Cheapest tool to troubleshoot an Atari ST + ACSI2STM  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: sam36
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 18, 2025, 08:00:44 am
content: Hi,I have to following issue: I got a known goodacsi2stmbut it is not working on my machine. As the PSU of the Atari is as old as the computer and not recaped, I took a chance at swapping it with as a working ATX PSU. Did not work any better(or worse).I'm now trying to follow the project's officialtroubleshooting guidewhich states:QuoteWhat would be the cheapest tool that I could use to do that ? I've looked into various forum posts saying that the Aliexpress cheap ones likehttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006019697163.htmlwon't do anything useful but I can't judge how demanding "my" tests are.ChatGPT answered that logic analysers would be the best suited for my use case and suggested Saleae Logic 8 Clone / OpenScope and installing PulseView on it.What do you think ?

author: bigendian
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2025, 02:33:04 pm
content: A cheap 8$ logic analyzer should work.https://www.amazon.it/Analyzer-Binghe-Analizzatore-compatible-Arduino/dp/B0D868ST5C/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1I would go for repairing original ATARI PS. If old, replace all electrolytic capacitors to start.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2025, 04:59:53 pm
content: yep an logic analyzer would be better, cheap at some point is cheap loll and not usefulBUTa cheap logic analyzer may not be able to handle spikes or over voltages, you have better ones dslogic, kingst, they are not too priceyand they can support up to 50 volts on the inputand you'll be able to keep it for a long time

author: sam36
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 19, 2025, 07:53:26 am
content: QuoteOriginal PSU works, I've only did the swap to rule out an invisible malfunction, but yep I'll recap it down the road.

author: bigendian
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2025, 09:03:17 am
content: one thing good of a 4 channels analog osc is that, as in your case, leaving out RST, you can see the signals without any digital analyzer.Also, with 2 channels, you can probably link signals with some reasoning, 2 by 2.

author: sam36
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 19, 2025, 04:32:09 pm
content: QuoteWell... I really think this is a one-off so I went with the cheapo. DSLogic was in the hundreds and I can't justify to do this right know. However it's good to know that they exist and if I ever need something that goes above the TTL signals that be an option.QuoteThat was my first plan using my old BPL scope but it's only 10 Mhz, and I found that it went out of calibration since the last time I've used it on TTL signals. Maybe I'll try to re-calibrate it but that's a job for another day.QuoteI finally settled on that (on aliexpress to be exact but same thing, Saleae clone compatible with 1.1.16). Now I just have to wait 10 days to see how broken the computer is.QuoteWell... I really think this is a one-off so I went with the cheapo. DSLogic was in the hundreds and I can't justify to do this right know. However it's good to know that they exist and if I ever need something that goes above the TTL signals that be an option.QuoteThat was my first plan using my old BPL scope but it's only 10 Mhz, and I found that it went out of calibration since the last time I've used it on TTL signals. Maybe I'll try to re-calibrate it but that's a job for another day.QuoteI finally settled on that (on aliexpress to be exact but same thing, Saleae clone compatible with 1.1.16). Now I just have to wait 10 days to see how broken the computer is.Thanks for the advice !

author: bigendian
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2025, 04:55:20 pm
content: QuoteI didn't used but i suggested it since more people told me that it works great.Good !