VOGONS


First post, by ketma

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Hi, I've finally acquired a Roland LAPC-I sound card, this for my final retro rig build.

However, it's faulty and two resistors are certainly bad and require replacing, these are R49, R50.

The card is not completely dead and does show (limited) signs of life. Output via the headphone jack is garbled static that does sort of mimic the sound trying to be played - if that makes any sense? I used Monkey Island for this test.

Output from the RCA is zero.

Please help me in repairing this card. I'm based in the UK. Of course I'd be prepared to pay for this but need someone skilled to do this.

If noone can help could anyone please tell me what values these resistors are meant to be.

Thank you.

Reply 2 of 15, by keropi

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keep in mind that the LAPC-I needs the -5v rail present - else you will get no sound output at all
I happen to have the lapc-i service manual, will check what R49 and R50 are and report back

🎵 🎧 MK1869, PCMIDI MPU , OrpheusII , Action Rewind , Megacard and 🎶GoldLib soundcard website

Reply 4 of 15, by ketma

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Thanks for the replies and the resistor values, pic:

20240619-163842.jpg

Where I am checking for the -5v on the card?

Reply 5 of 15, by keropi

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-5v is ISA pin B5 (check the pinout here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry_Standard_Architecture )
basically the 5th pin from the right but on the back side

you should first determine if your PSU supplied -5v , if it is an AT one then it is ok but ATX ones dropped it fairly soon after their release

🎵 🎧 MK1869, PCMIDI MPU , OrpheusII , Action Rewind , Megacard and 🎶GoldLib soundcard website

Reply 6 of 15, by ketma

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Thanks keropi , checked the psu and no -5v. Went hunting for some others psu's and none of them have it either.
Will need to try and source one now, I guess that will be an AT psu ?
Do any ATX have -5v ?

Reply 9 of 15, by keropi

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Yeah without -5v you won't hear anything front the lapc-i as the audio amp circuit needs it to operate. Hopefully this will be the only issue and you'll enjoy this iconic card soon! I would suggest holding off messing with the resistors until a proper PSU solution is found. Maybe they just look old, can you upload photo of them?

🎵 🎧 MK1869, PCMIDI MPU , OrpheusII , Action Rewind , Megacard and 🎶GoldLib soundcard website

Reply 10 of 15, by ketma

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Thanks, I've ordered a voltage blaster as mentioned by MJay.9.9.

As you say keropi i'll try this first before messing with them. I uploaded a photo in an earlier response, did this not show ?

Many thanks for all the support.

Reply 12 of 15, by wierd_w

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Also, consider extensive cleaning of that board with some deoxit. :$

Something nasty has gotten on that board at some point. There is oxidation/corrosion in that part of the board.

Reply 13 of 15, by ketma

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Hi, just a further update, so I cleaned the area and afterwards the resistors looked much better, I also ordered and received a Voltage Blaster and then tested the card to see if was working now it would have the -5v it requires, and to my delight it WORKS !

No popping, static, background noise - just perfect music in all the games I tested.

So pleased the card is working and in my collection - thank you for all the responses.

IMG-20240627-WA0003.jpg