Pepper Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 My TI99/4A does not always seem to recognize my NanoPEB. Re-seating and and power cycling sometimes works. Other tines I don't seem to be able to work out why I don't get it to show up on the power-up screen. Any pointers to what is up ? It's driving me nuts! TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Schmitzi Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 Another option is to reseat the cardreader on the board, or to change it (I once got them for less than 10eu on eBay) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 How about... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted October 14, 2017 Author Share Posted October 14, 2017 Another option is to reseat the cardreader on the board, or to change it (I once got them for less than 10eu on eBay) Ok, thanks. I found one on eBay for $6. Hopefully that'll fix the issue. I did notice that it does not read the CF when the TI is powered up. It used to. Is this a common issue for the NanoPEB? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted October 14, 2017 Author Share Posted October 14, 2017 How about... It's getting close ! I've mostly been banging my head against the wall. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 It's getting close ! I've mostly been banging my head against the wall. Oh gawd I know that feeling. I had three Nano-PEB's and all three gave me fits of exasperation over different things. The cure is coming in the form of TIPI... if you can just hang on for a few more months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Schmitzi Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 Ok, thanks. I found one on eBay for $6. Hopefully that'll fix the issue. I did notice that it does not read the CF when the TI is powered up. It used to. Is this a common issue for the NanoPEB? For me, it is a common issue. I "repaired" some by changing the cardreader... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted October 15, 2017 Author Share Posted October 15, 2017 (edited) For me, it is a common issue. I "repaired" some by changing the cardreader... You might be onto something .. I found a sticker on the underside of the CF reader saying "Bad"... Got to love eBay used purchases! Also, I have an extra wire soldered onto the main board. I don't see it in other pictures of the NanoPEB. It looks to be passing a Ground connection from ^7 on the 74HC000 to the console connector. Should it be there ? Edited October 15, 2017 by Pepper 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Schmitzi Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 haaa great. yes, I think I remember that cable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Schmitzi Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 yes, this one wire is definitely "standard" equipment I have it on 2 NanoPEBs, too 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkdrummer Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 Do you power up the nanopeb first, then the computer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted October 15, 2017 Author Share Posted October 15, 2017 Do you power up the nanopeb first, then the computer? Yep, I power it up with a 5V/2A supply before turning on the computer. It randomly works.... very randomly. I'm hoping that replacing the CF reader will help. We will find out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted October 20, 2017 Author Share Posted October 20, 2017 I got the replacement CF to IDE adapter today. No luck still the same. No activity on the LED and the NanoPEB does not show up on the Start Screen. I also tried a differend CF card with the same results. Bummed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Anyone suggested cleaning the side port contacts yet? Something like cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol, or maybe a small abrasive rubber if there is room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 I was having this same exact issue on one of the Nanos I had. The solution for it was to remove the PLCC's, clean and reseat them. I used 1000 grit sandpaper to remove any oxidation that could have formed. Once that was done I was amazed to find that it was in perfect operating condition. In the end I still got rid of it, because to me Nanos are the most nerve wracking things I've ever owned. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted October 20, 2017 Author Share Posted October 20, 2017 Anyone suggested cleaning the side port contacts yet? Something like cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol, or maybe a small abrasive rubber if there is room. I'll give that a go tonight. @--- Ω --- , The PLCC's are soldered directly onto the board. So reseating is not an option. I'm also going to try another power supply.... just in case. We'll get there ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 @--- Ω --- , The PLCC's are soldered directly onto the board. So reseating is not an option. Hmm, good to hear. Not only does it reduce cost for him, it eliminates another problem area. I wonder how long he's been doing it that way. I wish you luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted October 20, 2017 Author Share Posted October 20, 2017 Hmm, good to hear. Not only does it reduce cost for him, it eliminates another problem area. I wonder how long he's been doing it that way. I wish you luck. Yep, but not so easy to replace components I agree with you on the nerve wracking part of the nanoPEB. But as the real PEB costs seem insane these days.... I guess I'll deal with it.. If I ever get it working. I really only want it for the memory expansion and rs232 so I can use it to access my BBS and others. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted October 21, 2017 Author Share Posted October 21, 2017 I took my 12v regulated Bench power supply and dropped the voltage down to 5V with a DC-DC Buck converter. Still the same symptom. So that rules out the PSU as that's been 3 different sources. Cleaned the sidecar board contacts with some fine sandpaper. No joy. It's not going to beat me ... well hopefully not ..lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
globeron Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Have you tried another power socket in the house (e.g. preferable a different circuit). I had 2x nano-PEBs which normally worked without a problem, then I did not use them for 6-8 months (in a hot / humid environment) and could not get them to work, but I connected it to a power strip extender (and not sure if that supplied enough power supply or current to all devices connected to it). I moved to another location, still the same problem, but I kept trying and I got one to work again (also swapping the CF-card), the SAN-Disk CF-card works the best, the Kingston CF-card did not work. Maybe the CF-card is the problem? Check on the PC (or do a complete reformat and put all files back with TI-99-Dir) (I still need to troubleshoot the other one if I can get it back again, I ran everything on 600mA and now have a cable for 2A and phone-USB 5V adapter) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted October 29, 2017 Author Share Posted October 29, 2017 Have you tried another power socket in the house (e.g. preferable a different circuit). Yeah, I tried all of the above. New CF card, reformatted and loaded the vol1 back onto it, etc. I ended up returning it to the person I bought it from. I suppose, It's not beyond the realm of possibilities that it's my TI that's the issue. Not the NanoPEB. As I only have one working TI99/4A, I did not have anything to test against. When I get my spare unit working then maybe I'll purchase another NanoPEB. Until then I have plenty of other projects to keep me busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Vorticon Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Yeah, I tried all of the above. New CF card, reformatted and loaded the vol1 back onto it, etc. I ended up returning it to the person I bought it from. I suppose, It's not beyond the realm of possibilities that it's my TI that's the issue. Not the NanoPEB. As I only have one working TI99/4A, I did not have anything to test against. When I get my spare unit working then maybe I'll purchase another NanoPEB. Until then I have plenty of other projects to keep me busy. I had similar issues and it turned out to be the PS. I think it's very sensitive to regulation. On a side note, I see that you have the PiDP-8 kit I built one myself and I have it running Seti@home 24/7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted October 29, 2017 Author Share Posted October 29, 2017 On a side note, I see that you have the PiDP-8 kit I build one myself and I have it running Seti@home 24/7 Yes, I have the PiDP8/i running a Mystic Telnet BBS. I also have the "blinkin lights" going I occasionally play Adventure on it also. I'm looking forward to building his PDP11 clone when that comes out. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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