Amiga 500 Plus motherboard I bought for scrap, but can it be fixed?

[@nickolasgaspar9660]

Lets be honest.....having the ECS chipset was one reason you bought that board. Trying to fix it was the cherry on top! Who could ignore such a challenge!

[@CRG]

The ECS chipset was the only reason I bought that board but as you say who could turn down the challenge. It has since been put out to pasture though, the chipset now lives in my A2000EATX and the board is just being used for spares.

[@PJBonoVox]

Where are you my man? Sunday mornings aren't the same without one of your videos.

[@nicoful86]

I gotta say that absolutely loved the tip about using a saturated piece of wick to coat the exposed copper! ❤️

[@CRG]

I found its the best way of doing it to just get a thin coat of solder.

[@Arivia1]

I love the way this video starts. I’m not gonna fix it I’m not gonna fix it…oh hell.

[@esc2dos]

Brilliant. Intro was priceless. Really enjoy your wit. Great info and a cautionary tale, can't always trust the results of the tester. Intermittent electronics issues are nightmare fuel.

[@CRG]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I think ultimately the chip was just border line working when I initially tested it but enough for the tester to pass it. Perhaps the stress of being soldered again finally killed it. Maybe the lesson here is to just fit sockets so its easier to swap out parts if I needed to.

[@esc2dos]

@@CRG Really makes you ponder what the failure is in these "solid state" parts. Is it a mechanical failure, perhaps the heat separated a connection, lifted a tiny lead. Would freezing it temporarily restore it? So many questions so little time. Thanks again.

[@KorAllRBare]

**TIP** I was going to suggest " single inline IC socket " where you just cut them to length and marry them to the IC and "Solder TACK" the four corners in place, remove the Chip and solder the Socket into place, but after watching the video I see you are aware of them.. APU I dropped a 👉👍👈

[@CRG]

Yes those are handy for repair work such as this and while not in the video I fitted them exactly as you say.

[@emlyndewar]

It was a stretch for the algorithm to recommend this, but I’m glad it did. Serious amount of work in this video. Super interesting!

[@CRG]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it. The algorithm seems to be doing strange things lately with us smaller youtubers but happy to have you here. Lots more similar repair and build projects to come :)

[@jaybenton7716]

I used a small allen key to remove a similar chip in my Atari ST. They're perfect because of the small bend and a decent one is strong enough to do the job. Just took my time lifting a bit from one corner, then the other.

[@CRG]

That was my plan with the tweezers but the chip was really stuck in the socket. I cut it from the video to save time but it took some pulling to get the chip out when the new plcc extractor came.

[@LeftoverBeefcake]

@@CRG On some earlier boards there were holes under the Agnus socket so you could pop the chip out from below, I'm very surprised the 500+ (rev 8a board I think?) doesn't have those holes.

[@CRG]

No holes on the rev 8a I'm afraid. The rev 5 certainly has them and they are helpful for getting a tricky chip out.

[@michaelcarey]

Your dedication to the repair is admirable! I'd take the easy way out and buy a replica PCB 🙂

[@CRG]

Thanks, the chipset will be going to a replica PCB soon but I just fancied the challenge of trying to fix it.

[@da1otta]

Well done! Skill, patience and knowledge in action.

[@CRG]

Thank you very much!

[@MrFixiit]

nice job craig you did the right thing repiaring it another feather in the cap i have a feeling you going to get one of those newly made 500 boards and build one cant wait to see what you going to do with the chipset.

[@CRG]

The big project will be a newly made Amiga but not one of those 500s. No spoilers though 😉

[@mark12358]

@@CRG Wow. I wonder and guess in silence, then.

[@oleurgast730]

@@CRG I would like to see an A2000+ EATX... (A2000 with ECS and 2MB Chip-Mem). I plan to build such a project myself, but in a few years as I have not the skills for SMD now - and anyway want try my luck with an A2000 "normal" (exept beeing purple and with 70µm copper instead of 35µm) replacement board first (I have one defect A2000 Rev 4 and 2 defect A2000 Rev. 6.2 with massive batery leakage, but all custom chips worked in an A500 (exept of course I could not test Buster this way)).

[@cathers1]

What a great video. It's inspired me to look at a similarly damaged A2000 board I've had hanging around for a while. Enjoyed your Spectrum repair videos too!

[@CRG]

Thanks and good luck with your 2000. Please let me know how you get on with it. Always great to hear of another machine getting saved.

[@Wormetti]

Great work repairing the board. Doing it just to see if you can, makes it even better to watch.

[@CRG]

Yeah I could have easily just taken the customs and binned the board but where's the fun in that. Better to challenge myself to fix it and at least in doing so I've learnt something about the board and how it works.

[@mark12358]

BRAVO! Another nice job to see from you. Just looking forward for the upcoming project, then.

[@CRG]

Hopefully you'll enjoy the big build project, all being well it'll be out in 2 weeks.

[@mark12358]

@@CRG I bet BIG in all senses. Cheers!

[@andreas3883]

I love this video. It's so right to save theses boards. I just want to leave one hint. Many of these old chips can easily be killed by touching it. So I'm not wondering about the inconsistent results of your tester.

[@CRG]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. You are speaking of ESD damage to chips? Personally its not something I've came across before although granted it is a problem and very well may have been the cause of that chips failure here. It was very green from corrosion though so I do think that was the more likely cause. That said though I have since gotten one of those wrist straps which should deal with any potential ESD going forward.

[@technretro7115]

Great fix👏🏻 An a500 i bought from ebay as not booting ended up being an issue with Agnus, or more accurately the Agnus socket. Someone had cracked the two socket corners getting Agnus out sometime in the past. The amiga was booting to a white screen. The usual blink on screen at the beginning then flat white. To test a put a plastic wire tie around the socket and tighten it up and booted fine. Cut off the wire tie and white screen again. Replaced the socket and happy days. I really enjoy the videos and delivery style👍🏻

[@CRG]

I've heard of that happening before and while not in the video I did check my socket but its good.

[@asmithau]

Well done mate. I was happier than you when the machine came up. Love videos like this, you learn so much!

[@gregcoons7308]

love the bluetack trick! I'm always wishing I had an extra hand or two. This will really help out.

[@CRG]

Yes it really helps to just keep the wire still while you solder it.

[@MrLukealbanese]

I nearly bought that A500+ board Glenn, but I'm bloody glad you did instead 😁😁😁. Time you built a retro chip tester methinks. Brilliant video.

[@CRG]

So am I because I really need the chipset for the other project 😂. A retro chip tester I think is an absolute must. I need to look into getting one put together.

[@Breakfast_of_Champions]

Solid job! I'd probably have wasted a big blob of Amtech flux to clean the burnt area but just scraping worked just as well.

[@runcmd8851]

Great repair i think i was looking at this board on ebay a couple of weeks ago.. glad it was saved for another project.

[@YogSothoth1969]

o7 Commander :-) How cool is that, you got the whole machine running again, respect! Keep on your good work!! Greetings Michael (aka CMDR RORY MACNAB)

[@georgehunter2124]

Well done, 2 or 3 hard shift put in but you got it at the end

[@CRG]

Thanks, it was great to see it boot even if the chipset will be getting salvaged for another project.

[@TheSudsy]

Another legend saved from the scrap heap - but condemned to obscurity.. lol

[@8BitRetroJournal]

Great video! Good work on debugging the problem.

[@CRG]

Thanks, it took a little help from some folk in the community but very happy to see it booting in the end.

[@104d_3rr0r_vince]

1:06 I know that feeling...

[@alanhaynes4576]

Awesome video and you have given me the courage to fix one I have. Please keep those videos coming.

[@CRG]

Good luck fixing your own board. Please let me know how you get on.

[@alanhaynes4576]

@@CRG Haven't you ever heard of "the luck o the Irish?" My Grandmother was Irish and lived in Shankill Road in Belfast. I will certainly have a go as it did not suffer as much damage as that one you fixed. and all the Custom chips work as I have tested already in my other board. I think it could be just a trace under the Gary but who knows. I will let you know how I go and may your days be as long as the beard on Paddy McGinty's goat.

[@dwacek]

Awesome job, seems you should find another donor board for the project and keep this one alive, but hey! that's me...

[@walterbeer2386]

Impressive work!

[@CRG]

Thanks

[@MikeyGRetro]

Nice repair. Yep I get halfway sometimes and think why am I doing this. I’m looking forward to what your going to be doing with it. 👍🏼

[@TheMalMeninga]

This is the first video I've watched of yours and it didn't disappoint. Excellent work!

[@CRG]

Thanks, glad to hear you enjoyed it.

[@miked4377]

unreal......the second crazy chase board.....or should i day crappy logic chip....well i enjoyed watching!glad you fixed it!

[@dorfschmidt4833]

Icing on the cake would be a proper yellow UV cureable soldermask.

[@deborahberi3249]

Made for a great Video! With all the work you put in I thought I was watching a Chris Edwards Repair Video, lol. -Mark.

[@CRG]

Chris who... LOL I'm just joking. Chris has some excellent videos on repairing these old machines. Not sure I could tackle an A3000 like he has. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one.

[@ddniUK]

Enjoyed the video Craig. Good job.

[@CRG]

Thanks although my names Glen. Weirdly I've been called Craig 3 times in the past week 😂

[@ddniUK]

LoL I know that too! Was influenced by the other comments. Also CRG = CRaiG.

[@CRG]

@@ddniUK I'll get myself a name badge for the next video 🤣

[@VeryWarmBear1]

I have found Tarn-X cleans connectors and IF pins quit well rinse with water and dry. Does not remove any metal. Have been doing this for repairs and pulls since 1980. Occasionally if the leg is corroded thru that chip cannot be saved.

[@CRG]

I'll look into that, thanks for the tip

[@weepingscorpion8739]

It's probably not it but: Amiga 500++? In any case that what I was thinking throughout this video. Anyway great video as always. Keep up the good work. :)

[@CRG]

Good guess but no its not an A500++. I just have one other thing I want to look at first then I'll be getting stuck into the big project. No spoilers though 😉

[@weepingscorpion8739]

@@CRG Oh I will definitely be staying tuned then.

[@MarcLuscher]

wow - what an emotional rollercoaster !

[@cackoocacho1629]

30:06 This is where we need the classic "Oh, yes. OH... YES!" with the finger waving at it. 😆 Nice job in getting that thing going. Wow. It looked absolutely awful.

[@volkerwinkler6121]

For replacement of the agnus I've been using a special PLCC tweezer, but even with the tool it has been hard. Sockets can also break in case of low quality plastic.

[@RetrogradeScene]

Great job! got lots of tips from this!!

[@CRG]

Thanks, glad you found it useful.

[@Stefan_Payne]

Aren't there any new Replacement PCBs available for this Situation? That might be the best way to go in the future, just that and some hot air to remove the old components (does someone make nozzles to remove DIP Packages for Hot Air Stations?)

[@CRG]

There are and I do have a new Amiga board to build for which the chipset from this board will be used. I just wanted to see if it could be fixed.

[@Mind-your-own-beeswax]

Great job fella. Good job you know your onions

[@envoycdx]

Just stumbled on this, subscribed, look forward to seeing other videos.

[@CRG]

Thanks, very kind of you to say so. I've got lots more similar repair and build videos planned including something special for the chipset from this board.

[@envoycdx]

Just working through your 486 build videos. I had a 486 dx50 given to me recently which has been kicking my butt trying to get it grafting again. Making headway now though. Look forward to the repair videos

[@envoycdx]

Oh and thr build videos :)

[@force4200]

Great! I just put out a video when i repair a A500+ :)

[@CRG]

Thanks

[@UpLateGeek]

I am curious about how reliable this would be over time. My guess is with that much corrosion, it's impossible to get 100% of it, so it wouldn't surprise me if you see some spots of corrosion start to appear again.

[@10MARC]

Fantastic repair! I would have given up after first looking at it.

[@CRG]

Thanks. It was a lot of work but so satisfying when it came to life and of course worth it for the experience.

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

244N yeah! I just jammed a brand new one in my Trash-80 Color.

[@iamdkk]

What a save :)

[@CRG]

Thanks, it took some work but just happy to get there in the end.

[@iamdkk]

@@CRG you have way more patience, tenacity and lust for pain than I could ever hope for 👍🏻

[@wskinnyodden]

Say a prayer to the "Magic Blue Smoke" God of electronic components!

[@benjaminwirth5192]

Nice one🙂 Always.

[@CRG]

Thanks

[@zero0ryn]

Nice one Maybe you need to build the retro chip tester. like Adrian's Digital Basement.

[@CRG]

Yeah one of those would be ideal. I'll need to look into it.

[@mal2ksc]

I agree that it would be a nic8e thing to have, but I'm not sure it would have made any difference in this case. I bet that chip would have tested good in anything, because it WAS good. But perhaps a bonding wire between the silicon and the package was broken and reconnected by touching, and sort of welded itself in place once there was current. It wouldn't take a very hard shock to break that again. The only way to catch that would be to bang on the chip during the test. I'm not sure that's worth the down side, breaking chips that weren't going to break otherwise.

[@mc0burn]

What are those shelves you're using for the C64, A1200 etc?

[@CRG]

They are from ikea - www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/mosslanda-picture-ledge-white-90292103/. I put a small wedge under each to add a bit of strength but them have been holding strong for a couple of years now.

[@mc0burn]

@@CRG good old Swedish meatballs. Thanks.

[@MichaelEhling]

33:10 That was unexpected and funny. LoL (actually). 😄

[@Hellrun]

Is this upcoming project going to include a checkmate case by any chance? :)

[@CRG]

Unfortunately not, it's not compatible with that case although I will need to get a case for it.

[@Hellrun]

@@CRG I'm pretty sure you can house an A500 in it. I think there is a video on the RMC channel with an A500++ build using a checkmate case. Nice cases but pretty pricey.

[@ricdintino9502]

Don't destroy those beautiful tweezers!

[@CRG]

It took ages to bend them straight again. Lesson learnt and I now have a new proper PLCC extractor.

[@VeryWarmBear1]

Sorry IC pins from previous comment .

[@SuperVstech]

I don’t understand why most KZbinrs ignore the holes under plcc chips for pushing out the chips… does the Amiga have those holes?

[@SuperVstech]

I see when he flips over the board, no holes are present. Bummer.

[@CRG]

@@SuperVstech the rev5 Amiga 500 has the holes but this rev8 A500+ as you seen doesn't.

[@SuperVstech]

@@CRG yup, I guess commodore decided that chip would last forever… I’m surprised they didn’t just solder it to the board…

[@alanhaynes4576]

If your not doing an a500 ++ is it an Amiga 2000 or 3000?

[@CRG]

Maybe...

[@jimmihenry]

Maybe you killed the chip because of electrostatic load. You did not have the antistatic bracelet?

[@CRG]

I don't think so to be honest but I can't say for sure. Electrostatic is something I've never had an issue with before although yes that's hardly an excuse for not using the antistatic bracelet. I've asked Santa for one.

[@jimmihenry]

@@CRG Electrostatic damage must not be a total failure of the component. It could result in odd behaviour even over time. A walk across carpet possible 35000V and those parts are rare. Cheers.

[@wskinnyodden]

Well, at least it was not an SBC problem (Shitty Bad Connection)

[@50shadesofbeige88]

Wow. You can't make this stuff up.

[@CRG]

It was a lot of work and some might say pointless since its getting stripped but it was good practice for other future projects.

[@mal2ksc]

@@CRG You like to have at least one known good spare of everything, right? Now you have a known good spare for the board itself.

[@tiemanowo]

I'm really surprised that you've decided to try to repair it. In this poor condition it will be "no, no" for me. If I had the board like this I'll be more likely to try migrate to brand new PCB.