eMate BEEPS but does not start up—SOLVED

[caver01]

I am documenting my eMate restoration in another thread. Here, I am posting my first real troubleshooting problem.

1. Reassembled eMate with new display ribbon cable from Androda
2. Battery disconnected.
3. Using a real Apple Newton 7.5v 9W power supply
4. Plugging in power supply, eMate starts beeping. A solid tone, about once per second (maybe a little slower), no display
5. Tried pressing RESET—beeping stopped
6. Tried with the presumably old dead battery attached (makes no difference)
7. No longer beeping, but have a green power LED.
8. I tried holding RESET and POWER key for 30 seconds. Nothing

I am hoping the initial beeping tone is a clue for someone out there. It’s no longer doing that, but it also does not show anything on the display. I have adjusted contrast, I have let it sit for a few minutes—nothing but a green LED lit.

I suppose the green LED is at least some good news—the little eMate is getting power. Thanks in advance for any thoughts or suggestions. This eMate is new to me and I don’t care about any data that might be lurking from some previous owner.

 

[Elemenoh]

The beep might be related to that reset button being connected unexpectedly. Did you have the device assembled when that happened?

After the beeping stopped did you start hearing the *brrrrrang* startup chime? If so, maybe double check your display cable insertion. Also, did you make sure to install the little nubbin that enables the display or manually hold that switch? If not, you won't get video.

 

[caver01]

It was/is assembled yes. The reset button has a tactile action I can feel when pressed.
I did not hear any ”brrrraaang” sound
I reinstalled the nubbin as pictured, but I will double check that it is still there.

 

[caver01]

Well, I am not exactly sure what did it, but I have the eMate working!

After the above notes, I decided to give my work a once-over, just shy of taking apart the display. My goal was to conclusively verify the display plunger/switch was working and to verify my power source.

After unbuttoning the case again and desoldering the red/black power wires I removed the main board and give it a close inspection. I verified the plunger switch was functioning using my multi-meter, then made sure the plunger plastic part was moving sufficiently under the hinge to activate it. With this verified, I cleaned a few spots with isopropyl that I missed. Nothing was too bad really, just a little scum near the PCCard slot.

I then verified that my Apple Newton power supply was outputting the right voltage. It was hard to get contact to the pin hole inside the cord, but I made something work and it tested 7.25v. I think it is labeled 7.5 but I figured without any load maybe it’s OK?

So, I put everything back together carefully. The positioning of the mainboard can be a little tricky, especially with the volume and contrast sliders. I wanted to make sure the plunger was properly engaging the switch, as the tolerances are tight for that to work properly. After a few adjustments and getting everything screwed and soldered back in place I tested the plunger switch for continuity with the display open and closed. It seemed to be pressing the switch properly, so it was time to do a power test again.

Plugging in power resulted in the same GREEN LED. No change. Nothing on screen. So I pressed the reset button. Again, no change. Finally I pressed POWER and RESET together and waited. No change. I was about to disconnect power and report my results when I slid the contrast back and forth and WHOAH! There it was, asking if I wanted to erase everything! Yes please. . .

It’s working. Contrast works, volume works, backlight works, keyboard etc. etc. I wonder if I simply hadn’t waiting long enough for the reset? Or did not have the right reset button combo and timing? Or maybe the plunger/switch was no working as designed and re-seating the mainboard helped? Hard to say really.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Elemenoh]

Or maybe the contrast slider wasn't mated properly before. Regardless, that's great you got it working. Congrats!

 

[caver01]

Thanks. I just installed the memory upgrade module and we have the beeping again. I wonder if the beeping was the module all along. There was a point after I first completed the hinge/display cable work when I had initially installed the memory upgrade. Perhaps the eMate was fine all along. After waiting about 5 minutes of beeping now with it installed again, and just letting her beep, the green power light went amber orange. Then about 90 seconds later and the eMate booted right up!

I think I have grown impatient. Gotta give this old hardware a chance to initialize. Ha ha ha.

Still, for others who might read this, the beeping is maybe normal? when installing a memory upgrade. Just let it finish.