emulatorII-list

I have just followed the steps as described in the 1-7 list below and successfully got a Debug Terminal session to run using PuTTY.

The only PuTTY config necessary was to first select serial 'COM1' as the connection type and then change and specify 7 data bits instead of the default 8 data bits in the 'Serial' settings menu.
First, make sure the DB-25 connection is solid, open a PuTTY terminal session before powering on the EII.

To reiterate the cable connection.
I used a DB-25 male to 9-pin female adapter connected to a 9-pin male to 9-pin female serial cable. The female end of the 9-pin serial cable connects to the male COM port connector on the XP computer.

Now my fingers are crossed that I can soon find what is actually wrong with my EII.
Before getting to this Debug stage, the PSU electrolytic capacitors were all replaced and a number of memory ICs were reseated and connections cleaned. After that the EII was hanging with an 'Insert Diskette' message. However the upper and lower drives were not flashing their LEDs in an alternating fashion.

Any hunches or ideas as to what the issue maybe?

I'll keep posting as I find things during the Debug process.

Thanks everyone.
Can't wait to Emulate!
-RVK

--- In emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com, Ryan Supak <ryansupak@...> wrote:
>
> I think it's a great idea to archive this info. But, IMO somebody else
> should try these steps and verify their correctness first.
> 
> If somebody wants to take a crack at it, let me know if these instructions
> work, then I'll reformat them and add them to the group's Files list.
> 
> rs
> 
> On Mon, Jan 2, 2012 at 6:18 PM, WT <waveterm@...> wrote:
> 
> > **
> >
> >
> > **
> > Very good, now copy and past this into a textfile and put it in the files
> > section.
> >
> > :)
> >
> > WT
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > *From:* Ryan Supak <ryansupak@...>
> > *To:* emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com
> > *Sent:* Monday, January 02, 2012 8:42 PM
> > *Subject:* Re: [emulatorII-list] Re: No sound, Control Panel
> > unresponsive, Sudden reboots???
> >
> > This task, like any DIY task, will inherently involve some degree of
> > research and exploration on one's own. But here are the high-level steps.
> >
> > 1) Get the DEBUG rom .BIN file from the Files section of this Yahoo group.
> > 2) Burn this .BIN file to an EPROM. (EALnet can do this inexpensively).
> > 3) Replace the Main EPROM with the DEBUG EPROM on the Digital Board. (EII
> > Service Manual will tell you exactly which one that is.)
> > 4) Get PuTTY, a computer with a 9-pin COM port, and a 9-pin to 25-pin
> > adapter. (No soldering or modification of the adapter is required.)
> > 5) Turn on EII. Use PuTTY to connect to the EII. (EII Service Manual has
> > the exact connection parameters to use with PuTTY.)
> > 6) Hit <return> a few times and a Welcome Message from EII should appear
> > onscreen.
> > 7) The EII Service Manual fully explains all DEBUG commands.
> >
> > rs
> >
> > On Sun, Jan 1, 2012 at 1:53 PM, Adrien <ad9@...> wrote:
> >
> >> **
> >>
> >>
> >>  I couldn't be able to do it, and indeed, if it hasn't been done yet (
> >> but some peoples may have been smarter and didn't have any problems to
> >> analyse their emu and find what they needed ) ,  a simple step by step
> >> instructions, along with a package needed ( special chip, floppy, etc ) ,
> >> or the variations of ways to access the emu II full analysis , would be
> >> really great.  I saw so many eprom and debug files on the yahoo group, but
> >> I couldn't tell you where to start. And there are some instructions inside,
> >> but for someone who hasn't the knowledge already, it feels like it's not
> >> gonna be easy. ****
> >>
> >> I have a mac that runs sound designer, or a win xp laptop for the emuser,
> >> but from what I understand  : the analysis needs a terminal, through a
> >> cable, and then a software I guess, and a floppy , and a chip to place
> >> inside the emu II ? ****
> >>
> >> ****
> >>
> >> Adrien****
> >>
> >> ****
> >>  ------------------------------
> >>
> >> *De :* emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
> >> emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com] *De la part de* WT
> >> *Envoyé :* dimanche 1 janvier 2012 20:46
> >> *À :* emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com
> >> *Objet :* Re: [emulatorII-list] Re: No sound, Control Panel
> >> unresponsive, Sudden reboots???****
> >>
> >> ****
> >>
> >>   ****
> >> **
> >>
> >> Someone needs to write up a complete description and compilation of all
> >> this and post it on a website.****
> >>
> >> ****
> >>
> >> WT****
> >>
> >> ****
> >>
> >>  ----- Original Message ----- ****
> >>
> >> *From:* Adrien <ad9@...> ****
> >>
> >> *To:* emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com ****
> >>
> >> *Sent:* Sunday, January 01, 2012 8:37 PM****
> >>
> >> *Subject:* RE: [emulatorII-list] Re: No sound, Control Panel
> >> unresponsive, Sudden reboots???****
> >>
> >> ****
> >>
> >> Thanks for the explanations. I think it's not out of topic as trickster
> >> may need to do it. ********
> >>
> >> ********
> >>
> >> I'd be curious to analyse mine. So basically , if I want to run a full
> >> test on my emu II, I need :********
> >>
> >> ********
> >>
> >> -       A special chip ( where can I find it ? ) ********
> >>
> >> ********
> >>
> >> -       A special debug floppy disk ********
> >>
> >> ********
> >>
> >> -       Something else, to have the complete package ?  from what you
> >> wrote, it seems that there are several softwares, some for the ram, some
> >> floppys, etc, and different access like : from the floppy disc way, or from
> >> the 25 pin port, with emxp ?  etc, so I'm a bit confused. ********
> >>
> >> ********
> >>  ------------------------------
> >>
> >> *De :* emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
> >> emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com] *De la part **de* esynthesist
> >> *Envoyé :* dimanche 1 janvier 2012 12:38
> >> *À :* emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com
> >> *Objet :* [emulatorII-list] Re: No sound, Control Panel unresponsive,
> >> Sudden reboots???********
> >>
> >> ********
> >>
> >>   ********
> >>
> >> I'm not sure if the EmuSer can be used as a port for a Debug terminal; I
> >> would say "yes" but when I have a look at the wiring schema for the debug
> >> terminal cable in the EII Service Manual, it is mentioning all kinds of
> >> pins on the EII DB25 port which are (imho) not even in use on an RS422
> >> version of the EII anymore.
> >>
> >> BTW: the www.emxp.net website does not host the disk image for the
> >> Scanner Test. It does however contain a floppy disk image for the Memory
> >> Test (on this page: http://www.emxp.net/Additional_downloads.htm)
> >> So if you only want to run a memory test, then you don't really need the
> >> Debug Rom. Although the latter is clearly a more profound testing tool -
> >> especially if the EII would e.g. not even want to start from a floppy drive.
> >> But if your EII can still read the floppy drive at boot time, the memory
> >> test floppy disk will do the job too. If you have an SD HxC connected to
> >> your EII, you can simply download the image and copy it to an SD Card. Then
> >> boot the EII from the SD HxC, select the image, and the test will start.
> >>
> >> ///E-Synthesist
> >>
> >> --- In emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com, "Adrien" <ad9@> wrote:
> >> >
> >> > I have an emuser and emxp : are you saying that it's enough, with this
> >> debug
> >> > software, to analyse the emu II ? all the chips and ram inside ?
> >> >
> >> > I went on the site of emxp, through another link that worked, but I
> >> can't
> >> > find this debug stuff.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > _____
> >> >
> >> > De : emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com
> >> > [mailto:emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com] De la part de Ryan Supak
> >> > Envoyé : samedi 31 décembre 2011 18:38
> >> > À : emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com
> >> > Objet : Re: [emulatorII-list] No sound, Control Panel unresponsive,
> >> Sudden
> >> > reboots???
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > * One more note about getting the DEBUG to run. I had a Windows XP
> >> > tower PC with a COM port laying around. It had a COM port on the back,
> >> and I
> >> > found a 9-pin to 25-pin adapter to go to the EII. No soldering was
> >> required.
> >> >
> >> > I downloaded PuTTY, followed the exact connectivity instructions from
> >> the
> >> > Service Manual, then nothing happened. I hat to hit Return a few times
> >> and
> >> > the the DEBUG sprung to life.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > rs
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On Sat, Dec 31, 2011 at 11:30 AM, Ryan Supak <ryansupak@> wrote:
> >> >
> >> > Firstly, the DEBUG tells you whether or not the EPROM loading circuitry
> >> and
> >> > Main CPU circuitry is up and running. The opening message is something
> >> like
> >> > "Emulator II, Copyright 1984 E-Mu Systems. The main CPU and EPROM
> >> loading
> >> > RAM is functioning correctly (obviously)."
> >> >
> >> > Second, It allows you to run a full RAM test and run RAM diagnostics
> >> > (pushing data into certain addresses, etc). If one of the RAM chips is
> >> bad
> >> > then you can easily determine which one by running this test.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Third, it will do a variety of tests on the disk drives. It will test
> >> drive
> >> > compatibility and some level of media compatibility.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > One thing it will notably not do is test keys/buttons/etc... There's a
> >> > floppy-based utility for that. I think it's available on emxp.net.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > rs
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On Sat, Dec 31, 2011 at 11:24 AM, Adrien <ad9@> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Hi ! i wish you to have your emu II to work again.
> >> >
> >> > Please guys, I heard several times of this debug eprom, and I'm
> >> wondering
> >> > what it is exactly : does it indicates which IC isn't working ? if the
> >> power
> >> > supply has a problem ? anything else ? I'm quite interested and I'd
> >> love to
> >> > know more.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Something possible , causing your emu II to not work could be the
> >> > electrolytic caps which needs not to dry ( but over the years it get's
> >> dry
> >> > and it has to be replaced. You didn't use your emu II for two months,
> >> and in
> >> > some guitar amps for example, it can produce some problems sometimes.
> >> The
> >> > theorical length of life of these electrolytic caps are sometimes lower
> >> than
> >> > 5 years. The emu II is almost 30 years old. Although it's possible to
> >> see
> >> > some vintage 60' marshall still working with the original caps.. but
> >> most of
> >> > the time, peoples reform these caps, and it's a specific process, and it
> >> > isn't gonna make them brand new anyway.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Happy New year everyone !
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Adrien
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > _____
> >> >
> >> > De : emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com
> >> > [mailto:emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com] De la part de Ryan Supak
> >> > Envoyé : samedi 31 décembre 2011 18:07
> >> > À : emulatorII-list@yahoogroups.com
> >> > Objet : Re: [emulatorII-list] No sound, Control Panel unresponsive,
> >> Sudden
> >> > reboots???
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > For testing RAM, I've also had very good luck with the Debug EPROM. You
> >> can
> >> > download the ROM itself from this site, and if you get to the point
> >> where
> >> > you need help getting the Debug to run, post back here. I'll help out
> >> in any
> >> > way I can.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > rs
> >> >
> >> > On Sat, Dec 31, 2011 at 2:37 AM, Mike <mrjdevries@> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > I also would measure the voltages on the PS.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > But I'd suspect faulty RAM.
> >> >
> >> > It may be the ram that runs the operating system.
> >> >
> >> > (I've seen the exact same fault.. EII loads disk then crashes, and it
> >> was a
> >> > bad RAM IC)
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > It may not be the ram that is bad, but it could be a poor connection.
> >> >
> >> > (ie, reseat ALL the ram)
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > The service manual mentions what IC's of RAM run the OS.
> >> >
> >> > And you can swap that bank with the sample RAM freely. (bad sample ram
> >> will
> >> > have a distorted sound but the EII will still work)
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Personally, after measuring the PS, I'd just go ahead and gently lift
> >> each
> >> > IC up a few mm then press down. Then if that doesn't work, get hold of
> >> the
> >> > memory test disk (or if you have HxC, an image of it)
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Mike
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Sent from my Apple ][e
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On 31/12/2011, at 12:46 PM, "trickstar303" <trickstar303@> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Hi,
> >> >
> >> > My EII was working fine until today, when I fired her EII up after a
> >> pause
> >> > of 2 months. It'll boot the disk just fine and the LCD displays the
> >> name of
> >> > the loaded program. But there is no sound at the outputs, the control
> >> panel
> >> > is completely unresponsive when any buttons are pushed and it will
> >> start to
> >> > reboot randomly.
> >> >
> >> > I opened her up and tried to push all ICs and ribbon cables etc, but it
> >> > didn't help.
> >> >
> >> > Does anyone know what these symptoms could be?
> >> >
> >> > George
> >> >********
> >>
> >>
> >   
> >
>