Midnight Synergy Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 I have a Mega STE with 4Mb Ram and 40 Mb hard drive, still complete in its original box with Styrofoam. I used to work back in the 90s, but hasn't been out of its box in at least a decade. Today I took it out to fire it up and see what was even on it, with the intention of possible selling it (given that it's been on the shelf and un-loved for so long). Unfortunately, it doesn't power up. No lights go on, and I can hear a rhythmic ticking sound coming from inside (about once per second, a single low frequency click (or a very quiet thud)). Are there any suggestions on what this might be, and if there is something I should look at? I haven't opened it up yet, I thought I'd check here first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zogging Hell Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 Sounds like the power supply might have died, though I would open it up and check that there is no internal damage, or something isn't shorting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Synergy Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share Posted May 31, 2016 I did open it up and cleaned it all out (lots of dust). Now I can see where the noise is coming from, it's the fan which keeps turning for a tiny bit and then stopping again (turning on and off). Also one wire to the front light has come off, so I suppose that's why no light is going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exxosuk Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 Either the PSU has failed, or something is shorting out the PSU. Try loading the 5V and 12V lines (take the PSU out of the MSTE) with something like 10ohm resistors (several watts) or some 12V lamps of 25-50watts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Synergy Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share Posted May 31, 2016 It's the hard drive! I realized that a second sound was coming in synch with the fan from the HD. On a whim, I disconnected it from the power supply... and now everything works! (except the HD, of course) Now to see if I can get working again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Synergy Posted June 13, 2016 Author Share Posted June 13, 2016 I've decided to sell it (without working HD), open to offers: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/253690-fs-atari-mega-ste-with-original-boxpackaging/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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