Voodoo 2 repair advice \ VOGONS

Voodoo 2 repair advice

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First post, by jamesfmackenzie

Posted on 2025-09-20, 17:17

jamesfmackenzie Offline

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Posts: 33
Joined: 2022-02-21, 18:59

Hi all!

I bought an (allegedly!) working Voodoo 2 card, but having some challenges.

Full details are below. I am out of ideas and seeking Vogons expertise. Any fix help/recommendations/advice very much appreciated! 😎

The card

Visually the card looks very good. All components are present and correct, and no visible damage other than (possibly) some glue on some traces (see below).

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The behaviour

Although VGA passthrough works, the card is not detected or recognized at all. It appears completely dead.

In case it’s useful, the FBI, TMU and GENDAC chips do get warm to the touch.

Investigation so far

1. Visual inspection of the PCB - all seems good.

2. Try on several machines - I tried the card on 4 retro PCs including a period appropriate 440BX machine. The card is not detected on any.

3. MOJO diagnostic tool - the card is not detected.

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4. DOS-based PCI tool - the card is not detected.

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5. Check for shorts with multimeter - none found across any PCI pins.

Any recommendations on what to try/test next?

It seems that perhaps the FBI chip could be faulty, or maybe I should get a microscope and start examining/testing individual traces more thoroughly?

All help/expertise much appreciated! 😎

Reply 1 of 6, by sdz

Posted on 2025-09-20, 18:01

sdz Offline

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Mojo should detect the card even if all ICs except the FBI and the linear regulator are removed.
Most likely FBI has loose pins, that look ok but aren't actually soldered anymore. Other possible reasons, dead FBI (unlikely) or broken PCB traces/VIAs. Might also want to check that the voltage supplied by the regulator is around 3.5V.

Poke the FBI pins *gently* and see if any are loose.

Reply 2 of 6, by zuldan

Posted on 2025-09-20, 20:20

zuldan Offline

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Have a look at Jaton Voodoo 2 - 12MB not working [REPAIRED] for some tips and hints as to what to look for. sdz is 100% right, probably some loose legs.

Reply 3 of 6, by H3nrik V!

Posted on 2025-09-21, 18:09

H3nrik V! Offline

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Following, as I have one based on the same reference design, that behaves excactly the same way, except:

Mine does detect in Win98 and driver installs. I'm not sure if you have reported whether or not your card does that?

If it's dual it's kind of cool ... 😎

--- GA586DX --- P2B-DS --- BP6 ---

Please use the "quote" option if asking questions to what I write - it will really up the chances of me noticing 😀

Reply 4 of 6, by jamesfmackenzie

Posted on 2025-09-21, 19:14

jamesfmackenzie Offline

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Posts: 33
Joined: 2022-02-21, 18:59

H3nrik V! wrote on 2025-09-21, 18:09:

Following, as I have one based on the same reference design, that behaves excactly the same way, except:

Mine does detect in Win98 and driver installs. I'm not sure if you have reported whether or not your card does that?

Mine doesn’t detect in Win98 either 😎

Reply 5 of 6, by jamesfmackenzie

Posted on 2025-09-21, 19:47

jamesfmackenzie Offline

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Rank: Newbie
Posts: 33
Joined: 2022-02-21, 18:59

sdz wrote on 2025-09-20, 18:01:

Mojo should detect the card even if all ICs except the FBI and the linear regulator are removed.
Most likely FBI has loose pins, that look ok but aren't actually soldered anymore. Other possible reasons, dead FBI (unlikely) or broken PCB traces/VIAs. Might also want to check that the voltage supplied by the regulator is around 3.5V.

Poke the FBI pins *gently* and see if any are loose.

Thanks for the tip!

Checked the voltage regular. A very reliable 3.49V or 3.50V - so we’re looking good there.

I checked the FBI and there *is* one loose pin. It feels like I need to reflow the FBI chip? Any recommendations on the safest way to do that? (I don’t want to overheat and damage the FBI 😎)

Reply 6 of 6, by sdz

Posted on 2025-09-21, 19:52

sdz Offline

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Location: EU

Don't reflow it, just solder that one specific pin.

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