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Documentation about the Vampire hardware

Vampire 1200 Possible Problem

Jd 64

Posts 41
29 Dec 2020 11:38


Hi,

I'm not sure if I have a problem with my V1200 or not. Whenever I fully plug the card into the motherboards edge connector (all the way in) the card does not work and all I see is a black screen.

However if I leave the card out about 2mm from the edge connector it seems to works fine but might stop working after an hour so once it has heated up. I will have to move the card around again to make it work again. I have cleaned the edge connector using IPA but this hasn't helped much, the pins on the V1200 header also look ok.

I haven't used this much since I got it a year ago and it's only now I'm starting to really make use of it (I have flashed the card to the latest core) but is this normal for the card to be temperamental like this or could there be a problem with the V1200 connector?

Thanks


Gunnar von Boehn
(Apollo Team Member)
Posts 6207
29 Dec 2020 11:39


is your AMIGA 1200 mainboard edge connector "sharpened" or "blunt" on the edge?


Jd 64

Posts 41
29 Dec 2020 13:55


It has a square edge.


Allan Versaevel

Posts 111
29 Dec 2020 17:46


Sometimes IPA isn't enough to remove oxidization or dirt. Try using a Pink Eraser on both sides of the edge Connector, making sure to remove any leftover debris from the cleaning process. This will thoroughly clean the edge connector's contacts.


Sean Sk

Posts 488
29 Dec 2020 23:39


Patrick Hawkins wrote:

It has a square edge.

 
As you said, the pins seem to look OK on the V1200 connector. Nevertheless, those square edges on some A1200 motherboards can be a little nasty on expansion card connectors. I had a rev. 1A A1200 motherboard with an edge connector that wasn't chamfered and it caught a pin on one of my expansion cards and pushed the pin back and bent it. If you're feeling brave, you can gently file or sand a small chamfer on that motherboard edge connector to take the sharp edge off and make it easier to get cards on.
 
My later revision 1D4 and 2A motherboard edge connectors were chamfered properly from the factory.


Igor Majstorovic
(Apollo Team Member)
Posts 406
30 Dec 2020 11:09


@Patrick Hawkins it would be good if you could post some pictures.
Maybe we could investigate this more and find some solution because so far I have replaced 2 V1200 cards where people destroyed pins inside trapdoor connector. This could be a reason, maybe.


Jd 64

Posts 41
30 Dec 2020 11:22


Thanks for the advice guys, it does take a bit of force to insert the Vampire on these square edge connectors which has me a little concerned about damaging the vampires pins over time. In comparison I have a Blizzard card which seems to have much tougher pins on it's header and that's been through a lot of abuse over the years and is still going strong.

I've since tested the vampire on another 1200 board and it seems to work just fine, even when it's fully slotted in. The only difference I can see between the motherboards is the first board has a few scratches along it's gold plated fingers whether or not that is the cause of the connection issues is debatable I guess?



Jd 64

Posts 41
30 Dec 2020 14:35


igor majstorovic wrote:

@Patrick Hawkins it would be good if you could post some pictures.
  Maybe we could investigate this more and find some solution because so far I have replaced 2 V1200 cards where people destroyed pins inside trapdoor connector. This could be a reason, maybe.

Thanks Igor, the pins on the connector do not look bent or damaged but I will do more testing and let you know.
 


Nick Fellows

Posts 176
30 Dec 2020 20:32


Would probably be a good idea with to update the instructions to mention this if it isnt already.

posts 9