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From: rick@tmiuv0.uucp
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga,comp.sys.amiga.hardware
Subject: Re: Amiga 1000 mem expansion - problem
Message-ID: <587@tmiuv0.uucp>
Date: 17 Sep 90 15:28:34 GMT
References: <1990Sep14.144410.27859@ra.src.umd.edu>
Organization: Technology Marketing Inc., Irvine, CA
Lines: 54

In article <1990Sep14.144410.27859@ra.src.umd.edu>, subrata@ra.src.umd.edu (Subrata Kumar Dutta) writes:

[...]

> 	I purchased the Starboard II principally for its ease of 
> installation and for the considerable praise given to it by owners of the 
> board.  It seems that more people own the Starboard than any of 
> the internal boards, although these internals have several ardent supporters.

Yes, the StarBoard II is the most popular external memory expansion for A1000s
made.  We sold lotsa them!

> 	The reason that I am writing is that my 1000 does not work with the 
> Starboard; it sometimes locks up and other times sends me back to the Kickstart
> screen.  The board itself is appears to be o.k. because it works fine on a 
> friend's machine.
> 
> 	I called Microbotics and they told me that the problem might be due
> to improperly grounded PALs in the amiga.  Has this problem happened to anyone
> else?  Is there a way to fix this?  Will using an internal board avoid this
> defect?  The local dealer wants $75 just to look at the machine, on top of 
> repair charges - which I think is a bit much if I can repair it myself.

On early (and some later) A1000s, the PALs were not grounded adequately and
that caused LOTS of problems.  Not just with the StarBoard, but with lots
of other external expansion stuff.  Also, some early A1000s had PALs which
simply didn't have the drive current that the expansion port spec said they
did.  CBM offered new PALs to those people.

Grounding the PALs is not something for the faint of heart.  I can't remember
exactly what it entails (this goes back a few years), but I do remember that
it requires a bit of skill with the soldering iron.  I guess you could open
up both machines and look at your friend's to see what it takes to do it.
Better yet, take the system to your dealer and pony up the $75.  If you're
not used to playing with static-sensitive stuff, this is the best bet.
 
[...]

> Please E-mail your responses to save space on the network.
> 
> 						Once again, thanks.
> 							-subrata

I posted because there may be others that need this info. and I haven't seen
it fly by the net recently.
 
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[- O] Rick Stevens, MicroBotics, Inc.  (sort of)
  ?   EMail: uunet!zardoz!tmiuv0!rick -or- uunet!zardoz!xyclone!sysop
  V   CIS: 75006,1355 (75006.1355@compuserve.com from Internet)
      (Opinions are mine.  No one listens to me here anyway.)

"Lead, follow, or get the h*ll out of the way!"
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