FM Towns UG20 Fix'em

[HCK]

Just picked up an FM Towns UG20 and it seems to be a little under the weather. When it tries to boot to the CD, nothing happens. I can see the CD light come no, but I don't think there's any spinning going on, and if I were to fathom a guess, the laser lens doesn't seem to be moving; so I'm guessing it has a burnt out motor.

How are are these things to replace?

[Jamtex]

To replace it easily you should do these easy steps

1 - Purchase another FM Towns

2 - Sell other one for parts.

Most faults on the cd-rom drive are fairly irrepairable, you could check to see if the drive is getting power correctly and all the drive cables are plugged in and not damaged. You could also check to see if the mechanism is not jammed.

[HCK]

Well, I already have 3 other FM Towns... I'd just like to lean to fix them as well.

[oli_lar]

Is it one of the models with integrated monitor? I had one (UX40 I think) and the power plunger had fallen out of place during shipping. Took about 4 hours just to get to it, worst system I've ever had to open up.

[HCK]

Yes it is. I can tell it's going to be a bitch just by looking at it.

[Jamtex]

Remember that the monitor tube does store a high voltage charge and accidently touching the wrong parts will make you feel like you have been hit by a sledgehammer.

[HCK]

How long does it take to dissipate?

[HCK]

Does that mean you want me to be the guinea pig and find out?

[angelwolf71885]

you coul get a wire tie it to a steak and touch it to the tube to discharge the tube

[Jamtex]

I am not sure that is a good way to cook a steak :p

If you discharge a tube wrongly then you could end up being shocked and although I have not been stupid enough to have been zapped, I know some experts that have and they described it as having a sledgehammer hit their elbow.