Trying to fix GVP HD8+

Sim085 · 23 July 2013, 00:54

Hello, my GVP HD8+ got broken a few years ago. I am going to try and fix it. However I still do not know what exactly is wrong with it.

When I connect the GVP HD8+ with the A500+ I get a grey screen, keyboard light blinks for around three times and then the machine restarts. This continues on an on like this.

Power Supply is ok. Lights and Fan on GVP HD8+ turn on, hard disk turns on. Tries with three different hard disks, always the same problem.

Memory on the GVP HD8+ is disabled.

Does anyone know what the problem might be? Maybe a fried chip which I can replace?

roy bates · 23 July 2013, 03:17

failed scsi controller maybe?
failed logic?

hard to say,but thats my guess.

what happened to it when it failed the first time?

Sim085 · 23 July 2013, 08:26

I was playing a game and all of a sudden it told me it could not access a file from the drive. When I restarted I could not boot from the GVP HD8+ anymore.

alexh · 23 July 2013, 08:32

Sounds like a RAM failure. Try with the memory removed?

Try with the hard drive disconnected inside?

Which version Kickstart do you have? A500+ usually has 2.04?

Did it used to work with this exact Amiga and this exact Kickstart?

If there is a bootable floppy disk in the drive when you power on with the drive connected does it boot or still reset?

Sim085 · 23 July 2013, 08:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

Sounds like a RAM failure. Try with the memory removed?

This GVP HD8+ already has the fried TTL 74AS244WM buffer (U8). I had overcome this problem by disabling FAST RAM on the board (i.e. set J7 and J8 ON). I will replace this one with another one. However I am seeing if I need to replace anything else.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

Try with the hard drive disconnected inside?

Nothing happens, not even if I set the switch on "Game". Still the same problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

Which version Kickstart do you have? A500+ usually has 2.04?

I have tried it with Kickstart 2.04 and Kickstart 3.0.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

Did it used to work with this exact Amiga and this exact Kickstart?

With Kickstart 3.0 yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

If there is a bootable floppy disk in the drive when you power on with the drive connected does it boot or still reset?

No.

Just some extra info ... when I turn the A500 on it does not simply show a light grey screen, but first a dark grey screen ... then a lighter grey screen ... then an even lighter grey screen then restarts. All this time light on keyboard is turning on off (more then three times).

alexh · 23 July 2013, 12:08

Have you tried a different A500(+)?

The GVP HD8+ has a boot (EP)ROM called FAASTROM. I believe that is run shortly after kickstart has done primary tests (the dark->light screen). Perhaps the ROM has broken?

Can you replace it? Perhaps upgrade it to v4.15 at the same time. It should only cost a few £

You can make your own if you have an EPROM programmer, a 27C256 EPROM and the binary

Shame you're in Malta or I'd have made you one.

Sim085 · 23 July 2013, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

Have you tried a different A500(+)?

Yes, tested with an A500 and an A500+

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

The GVP HD8+ has a boot (EP)ROM called FAASTROM. I believe that is run shortly after kickstart has done primary tests (the dark->light screen). Perhaps the ROM has broken?

The good news is that it can be replaced. Did not know from where to get the binaries before. I will first fix the TTL chip and if I still have problems then I will change the EPROM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

Shame you're in Malta or I'd have made you one.

Will see if I can find someone to sort me out here in Malta.

Thank you for your help.

bubbob42 · 23 July 2013, 19:56

I had a similar problem when waking my GVP from a 12 years sleep. Pulling out the ROM and cleaning the pins fixed it.

23 July 2013, 00:54	#1
Sim085 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 962	Trying to fix GVP HD8+ Hello, my GVP HD8+ got broken a few years ago. I am going to try and fix it. However I still do not know what exactly is wrong with it. When I connect the GVP HD8+ with the A500+ I get a grey screen, keyboard light blinks for around three times and then the machine restarts. This continues on an on like this. Power Supply is ok. Lights and Fan on GVP HD8+ turn on, hard disk turns on. Tries with three different hard disks, always the same problem. Memory on the GVP HD8+ is disabled. Does anyone know what the problem might be? Maybe a fried chip which I can replace?

23 July 2013, 08:32	#4
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,332	Sounds like a RAM failure. Try with the memory removed? Try with the hard drive disconnected inside? Which version Kickstart do you have? A500+ usually has 2.04? Did it used to work with this exact Amiga and this exact Kickstart? If there is a bootable floppy disk in the drive when you power on with the drive connected does it boot or still reset? Last edited by alexh; 23 July 2013 at 08:39.

23 July 2013, 12:08	#6
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,332	Have you tried a different A500(+)? The GVP HD8+ has a boot (EP)ROM called FAASTROM. I believe that is run shortly after kickstart has done primary tests (the dark->light screen). Perhaps the ROM has broken? Can you replace it? Perhaps upgrade it to v4.15 at the same time. It should only cost a few £ You can make your own if you have an EPROM programmer, a 27C256 EPROM and the binary Shame you're in Malta or I'd have made you one. Last edited by alexh; 23 July 2013 at 12:18.

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23 July 2013, 03:17	#2
roy bates Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: birmingham Age: 55 Posts: 2,827	failed scsi controller maybe? failed logic? hard to say,but thats my guess. what happened to it when it failed the first time?

23 July 2013, 08:26	#3
Sim085 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 962	I was playing a game and all of a sudden it told me it could not access a file from the drive. When I restarted I could not boot from the GVP HD8+ anymore.

23 July 2013, 19:56	#8
bubbob42 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 585	I had a similar problem when waking my GVP from a 12 years sleep. Pulling out the ROM and cleaning the pins fixed it.

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