Turbo slab LED blink codes diagnosis and repair

Hello,

I've been troubleshooting an issue with my turbo also with Rob Blessin, who encouraged me to post here.

My slab had been running fine until a recent power outage. When I went to start it up, I got a black screen an no discernible activity. Pulling the lid off, I observed the LED near the battery flashing a repeated pattern of four flashes. Also, the PS fan did not spin up, but the PS itself baden warm to the touch after a few minutes.

This appears to indicate the NVRAM star in the clock chip is bad. The battery itself was measured at 3VDC.

Rob suggested it might be time for a board recap, so I am looking for more information regarding that procedure and if a failed cap could produce the blink code I am experiencing. Also, would a bad NVRAM/clock chip result in no video out an no fan?

Anyone?

Brian or anyone are you available for this one ? I'm not sure what it means....

Yeah caps can for sure cause this. There are some traces near the RAM slots that get damaged from leakage specifically that can cause this. The clock chips themselves are another frequent failure, but I always start with the caps.

Quote from: barcher174 on June 05, 2022, 01:40:27 PMYeah caps can for sure cause this. There are some traces near the RAM slots that get damaged from leakage specifically that can cause this. The clock chips themselves are another frequent failure, but I always start with the caps.

Thanks for the response. It is my understanding that there are a few on the board that do this sort of work. Is this true? Who should I contact?

Regards

Quote from: fantome on June 05, 2022, 02:57:48 PMThanks for the response. It is my understanding that there are a few on the board that do this sort of work. Is this true? Who should I contact?

Regards

Are there any instructions on how to do it?

I will offer a full recap service in due course. I'll also offer SMD component level repairs for any non-custom ICs. Everything up to and including replacing damaged SIMM slots or DIN41612 connectors. I'm also able to remove and socket 680X0 for people who might want that.

I'll keep it reasonable so it is affordable to everyone.

Quote from: MrPix on June 07, 2022, 04:42:08 PMI will offer a full recap service in due course. I'll also offer SMD component level repairs for any non-custom ICs. Everything up to and including replacing damaged SIMM slots or DIN41612 connectors. I'm also able to remove and socket 680X0 for people who might want that.

I'll keep it reasonable so it is affordable to everyone.

Message sent.

Six Month Update:
I am not pleased to take such aggressive action, but I think I need to at this point.

I sent my motherboard (fully populated with 33MHz '040 CPU and 32MB RAM), power supply and fan to MrPix for diagnosis and repair.

I last heard from him on 8/23/22 in which he indicated that he was awaiting a part (apparently a clock chip).

I have not heard from him since despite several attempts by myself and on my behalf to get a progress update and/or the return of my parts.

His last login here was on 9/10/22.

Hello Fantome: I will try him again for you as well and I'm not sure why he has not followed through on this repair process or simple communication with you :)  Best regards Rob Blessin  If it helps I would send you a Color motherboard non Turbo , it works for free all you need is ram , just cover the shipping  $20 in the US , this would at least get you back up and running provided you have NON ADB components until he awakes from AFK itis .   I have some ram that would work $32 for 32Mb max on Color Motherboards. 

Quote from: Rob Blessin Black Hole on December 07, 2022, 05:28:17 PMHello Fantome: I will try him again for you as well and I'm not sure why he has not followed through on this repair process or simple communication with you :)  Best regards Rob Blessin  If it helps I would send you a Color motherboard non Turbo , it works for free all you need is ram , just cover the shipping  $20 in the US , this would at least get you back up and running provided you have NON ADB components until he awakes from AFK itis .   I have some ram that would work $32 for 32Mb max on Color Motherboards. 

Thanks for the generous offer Rob, but my system is ADB...

Regards,

-k

Hello Fantome: I did hear from Dave , so he is scheduled for open heart surgery (his second) in January. I'm going to do you a solid here Fantome and see if I have a working Turbo Color motherboard as they are notorious for failing , I think I do , if it has new caps and I paid $75 for them , if you can reemburse me, cool . 

So if you have an shipping address just PM me and if you cover shipping , I'll put some ram on it lol that way you will have a working NeXT in the interim . Dave well, I think will eventually make good and repair the board when he is in better spirits and better health. We can cross that bridge on what to do when he actually has the repaired board. I'll let him know what I'm doing , I think it is the right thing to do here as I'm quantum entangled in this one lol and hey it is the NeXT community. Happy Holidays! ho ho ho Cheers Rob Blessin

Quote from: Rob Blessin Black Hole on December 08, 2022, 10:18:06 PMHello Fantome: I did hear from Dave , so he is scheduled for open heart surgery (his second) in January. I'm going to do you a solid here Fantome and see if I have a working Turbo Color motherboard as they are notorious for failing , I think I do , if it has new caps and I paid $75 for them , if you can reemburse me, cool . 

So if you have an shipping address just PM me and if you cover shipping , I'll put some ram on it lol that way you will have a working NeXT in the interim . Dave well, I think will eventually make good and repair the board when he is in better spirits and better health. We can cross that bridge on what to do when he actually has the repaired board. I'll let him know what I'm doing , I think it is the right thing to do here as I'm quantum entangled in this one lol and hey it is the NeXT community. Happy Holidays! ho ho ho Cheers Rob Blessin

You're too kind, PM in-bound.

-k

The parts from Rob (thx!) arrived today and I am happy to have my NeXT back:


My retro unix lab is whole again:


Now if I can just get my NeXT laser printer working again...

Glad that Rob could get you up and running!
Your room there looks like a neater version of my computing cave - though I did my collecting many years ago so have multiples of most things: NeXT cubes & slabs, SGI Indigos, Indigo^2's, Indys, O2 & PowerSeries beasts, and Sun lunchboxes & pizzaboxes stuffed into the cave. Plus several generations of Apple Macs, with PPC machines giving me access to most online info. Not a Windoze machine in sight...

Quote from: crimsonRE on December 19, 2022, 09:43:33 PMGlad that Rob could get you up and running!
Your room there looks like a neater version of my computing cave - though I did my collecting many years ago so have multiples of most things: NeXT cubes & slabs, SGI Indigos, Indigo^2's, Indys, O2 & PowerSeries beasts, and Sun lunchboxes & pizzaboxes stuffed into the cave. Plus several generations of Apple Macs, with PPC machines giving me access to most online info. Not a Windoze machine in sight...

Nice collection!

I love retro gear. I've had all of those since the 90's, the SS20 I bought new.

I also still have my original C128 from 1985:


And my TAM and two Newtons:


I have another O2 and an SS5 in the closet, a Compaq luggable in the garage (where it belongs) along with several Macs.

I basically have computers and guitars/amps in every room...

Quote from: fantome on December 19, 2022, 08:21:00 PMThe parts from Rob (thx!) arrived today and I am happy to have my NeXT back:


My retro unix lab is whole again:


Now if I can just get my NeXT laser printer working again...

That is awesome I'm happy the parts I sent we're the solution you needed. I'll send Mr. Pix a lump of coal lol !  So does your NeXT laser printer have an orange glow when looking through the opening by the exit tray upon power up? If yes that is a good sign the fuser is good and it may just need a good cleaning and a new intake roller if the problem is a paper jam error.  I have new NeXT laser intake rollers for $15 , if you can manage a phillip's screw driver it is 7 screws a couple clips to swap it out. and we have a good FAQ how to.

Quote from: Rob Blessin Black Hole on December 19, 2022, 11:11:26 PMThat is awesome I'm happy the parts I sent we're the solution you needed. I'll send Mr. Pix a lump of coal lol !  So does your NeXT laser printer have an orange glow when looking through the opening by the exit tray upon power up? If yes that is a good sign the fuser is good and it may just need a good cleaning and a new intake roller if the problem is a paper jam error.  I have new NeXT laser intake rollers for $15 , if you can manage a phillip's screw driver it is 7 screws a couple clips to swap it out. and we have a good FAQ how to.

Thanks for the major assist Rob.

Unfortunately, no, the thermistor is bad and sourcing a replacement is difficult. I've found a compatible part from a vendor, but each time I try to get a price from them they go silent. Probably because I only want one and they deal in volume...

Peers in...

Just as an update...

A couple of things have been going on with me.

The first is I've been in a weird emotional funk. I haven't accomplished anything. I'm failing to do even most basic tasks. I came out of retirement and started a flexible day job and I even fumbled that.

The second is that I have been waiting for a critical heart surgery. I'm not looking forward to it, but the date is approaching. The lack of blood supply and the meds involved do sometimes give me dementia-like symptoms. I just..... really don't feel all here.

These aren't excuses for my behavior. I'm sorry. It's really been a struggle to get through the last several months at all.

If/when I get over it, I'll get back to projects.

Please feel free to share your disappointment and frustration with me - and also please keep in mind that my own disappointment and frustration at myself will always be greater.

Dave

Hello Dave: Good to hear from you ,  and I was able to take care of the Turbo Color for you :) I got you on this , hey we still need those DSP Chips you have a working prototype . Lets order some up when you are back up to task as you will only go further into stir craziness in retirement lol. Wishing you good luck on the heart procedure as well .