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Some problems with Dragon 64
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 5:00 pm
by JoeMorgan
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
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif)
)
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
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 9:44 pm
by robcfg
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
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 12:15 am
by Alastair
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?
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 7:41 am
by robcfg
I know of several people with Eurohard Dragons with NTSC boards.
Must have been to cope with demand or to get rid of stock...
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 11:07 am
by JoeMorgan
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 ...
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif)
). 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
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 11:19 am
by robcfg
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.
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 11:47 am
by JoeMorgan
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!
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 10:41 am
by robcfg
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.
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:57 pm
by JoeMorgan
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
Re: Some problems with Dragon 64
Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 5:17 pm
by robcfg
The output voltages seem Ok.
Can you test the 5V regulator output?
![5V_Regulator_Pins.jpg](./download/file.php?id=2334)
- 5V_Regulator_Pins.jpg (49.12 KiB) Viewed 4929 times