Well, I’ve got 2 Amiga 3000’s going, which means they are in 30 pieces on my workbench.
One is an A3000D, with 2MB/16MB/256MB of various RAM types. I’ve managed to get the latest custom chips on the motherboard, all but a Super DMAC04. This machine has been in the basement for a while, with battery damage and a few blown caps. It now boots with 3.1 KS and 3.9 OS. The VGA port takes a little while to warm up, the machine needs to be on for about 2 minutes and then power cycled to get VGA back up. Working out the VGA is the next major task…
Number Two is an A3000T. I can’t think of a heavier computer. This one booted right off the bat, but for some reason, the mouse and keyboard weren’t working. Scouring the motherboard for bad components/traces, reading forums and voltmeter came up empty. I could understand why one port would go or just the keyboard… but all three ports? The system would boot to a temp OS disk I mounted, but as soon as the OS was up (or even the KS screen) not keyboard or mouse action. Weird. Even the 3 finger salute on the KS screen..
There is something to be said for computers with a keyhole embedded in its faceplate. Yes, when in the locked position — no keyboard or mouse. Funny… I have never had this happen in the last 30 years. The trick that works on old bike locks (Plastic Bik pens, cut in a particular way) works on the lock in A3000T. I can see that the lock has been manhandled before. When I opened the lock, everything started working.
This machine needs a lot of TLC. The case wasn’t intact, missing the front and top sections. It also has older chips than my A3000D. I was kind of hoping this one was going to have a late revision Super DMAC… oh well 🙂
