Mclaneinc Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 On 12/7/2019 at 3:35 PM, Tezz said: I'd also possibly be interested in a cased one. Has anyone modelled an XL or XE case for Sys-Check? Would have to be a funky case as there the two sets of dip switches and the cartridge slot on top.. I'm ok with mine being bare, just careful with tea etc (mind you, computer IT states that you don't have drinks etc near where you are working as part of its rules, and of course we all follow those rules ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tezz Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 2 hours ago, Mclaneinc said: Would have to be a funky case as there the two sets of dip switches and the cartridge slot on top.. I'm ok with mine being bare, just careful with tea etc (mind you, computer IT states that you don't have drinks etc near where you are working as part of its rules, and of course we all follow those rules ) Yea that would be fine Paul for the XE with an access hole for the dip switches and a slot for the cart. I guess if it's intended to be used purely as external RAM, another case with only the cart slot exposed could be created for the XE and a totally closed case for the XL would be an option too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E474 Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 Hi, I made a case out of an old tape cassette case, just went at it with a hacksaw and some glue. I'll post some pictures when I can, though it does not look so great, but would keep any stray drinks, etc., off the Sys-Check, which is why I made it in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orgi666 Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Just curious, would it be possible to use this approach to make let's say "solderless Antonia"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+tf_hh Posted December 11, 2019 Author Share Posted December 11, 2019 7 hours ago, orgi666 said: Just curious, would it be possible to use this approach to make let's say "solderless Antonia"? Not really. Antonia replaces also the CPU, O.S. ROM, Basic-ROM and some other stuff. To do this, you need access and control of the whole computer. For one example, the peripheral chips like PIA, POKEY etc. must be synchronized with PHI2 output from the CPU. Without hardware modding this wouldn´t be possible. And much more issues which prevent such from a stable working solution. IMHO - maybe other guys have a different sight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mclaneinc Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Even if there was a way around it I'd expect it would be a messy nightmare of an install, soldering and component removal is not always fun but effective.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E474 Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Hi, Here are pics of the case I made for my Sys-Check 2 out of an old cassette tape box. @Gunstar came up with the idea, and has done a better job, but this works for me even though it is a little rough and ready! Also, this is only good for a 600/800XL, I think you would need quite a different design for an XE. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 On 12/10/2019 at 11:10 PM, orgi666 said: Just curious, would it be possible to use this approach to make let's say "solderless Antonia"? ANTONIA is an internal upgrade but it is also a completely solderless solution if your chips are socketed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunstar Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 (edited) On 12/11/2019 at 12:54 PM, E474 said: Hi, Here are pics of the case I made for my Sys-Check 2 out of an old cassette tape box. @Gunstar came up with the idea, and has done a better job, but this works for me even though it is a little rough and ready! Also, this is only good for a 600/800XL, I think you would need quite a different design for an XE. Sorry to show you up on such a trivial thing, but as you said, yours is for function, not form or aesthetics. But I re-did my Syscheck 2.2 case, using 2 tape cases to complete it, as shown below, which now goes with the 800XL. I bought a new Syscheck 2.2 XL for my 1200XL w/PBI. It lays flat behind the computer. I still need to make a case for it now. I have +5V power on both my PBI's, so no need to the power cord to joystick port, but I left it there and just tucked it away under a door I made for the extended cartridge, to hide it as it's not needed for XL's. But the same as you, it's made for using it with an XL and the case would have to be re-designed for XE's. Edited December 15, 2019 by Gunstar 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E474 Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 2 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+tf_hh Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 (edited) Hi, due to the Coronavirus crisis and worldwide limited capacities in postal services, the DHL / Deutsche Post company has reducing their service. Using "cheap" shipments isn´t possible to the USA and some other destinations from now on. The cheapest shipping price to worldwide destinations exceeds 50 Euros each, because DHL/Deutsche Post only accepts standard parcels with extra-service "Premium". This is nonsense regarding my 100-200 grams small items... So until the extreme high shipping costs aren´t accepted, I can´t take any orders from the U.S. until the crises ends. Best regards - and please stay healthy! - Jurgen Edited March 30, 2020 by tf_hh DHL already forbids to use "Päckchens" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firedawg Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 On 3/30/2020 at 5:28 AM, tf_hh said: Best regards - and please stay healthy! - Jurgen Thanks Jurgen for the update. Please keep yourself safe and healthy as well. Mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+tf_hh Posted April 11, 2020 Author Share Posted April 11, 2020 Hi, sorry for publishing this info in more than one thread. Normally I won´t do that, but in case of the special situation I hope it´s ok - from the past I know that several users watching only a few threads in general. Last night I got the 5.th order, so the "big parcel" will be possible. Shipping out will be done next Wednesday (April the 15.th) due to the easter holidays here. If anybody want to have something from my projects, it´s a good idea to count in now - I can´t estimate, when the next omnibus-order is possible. Shipping costs currently for each purchaser is 20 Euros than usually. If I got some more orders until Wednesday, shipping costs overall will decrease and I sent the overpaid money back. Stay healthy, Jurgen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfollowell Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 OK, I have an 800XL that is having issues at the moment. It isn't completely dead, but it has no display. I realize that worldwide shipping is all screwed up at the moment, so I can't really order one of these anyway, but plan to when things start to get back to normal. I am a little curious though, and can't seem to find any really good information on how it actually works. If you're using it to try and diagnose a completely dead 8-bit, or one that has no display, how do you determine what the issue is? How does the board communicate with you? I mean, the board itself has no display, and if the computer isn't able to display anything. How the heck do you get diagnostic information out of it? I think I missed that part. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 See your other thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manterola Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 (edited) Check this out BTW, sorry to tell you but there is a box currently crossing the pond with hardware marvels from tf_hh. You might need to wait until the next omnibus-order from Germany or get in contact with someone locally that can help you discovering the problem. Edited April 17, 2020 by manterola 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+tf_hh Posted April 18, 2020 Author Share Posted April 18, 2020 13 hours ago, bfollowell said: OK, I have an 800XL that is having issues at the moment. It isn't completely dead, but it has no display. I am a little curious though, and can't seem to find any really good information on how it actually works. If you're using it to try and diagnose a completely dead 8-bit, or one that has no display, how do you determine what the issue is? How does the board communicate with you? I mean, the board itself has no display, and if the computer isn't able to display anything. How the heck do you get diagnostic information out of it? I think I missed that part. 1st of all - RTFM ? - In my signature you will find a link to my info PDF. In this all my projects are shown briefly, and: a link to the complete manual. So read the SysCheck manual first, it will explain how it works. SysCheck can´t perform magic, of course. So major point is... why your computer doesn´t display anything? Or does it just a black screen after power on? If so, it could be memory or a bad O.S. ROM. Shortly said: SysCheck drains the REF line to low level to get complete access to the system. When the computer is started and the CPU fetches the RESET vector (what is the first place of machine code language which will be executed after initialization is complete), SysCheck has already mapped it´s diagnostic ROM into the address space and the SysCheck firmware is started - and not the O.S. SysCheck´s firmware is build to run without any working byte RAM of the mainboard. The display "code" (Display List) is stored in the ROM, the character sets etc. - so if the computer can technically display something, you will see anything. When one of the major chips (CPU, ANTIC, GTIA) is totally defect, then SysCheck also won´t run, of course. But you can remove the PIA, the O.S ROM, the BASIC ROM, the POKEY and the 74LS158 address mux chips, SysCheck will also work. Of course it will detect memory errors, but this is a good way to find short circuits in one of the named chips and/or disturbations by defect output from one of these. During the years SysCheck is alive, my personal feedback and those from others said, that in about 70% of all non-starting computers SysCheck will show any result, however it useful it might be. And, of course, some technical skills are always needed. But specially when you have a mainboard where the most chips, DRAM etc. are directly soldered in (no sockets), then SysCheck is a helpful tool to save a lot of time. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfollowell Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 Thanks tf_hh for that excellent explanation. I’m definitely interested in SysCheck now. I’ve already verified that ANTIC, GTIA, and the CPU are all good in mine. The RAM is all socketed, but the OS, BASIC & MMU are all soldered onto my board, and I don’t have a computer I could swap those with anyway, so it gets a little trickier to troubleshoot from here on out. Once things start to return to normal, I’ll look into ordering one of these awesome sounding little devices from you. I’ve really enjoyed tinkering with the 8-bits through assembling my 1088XEL and troubleshooting my 800XL. I could easily see myself starting to pickup old non-functional 8-bits, repairing and refurbishing them and getting them to new homes, not to necessarily make any money, but just as a hobby. SysCheck would be a valuable tool in my arsenal. Thanks again for the info! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+tf_hh Posted April 19, 2020 Author Share Posted April 19, 2020 22 hours ago, bfollowell said: Once things start to return to normal, I’ll look into ordering one of these awesome sounding little devices from you. I’ve really enjoyed tinkering with the 8-bits through assembling my 1088XEL and troubleshooting my 800XL. I could easily see myself starting to pickup old non-functional 8-bits, repairing and refurbishing them and getting them to new homes, not to necessarily make any money, but just as a hobby. SysCheck would be a valuable tool in my arsenal. That´s one of my major interests, too ? Have sent a PN with further infos. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Radster Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 Are these still available? I would really like to order one, how do I go about that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillC Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 3 hours ago, The Radster said: Are these still available? I would really like to order one, how do I go about that? He still has 3 in stock, just click on the link in his signature for more information. International shipping is problematic right now though. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hueyjones70 Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 I just received my syscheck last week. I used it on a nonworking computer and it indicated that all of the RAM chips were bad but when I replaced the RAM it still showed bad and the supposedly bad ram checked out on another computer. Where should I go next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 MMU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winfried David Cachet Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 I've bought it, works fine, great cartridge ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfollowell Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 I wanted to check in with you guys. I've not had any luck using my SysCheck to diagnose my ailing 800XL. That's more the fault of the unit than the SysCheck. I suspect something shorted and it is going to take more in-depth troubleshooting. The problem I'm having now is that I recently purchased a known-working but filthy 800XL to use as a winter restoration project, as well as to help me troubleshoot my ailing 800XL. I've used this new unit quite a bit the past few days and can find no faults whatsoever with it. Just for kicks, I connected my SysCheck to it. It runs through the memory checks without any issue, but when I press Start to proceed with further tests, the screen goes black and it just sits there. I've let it sit for 15-20 minutes and seen no results whatsoever. This 800XL works perfectly in every way that I can tell, so I have no idea why it wouldn't work with my SysCheck unless there were something wrong with the SysCheck itself. Am I doing something wrong? Have any of you ever ran into this before? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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