My A1 has stoped working. I swiched it on this morning and won't boot. The power light comes on and the hard drive starts up but no u-boot.
can someone help please.

Thanks

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@paulsamiga

Weak or dead battery?

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@sundown

Did'nt think of checking the battery. I'll try puting in a new battery in the morning.

thanx

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@paulsamiga

As always
Any serial-output?

Quote:

The power light comes on and the hard drive starts up but no u-boot.

Does the harddrive and cd spin up?

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@paulsamiga

According to Kurt Grach: 2.89 volt on a battery will result in a hang on video start.
It is STILL the most common problem with A1's as regards failure to boot.

Best Wishes,
#6

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@number6

Coincidentally, my XE would not boot today either.

I took the battery out and it measured only 2.1 volts. The day before it still worked OK.

Anyway, a new battery went in about 30 minutes ago, and it's running again.

It's a pain the way U-boot loses its settings when this happens. I'll have to go back and find all that stuff to reset the Sil DMA, etc.

But it's sure a relief to see it running again.

Paul

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Builder of Frankenthousand, the monster A1000
The Young Frankenthousand A1-XE G4
X5000

@Paul

When you get it all set right, in a shell, type nvgetvar >prt:
to print a hard copy of your uboot variables that are set. If uboot gets messed up again, you'll have a reference to compare the settings with.

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@sundown

Quote:

When you get it all set right, in a shell, type nvgetvar >prt: to print a hard copy of your uboot variables that are set. If uboot gets messed up again, you'll have a reference to compare the settings with.

Thanks for that. It will make things simpler next time. In the meantime, I'm assuming that the new A1/OS4/Linux tutorial site will have the latest version of the uboot commands and syntax.

Actually, this seems to run just fine without the sii DMA enabled. Is it possible that it kept some of the UBoot variables and lost others? (see instructions above, right? )

Paul

Last edited by Paul on 12-Sep-2005 at 02:27 PM.

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Builder of Frankenthousand, the monster A1000
The Young Frankenthousand A1-XE G4
X5000

@Paul

Quote:

Coincidentally, my XE would not boot today either.

Coincidentally, my A1 stopped booting today, after I had shut it down to switch gfx-card.

The last thing to come out from the serialport is:
Quote:

512 MB FLASH: 0 kB

No mention of missing gfx-card, so I guess it's time to change the battery here as well

(A1XE, the only known mobo that needs power from a battery, while running.)

What kind of battery is it btw?
(too lazy to check )

Last edited by tomazkid on 12-Sep-2005 at 08:18 PM.

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@tomazkid

Quote:

(A1XE, the only known mobo that needs power from a battery, while running.) What kind of battery is it btw?

A lithium CR 2032.

Paul

_________________
Builder of Frankenthousand, the monster A1000
The Young Frankenthousand A1-XE G4
X5000

@Paul

Thanks, going to shop one tomorrow.

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@Paul

I'm assuming that the new A1/OS4/Linux tutorial site will have the latest version of the uboot commands and syntax.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The new site points to this article.

UBoot

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@tomazkid

Strangely enough, I looked at the battery in my A4000 last week.
It was -also- CR2032 lithium and has not given out since I bought my A4000.

??????????

I don't need to explain the "?'s" to you, do I?

Best Wishes,
#6

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@tomazkid

If you can, measure the voltage of your old battery so we can get an idea of where they fail. I measured mine a week ago & it was 2.9V. A lithium battery will hold its voltage & then drop off quickly at the end of its life. I wonder how long a new battery will last in an A1.

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@sundown @number6

My XE has been running on this battery since April 2003, so I guess it was just a matter of time.
It has been running 24/7 most of the time, that might explain why the battery has lasted this long.
There was someone who mentioned that he got a lot more stable system after replacing the battery, something that indicates that the XE does use some power from the battery, even when running.
Could be a minor power-leak too, go figure.
I'll try to get a voltage reading, gotta check if I've got the equipment to do it.

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Ok! Haven't got round to geting a new battery yet. But for the record will this battery do?

http://www.budgetbatteries.co.uk/product/20051/CR2032.html?_pageid=2&cartid=19885_13Sep05_001501&feature=1

I'll get the battery as soon as I can.

Thanks

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@paulsamiga

CR2032 is sold at Walmart worldwide as well. Probably any jewelry shop as well.
I bought one at Walmart and it works just fine.

@tomazkid

A CR2032 should last for YEARS, and it did in my A4000 as I posted.
If CR2032 batteries are dropping below 2.9V as often as being reported, then
something is affecting battery life here, IMO.

@Sundown

I mistakenly reported to you a slightly higher number (2.95?) before, which is
why I looked up the thread where these batteries were actually tested.
Kurt Grach's minimum number (over 2.89V) is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
You raise the question of battery life in A1. I think the short battery life is
more confined to the A1XE as opposed to the Micro. But since I had a fresh
battery upon assembly of my machine, I'll certainly let you know when my Micro
no longer boots due to failed battery.
Good tip BTW on printing out UBoot variables. Everyone should do this.

Best Wishes,
#6

Last edited by number6 on 13-Sep-2005 at 12:47 AM.

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*Secrecy has served us so well*

Yep, it was the battery.
My XE boots up again after I've replaced it.

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@sundown

I actually had the stuff to measure the voltage at home
The voltage was down to 2.76 V.

Quote:

I wonder how long a new battery will last in an A1.

This battery lasted for 2.5 years, so hopefully this new one will last as long

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@tomazkid

Thanks, looks like I need to replace mine soon. I've only had my micro for 7 months now, but who nows how long the boards been sitting around. I'm always on the lookout for a stronger battery, same physical size & voltage, but a higher amp hour rating. The CR2032 is 210 ah, anything higher would last longer. Haven't found one yet, but I'm still looking.

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