Getting Started, Documentation, Tips & Tricks

I just got an o2 off ebay. I was really excited because it's a mips 12k!

I know it worked before delivery, because I was provided with a image of it working etc...

Anyways, I finally get to turn it on and.... solid red led.

I tried the jumper trick. I reseated the RAM and CPU.

I'm trying to see if I can get anything from the serial console. But, no luck. That could be my fault though. I'm trying a USB to serial with zterm (9600, no compression, no xor, etc)

Any other ideas?

try the other speeds, it might be set to 19200 or 38400. compression only applies to modems, it has no meaning for serial links.
does Zterm work with your adapter with other serial devices? did you use a null-modem cable?
The amber LED stays on for a pretty long time, more than a minute in some cases.

I've left the computer on for like 10 minutes. It just sits at RED. No hard drive spin up or anything that I can hear.

Just in case, does anyone have a link to a replacement Dallas chip for the O2?

Thanks!

Have you pulled the drive and powered on?

Check the Troubleshooting Flow Chart in the wiki. Solid red equals a CPU module fault. Try to reseat the CPU and maybe you will be lucky...

With an O2, first serious step is always to pull everything, take it apart, clean the connectors, and put it all back together snugly. Memory especially. I've occasionally had success by moving the memory around.

Sometimes that works.

If you are getting a red LED, no drive activity and nothing from serial port 1 using a null modem cable at 9600, 8, n, 1 I have to tell you at least the worst case scenario.

Between when it was tested and when you turned it on someone pulled the logic board with the machine still plugged in or did not give the PSU a few seconds to discharge before pulling the board. In an O2 this is fatal. You might still have a chance that it's something else but it's not looking good given what you've said so far.

So, I put in a new Dallas chip. That did not help. Now, When I plug power in, I hear the PSU receive the power. But when I press the power button, literally nothing happens. So it's like I took a step backwards.

Do you guys think the only fix is a new logic board? If so, anyone selling one?

Thanks...

As others have mentioned, for serial com to work the cable has to be a null modem cable. So definitely check that yours is and if it's not that's the first thing to try. Otherwise, since the disk doesn't spin up it could be a power supply problem, if you've got a voltmeter lying about you might as well check that. If either of those don't provide the magic bullet then pentium's worst case scenario is probably right...

I just ordered a PSU.

I had no idea these things were so touchy.

Since NOTHING happens when I hit the power switch, I'm assuming it's the PSU...

This might be a dumb question, but do I need to program the new Dallas chip? Because I just popped it in...

chemdream wrote: Since NOTHING happens when I hit the power switch, I'm assuming it's the PSU...

Most likely not, I'm afraid. This is standard O2 behavior, I've never heard of it being the power supply. Doesn't mean it never was, once or twice in all of existence, but ...

There's a power-on jumper on the mainboard you can try. It behaves in an erratic manner - sometimes putting it on works, sometimes taking it off. And sometimes it does nothing. But it's worth a try. Search function is up and to your right

I had no idea these things were so touchy.

Yeah. Everything about them is great, except for reliability I've never had another computer that was anywhere near as flaky.

Well, maybe the Nokia N900. That thing is a true piece of shit also.

Did you totally disassemble, clean and reassemble ? If you haven't, you need to. It's a hail mary but next to calling in the witch doctor, it's about all you can do.

You'll probably need a new mainboard. You'll put it in and everything will work and you'll be all "Yay ! Fixed !" but don't throw out the 'broken' one. Six months from now when the new one does the same thing, put the old broken one back in. Wa ! Now it works ?

Who knows ? O2's suck if you turn them on and off. Once you get it up, leave it up. Feed it viagra if necessary.

If you ever get it past the red light but it still doesn't boot, don't despair. I've had one sit at the orange light for ages before it finally came up. I would have given up but once went to take a dump while it sat orange, came back a half hour later and viola ! it was running !

Other times, no such luck. Eventually you will ditch it because no matter how much you like them, they are the Zelda Fitzgerald of the computer world.

It took it MOSTLY apart. I took the CPU and RAM out. I'll find a replacement motherboard.

It's so frustrating, because I bought it from eBay, working. I know it was working because there was a photo of it on with the serial # and date. And because these are so old, they are still sold as is. I bought it just to play around with it. Now it's turned into tech support. hah.

If you've taken it mostly apart, try putting it back together and see what happens! Sometimes the drive platters get stuck and you can free them by tapping the cover of the drive gently when you power it up. I use a dial caliper to tap it with since I know the caliper is both touchy and valuable it prevents me from wanging on the thing. Also, did you check if your serial cable is a null modem cable? There's still a possibility it might be throwing something out over the serial port before it freezes. Disclaimer wise I've never owned an O2. We had them at work but I never admined them I was naught but a luser....

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but if you want to get console output/access from the O2 you have to plug the null modem cable to the serial 1 port. Not serial 2.

toasty wrote: Someone correct me if I'm wrong but if you want to get console output/access from the O2 you have to plug the null modem cable to the serial 1 port. Not serial 2.

Yes, serial 1. I assumed for no good reason that chemdream knew that...

And today, my beloved o2 went top of the POPS!! Poof.. the sound of the PSU not only left ringing in my ears but also caused 2 other machines to reboot and my neighbours must have though I was letting off belated fireworks for Bonfire Night.

Anyway, trip to the loft and a new PSU and all is well.

Think I may do a fresh install today.

On the plus side, Aston Villa actually didn't lose.. They didn't win, but hey ho.. I'm happy!

I would take out everything except for the motherboard and PSU and try the jumper trick. I have also seen these where the power button is stuck in not allowing the system to start.

Is this a 400Mhz system? It is possible they installed the CPU without flashing the prom. But the jumper trick should have gotten around that.

I have motherboards and CPUs If you need one.

I remember one time... one of the quickest service calls for an O2 was when one of the "techs" at that company changed a part that we sent, the O2 didn't want to boot anymore.

It was still powered off when I showed up. I took a look and gave the motherboard a little push and it slid in tight. Problem solved in 10 seconds. Sometimes it doesn't go in tightly using just the handle.