SYMBIFACE II power supply

[buzby]

hi to all


so now i have ordered my symbiface 2 like many of you have already i am now thinking mmmmmmm what is the best way to power it up,


so answers on a post card please lol


as we all know there are many different ways in the sense of power packs out there good and bad so what do we recommend to power the symbiface 2 up in the way of a decent supply

[Ynot.zer0]

it's a bit chunky but I use an old PC PSU.  I'm sure there's a better method, so I'm curious too...

[Bryce]

Grab one of these USB IDE Adaptors, they cost next to nothing and they have a tidy little PSU that supplies 12V and 5V on a standard Molex PC connector, really handy for stuff like this:

USB 2.0 auf IDE SATA 2,5 3,5 Festplatte Konverter Kabel | eBay

Bryce.

[Ynot.zer0]

That is awesome Bryce!  You've just saved me a major amount of desk space and such a small price too...


I've ordered a UK dispatch version:



New USB 2.0 to IDE SATA 2.5 3.5 Hard Drive Converter Cable #894541 UK | eBay

[Bryce]

Unfortunately they don't supply enough juice to power a computer, but for something like the SF2 it should be fine. They're also not the best quality and die on occasions, but for €5 who cares. I've been using the same one for two years without a problem. The USB IDE adapter can come in handy too

Bryce.

[db6128]

Yes, I bought one of those a while back to try to salvage a crashed internal drive, but it looks as though the power supply is going to be more handy than the actual IDE-adaptor.

[Ynot.zer0]

okay, so I dug out my SymbifaceII card, I packaged it up 2 years ago when I moved house.  It still had the PC PSU with it and the IDE-->CF adaptor with a 2Gb CF card attached (I put the CF Card into laptop to check and all contents are fine).  So, was about to enjoy a Sunday afternoon of firing SymbOS back up....when..I get hit issues 

I switched the CPC 6128 on by itself and it displays the familiar blue screen on the proper CTM644 monitor (I originally was using an LCD TV, but decided to rule out anything else being the problem by going back to basics.)


I have the SFII card powered from one set of cables from the PC PSU.  I have the CF Adaptor powered from another set.  I turn on the PC PSU, then I turn on the CPC 6128. A green light /led shines from the SFII board. I switch on the CPC and the red light /led shines now too.  But, I get nothing on the monitor, no output at all.


Again, if I unplug the SFII from the expansion port and switch on the CPC, it boots up fine, accessing the disc drive no problems.
So, a quick question - how can I verify that the SFII board is still okay?


I do have another 6128, but I put the HxC in as a replacement disc drive and wondered if that would cause a conflict of some sort.  I have a couple of 664's but don't really want to fry them by mistake if there is something faulty with the SFII.  I did read that "new" SFII's are now available for a short while, but I don't really want to shell out another 120+Euros if this one just needs a tweak.


I don't believe the ROM switches should cause a problem? 1,7 & 8 are OFF the rest are ON.  I'm at a loss.... (and I just ordered the new PSU too...)


UPDATE: as per here: http://www.nilquader.net/cpc/CFKartenSymbiface.pdf  I have 12v going to the SFII board and 5v going to the IDE-->CF adaptor.  As I used this quite a bit a few years ago, I see that I'd done the pin 28 modification also.
Okay, I tested on the 6128 with HxC fitted. same result.  I have a ribbon adaptor, so I tested on a 6128+ - exactly the same result.  It's odd, because it looks like it should work.  I notice there is a big battery on the SFII card itself and that the board has a date stamp of 2006, could it by chance have run out of juice and now it has "lost" it's memory (and the software that should be running on it) and is therefore a blank card now?  Is that possible?

[Prodatron]

@Ynot.zer0: I don't think, that it's the battery. If there is a problem with the Roms you will at least see the first two lines of the start-screen.
But you can just try out this:
- deactivate ROMs 0-7 by deactivating all DIP-switches
- deactivate ROMs 8-15 by closing Jumper J2
If it still does not work, it's not the battery.
The expansion cable is connected correctly? (pin 1/2 is next to the power supply connector)

CU,
Prodatron

[Gryzor]

Bryce, that power solution is awesome... 

[Ynot.zer0]

@Ynot.zer0: I don't think, that it's the battery. If there is a problem with the Roms you will at least see the first two lines of the start-screen.
But you can just try out this:
- deactivate ROMs 0-7 by deactivating all DIP-switches
- deactivate ROMs 8-15 by closing Jumper J2
If it still does not work, it's not the battery.
The expansion cable is connected correctly? (pin 1/2 is next to the power supply connector)

CU,
Prodatron

Hi Prodatron,


Tried all those things, no joy.  I've attached a zip with some photo's.  As you can see, picture#1 is all working fine reading a disc, then plugging the SFII in, then powering up the CPC, you see both SFII lights/leds come on, then nothing on the monitor.


thanks

[Bryce]

Maybe the cable is dodgy, try it with the MegaFlash cable instead.

Bryce.

[Prodatron]

Usually the red LED is only active during IDE access (and for a short time, when you power it up). Seems, that it's glowing all the time.
Did you try to start it without an IDE cable connected?

CU,
Prodatron

[buzby]

Grab one of these USB IDE Adaptors, they cost next to nothing and they have a tidy little PSU that supplies 12V and 5V on a standard Molex PC connector, really handy for stuff like this:

USB 2.0 auf IDE SATA 2,5 3,5 Festplatte Konverter Kabel | eBay

Bryce.

nice piece of kit bryce so when you connect it to the sf2 for example do you use the cable with the molex plug on the end and cut the plug of the other end to use just two wires ?


the sf2 does only take 2 wires to power it up, is that correct and is this the red and black wires

[Prodatron]

IIRC red =+5V, yellow = +12V
Black = ground

But please get a confirmation from someone else

[TFM]

Hi Ynot0! Maybe in your case the hard-disc does suck too much power. Try to disconnect the cable from the IDE port. Now switch on the SF2, then the CPC. You should get a picture on the CPC now. If yes, you just need a power supply with more Ampere.

[Ynot.zer0]

Usually the red LED is only active during IDE access (and for a short time, when you power it up). Seems, that it's glowing all the time.
Did you try to start it without an IDE cable connected?

Yep - just tried that.  completely unplugged the cable from the board.  red light/led doesn't come on, just the green one.  but same result.

Maybe the cable is dodgy, try it with the MegaFlash cable instead.

Hmmm....I've been wondering if it might be SFII to CPC cable.  I'll try the MegaFlash cable and let you know...

@TFM/FS: I switch on the SFII card first and then the CPC, no output to the monitor at all- let me try another cable.

[TFM]

Good luck with the cable! I really hope it's just the cable.

[Ynot.zer0]

darn it.  okay, swapped cable for MegaFlash one..... and no difference. 


Interestingly, if I do not have any power connected to the SFII and I just plug it into the CPC and turn the CPC on, I get the same behaviour, ie. nothing on the monitor.  If I unplug it and switch on, nice blue screen.  hmmmm...




UPDATE: I checked the battery with a multi-meter and it reads around the 3-4v range, so no problem there.

[Prodatron]

Please dont switch on Cpc with connected SF2 if this doesnt have electricity (at least not for a longer time)..
It could damage the CPC after a while (thats what I heard).
I think its the best thing to send it back, we will check it. Will send you another pm.

CU,
Prodatron

[Bryce]

nice piece of kit bryce so when you connect it to the sf2 for example do you use the cable with the molex plug on the end and cut the plug of the other end to use just two wires ?


the sf2 does only take 2 wires to power it up, is that correct and is this the red and black wires

I didn't cut the plug off! Otherwise I couldn't use it to supply HDs anymore. I just got an old Y-Cable from a PC CPU fan and cut the female socket off with about 5cm of wire and put a terminal block on the end. Then you can add whatever links you need for 5 or 12V without the risk of a short-circuit.

And yes, Red is 5V, Yellow is 12V and the two black wires are grounds.

Bryce.

[Munchausen]

I got one of these a few weeks ago, which is the same thing but without the USB->HDD interface, just the PSU: HDD POWER SUPPLY AC 12V+5V 2A FOR HARD DRIVE MOLEX UK | eBay


I'm using it with a y-splitter to power the CPC6128 and a 3.5" drive. I'm hoping that when my symbiface arrives it'll have enough juice to power that and a pair of CF cards too.


Not bad for £5 posted, and from the UK so fast delivery (no waiting from hong kong/china...)

[Gryzor]

I got one of these a few weeks ago, which is the same thing but without the USB->HDD interface, just the PSU: HDD POWER SUPPLY AC 12V+5V 2A FOR HARD DRIVE MOLEX UK | eBay


I'm using it with a y-splitter to power the CPC6128 and a 3.5" drive. I'm hoping that when my symbiface arrives it'll have enough juice to power that and a pair of CF cards too.


Not bad for £5 posted, and from the UK so fast delivery (no waiting from hong kong/china...)

Huh, what do you know, never seen one of these before... but it makes so much sense. I'd prefer more than 2A, but for the price it's alright I guess. Getting one! Does it have the wall outlet cable?

[Munchausen]

I found it by just searching "12V 5V power supply" on ebay...

No wall outlet comes with it I'm afraid, but it's a standard IEC/kettle lead.


I'd also like a bit more power, but note it's 2A on both the 5V and 12V lines, not in total (which wouldn't make much sense anyhow).

[beaker]

That is awesome Bryce!  You've just saved me a major amount of desk space and such a small price too...


I've ordered a UK dispatch version:



New USB 2.0 to IDE SATA 2.5 3.5 Hard Drive Converter Cable #894541 UK | eBay

Thanks for the link. I ordered one as well and it arrived today. Will also be useful for transferring my games to the 160GB IDE HDD I bought for my Playstation 2 recently 

[XorA]

I got one of these a few weeks ago, which is the same thing but without the USB->HDD interface, just the PSU: HDD POWER SUPPLY AC 12V+5V 2A FOR HARD DRIVE MOLEX UK | eBay


I'm using it with a y-splitter to power the CPC6128 and a 3.5" drive. I'm hoping that when my symbiface arrives it'll have enough juice to power that and a pair of CF cards too.


Not bad for £5 posted, and from the UK so fast delivery (no waiting from hong kong/china...)

Careful with that PSU, I had a couple and used them in exactly the same way you describe. The first one got too hot to touch then caught fire internally. The second one also gets excessively hot but I have not used it long enough to cause fire. I think the current ratings are a bit of fiction on them! Probably being so cheap there is a huge variation in their working range.