A2000 Advice needed

Andec · 21 August 2008, 05:55

Hi peeps,

I just had my new A2000 (rev 4.4 board) delivered and, I am sorry to say, it is in a bad way.

The internal floppy drive doesn't work after the original owner was having problems with it and "fixed" it. I have a working external drive (for my A500) as well as the internal A500 drive (which I am reluctant to take out). My question is, can the external drive be made to work internally on the A2000? If not, I would be willing (in a pinch) to take the drive out of the A500 long enough to re-install WB but want to avoid doing that if possible. The A2000 still boots without the floppy drive connected (just a lot slower, i'd imagine)

The second thing is the motherboard has a large amount of corrosion around the battery (attached photo). I am in the process of removing said battery but am unsure of the best way to remove the corrosion and clean the board up. Can someone that has done it before fill me in on the best way? The A500 came with the battery removed and the corrosion tidied up so I have never had to do this before. The board itself is in excellent condition, except for around the battery. I am thinking of doing a step by step tutorial (with photos) as I am sure there are/will be others asking the same question.

Any advice will be much appreciated........

Cheers

Fingerlickin_B · 21 August 2008, 06:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andec

can the external drive be made to work internally on the A2000?

It *should*, but it may depend on the model & how the external drive controller in the box is wired. Most aftermarket external drives (just the drive removed from the external case) are jumpered as DF0, which means they can just plug straight in with no issue.

Take the external drive out of it's casing & install it as per usual in the A2000 then let us know how you go. It won't damage the A2000 even if it doesn't work

PZ.

Andec · 21 August 2008, 07:27

It seems that the A2000 has succumed to it's injuries and is no longer working. I don't know why, I was called away from it for a couple of minutes and when I came back the lights were on but nobody was home.

The fan was merrily turning, CPU is warm to touch, power lights were on but nothing was happening. So I turned it off, waited a bit, then turned it back on. Same thing. Turned it back off, checked the chips were seated properly (I noticed there is corrosion on the CPU pins as well) and tried again. No joy.

I'll pack it all up until the weekend and see what I can salvage.

Anyone got a spare A2000 mobo they don't want?????????

@Fingerlickin_B:
If I can get the thing to boot this weekend, I'll give it a go. Thanks for the info.....

Fingerlickin_B · 21 August 2008, 07:38

Well, that sucks

When you turn it on is there any indication of hard drive activity (the light, noise)?

PZ.

Andec · 21 August 2008, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fingerlickin_B

When you turn it on is there any indication of hard drive activity (the light, noise)?

Light doesn't come on but the drive spins up. I have reseated the HD controller and the RAM expansion. I have tried to boot with both out, one in, and then the other. No joy.

Before it died, sometimes it wouldn't boot (I guess I shoulda mentioned that before) with almost the same symptoms. The HD light coming on was the difference. All the chips on both boards (and the major chips on the mobo) are warm to touch, so atleast I know they are getting power.

I wonder if I bumped something taking it apart....... Or perhaps the corrosion itself is to blame.

Even if I can't get it working, I did manage to get a rather large collection of original (ie boxed) business type applications and a monitor that I never had back in the day. I also got yet another copy of WB, which is always a good thing. I can always do a rebuild of the machine itself later so all is not lost.

Still, it is rather upsetting

Zetr0 · 21 August 2008, 12:43

@Andec

The corrosion on the CPU pins has changed them chemically this is what happened to my A2000 and it just wouldn't boot at all...

However I am pleased to report that after a CPU change and a board clean she is now up and running!!!

with 2GB SCSI & 8MB FAST! running Workbench 3.1 and Kickstart 3.1

Whooo :

Andec · 21 August 2008, 13:06

@Zetr0
I hadn't thought of that. Maybe I should clean the board up and find a replacement CPU. If that doesn't work, I can always replace the board as well.

Years ago, I had a no-name 64k something or other (just main board and an aliminium frame - no case) that I broke a couple of pins of the CPU while mucking around with it. I jammed some wires into the sockets of the broken pins and soldered them to the remains of the pins on the CPU itself. The computer worked for years after that. Since the CPU is probably on the way out anyway, I might have a go at doing the same thing on the A2000.

I can feel a rebuild coming on!!!!!

Cheers

Zetr0 · 21 August 2008, 13:13

@Andec

more than welcome m8, best of luck with the re-build...

It was really weird when i pulled the 68k CPU out.... I ran my finger over the contacts and on one side the pins fell away like paper.... it exists now as an UBER GEEKY Keychain!!!!

again take as many pics as possible

its always great to look back on and a moral boost for those wanting to do their own.

Andec · 21 August 2008, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zetr0

@Andec

more than welcome m8, best of luck with the re-build...

It was really weird when i pulled the 68k CPU out.... I ran my finger over the contacts and on one side the pins fell away like paper.... it exists now as an UBER GEEKY Keychain!!!!

again take as many pics as possible

its always great to look back on and a moral boost for those wanting to do their own.

@Zetr0:

Cheers. I plan on making a tutorial on cleaning up the board etc. I think it would be good to document and make available for everyone. I have been a fan of the Amiga for a long time and have taken a fair bit from EAB. This is my chance to give something back.

Fingerlickin_B · 17 September 2008, 07:44

What did you end up using to clean the board & did it work out?

PZ.

Rabbit80 · 17 September 2008, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zetr0

it exists now as an UBER GEEKY Keychain!!!!

I also have a CPU as a keychain - however mine is from a peecee!!!

davideo · 17 September 2008, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rabbit80

I also have a CPU as a keychain - however mine is from a peecee!!!

My PC is like a millstone around my neck too

Dave G

21 August 2008, 05:55	#1
Andec Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Australia Age: 53 Posts: 83	A2000 Advice needed Hi peeps, I just had my new A2000 (rev 4.4 board) delivered and, I am sorry to say, it is in a bad way. The internal floppy drive doesn't work after the original owner was having problems with it and "fixed" it. I have a working external drive (for my A500) as well as the internal A500 drive (which I am reluctant to take out). My question is, can the external drive be made to work internally on the A2000? If not, I would be willing (in a pinch) to take the drive out of the A500 long enough to re-install WB but want to avoid doing that if possible. The A2000 still boots without the floppy drive connected (just a lot slower, i'd imagine) The second thing is the motherboard has a large amount of corrosion around the battery (attached photo). I am in the process of removing said battery but am unsure of the best way to remove the corrosion and clean the board up. Can someone that has done it before fill me in on the best way? The A500 came with the battery removed and the corrosion tidied up so I have never had to do this before. The board itself is in excellent condition, except for around the battery. I am thinking of doing a step by step tutorial (with photos) as I am sure there are/will be others asking the same question. Any advice will be much appreciated........ Cheers Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Andec; 21 August 2008 at 06:01. Reason: Forgot to attach photo

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21 August 2008, 07:27	#3
Andec Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Australia Age: 53 Posts: 83	It seems that the A2000 has succumed to it's injuries and is no longer working. I don't know why, I was called away from it for a couple of minutes and when I came back the lights were on but nobody was home. The fan was merrily turning, CPU is warm to touch, power lights were on but nothing was happening. So I turned it off, waited a bit, then turned it back on. Same thing. Turned it back off, checked the chips were seated properly (I noticed there is corrosion on the CPU pins as well) and tried again. No joy. I'll pack it all up until the weekend and see what I can salvage. Anyone got a spare A2000 mobo they don't want????????? @Fingerlickin_B: If I can get the thing to boot this weekend, I'll give it a go. Thanks for the info.....

21 August 2008, 07:38	#4
Fingerlickin_B Amiga Nut Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Belco, Australia Posts: 2,242	Well, that sucks When you turn it on is there any indication of hard drive activity (the light, noise)? PZ.

21 August 2008, 12:43	#6
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@Andec The corrosion on the CPU pins has changed them chemically this is what happened to my A2000 and it just wouldn't boot at all... However I am pleased to report that after a CPU change and a board clean she is now up and running!!! with 2GB SCSI & 8MB FAST! running Workbench 3.1 and Kickstart 3.1 Whooo :

21 August 2008, 13:06	#7
Andec Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Australia Age: 53 Posts: 83	@Zetr0 I hadn't thought of that. Maybe I should clean the board up and find a replacement CPU. If that doesn't work, I can always replace the board as well. Years ago, I had a no-name 64k something or other (just main board and an aliminium frame - no case) that I broke a couple of pins of the CPU while mucking around with it. I jammed some wires into the sockets of the broken pins and soldered them to the remains of the pins on the CPU itself. The computer worked for years after that. Since the CPU is probably on the way out anyway, I might have a go at doing the same thing on the A2000. I can feel a rebuild coming on!!!!! Cheers

21 August 2008, 13:13	#8
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@Andec more than welcome m8, best of luck with the re-build... It was really weird when i pulled the 68k CPU out.... I ran my finger over the contacts and on one side the pins fell away like paper.... it exists now as an UBER GEEKY Keychain!!!! again take as many pics as possible its always great to look back on and a moral boost for those wanting to do their own.

17 September 2008, 07:44	#10
Fingerlickin_B Amiga Nut Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Belco, Australia Posts: 2,242	What did you end up using to clean the board & did it work out? PZ.

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