Packard bell legend 620 problems \ VOGONS

Packard bell legend 620 problems

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First post, by armankordi

Posted on 2014-03-04, 00:06

armankordi Offline

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I could use some help with this system. When I power it, nothing happens. The front panel turbo LED lights up, and it responds when I press it. I tried 2 different CPU's in this system, a 486DX2 and a SX-25. After a little while of power, the CPU (the SX-20 that came soldered) produces some heat. I tried 4 different RAM modules, all 1MB in size. I tried a different video card too! I messed with jumpers, checked the NiCAD battery (removed it even though it wasn't leaking) No bad caps, and I even went so far as to try a new PSU.. Nothing seems to get this board back online. The PCB Is: PCB-9920 REV. 03. It's a Packard Bell Legend 620, with a OPTI chipset. (82c392) Help with this will be greatly appreciated.

IBM PS/2 8573-121 386-20 DOS6.2/W3.1
IBM PS/2 8570-E61 386-16 W95
IBM PS/2 8580-071 386-16 (486DX-33 reply) OS/2 warp
486DX/2 - 66/32mb ram/256k cache/504mb hdd/cdrom/awe32/DOS6.2/WFW3.11
K6/2 - 350/128mb ram/512k cache/4.3gb hdd/cdr/sblive/w98

Reply 1 of 7, by Tetrium

Posted on 2014-03-04, 08:25

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You don't get any beep codes?
Tried resetting all the expansion boards?
Tried with a minimum of peripherals? (so only minimum RAM, a graphics card and CPU?)
Be sure you're not using EDO RAM but FPM if you're using 72p SIMM modules

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Reply 2 of 7, by armankordi

Posted on 2014-03-05, 01:06

armankordi Offline

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Tetrium wrote:
You don't get any beep codes? Tried resetting all the expansion boards? Tried with a minimum of peripherals? (so only minimum RA […]
Show full quote
You don't get any beep codes?
Tried resetting all the expansion boards?
Tried with a minimum of peripherals? (so only minimum RAM, a graphics card and CPU?)
Be sure you're not using EDO RAM but FPM if you're using 72p SIMM modules

I tried everything.. I'm even considering finding a matching BIOS EEPROM file, and busting out the old programmer. No beep codes. This machine is simalar to a PB 610.

Reply 3 of 7, by armankordi

Posted on 2015-06-19, 09:36

armankordi Offline

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bump.
would like to get this thing working pls.

Reply 4 of 7, by raymangold

Posted on 2015-06-19, 13:25

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Are the VRM electronics okay?

When a board doesn't POST or provide beep codes, something isn't getting power (i.e. failed VRM) or there's a dead IC-- and of course the third option of a bad BIOS. Assuming that the CPU is functional.

Also you could see if there's a way to dump information from the parallel port or use an ISA diagnostics card. Although PBell isn't known for their advanced diagnostics support considering they couldn't be bothered to add CPU cache to most of their boards.

Reply 5 of 7, by Logistics

Posted on 2015-06-19, 14:23

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When I get a system like this, I usually bread-board it out on a table, first--take everything out of the system and hook it up while laying out on a table to eliminate any strange ground problems. I periodically (back in the 90s) had systems which didn't want to boot due to some strange ground-loop. We habitually used to use felt washers at all the motherboard stand-offs, rubber feet to keep the motherboard away from the chassis on corners that were not afforded their own stand-off, and once in a while I'd get a system which would behave like the OP's systems due to one of those points grounding out. SHOULD NOT MATTER, but for some reason it did.

Reply 6 of 7, by Chaniyth

Posted on 2015-06-19, 21:48

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Logistics wrote:
When I get a system like this, I usually bread-board it out on a table, first--take everything out of the system and hook it up while laying out on a table to eliminate any strange ground problems. I periodically (back in the 90s) had systems which didn't want to boot due to some strange ground-loop. We habitually used to use felt washers at all the motherboard stand-offs, rubber feet to keep the motherboard away from the chassis on corners that were not afforded their own stand-off, and once in a while I'd get a system which would behave like the OP's systems due to one of those points grounding out. SHOULD NOT MATTER, but for some reason it did.

Totally agree, I have an ASUS P5A v1.04 mother board and one... just ONE of the stand-offs was causing a short in the system and it wouldn't post at all. I put one of those felt washer things on it and it worked great. I dont think we have those sort of issues with newer PC motherboards but back in the day it could be an issue.

All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and when they catch you, they will kill you... but first they must catch you. 😁

Reply 7 of 7, by armankordi

Posted on 2015-06-22, 00:16

armankordi Offline

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NO stand-offs, no burnt VRMs.. the BIOS chip does look a little strange though.. maybe i'll get a diagnostics card off eBay and see.

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