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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Maximite Power up problem
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Nick Guru  Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 512 |
That would be great. I must say I'm humbled. My website lists my PayPal account. I do feel uncomfortable with this though... but not as uncomfortable about not having my Colour Maximite. 
Incidently, does Donut Dilemma work ok on the CG? Not compatibility issues? Nick |
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| Yankee Newbie  Joined: 28/01/2013 Location: United StatesPosts: 5 |
Donated. Best of luck, Nick. |
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| Nick Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 512 |
OK! New plan! I have been inundated with support for "my loss".
People have offered to fix it for me for free, others have donated to help me recoup the costs, and the suggestion to donate to help me buy a new one have left me in awe of the wonderfull community we have in the Maximite. It all brings me back to the old days, when we were still playing with our Apple's, TRS-80's etc. The way we all band together to help a fellow computer user. We were an elite mob back then, a class of our own. The mainstream public viewed us as weird, nerdy and couldn't see the fascination of our "toys". They couldn't understand the comradery that we shared, the unified belief that what we were doing was important, our desire to know how this new electronic frontier worked. In todays age of consumerism and commercialism, these things don't come around too often. People don't care how things work, only when they DON'T work for them. I have therefore decided that with the money collected from my "Donut Dilemma" donationware fund, I will buy another Colour Maximite to replace my loss. I want to say thank you to everyone who has responded to my "grief", both on the forum and privately. I greatly appreciate the support and wish to make it up to them by continueing to develop software for our Maximite that we can share and enjoy. Nick |
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TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6099 |
It will cost you Nick, Firstly, keep up the good work with your inspiring programs. Secondly, if the cause of the failure is found, let us know so we can all learn. Jim VK7JH MMedit MMBasic Help |
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9307 |
Hell yes. Part of my job is fixing people's PC's, and as we all know, there can be a whole plethora of problems there... As you say - they don't care how it works or what you have to do to fix it, only that it is fixed, fixed fast, fixed cheaply. Note that those things often don't jive with each other where PC's are concerned... 
Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| MOBI Guru Joined: 02/12/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819 |
Hi Nick, I have the CG from CircuitGizmo and I reckon the price is very reasonable. It took about 13 days to get here but worth the wait. (no assembly - only power connection to be fitted). I've had no troubles with Donut Dilemma on it (just haven't made it past level 1 yet (embarrassd)  David M. |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9307 |
At least you ARE playing DD, MOBI!!!! Waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!  Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| MOBI Guru Joined: 02/12/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819 |
Heavens to Murgatroyd, haven't you got your CG maxi yet??? What are you playing with then? 
For Nick: Have you decided on a repair strategy yet? In general: I know a single board is desirable, but perhaps the PIC32 mounted on a plug in module? David M. |
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djuqa Guru Joined: 23/11/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 447 |
$50 donated VK4MU MicroController Units |
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| MOBI Guru Joined: 02/12/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819 |
With my $20 plus $5 for Donuts, Nick should be pretty flush with MMs now
Yes (nostalgia) I remember well the Special Interest User groups we used to have, but then, they were usually a "meet in person" affair where you could share ideas around the table. I suppose one advantage of web forums is the speed of response - not having to wait for the next meeting day. Still, I miss the personal touch. David M. |
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CircuitGizmos Guru Joined: 08/09/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 1425 |
The CGCOLORMAX is I/O compatible with the Colour Maximite. It is surface-mount, the power supply is different, it has extra circuitry. But it runs the firmware made for the Colour Maximite. Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite |
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| paceman Guru Joined: 07/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1329 |
Yes Nick, CG's COLORMAX1 is what I'm using. I'm no expert here but I can't see why the Altronics board should have been an issue, especially since you noted that neither the power supply nor the PIC32 were hot when you were developing Donut. Geoff's comments about the possibility of the initial soldering perhaps being the problem seems more likely - or maybe a dud component to start with. Finding out what the problem was would be interesting for us all, including Geoff too maybe, so here's a proposition. If Mick would be willing, you could send your CMM to him and I'll donate one of my two brand new PIC32MX795F512L-801/PF chips for him to fit to it, if he thinks that's the problem. I think that's the right chip for the Altronics board but Mick would need to tell us - it's the 100pin, 0.5mm pitch, 14mm package version. Mick can check the 10uF cap at the same time and have a look at the rest of the board - it seems to me he's the one with the best skills to do it over here. He and I are both in Melbourne, a half hour drive apart maybe, so I can drop it over and get to say hello to him as well. You can still go ahead with getting your new one but you may get yours back faster this way and you'll have a spare one in case of future tragedies Not only that but we'll be preserving the machine that "DONUT for Maximite" was developed on!
Greg |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9307 |
Still playing around with the Dontronics B/W MM clone - SM1. It gives me plenty to play with on the code side of things, but I just can't play with any of the new colour features. Bloody annoying the Altronics thing. Perhaps I am just unlucky with my order. I doubt they can be this bad with everyone, or they would go out of business!!!
Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| paceman Guru Joined: 07/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1329 |
Just checked Geoff's Sept 2012 Silicon Chip article on the COLOURMAX. The chip noted above is one of the two quoted (the one with CAN I think - the other one was the 695), so as long as that's what's on the Altronics board is one of those we should be a goer. Greg |
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bigmik Guru Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2914 |
Hi Greg, I am willing to solder the pic onto the board (I have soldered several 64 pin versions by hand at home) ... The problem here is that the equipment I usually use to de-solder the faulty chip is based at VERMONT and I live near MELTON... I have in the past (and will be again some time in the future) been there for work related reasons upto 3days per week but I havent been there since OCTOBER.. I am at my Bosses demands as to when I am next there .. Trying to desolder it without the correct desolder equipment `could be a nightmare' especially if Altronics have used a paste to glue the chip onto the PCB.. Happy to do that for Nick (or anyone) I wouldnt say that, I have been soldering now for going on 40 years but my eyes have deterioted badly but thanks to devices like maggy glasses and USB microscopes, (and reading the very informative lesson on Geoffs site, Re soldering the PIC chip,) I attempted to do one and found that it really wasnt that difficult, the pads that soldered together could easilly be undone and after around 5-10min I usually am happy that all pins are connected. Nic has told me the problem appears to be a track near the 10uf Cap... that should be a piece of cake to fix... You are most welcome to pop in for a beer, or tea if that is your poison, Regards, Mick Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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| paceman Guru Joined: 07/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1329 |
Same thing happened with the original Maximite. The first kits were available quickly but they totally under-estimated the initial demand and then it was three months before the second batch arrived - I was one of those waiting then! Looks like the same thing's happening again but if they're trying to make sure they don't get stuck with any stock they'll miss their market anyway. That would be a pity because Geoff's board and box is a nice complete design. Greg |
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| paceman Guru Joined: 07/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1329 |
OK Mick, let's do it - all we need is Nic to send it to you, you let me know when it arrives, and I'll come over when you're ready. About the un-soldering - if you decide the PIC needs changing after you've checked out the 10uF cap/trace and the rest of the board, then we can just sacrifice the chip (cut all the traces) and then hopefully twist it off if it's glued! Once it's off it shouldn't be hard getting rid of the traces. I can bring over my stereo mic too if you like - it's the same one Geoff suggested on his website. Greg |
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| bigmik Guru Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2914 |
Hi Greg, Sounds like a good excuse for a beer... Its up to Nick now... he has my address, I have offered to pay to send it back to him... With any luck the cap/trace is the problem and the PIC hasnt been damaged by the `misadventures'. Regards, Mick Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9307 |
"Mmmmmmmm.... Beer." "To alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems." - Homer Simpson. ...that's the 2nd Stein-y down the throat - yum.     Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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MicroBlocks Guru Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209 |
A donation is made.
Without the efforts of Nick i would not enjoy the maximite and would probably would have ended up with a raspberry pi, brrr. Thanks for making the choice easier. The kids love playing Donut Dilemma, and MaxMan. Keep up the good work, and most importantly have fun doing it. Microblocks. Build with logic. |
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