Hardware Problems
Hardware Problems
I have a very late issue Dragon 32 which seems to run very hot. It works really well at double speed (both 65495 A/D and 65497 modes) when its cold, but crashes instantly even in 65495 A/D mode after its been on for about 25-30 minutes. If the top cover is left off, it works without problems. I have tried swapping the PSU board without any luck. Can anyone help?
Last edited by zephyr on Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:26 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: Hardware Problems
I do have one Dragon where the owner has drilled a circle of holes in the top case and wired in a standard PC fan to aid cooling - I also know Richard Harding did this on his home made Dragon Professional top as the Professional really overheats (its got the PSU and 2 drives internally).
I do seem to recall many letters in magazines about this sort of Dragon goes a bit wobbly after being used, so there might be a solution out there...
I do seem to recall many letters in magazines about this sort of Dragon goes a bit wobbly after being used, so there might be a solution out there...
Simon Hardy
Re: Hardware Problems
Does it seem to stay very cool after this mod? Does it run OK at double speed?admin wrote:I do have one Dragon where the owner has drilled a circle of holes in the top case and wired in a standard PC fan to aid cooling
I hope so...admin wrote:I do seem to recall many letters in magazines about this sort of Dragon goes a bit wobbly after being used, so there might be a solution out there...
Re: Hardware Problems
How long does it work when you do not invoke double speed?zephyr wrote:I have a very late issue Dragon 32 which seems to run very hot. It works really well at double speed (both 65495 A/D and 65497 modes) when its cold, but crashes instantly even in 65495 A/D mode after its been on for about 25-30 minutes. If the top cover is left off, it works without problems. I have tried swapping the PSU board without any luck.
Can anyone help?
Re: Hardware Problems
Does it seem to stay very cool after this mod? Does it run OK at double speed?zephyr wrote:admin wrote:I do have one Dragon where the owner has drilled a circle of holes in the top case and wired in a standard PC fan to aid cooling
Don't know as its on my DOA pile
![Sad :-(](./images/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif)
Simon Hardy
Re: Hardware Problems
At room temparatures of around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, other than a burning smell emmiting from the case, it will run for hours at normal speed without any real problems. In the summer its not so reliable.Alastair wrote:zephyr wrote: How long does it work when you do not invoke double speed?
Re: Hardware Problems
Looks like the mod didn't help after all!admin wrote:Don't know as its on my DOA pile.....
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Re: Hardware Problems
That's around 20 degrees Centigrade isn't it?zephyr wrote:At room temparatures of around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, other than a burning smell emmiting from the case, it will run for hours at normal speed without any real problems. In the summer its not so reliable.Alastair wrote:zephyr wrote: How long does it work when you do not invoke double speed?
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
Anyway, burning smells are always bad, switch off and try to locate the component(s) or area that is burning.
Re: Hardware Problems
Yes, around 21 to 23.5 degrees, if you prefer to use the inferior Centigrade scale to measure your room temperatures!Alastair wrote:That's around 20 degrees Centigrade isn't it?.
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
It seems like most of the chips are running too hot, especially CPU, SAM, and VDG. None of my other Dragons run anywhere near as hot as this one.Alastair wrote:Anyway, burning smells are always bad, switch off and try to locate the component(s) or area that is burning.
Re: Hardware Problems
Early Color Computers had the same problem. I think an older version of the SAM was to blame but it's been a long time since I last heard about it.