Amiga 1200 service blog (accel stability)

[Steve]

Hi all,

Here is an Amiga 1200 that was sent to me for a re-cap due to instability issues when using the ACA1233n accelerator. In this blog we re-cap the motherboard, remove two ceramic capacitors on the rear and perform a general tidy up.

Photos before service:

motherboard_original_overview.jpg (582.51 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

top_left_corner_overview.jpg (515.05 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

middle_overview.jpg (473.63 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

Capacitors on top of board replacement, many had leaked and emitted a very strong fishy smell:

top_left_caps_removed.jpg (523.98 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

top_left_caps_new.jpg (478.71 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

middle_caps_removed.jpg (479.13 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

middle_caps_replaced.jpg (477.24 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

back_caps_replaced.jpg (487.89 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

Rear capacitors needed to be removed as per aca1233n wiki, link: http://wiki.icomp.de/wiki/ACA1233n#poss ... ifications

rear_caps.jpg (530.7 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

rear_caps_removed1.jpg (344.11 KiB) Viewed 1816 times

Rust on case and shielding removed with sand paper, case cleaning in the sink:

shielding_rust1.jpg (202.96 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

shielding_rust2.jpg (248.17 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

base_case_rust.jpg (177.92 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

rust_removed1.jpg (268.52 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

rust_removed2.jpg (263.86 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

sink_wash_case.jpg (348.51 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

case_clean.jpg (275.04 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

Put back together and finishing touches, HDD cable was very long so removed and replaced with new smaller cable, rear of cf adaptor covered with kapton tape and secured with velcro:

new_velcro_under.jpg (439.31 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

new_velcro_top.jpg (420.11 KiB) Viewed 1856 times

[Steve]

Keyboard cleaned and everything wrapped up:

vacuum_keyb.jpg (302.85 KiB) Viewed 1855 times

finished.jpg (317.49 KiB) Viewed 1855 times

fininished_wrapped.jpg (410.49 KiB) Viewed 1855 times

Customer will hopefully leave a review. Just wanted to illustrate the extra care I take when doing a basic re-cap service for customers

[Maximilian]

Hello Steve,

Thanks for sharing

Did you replace the two capacitors near the audio jacks?
And did you remove the keyboard connector to do so?

Thanks!

[Steve]

Yes they were replaced too, I didn't need to remove the keyboard connector as I have a very fine soldering tip which fits between ok. Got to be very careful with a1200 mobos as the pads are very delicate.

[Pjeff18]

Great write up Steve!

For those reading this blog I can’t wait to receive my A1200 back. When I do I will write a mini review here but in the meantime I must say that Steve is highly competent and something that sets him apart from other gurus is his superb communication. Every step of the way he kept me informed, from the moment the Amiga arrived to the final cleaning process. I will now get it collected and get back to hopefully playing my classics .

Review to follow

[Pjeff18]

Just an update following many hours of use. I forgot just how good Speedball 2 was!

The A1200 is super stable and running like a dream, I cannot thank Steve enough for his work and attention to detail.

If you want your Amiga recapped, Steve provide a cost effective yet first class service. He will keep you informed every step of the way. Would highly recommend.

[rubber_jonnie]

@Pjeff18 FYI I deleted your post that had the text 'Test' in it. I presume this was because you hadn't seen your previous test appear. This is simply because your posts still need approval.

Once you've posted enough, your posts will no longer require approval.

[Steve]

@Pjeff18 Really glad it all fixed the instability issues, now your a1200 will last another 30 years Thanks for the review!

[HigashiJun]

Nice and clean job Steve !

I really like when people take care of their (or others') retro stuff.

Never thought I will post an Amiga related topic on Exxos forum, but just the once will not hurt...

Here is a picture of my own Amiga 1200 (NTSC):

Amiga1200.jpeg (323.86 KiB) Viewed 1603 times

The following have been done to enhance the beast:

- Full polymer recap
- Timing fixes
- Indivision AGA MK3
- 4-way Clockport Expander
- Elbox FastATA A1200 MK-V
- RapidRoad (double USB)
- ACA1233n@55Mhz and 55Mhz FPU
- 32GB SSD
- 3.9 Kickstart ROMS
- Chinon FZ-357A
- New A1200.NET case

Everything is rock solid and runs perfectly under Amiga OS 3.9.

I am still waiting for the new A1200.NET keycaps to arrive and to get a 68060 based accelerator board, such as Terriblefire's TF1260 (my MC68060 would be grateful).

Cheers.

[HigashiJun]

and forgot to mention the RTC...