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Bill.b

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Joined: 25/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 226

Posted: 01:44pm 29 Dec 2012

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After serveral weeks of operating without any progblems my
CGCOLORMAXI would not display and thing on my monitor
I checked operation of the PIC, working OK.
I downloaded 4.1 again without and problems.

on investigation I discovered that a connection on the
video plug had lifted from the PC board, (2nd pin from the
keyboard end), very difficult to repare.

I fine the video plug used is ver flimsy as it can move when you insert
the video cable. These plugs are generally bulky and weighty.

My CGCOLORMAXI is now a dud unles I can solder new connection to the
PC board and attach a more conventional video plug. I do not think my
soldering skills are good enough.

Bill

In the interests of the environment, this post has been constructed entirely from recycled electrons.

bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2914

Posted: 02:04pm 29 Dec 2012

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Where abouts in AUS are you Bill?

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

Bill.b

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Joined: 25/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 226

Posted: 03:18pm 29 Dec 2012

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Hi Mick

Newcastle NSW.

Bill

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bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2914

Posted: 03:26pm 29 Dec 2012

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Bill.b said Hi Mick

Newcastle NSW.

Bill

Hmmm,

Not exactly close to Melbourne.!!

Can you attach a photo so I can see what we are looking at and I can make an assessment on what can be done?

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

Bill.b

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Joined: 25/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 226

Posted: 04:27pm 29 Dec 2012

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Hi Mick

I have removed the socket with the aim to replace it with and
exteral VGA plug wired back to the PCB.

I may require help from Glen to identify the contacts oon the
board.

There were two track that had come adrift.

The RGB connections and earth are OK though I am not shaw which is R,G or B
as the component numbers differ from the origional schematic on Geoff's web site.

I am not shaw of the two sync contacts on the layout.

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paceman
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Joined: 07/10/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1329

Posted: 05:41pm 29 Dec 2012

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Bill.b said
On investigation I discovered that a connection on the
video plug had lifted from the PC board, (2nd pin from the
keyboard end), very difficult to repair.

I find the video plug used is very flimsy as it can move when you insert
the video cable. These plugs are generally bulky and weighty.

Hi Bill,

Yes, CG has already said he's not happy with the VGA connector and will probably replace it on any V2 of the board. I'd add the PS2 connector to that - it has the same problem, i.e. both put too much leverage on the tracks. If they were through-holes it probably wouldn't matter but as SMD's there's little support when the plug's pushed home. I haven't had the problem (yet) but I've been careful to support the back of them with my finger when inserting the plugs, but that's not possible with the lid on.

Greg

bigmik

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Posted: 06:52pm 29 Dec 2012

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Bill.b said

The RGB connections and earth are OK though I am not shaw which is R,G or B
as the component numbers differ from the origional schematic on Geoff's web site.

I am not shaw of the two sync contacts on the layout.

No doubt due to the unusual VGA connector used...

You can use a meter to trace the pinout as shown in this PDF layout.

2012-12-30_045150_db15_pinout.pdf

Regards,

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

Bill.b

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Joined: 25/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 226

Posted: 06:57pm 29 Dec 2012

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Got it working again.

used an old VGA socked from an old computer card and
some fine wire.

Thanks Mick for the advice.

BillEdited by Bill.b 2012-12-31

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panky

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Joined: 02/10/2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1101

Posted: 12:33am 30 Dec 2012

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Bill,

Feel for you mate - exactly the same problem with me. The VGA connector bent up when I tipped the board up one time to examine something and popped a couple of tracks. Had to take the VGA connector off and use small fly leads to an external connector mounted on brackets using existing holes. Very poor design sadly for such a wonderfull product.

Mine now working OK but a big *** BE CAREFULL *** to all ColourMax users. The wiring fix is a b#@!*.

Cheers, Panky.

... almost all of the Maximites, the MicromMites, the MM Extremes, the ArmMites, the PicoMite and loving it!

MOBI
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Joined: 02/12/2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 819

Posted: 01:34am 30 Dec 2012

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panky said The wiring fix is a b#@!*.

Seeing as how PCs used to have their regularly used plugs and sockets mounted on a solid back frame and connected to the main board by ribbon cable etc, would it not be prudent to do similar here and eliminate these flimsy headache causes?

David MEdited by MOBI 2012-12-31

David M.

CircuitGizmos

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Joined: 08/09/2011
Location: United States
Posts: 1425

Posted: 06:15am 30 Dec 2012

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Sorry to have been offline for a bit - I missed this conversation when I could have helped.

Bill.b:
I'm very disappointed with this surface-mount machined-placed VGA connector. It will be replaced on the next spin of the CGCOLORMAX. As you have experienced, the pins will pull from the pads with use. The improvement will be to use a through-hole VGA connector.

I'm sorry that you had the same issue, Panky.

I am glad that you both ultimately found a working solution.

Thank you to Mick and Greg for your help, and thanks to all for the feedback.

-Rob

Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite

djuqa

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Joined: 23/11/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 447

Posted: 11:24am 30 Dec 2012

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Just a suggestion maybe the next revision could have the vga/kb connection on a header and the actual plugs on a daughter board similiar to the duinomite.
That way the sokets could be remoted or replaced easily.

VK4MU MicroController Units

Bill.b

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Joined: 25/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 226

Posted: 10:34pm 30 Dec 2012

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Hi Rob

Suggestion for mark 2:

The current SD card holder does not appear to have then instert switch.

If you remove the SD card and re-insert it you have to cycle power before
the pic will recognise the card.

Bill

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CircuitGizmos

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Posts: 1425

Posted: 06:14am 31 Dec 2012

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Bill.b said Hi Rob

Suggestion for mark 2:

The current SD card holder does not appear to have then instert switch.

If you remove the SD card and re-insert it you have to cycle power before
the pic will recognise the card.

Bill

That's a done deal, Bill. The next ColorMax (CGCOLORMAX2) will have card detection.

Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite

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