Hey guys, again!
Here I am with a problem: What the hell could be wrong with this Dragon 64? (Yes, the gift from my wife )
Spanish "Eurohard" Dragon 64 (PAL?) conected via composite on PAL TV.
Symtoms:
1st.- I connect the power and the computer turns on and displays the usual screen ... in black and white!
2nd.- It gives me time to program a "Hello World" program with loop. It run and takes a minute to crash. Frozen screen.
3rd.- Pressing reset shows me a blank screen. Still frozen.
4th.- Until I extract the connector from the power supply and connect it again I can't see again the usual splash screen.
5th.- This time, the computer gives me 10-15 seconds to operate. Frozen screen.
6th.- GOTO 3rd.-
Capacitors, power supply? Where I can start?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Joe Morgan
Some problems with Dragon 64
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
I think the black and white display means that you have a NTSC machine.
Also, the screen looks quite like a square, pretty much like a NTSC signal on a PAL TV.
As for the machine freezing, I'm all in for damaged capacitors.
Please take some pictures of both boards in your machine.
Cheers,
Rob
Also, the screen looks quite like a square, pretty much like a NTSC signal on a PAL TV.
As for the machine freezing, I'm all in for damaged capacitors.
Please take some pictures of both boards in your machine.
Cheers,
Rob
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
Rob, did Eurohard ever make an NTSC Dragon? I was under the impression that all NTSC Dragons were made by Tano.
Joe, welcome to the forum. I can't offer much help with fixing your Dragon but I do wonder if you have tried using an RF cable and tuning in the TV to see if you get colour. Also you state, "Until I extract the connector from the power supply and connect it again I can't see again the usual splash screen." Does this mean that your Dragon doesn't have an on/off switch (if the switch round the back is labelled Channel 3/4 then your Dragon is definitely an NTSC machine), the switch doesn't work, or that toggling the switch doesn't present the splash screen?
Joe, welcome to the forum. I can't offer much help with fixing your Dragon but I do wonder if you have tried using an RF cable and tuning in the TV to see if you get colour. Also you state, "Until I extract the connector from the power supply and connect it again I can't see again the usual splash screen." Does this mean that your Dragon doesn't have an on/off switch (if the switch round the back is labelled Channel 3/4 then your Dragon is definitely an NTSC machine), the switch doesn't work, or that toggling the switch doesn't present the splash screen?
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
I know of several people with Eurohard Dragons with NTSC boards.
Must have been to cope with demand or to get rid of stock...
Must have been to cope with demand or to get rid of stock...
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
Hi again!
@Alastair
Yes, exists a rounded switch labelled Channel 3/4 and I've understand like that (Ups!, I haven´t used as a power switch ... ). I was unable to try yet. I'll do it.
Yes, I tried to connect RF with the same result. Colorless.
Thanxs.
@Rob
You think Eurohard sold NTSC Dragon in a PAL signal country?
To try to resolve this doubt, I attached some photos.
http://i68.tinypic.com/1zb8i8w.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/2ihb5fp.jpg
Another clue that I should give you (I thought it wasn´t relevant) is that the power supply I use is for Dragon 32.
Thanks in advance!
Joe Morgan
@Alastair
Yes, exists a rounded switch labelled Channel 3/4 and I've understand like that (Ups!, I haven´t used as a power switch ... ). I was unable to try yet. I'll do it.
Yes, I tried to connect RF with the same result. Colorless.
Thanxs.
@Rob
You think Eurohard sold NTSC Dragon in a PAL signal country?
To try to resolve this doubt, I attached some photos.
http://i68.tinypic.com/1zb8i8w.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/2ihb5fp.jpg
Another clue that I should give you (I thought it wasn´t relevant) is that the power supply I use is for Dragon 32.
Thanks in advance!
Joe Morgan
Last edited by JoeMorgan on Tue Jan 12, 2016 11:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
I was right!
Your motherboard is a Tano NTSC board!
Check the board number here, in our motherboard scans section.
Try your machine on a TV that supports NTSC to check if the image keeps disappearing.
The PSU is no problem, as it's the same for both machines.
Your motherboard is a Tano NTSC board!
Check the board number here, in our motherboard scans section.
Try your machine on a TV that supports NTSC to check if the image keeps disappearing.
The PSU is no problem, as it's the same for both machines.
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
It's crazy but it's true. The motherboard is a Tano Issue 2.
What purpose did sell those computers where no TVs that accept NTSC signal?
I broke the seal of guarantee! It's genuine.
I´ll try on a TV that accepts NTSC and I'll inform you.
I guess first problem solved. We will continue investigating why freezes.
If somebody needs pictures in more detail, you need only ask. I´ll try check the state of capacitors and the PSU values.
Thanks!
What purpose did sell those computers where no TVs that accept NTSC signal?
I broke the seal of guarantee! It's genuine.
I´ll try on a TV that accepts NTSC and I'll inform you.
I guess first problem solved. We will continue investigating why freezes.
If somebody needs pictures in more detail, you need only ask. I´ll try check the state of capacitors and the PSU values.
Thanks!
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
Maybe they sold the remaining stock with NTSC monitors as a bundle...
I'd try first the machine on a TV set that supports NTSC, and then if the freezes continue, I'd look for another Dragon user nearby and I'd replace the socketed chips with the ones of a working Dragon, and see if that fixes the problem.
Otherwise I'd replace the capacitors. First from the porwe board and as a last resort, from the motherboard.
I'd try first the machine on a TV set that supports NTSC, and then if the freezes continue, I'd look for another Dragon user nearby and I'd replace the socketed chips with the ones of a working Dragon, and see if that fixes the problem.
Otherwise I'd replace the capacitors. First from the porwe board and as a last resort, from the motherboard.
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
Hi again! Here I am with more data to share,
from top to bottom (regulators pins):
-11.90V
-18.20V
0V
+11.85V
0V
+18.21V
Do you see correct voltages?
Thanks in advance!
Joe Morgan
from top to bottom (regulators pins):
-11.90V
-18.20V
0V
+11.85V
0V
+18.21V
Do you see correct voltages?
Thanks in advance!
Joe Morgan
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
The output voltages seem Ok.
Can you test the 5V regulator output?
Can you test the 5V regulator output?