don't ever tin the pads, this will lead to bending the pins on the female connector and you may be unable to use it in any other computer.

fitzsteve · 22 March 2011, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hewitson

Don't ever tin the pads, this will lead to bending the pins on the female connector and you may be unable to use it in any other computer.

Thanks for the advice. I'll prob pick up another A600 mobo when one turns up cheap and sack the RF if it works with the ACA/ECS/A603 combo

Zetr0 · 22 March 2011, 15:45

@Fitzy

my friend, an abrasive eraser, like the one I use here for my copper PCB's is nothing like a pencil eraser as most of them are oil based, the one I use will remove the top layer of metal / laqure on the board - if one keeps going it would go right down to the FR4 PCB fiberglass substrate =D

However, for this problem to "just develop" means theres something else afoot, I shall hit the A600 spec's tonight my friend and see whats likely to be a cause in the problem =)

fitzsteve · 22 March 2011, 15:49

Appreciate that Mr Zee

Tumo007 · 23 March 2011, 00:15

Did you replaced the capacitors on that board? I've got an A600 on which the caps near the CIA / Audio Op-amp / right edge had leaked and damaged the tracks. Giving random problems (mostly audio noise). But IIRC the mux chip for the ports is near those caps. I'm not home right now.

cosmicfrog · 23 March 2011, 01:39

So all the directions work then, UP, Down, Left and Right
So its probably not a connection problem as such but dose sound like a contention problem
what dose Jens suggest ?? as its his kit that is playing up

Good luck mate

I got an A600 Here if you want to borrow it long term just say and I`ll dig it out and see what version it is

kipper2k · 23 March 2011, 03:02

When the a603 is plugged in and causing problems then the fault could be that the board is flexing and causing a cold solder joint on the board to interfere with the joystick. Remove the a603, try the joystick to verify problem not there... shut it down, get a couple light books and lay on mobo in various places to see if you can recreate the issue. For the hell of it i would touch an iron to all joystick pins

fitzsteve · 23 March 2011, 11:02

Hi Guys,

If you read through the thread the problem only presents its self on my rev1.5 board if the IndiECS is connected. Up till now its been working fine. If I remove the Indi, normal service is resumed.

I tested on another board (rev1.3) and everything is fine.

Maybe re-capping the board will help, as mentioned before I can't just swap these boards round because the rev1.3 I have is not stable with accelerators, plus I already desoldered the RF on the other board in favour of the VGA socket.

Cheers for the input.

@Cosmic,

No worries mate, I have plenty of Miggy's to play with and she's working fine via RGB Scart for now

Steve.

21 March 2011, 12:55	#1
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	Joystick Port on my A600 playing up :-( Hey Peeps. I've noticed a fault develop on my A600, the one I've got the ACA630, Indi ECS, etc installed in. The Joystick directions have stopped functioning correctly. If I press UP on the joystick the Amiga registers UP & LEFT (Diagonal Left) If I press UP and RIGHT (Digagonal Right) nothing happens. DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT and lower Diagonals are working fine. No pins are broken on port that I can tell, at first unplugging and reinserting the joystick cleared the problem but now its stuck like that. Obviusoy I've tried serveral known working pads n sticks and they're all doing the same thing Any tips where to start? Cheers! Steve. Edit - I already made sure the Rom and ACA were seated correctly - should I try another Rom? The fault is apparent in both 1.3/3.1 rom modes on the switch

21 March 2011, 18:00	#4
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	Hey FOL, looks like you were right about the cause. Had no idea chip Ram could make cause Joystick issues Tried reseating the A603 and still the same, cleaned the connector on the A600 with a pencil erasor and the issue remains. Removed the A603 and no problem with the Joystick port So time to clean with IPA, once dried I'll update Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Steve. EDIT: Ok, put it all back together and still the same Removed Indi ECS and its working fine. Do you think the problem here is the Indi ECS or bad connection caused by the tight fit against the ACA630? The Indi ECS touches the ACA CPU socket and causes the A603 to sit at a slight angle. Guess I could remove the ACA630 but I don't really want to remove the screws and re-fit them for no reason. EDIT 2: I've just pulled the ACA, must be an issue in with the Indi ECS as the fault remains I've just cleaned the contacts on the socket, so after that is dry I will try again. Last edited by fitzsteve; 21 March 2011 at 18:46. Reason: update again!

21 March 2011, 20:05	#5
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	Sorry TCD, making new post to get a bump Still no go after cleaning the socket on the A603 This old post suggests it probably is a connection issue.... I don't know how to find where the fault lies between them Steve. Gah! Another edit. Put the A603/Indi ECS in my other A600 and they are not causing the same issue. Connection issue must be with the A600/A603, some of the connectors look quite worn - probably from all the strip down and re-builds through the project. Any idea's to improve the connection? Last edited by fitzsteve; 21 March 2011 at 20:47. Reason: update

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Faulty joystick port	jimbob	support.Hardware	9	20 December 2012 13:34
Joystick Port	Dagger	support.Hardware	10	18 April 2010 19:09
Playing without joystick using keyboard	_ThEcRoW	project.WHDLoad	12	28 April 2006 16:09
joystick port extenders	thinlega	MarketPlace	2	12 February 2003 21:00
amiga joystick port	leongt	Retrogaming General Discussion	4	13 July 2002 05:38

21 March 2011, 13:06	#2
FOL PSPUAE DEV Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wales / UK Age: 45 Posts: 5,999	I had this problem on an A603. Turned out to be the dirty contacts on the A603 connector and A600 edge connector. I would try that first.

22 March 2011, 00:01	#6
amigoun Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Czech Rep Posts: 599	I have the same problem. I was reporting this roughly a year ago, but nobody was able to give a solution. Both of my Amiga 600 rev 1.5 have the joystick problem (UP-LEFT bug) when fitted with A603. When A603 removed or when I use old chipram expansion everything is ok. I was had to buy another A600 with mobo rev 1.3 and there it finally works without problem. I have done another interesting test. I fitted the problematic A600 (rev 1.5) with ACA630 and A603+ IndiECS and the problem remained. But after 10 minutes of working with it joystick started to work correctly. But this happens only when using heavy A600 PSU, with A1200 PSU or PC modified one, it never get to work fine. So this is my own experience. One man skilled with electronics suggested replacing the caps in Amiga and have done it. But unfortunatelly it didnt help.

22 March 2011, 09:50	#7
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	Thanks for the info. I've been told to try adjusting the pins on the A603 to see if I can get better contact or maybe put solder on the connector of the A600. Anyway for now I've taken it out as I don't want to mess around with it anymore this week Maybe at the weekend I'll have another go! Cheers! Steve.

22 March 2011, 10:11	#8
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@Stevie there might be another way my friend - if it is a poor or weak contact then - What you need is an abrasive eraser (or rubber), they are cheap and are very useful =) alas I cannot find one on eBay at the moment, I shall continue looking =)

22 March 2011, 14:06	#13
Hewitson Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 41 Posts: 3,771	Don't ever tin the pads, this will lead to bending the pins on the female connector and you may be unable to use it in any other computer.

22 March 2011, 15:45	#15
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@Fitzy my friend, an abrasive eraser, like the one I use here for my copper PCB's is nothing like a pencil eraser as most of them are oil based, the one I use will remove the top layer of metal / laqure on the board - if one keeps going it would go right down to the FR4 PCB fiberglass substrate =D However, for this problem to "just develop" means theres something else afoot, I shall hit the A600 spec's tonight my friend and see whats likely to be a cause in the problem =)

22 March 2011, 15:49	#16
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	Appreciate that Mr Zee

23 March 2011, 00:15	#17
Tumo007 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Montreal, CANADA Posts: 56	Did you replaced the capacitors on that board? I've got an A600 on which the caps near the CIA / Audio Op-amp / right edge had leaked and damaged the tracks. Giving random problems (mostly audio noise). But IIRC the mux chip for the ports is near those caps. I'm not home right now.

23 March 2011, 01:39	#18
cosmicfrog The 1 who ribbits Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: leek, Staffs, UK Age: 56 Posts: 3,557	So all the directions work then, UP, Down, Left and Right So its probably not a connection problem as such but dose sound like a contention problem what dose Jens suggest ?? as its his kit that is playing up Good luck mate I got an A600 Here if you want to borrow it long term just say and I`ll dig it out and see what version it is

23 March 2011, 03:02	#19
kipper2k Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Thunder Bay, Canada Posts: 4,323	When the a603 is plugged in and causing problems then the fault could be that the board is flexing and causing a cold solder joint on the board to interfere with the joystick. Remove the a603, try the joystick to verify problem not there... shut it down, get a couple light books and lay on mobo in various places to see if you can recreate the issue. For the hell of it i would touch an iron to all joystick pins

23 March 2011, 11:02	#20
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	Hi Guys, If you read through the thread the problem only presents its self on my rev1.5 board if the IndiECS is connected. Up till now its been working fine. If I remove the Indi, normal service is resumed. I tested on another board (rev1.3) and everything is fine. Maybe re-capping the board will help, as mentioned before I can't just swap these boards round because the rev1.3 I have is not stable with accelerators, plus I already desoldered the RF on the other board in favour of the VGA socket. Cheers for the input. @Cosmic, No worries mate, I have plenty of Miggy's to play with and she's working fine via RGB Scart for now Steve.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)