broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ?

Posted by: shapeless

broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 15/10/2004 00:12

hi, my empeg is working no more, when i power it up i can't listen music, the main display is not working but the ethernet led is on and it replies to pings, i can't connect with emplode. i've discovered that the ide cable was cut and the IDE connector have problems as in FAQs but i've tried the display with another motherboard and the motherboard with another display (thanks Taym !!) but nothing seems to wok. every part is whole and the empeg is not fell before to dead , anyone could fix it ? there is a solution ? thank you very much.

Posted by: mtempsch

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 15/10/2004 04:05

Very first thing to do is to connect the serial wire and grab a log of the boot process, then post it here and it's likely that we'll be able to zero in on the problem.

Posted by: mlord

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 15/10/2004 16:54

Sell it to me. $100.

Cheers

Posted by: genixia

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 15/10/2004 19:05

Me. $125.

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 16/10/2004 10:10

of course !! consider it yours if you have another working one to sell me at the same price

i really love my empeggy and i want to do the possibile to save it. :'\

mlord and genixia, what about to repair it for me please ? (paying it of course)

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 16/10/2004 10:15

ok i'll post my serial log

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 16/10/2004 10:18

MY SERIAL LOG:

empeg-car bootstrap v1.02 20001106 ([email protected])
If there is anyone present who wants to upgrade the flash, let them speak now,
or forever hold their peace...it seems not. Let fly the Penguins of Linux!

e000 v1.04
Copying kernel...
Calling linux kernel...
Uncompressing Linux..................................... done, booting the k
l.a:
Linux version 2.2.14-rmk5-np17-empeg52 (rob@aphex) (gcc version 2.95.3 20010315
smc chip id/re
(release)) #11 Tue Apr 1 18:49:59 BST 2003

empeg-car bootstrap v1.0
Processor: Intel StrongARM-1100 revision 11ATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff): 16
NetWinder Floating Point Emulator V0.94.1 (c) 1998 Corel Computer Corp.
empeg-car player (hardware revision 9, serial number 10101588)re is anyone present who wants
Command line: mem=16m STATUS(0xa1)
Calibrating delay loop... 207.67 BogoMIPSTATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
Memory: 15024k/16M available (964k code, 20k reserved, 372k data, 4k init)tel StrongARM-1100 revision 11ISith STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff
Dentry hash table entries: 2048 (order 2, 16k)
Linux NET4.0 for Linux 2.2
Based upon Swansea University Computer Society NET3.039
hdb: pr

e000 v1.04grade th
NET4: Linux TCP/IP 1.0 for NET4.0
Cop(0x
IP Protocols: ICMP, UDP, TCP = 0xa1)i
TCP: Hash tables configured (ehash 16384 bhash 16384)ng with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)ctabl
IrDA (tm) Protocols for Linux-2.2 (Dag Brattli)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) in
Linux-IrDA: IrCOMM protocol ( revision:Tue May 18 03:11:39 1999 ).2.14-rmk5-np17-empeg52 (rob@aphex)sed RAM disks of
ircomm_tty: virtual tty driver for IrCOMM ( revision:Wed May 2
ttyS02 at 0xf8030000 (irq = 16) is a SA1100 UART
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) insteaRM-11
Signature is 67706d65 'empg'instead of
Scheduling custom logo.
empeg display initialised.: virtu
h
empeg dsp audio initialised) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff
empeg dsp mixer initialisedc versi
empeg dsp initialised
empeg audio-in initialised, CS4231A revision a0TATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)ith STAT
empeg remote control/panel button initialised.
empeg display initiali
empeg usb initialised, PDIUSBD12
4o
Partition check:i
empeg single channel IDEtus = 0xa1)error: status
Probing primary interface...
emp
hda: probing with STATUS(0x01) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)xa1)is a SA1100 UART no response (status = 0xa1)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
TCP: Hash tablb: probing wit
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)S(0xa1) insteaff)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)disks of STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)

hda: no response (status = 0xa1) revision a0on 4.27 withSTATUS(0
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: p
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)eg state support initiali1)
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)of ALTSTATUS(0xff)ersion=01)0300
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
smc chip id/revision 0x3349
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)f ALTSTATUS(0xff)ith STATUS(0x00) instead of
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instea0800
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)

hda: no response (status = 0xa1
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0x
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)yone present who wants to upgrad
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff) of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
e000 v1.04
Copying ke
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)obing with STATUS(0xa1) instead
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)..... done, booti
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)
hda: no response (status = 0xa1) id/revision 0x3349998 Corel Com
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
smc9194.c:v0.12 03/06/96 by Erik Stahlman (eri
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
empeg-car player (hardware revision 9, ser
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)

SMC9194: SMC91C94(r:9) at 0x4
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instea

NET4: Linux TCP/IP
I
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)ts to upgrade the flash, let the
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
i
TCP: Hash tables conf
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)

hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff) { Dri
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)(c) 1998 Corel Computer Corp.d TrackZero/16M available (9
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)
Signature is 67
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instea
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
Command line: mem=16m dsp audio in
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)... 207.67 BogoMIPSreset: master: error (0x00?)ALTSTATUS(
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)de, 20k reserved, 372k data, 4k init)n
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)da: set_geometry_intr: status=0x51 { DriveReady SeekCompl
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)

hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
TCP: Hash tables confi
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)S
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)rCOMM ( revision:Wed May 2: read_intr: status=0x51 { Dri
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
ttyS01 at 0xf8050000 (i
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)drMarkNotFound }, CHS=16128/15/8
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
ttyS02 at
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: set_geometry_intr: stat
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)
Signature is 6
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instea

hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
empeg dsp initialisedusError SectorIdNotFo
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)empeg audio-in initialised, CS42
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
RAMDISK: ext2 filesyste
empeg
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)entries: 4096 (order 2, 16k)p
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)

hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
RAM disk driver initialized: 16 RAM disks of 4096
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
Based upon S
Calling linux kernel...er
hdb: no response (s
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda:
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
empeg
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)
hda: probing
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instea
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)ter Society NET3.039o wants to upgrade
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb: no response (st
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)

empeg power-p
Probing primary interface...th STATUS(0xa1) instead of A
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of

hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)

hda: probing with STATU
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
empeg state support
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) insteaLinux 2.2S
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: no res
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)

empeg powe
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff) ALTSTATUS(0xff) w/1874kB Cache, CHS=38760/16/63serial dr
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: no response (status = 0xa1) STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTAT
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
ide0: reset
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff) initializedUS
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)1): status=0x51 { DriveReadylised.
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)h STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)robing primary i
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)da:
hdb: no response (status
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instea

hda: no response (status = 0xa1)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
Starting kswapd
hda: probing
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)4 =serial driver versio
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)
ide0
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)s = 0xa1)15 V0.94.1 (
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
riveR
hdb
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)99 ) protocol ( revision:Tue May 18 03:11:39 1999 )ad
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb:
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)of ALTSTATUS(0xff)bing
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)comm_tty: virtual tty driver for Ir
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1) STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTAT
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instea
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATU
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
lM
SA1100 serial driver version 4.27
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)
hdb
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
SA1100 serial d
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff))h STATUS(0xa1)
hda: no response (status = 0xa1): probing with ST
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)US(0xff)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff) response (status = 0xa1)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb: no response
hda: probing wit
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)US(0xff)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)(0xa1) instead of
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)US(0xff).5: IrCOMM pro
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)
hda: no response (status = 0
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instea
SA1100 seri
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)ff)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)probing with STATUS(0xa1) ins
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)ponse (status = 0xa1)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)TATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)onse (sta
hdb: no response (s

hda: probing wit
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)US(0xff)d of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: set
hda: no response (status
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb: probi
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)LTSTATUS(0xff)ff)780 r5
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xf
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTST
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)
hdb: no response (status
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instea
hda: probing with STATUS
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
h
hda: r
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hda: no response (status = 0xa1)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb: probing with STATUS(0xa1) instead of ALTSTATUS(0xff)
hdb: no response (status = 0xa1)
empeg-flash driver initialized
smc chip id/revision 0x3349
smc9194.c:v0.12 03/06/96 by Erik Stahlman ([email protected])

SMC9194: SMC91C94(r:9) at 0x4008000 IRQ:7 INTF:TP MEM:6144b MAC 00:02:d7:22:06:3
4
RAMDISK: ext2 filesystem found at block 0
RAMDISK: Loading 320 blocks [1 disk] into ram disk... done.
EXT2-fs warning: checktime reached, running e2fsck is recommended
VFS: Mounted root (ext2 filesystem).
empeg-pump v0.03 (19980601)
Press Ctrl-A to enter pump...VFS: Cannot open root device 03:05
Kernel panic: VFS: Unable to mount root fs o

I've to say that the HD is perfectly working with another empeg.

Posted by: genixia

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 16/10/2004 10:49

Are you _sure_ it's responding to pings? The network isn'f configured until the player is loaded, which isn't happening here.

IDE problem. Probably the cable. Possibly the IDE header. SInce you've mentioned a ripped cable, I'd chase this down first. Get a new one from Eutronix (link up top).

If there's nothing at all on the display then you've probably misaligned the display cable when swapping them about and blown a fuse.

I should be able to fix both these issues, but let's narrow them down first. Start with the cable.

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 16/10/2004 11:08

Quote:
Are you _sure_ it's responding to pings? The network isn'f configured until the player is loaded, which isn't happening here.

you are right, this times it's not responding to pings but it was responding last time i've tested it. the eth led is up by the way. in fact the last time i've tested it the pulsing led on the main display was working and isn't working this time...

Quote:

IDE problem. Probably the cable. Possibly the IDE header. SInce you've mentioned a ripped cable, I'd chase this down first. Get a new one from Eutronix (link up top).

sorry, i meant DISPLAY cable, not IDE, and unsoldered IDE connector as in FAQs. by the way i've tested another IDE cable, another DISPLAY cable and another main display at all and i've got the same.

Quote:

If there's nothing at all on the display then you've probably misaligned the display cable when swapping them about and blown a fuse.

i really hope it so

Quote:

I should be able to fix both these issues, but let's narrow them down first. Start with the cable.

let me know what do you think, i can post it to you if you can think you can fix it*. thank you very much.

p.s. *and if it's possible, to add more RAM if you can do that.

Posted by: mlord

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 16/10/2004 14:26

Post a photograph of the insides -- I'm still not clear about the states of the IDE and display cables..

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 17/10/2004 00:31

if you really think to need it, i'll send photos as soon as i can do that, by the way the empeg seems like new, the only thing you can see is a cutted display cable repaired by me as in faqs (i've tested the repaired cable with a tester and seems to work). i don't think i can take so little macro photos of the unsoldered IDE connector but is absolutely like the one in faqs. i really think (and hope) that's a fuse problem. let me know, thanks.

Posted by: genixia

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 17/10/2004 03:13

The display cable probably got pinched by the (grounded) drive tray. If the power wire within it got pinched then a fuse would have blown. This is fairly easy to check with a multimeter. There are 3 1A surface mount fuses in close proximity to the display header. Search the FAQ or this forum and you should find photos,,,

I assume that the VFD nipple is intact? That is definitely FAQed.

Posted by: oliver

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 17/10/2004 14:40

Here is the FAQ on My Display is Blank!

Posted by: maczrool

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 17/10/2004 17:38

I would also like to add that the display may be blank due to a damaged ICT 18CV8-25 PEEL device. Apparently if there is a short in the display cable somewhere, it can blow this chip out. We've seen this twice now and the fix was to replace the chip. The problem is fairly easy to spot, as there will be a hole burned through the package. The part is not easy to obtain however, as they are discontinued and carry firmware. Hugo was kind enough to provide us with some preprogrammed ones. It's not an easy repair unless you really know what you are doing though.

Stu

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 17/10/2004 17:39

today I've changed the repaired (as in FAQs) cutted wire of the VFD cable with an entire new wire (taken from a normal IDE cable) and re-tested my VFD module with another working motherboard and fortunately it is working to my great relief.

with this problem solved i've got the peace of mind to test the fuses and to discover that they are all blown (is it possible ? all 3 blown ?). right now, i need to replace the fuses and to get another VFD cable (the wires are ok but one cable connector is broken).

tomorrow i'll search for fuses in my city and i think i'll find them and do the replacement to myself, btw i'm near to be sure that i'll not find the VFD cable and connectors i need.

at this point, please suggest me if it's better to post the empeg to you to do all the repairs (a new VFD cable, fuse replacement, IDE connector resoldering) or if it's better to search and buy the components and do it to myself. i think i can do the soldering work but i'm not a professional and i dunno where to find the VFD cable.

thank you.

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 18/10/2004 08:43

Nevermind, i can't find SMD components in my city. I'm going to buy it online but taking it from Digy-Key costs me near 30$ for shipment over 3$ of fuses (using 5-10 days shipment option). same problem for the display cable. any ideas ? thanks.

Posted by: mdavey

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 18/10/2004 09:07

Try Farnell or RS:

http://international2.farnell.com/Welcome/welcomeforeign.jhtml?countryCode=it_IT
http://www.rs-components.it/

Posted by: mlord

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 18/10/2004 23:19

Fuses, I can donate. But fixing the display cable is more complex: the old solder-type connector on the displayboard will likely need replacing, and the best replacement is to install a pin header, and then use normal mating headers on each end of the cable.

Cheers

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 19/10/2004 05:15

thanks Mark!

about the display cable, the soldered connector over the display board is intact but the "cap" have a lateral tooth broken, the connector over the other side is broken and have a broken cap. i need 2 connectors like the one on the mother board side, one to replace the broken one, and another to use the cap for the display board one. the wires are ok but will be nice to replace that with another cable with all wires united and same color. do you know the name of that connector ? thanks.

Posted by: mlord

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 19/10/2004 12:31

The best fix for this display cable is to completely remove the old connector from the displayboard and replace it. This requires careful desoldering of the existing 20-pin connector there.

Replace it with a pin-header (same as what's on the empeg mainboard), and then crimp up a new cable using identical mating connectors on each end (again, same as the original mainboard end connector).

Digikey #3M1120-ND for the pin header,
Digikey #ASA20K-ND for the two crimp-on connectors,
and a length of high density ribbon cable (20 conductor).

If you can, and want to, do the whole proper repair, then paypal me US$12 and I'll mail you a care package with all of the pieces, plus four fuses for the mainboard. mlord at pobox dot com, cash/account payment only, NO CREDIT-CARDs.

Cheers

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 22/10/2004 13:37

thank you mark, there are news:

i've found a really nice electronic professional that have replaced my fuses that are ok now and resoldered my IDE connector all for free, a great person! thanks Tony!, i'm returned to a situation like the original one (the one at the first post time), let me explain:

my display unit (with the repaired cable that i'd like to replace) is ok: i've tested the whole part with another working empeg and is pefectly functioning.

my empeg motherboard is working, * i can listen music * BUT:
the "pulsing" led is working, it pulses normally when i powerup the unit and if i press the upper-left button it pulses less (pulsing but not arriving to completely off); the main display doesn't show nothing (when in stand by and while playing music). i've tested the motherboard with another working display unit and i've the same problem.

i'm suspecting a software problem.

this is the situation:
my serial log says:
...
Mounting first music partition
Tried to mount /dev/hda4 as reiserfs but got error 19
Mounting second music partition
Tried to mount /dev/hdc4 but got error 6
Error mounting partitions (possibly already mounted)
... (complete log posted later)
i can listen music
i can connect with emplode (serial and eth)
i've tested v3alpha8 and v2 software
i've tested hijack 413 and original v2 kernel
i've removed config.ini file
IR controller is working
buttons are working
when hijack is installed FTP is working
all seems perfect but the main display is blank and the led is pulsing all the time.

any ideas ?

about the display cable, i really want to replace the repaired one but i think that desoldering the original display connector is difficult (for me) and avoidable because is really intact, i think i need a spare #ASA20K-ND to take a new "cap" for the original soldered connector as they use the same, i'll "crimp" wires one by one as i've done with the repaired one. btw, if i can't solve the main problem above and i have to ask to you to fix my empeg and you'll accept, i'll post it to you and i'll ask you to change the display connector and cable too, otherwise if there is a solution to the problem above, i'll ask you to post me two, urhmm... better three #ASA20K-ND and a length of high density ribbon cable, what do you think ?

my serial log:

empeg-car bootstrap v1.02 20001106 ([email protected])
If there is anyone present who wants to upgrade the flash, let them speak now,
or forever hold their peace...it seems not. Let fly the Penguins of Linux!

e000 v1.04
Copying kernel...
Calling linux kernel...
Uncompressing Linux..................................... done, booting the kerne
l.
Linux version 2.2.17-rmk5-np17-empeg52-hijack-v413 ([email protected]) (gcc version
2.95.3 20010315 (release)) #2 Tue Aug 17 18:05:30 EDT 2004
Processor: Intel StrongARM-1100 re
Checking for extra DRAM:
c1000000: wrote ffffffff, read e91ba9f0
NetWinder Floating Point Emulator V0.94.1 (c) 1998 Corel Computer Corp.
empeg-car player (hardware revision 9, serial number 10101588) 16MB DRAM
Command line: mem=16m
Calibrating delay loop... 207.67 BogoMIPS
Memory: 15008k/16M available (984k code, 20k reserved, 368k data, 4k init)
Dentry hash table entries: 2048 (order 2, 16k)
Buffer cache hash table entries: 16384 (order 4, 64k)
Page cache hash table entries: 4096 (order 2, 16k)
POSIX conformance testing by UNIFIX
Linux NET4.0 for Linux 2.2
Based upon Swansea University Computer Society NET3.039
NET4: Linux TCP/IP 1.0 for NET4.0
IP Protocols: ICMP, UDP, TCP
TCP: Hash tables configured (ehash 16384 bhash 16384)
IrDA (tm) Protocols for Linux-2.2 (Dag Brattli)
Starting kswapd v 1.5
SA1100 serial driver version 4.27 with no serial options enabled
ttyS00 at 0xf8010000 (irq = 15) is a SA1100 UART
ttyS01 at 0xf8050000 (irq = 17) is a SA1100 UART
ttyS02 at 0xf8030000 (irq = 16) is a SA1100 UART
Signature is 67706d65 'empg'
Found custom animation at offset 0x9a790
Tuner: loopback=0, ID=-1
Scheduling custom logo.
empeg display initialised.
empeg dsp audio initialised
empeg dsp mixer initialised
empeg dsp initialised
empeg audio-in initialised, CS4231A revision a0
empeg remote control/panel button initialised.
empeg usb initialised, PDIUSBD12 id 1012
empeg state support initialised 0089/88c1 (save to d0005400).
empeg RDS driver initialised
empeg power-pic driver initialised (first boot)
RAM disk driver initialized: 16 RAM disks of 4096K size
empeg single channel IDE
Probing primary interface...
hda: HTS548060M9AT00, ATA DISK drive
hda: HTS548060M9AT00, ATA DISK drive
hda: HTS548060M9AT00, ATA DISK drive
hda: HTS548060M9AT00, ATA DISK drive
hda: HTS548060M9AT00, ATA DISK drive
hda: HTS548060M9AT00, ATA DISK drive
ide0 at 0x000-0x007,0x038 on irq 6
hda: HTS548060M9AT00, 57231MB w/7877kB Cache, CHS=7296/255/63
empeg-flash driver initialized
smc chip id/revision 0x3349
smc9194.c:v0.12 03/06/96 by Er

SMC9194: SMC91C94(r:9) at 0x4008000 IRQ:7 INTF:TP MEM:6144b MAC 00:02:d7:22:06:3
4
Partition check:
hda: hda1 < hda5 hda6 > hda2 hda3 hda4
RAMDISK: ext2 filesystem found at block 0
RAMDISK: Loading 320 blocks [1 disk] into ram disk... done.
EXT2-fs warning: checktime reached, running e2fsck is recommended
VFS: Mounted root (ext2 filesystem).
empeg-pump v0.03 (19980601)
Press Ctrl-A to enter pump...VFS: Mounted root (ext2 filesystem) readonly.
change_root: old root has d_count=1
Trying to unmount old root ... okay
Freeing unused kernel memory: 4k initempeg init 0.8
I see this is a developer image!
Mounting proc
Mounting first music partition
Tried to mount /dev/hda4 as reiserfs but got error 19
Mounting second music partition
Tried to mount /dev/hdc4 but got error 6
Error mounting partitions (possibly already mounted)
Remounting first music partition read-only
Remounting second music partition read-only
No secondary hard disk
Press 'q' now to go into development mode. You Have Zero Seconds To Comply...
Starting player
Timezone: Atlantic/South_Georgia
Hijack: intercepting config.ini

hijack: removed menu entry: "Serial Port Assignment"
khttpd: listening on port 80
kftpd: listening on port 21
player.cpp : 385:empeg-car 2.00 2003/04/01.

Posted by: mlord

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 22/10/2004 23:16

Mmm.. software looks fine. You can probably "view" the display remotely using EmpFace, JEmplode, or just a web-browser even (http://your.empeg.ip.addr/proc/empeg_display.png).

Triple-check those three fuses again?

Best not to send it to me -- I'm heading off down under for a spell, and it might get lost and not-repaired in the meanwhile. I think maybe genixia might be willing to have a go at it, though -- he's at least as good as I at empeg touch-ups now.

EDIT: Also, check out the chip that Stu (maczrool) mentioned in an earlier message

Cheers

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 23/10/2004 09:07

urhm... my empeg doesn't reply to HTTP requests... i can access the .png from FTP and with jemplode, i've hijack installed (manually reinstalled and checked with jemplode that says it's the last version) but when i long-press the right round button i can see through jemplode that it switches to auxiliary, no hijack menu... do you think it's connected with the problem ?

fuses rechecked, they are ok and i can't see burned holes in circuitry, could you indicate me where the chip is ? thanks

genixia, could i ask you to give a look to my empeg ?

(Edit: fixed a duplicate post -wfaulk)

Posted by: mlord

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 23/10/2004 11:55

Quote:
when i long-press the right round button i can see throug jemplode that it switches to auxiliary, no hijack menu..

That is normal behaviour when the knob is pressed for LONGER than 1 second.

But you've now proven to yourself that the blank physical display is a hardware problem, not software.

-ml

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 23/10/2004 22:24

ok, it's clear. i don't know exactly how the display is managed but i can't see the hijack menu in any way through jemplode. could you give me more informations about the ICT placement and how to test it ? i can't see any "burned hole" in any component. do you think i should send PM to genixia and ask him for a repair ? i've just tried with schofiel without success, i don't know if there is a "right way" (besides good education) to ask this kind of things.

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 03/11/2004 11:36

Quote:
I would also like to add that the display may be blank due to a damaged ICT 18CV8-25 PEEL device. Apparently if there is a short in the display cable somewhere, it can blow this chip out. We've seen this twice now and the fix was to replace the chip. The problem is fairly easy to spot, as there will be a hole burned through the package. The part is not easy to obtain however, as they are discontinued and carry firmware. Hugo was kind enough to provide us with some preprogrammed ones. It's not an easy repair unless you really know what you are doing though.

Stu

i can't see any "burned hole" in any chip, could you please give me more informations about where the chip is and how to test it please ?

Posted by: maczrool

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 04/11/2004 00:33

The ICT PEEL that goes bad is located behind the VFD. Peel it back from the display board and at least do a visual inspection.

Hope this helps,
Stu

Posted by: mlord

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 04/11/2004 00:48

Quote:
behind the VFD. Peel it back from the display board

An Exacto knife (or similar, or a dreaded box cutter) can be used to gently slice through the three pieces of double-stick foam tape that hold the VFD against the PCB. Just add a new small slice of double stick tape onto each of the three sliced foamies afterwards to stick it all back together again.

Cheers

Posted by: genixia

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 04/11/2004 03:34

...and be careful not to bust the VFD nipple!

Posted by: genixia

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 04/11/2004 03:36

Oh, hang on...didn't he determine earlier that the display board worked in another player?

Posted by: pgrzelak

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 06/11/2004 12:30

At this point, it might be worth while to have someone else look at the unit and do some exploratory surgery.

Posted by: genixia

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 06/11/2004 13:37

Yeah, I think it is. But Shapeless is in Italy, so it'd make sense for Rob S to do it.

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 07/11/2004 02:47

Quote:
Oh, hang on...didn't he determine earlier that the display board worked in another player?

the display unit (the cable and everything after) is working. i've tested it with another working motherboard (thanks Taym!).

my motherboard have the same problem with another working display unit (brand new cable and display board).

the fuses are all ok and it plays music.

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 07/11/2004 02:49

Quote:
The ICT PEEL that goes bad is located behind the VFD. Peel it back from the display board and at least do a visual inspection.

Hope this helps,
Stu

thank you Stu, but my display unit (cable and board) is working with another motherboard so the ICT must be ok. thanks anyway.

Posted by: genixia

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 07/11/2004 03:39

Have you contacted Rob Schofield? ("schofiel")

Posted by: mlord

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 07/11/2004 12:55

If it's still not working in January, you can contact me then, and we'll arrange for you to mail me the mainboard (only!!) of the player and I'll probe and compare signals with one of my three working ones here.

Cheers

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 07/11/2004 18:30

Quote:
Have you contacted Rob Schofield? ("schofiel")

first time 28/09/2004 and got the only one reply, so i've sent infos 30/09/2004, than asked again 4/10/2004, again 8/10/2004, again 12/10/2004, the last time 06/11/2004 with:

Hi Rob,
I'm very sorry to disturb you another time but i've just tried with genixia and mark lord asking for the possibility to repair my empeg, these are their replies:
(your messages)
so i'm still here asking if there is a possibility for you to repair my empeg, if not, *please* tell me, so i can ask genixia another time. please, thanks a lot Rob.
-Patrizio

i've still no reply.
i'm absolutely sorry to disturb you guys but i've not choice but buy another unit or change carplayer.

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 07/11/2004 18:36

Quote:
If it's still not working in January, you can contact me then, and we'll arrange for you to mail me the mainboard (only!!) of the player and I'll probe and compare signals with one of my three working ones here.

thank you very much Mark, i'll wait. btw if there is something more that i can do to understand (if not solve) the problem we can try again until next three months.

Posted by: tanstaafl.

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 08/11/2004 07:40

Have you contacted Rob Schofield? ("schofiel")

Last I heard (admittedly, at least a month ago, and the information came to me second-hand) Rob was having some sort of problem with his internet connection.

tanstaafl.

Posted by: shapeless

Re: broken (dead) empeg: what to do to ? - 08/11/2004 13:44

He's back and replied me, I hope we'll do something for my player.