SE/30 not booting

[Cory]

So I have a SE/30 that I paid to get cleaned and recapped. It boots to a screen with just a cursor that I can move around, but doesn't go any further. I also can't seem to restart it with the three finger salute. Where should I start with troubleshooting it?

Thanks.

 

[Dog Cow]

So I have a SE/30 that I paid to get cleaned and recapped. It boots to a screen with just a cursor that I can move around, but doesn't go any further. Where should I start with troubleshooting it?

Insert a startup floppy disk and see if it boots from that.

You also said "I also can't seem to restart it with the three finger salute." The SE/30 won't respond to that. The programmer's switch goes on the left side of the case, in the vents at the bottom. You can stick a paperclip in there, if you know what you're doing, and press the reset switch manually.

 

[Cory]

Ahh, that's good to know. Did the SE/30 not have that type or reboot? 

 

[Cory]

So the reboot switch worked great. I don't have an actual floppy disk, but I couldn't get it to boot using my floppy emu. I hooked it to the external port and into the floppy connector on.the motherboard. It just chimes and comes up to a screen with a cursor I can move around the screen. 

 

[Cory]

The SE/30 doesn't need a p-ram battery in it does it?

 

[dochilli]

It does not need the battery to boot.

 

[zezba9000]

Take a look at the post I did to fix my SE/30 drive: 







Just make sure if you need to do step one and open the drive to not touch the disk plates.

 

[techknight]

Take a look at the post I did to fix my SE/30 drive: 







Just make sure if you need to do step one and open the drive to not touch the disk plates.

That has nothing to do with his SE/30 not being able to boot from the floppy setup. Even with the floppy EMU. 

Chances are you have an open trace to the SWIM/SCSI/SCC network which will cause that symptom. cursor with no blinking floppy. 

If you have an HDD please unplug it and try again. If you still get the same symptom then thats what it is. 

The other thing that can cause this is if one of the Bourns network filters has an internal short. 

 

[Cory]

Thanks. I tried it with the disk disconnected and got the same issue. 

 

[Cory]

How difficult is it to diagnose/fix open traces?

 

[dochilli]

It is easy. Just check the continuity with a multimeter from start to end of the trace. For repair you can use a piece of cable. Solder it on the board. Sometimes schematics of the board can help a lot.

 

[tanaquil]

Sorry to tag on with the idiot questions, but what setting do you use on the multimeter (volts, ohms, etc)? Does it vary depending on the component, or are traces always the same setting? 

Also, what size wire is best for bodge wire?

 

[dochilli]

The multimeter must be set to the diode symbol. When you put the test leads together there will be a beep. If you put one test lead to the beginning and one to the end of the trace and you hear the beep, then there is continuity. At a rotten trace you will hear no beep.

A small wire is ok.

 

[Cory]

tanaquil, I appreciate the question. I'm new to this as well. 

Is there a diagram anywhere of where to check on the motherboard? Are there any precaution I need to take other than grounding myself?

Thanks for the help.