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General Category => NC100, NC200, PCW, PDA600 - the rest of the Family! => Topic started by: radu14m on 13:21, 16 September 18

Title: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: radu14m on 13:21, 16 September 18
sad day. :doh:
today my pcw did not start anymore - no sound, no screen display - nothing - completely dead.
yesterday, everything runs perfect. :picard:
what can be the problem ?


i open it and check the fuse, it's fine.
As i am a noob in electronics, i appreciate any advice :)


thanks !!!
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: GeoffB17 on 13:47, 17 September 18
Hello,

There have been discussions about such failures, you might look for these on this site.

The power supply is certainly understood to be fragile, and not easy to repair if certain parts go.   Usually, this sort of failure is readily visible due to burn marks, or smell.

You might take a couple of pics of the area of the board (both sides) near to the mains inlet.   Someone might spot components that look visibly unhealthy!

There may well be a service manual (it's not too big, there's not THAT much in the box) on the web.

Oh, do you have anything attached to the expansion interface, that might have moved?   Remove it, and try again.

Geoff
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 14:13, 17 September 18
There is a schematic at least.


I had the same thing happen to my 9512. In the end I ripped the guts out of the power supply and fitted a compact switching PSU.


Not for the inexperienced though. There are hairy voltages in there.


I also had just the board & drives running off a small 5v/12v PSU with the uIDE expansion port "video" on an LCD display (you can see it in one of the uIDE demo videos I posted on youToob).
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: robcfg on 14:26, 17 September 18
You can find the service manuals on the PCWWiki (http://www.habisoft.com/pcwwiki/doku.php?id=en:manuales_servicio).


As JonB said, don't play with the PSU board. Try to check voltages on the connector that goes to the main board.
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: radu14m on 19:07, 17 September 18
thanks Guys, i had an cps8256 attached.
i removed but no go.


also nothing smells, or looks burnout.
i am very carefully because of high voltage.
ill post some pictures :)

Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: GeoffB17 on 14:01, 18 September 18
Hmm, I'm not at all sure about this, but I think that my PCW has some sort of thermal cutout.   If something happens, it will cutout.   Then, after a number (?) of minutes, it will work again, assuming the problem (like an expansion unit re-seated) it will work again.

But now I think about it, this may NOT be original?   Long ago, late 1980s maybe, my PCW went bang when I tried to daisy-chain two things on the expansion interface, and clearly something shorted.   I took the system to a repair shop, and they fixed it.   Maybe they did an official (or semi-official ?) upgrade?   Since then, I have had a couple of problems that caused the system to NOT work, but after a delay, everything was OK again.

Anyone heard of anything like this before??

Oh, the CPS8256 should NOT be a problem, the way it fits on it's pretty much impossible to short anything.  I tried to attach something else that had a pass-thru, with the CPS on the pass-thru, and clearly that was NOT as foolproof!

Geoff
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: Bryce on 14:29, 18 September 18
Quick explanation: The PCW uses an AN6531 linear regulator to produce the 5V rail. The AN can actually only supply 500mA, but the designers added a few transistors (Q5002 and Q5005) so that it can actually supply a lot more. This regulator has both thermal and current overload protection. So if you pull too many amps from the 5V rail, the regulator will shutdown. However, both the thermal and current protection reset as soon as they have cooled down and it will start supplying 5V again (assuming you have removed the problem that was causing the overload).

So this isn't something the repair guy added, it was there all along. The CPC (actually the CPC monitors to be exact) do exactly the same thing, but they used an L78MG regulator with a current amplifier / bypass using just one transistor.

This doesn't mean they are indestructable though. A complete short or regular overloads can still cause the regulator to give up permanently.


Bryce.
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: Sebastian Blanco on 16:44, 18 September 18
You can try this, follow this thread i was able to fix my pcw guided by jonb.

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/nc100-nc200-pcw-pda600/got-amstrad-pcw-8256-but-the-fun-don't-lasted-very-long-o/75/
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: radu14m on 16:39, 22 September 18
wow, thanks !!!
to connect a ATX power supply was also one of my toughs  ;D
can you make please some more detailed pictures, to see how did you connect everything ?
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 19:16, 23 September 18
Hi Radu

I'm not sure if I'm comfortable advising you regarding your PCW. The reason is that to be able to keep the screen and CPU working as they were before it failed, you will need to make modifications to the power board. You have said that you're not familiar with electronics, and so I am concerned that if I do try to explain this, there are big voltages in there and you could get hurt.

Also, I did succeed in restoring my 9512 but it is not the same as your machine. They are similar, but not identical, so the pictures in my thread might not help. I don't have my PCW apart at the moment so I can't post any more photos. I am sure I could get it going myself if I had it in front of me, but I don't think I can do it remotely, as it were.

Another worry is that, so far, we have been assuming it is the PSU that has failed, but it might be something else. If you rip out the guts of the PSU and it still does not work, then you are in a worse place. It might prove easier and cheaper to buy another machine. They're not expensive (at least in the UK they are cheap). If your PSU is OK, it may still power the CRT. Plug the machine in and look inside the back of the case - can you see an orange glow from the tube heater filament?

One easier and safer alternative would be to connect a hard disk PSU (sort of thing you see on eBay - +12v and +5v) to the main board (where the cpu is) and test that. You can use a uIDE PCW expansion port adapter (the one with the video output) to get the image on a TV. Then at least you would be up and running again (assuming your main board is OK). Actually you could see if it worked just by powering the board - if it boots you can see the floppy drive come on, seek and go off again. Then if you do "DIR" on the keyboard it should move again. If this test is OK you can move on to getting a screen up with the adapter.

An ATX PSU is not as safe an option as a small HDD PSU because it is capable of putting out so many amps. But if you have one to hand then try it. Just be sure to connect it up right...

Good luck
JonB
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: radu14m on 19:30, 26 September 18
Thanks JonB for the explanations, and i appreciate your concerning.
:)

I am not so familiar with electronics, but did some soldering and montages in the faculty as engineer.
I would test the PSU and post some fotos, also to see the boards and components.


now im not at home, and can do the tests only in the weekend.
i want to keep the machine as it is, with the green screen as it reminds me of years when i start working with the pc :)


can you post please the link with the [size=0px]uIDE PCW expansion port adapter you mentioned ?[/size]

Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: Sebastian Blanco on 23:41, 26 September 18
The adapter is sold by JonB you can see it in action on this thread:Is part of the IDE kit.
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/nc100-nc200-pcw-pda600/who-wants-ide-drives-on-the-pcw/
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: radu14m on 19:04, 27 September 18
thanks, it"s an amazing kit :)
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 07:59, 28 September 18
So.. some information on the power & video connectors inside the PCW8000 series machines.

Drive power connector:
Red - 12v
Black - GND
Orange - 5v

Note: 12v and 5v are the wrong way round for a normal 3.5" drive.

CPU Power connector:
Brown - GND
Black - GND
Red - 5v (for CPU and drive electronics)
Orange - 12v (for drive motors)
Yellow - 24v (for printer)

Video connector:
Brown - NSYNC
Black - GND
Orange - Video
Yellow - GND

You can disconnect the main power socket from the board and use the auxiliary drive connector cable to supply +5v, +12v and 0v (GND) to the mainboard alone, without connecting the machine to the mains. Use a small power supply like you find on ebay for powering external HDDs. Just be aware that 12v and 5v lines on the PCW drive connector are not the normal way round for a disk drive, so make sure when connecting 12v that it's going to the red wire, and 5v to the orange wire.

You can build a small circuit to mix the video and NSYNC signals from the video connector using stripboard. The schematic is shown in the last picture.

JonB
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 09:05, 28 September 18
Video Mixer PCB



Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 09:29, 29 September 18
Hey Radu, you're in luck.

I have already sent the video PCB off to the fabricators. As you can see from the picture, it is tiny - it measures 21mm x 29mm. Takes 2-8 weeks to be delivered. I designed it so that it will plug straight into the video output header on the PCW's main board (the one at the back which is coloured blue, labelled CP103). I have a suitable female pin header to hand which will be ideal for this. You will need to connect +5v to it though - you can get this from the auxiliary drive connector or from your +5v PSU line. There is also a +5v line on the adjacent keyboard connector (CP103), it is the red wire (pin 2) so if you can solder a wire to that you should be good. In fact this is the best place to get 5v from as it is next to the video connector. The board's composite video output is by way of header pins (same as the uIDE expansion port connector) so you will still need to make a cable up. I might be able to help you there.

Regards
JonB

[attach=1]

Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: radu14m on 19:13, 29 September 18
looking great, thanks !
one ideea would be to remove later the CRT from the PCW an switch with an LCD.
of course in the PCW case 8)
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 21:37, 30 September 18
You'd need to find a 12 inch 4:3 ratio monitor... let me know if you do.
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 07:36, 10 October 18
Radu, the boards are in the post. 2-8 weeks delivery.. :(
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 15:54, 20 October 18
I've just acquired a couple of 50 way edge connectors... so I can build you an adapter with video for the uIDE...  ;)
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: radu14m on 18:57, 23 October 18
how much ?  ;)
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 17:20, 24 October 18
Radu, the prices are all shown on the uIDE wiki page. As the Pound is nearly worthless the price to you (in a different currency) has, in effect, gone down. You keep winking at me - have you got something stuck in your eye?  :D

For the tiny video mixer board, I won't ask for much, but I haven't worked out how much it will cost to build yet. The PCBs are still on the slow boat from China..

In the meantime, have you got yourself a 12v / 5v PSU yet, and if so, have you connected it to the processor board to see if there is any activity on Drive A? If it's all good, it should boot up. You won't see anything on-screen, of course, but you will see and hear the disk loading CP/M into the processor board's memory.
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 14:06, 27 October 18
Radu, the boards arrived. They are tiny, smaller than an SD card..

  [attach=1,msg166422] 

The fabricators made a mistake with the silkscreen (hence these curved lines going across the board) but otherwise it should be OK.

Do you want me to go ahead and make one or would you prefer to have the uIDE + video output?
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 17:14, 27 October 18
Top of board:


[attach=1]


Rear of board:


[attach=2]


The 4 pin plug should just fit into the PCW's video socket although I haven't tried it yet.
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: radu14m on 19:53, 28 October 18

wow, looks amazing !!!!
great work !what is the cost for such a tiny video board adapter ?
i test my pcw with an external psu, it"s alive  :)
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 08:07, 29 October 18
Shipping to Romania would cost £2.60 for the built board or £1.25 for the bare board.

You can have the bare board for £3.50 and the fully built unit for £10. I doubt you could build one for less.

I haven't tested it by the way, so I'll need to do that before sending.
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 09:03, 29 October 18
And so...

[attach=1]

It's alive!

[attach=2]


[attach=3]
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 09:14, 29 October 18
So, in the first picture we see it working.

The second picture shows how the board fits directly onto the blue video connector on the PCW's main board.

The third picture shows the connections from the video board to:

Regarding the video adapter, I'll send you one for an extra £2. You then need a phono - phono plug and (maybe) a SCART/Euroconnector as is shown here: http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:PCW_composite_video_cable.JPG (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:PCW_composite_video_cable.JPG).

For the avoidance of doubt, the video adapter I am offering you looks like this:


[attach=1,msg166462]


The other parts you need are shown on the linked to picture (phono-phono cable and Euroconnector adapter, if your TV/monitor does not have a "composite video" input).

Regards
JonB
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: Gryzor on 09:57, 01 November 18
Wouldn't this deserve its own thread?
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 18:32, 01 November 18
Maybe, but it is all in reply to the OP's problem. I've designed, built and tested this mixer board for Radu and as he is not confident with electronics I have tried to explain with pictures how to fit it to his PCW.
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: Gryzor on 09:13, 02 November 18
Makes sense, but I thought that the answer here was more important than the question (if that even makes sense) :D
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 11:48, 04 November 18
What, you mean a wiki page entitled "What to do if your PCW PSU fails"?
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: Gryzor on 12:15, 05 November 18
No, (though yes, it wouldn't be a bad idea), I meant a thread about the little board :)
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 18:09, 05 November 18
It's nothing much to shout about, Gryzor. I mean we're not talking about a "Habi Special" here...    :D
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: radu14m on 20:20, 05 November 18
wow, sure i would also suggest to open an extra thread.
The PCW seems to have a lot of potentials when comes to expansion topic.


Did you check what possiblities we have to connect it to a standard VGA monitor ?



Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 23:11, 05 November 18
What, you don't have a small TV with a SCART plug?
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 23:12, 05 November 18
Quote from: JonB on 18:32, 01 November 18
Maybe, but it is all in reply to the OP's problem. I've designed, built and tested this mixer board for Radu and as he is not confident with electronics I have tried to explain with pictures how to fit it to his PCW.

...and it looks like I wasted my time.
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: radu14m on 06:42, 06 November 18
no it's not a waste of time.
i will order one as it is, and try to get a monitor with scart.


it will be my Christmas gift :)



Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: Sebastian Blanco on 19:56, 07 November 18
You don't need a scart connector any tv or monitor that have simple composite input (yellow RCA jack) will do the job
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: Miffer on 03:22, 14 February 22
@JonB (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=901) Sorry to revive an oldish thread, but would it be possible to buy one of your video output boards? I'm hoping to make a less cumbersome PCW8256, as I have a spare that has a sad-looking case. I've tested it and the board works and I've got the drive reading disks fine. I've now removed the main PCB and plan to cobble together some kind of PSU for it.

I had a look online but can't seem to find your video mod for sale anywhere. Feel free to PM me if this thread is the wrong place to discuss it. Thanks very much :)



Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: jevicac on 01:36, 15 February 22

On PCWWiki you have a board of a project designed by HabiSoft, creator of the CP/M Box emulator. I hope it helps you.


http://www.habisoft.com/pcwwiki/doku.php?id=es:hardware:perifericos:pcw-io
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: Miffer on 04:26, 15 February 22
@jevicac (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1213) This is very interesting. Thanks :)

Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: JonB on 16:49, 01 March 22
As I have released the design, it is much cheaper to buy them in lots of 3 from OSHPark.

https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/h2RzWal8

..and a lot easier to build than the PCW-IO card (assuming you don't need the additional features it offers of course).

Enjoy.
 8)

JonB
Title: Re: pcw wont start anymore
Post by: Miffer on 18:10, 01 March 22
Thanks @JonB , I've ordered the board. Much appreciated
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