[N8VEM: 19896] Pre-emptive troubleshooting for a new Zeta build (and builder …)

[Stewart Russell]

Hi,

I've just finished soldering up a Zeta v2 and a mini PPISD, have got all
the components, but haven't populated the sockets or tested the thing yet.
I'm not an experienced board builder, so would appreciate any hints on how
to handle the “*It doesn't work!*” moment.


- Apart from visually checking all solder joints, then testing ground
and power continuity to each socket, is there any other routine check of
the board I should do that would weed out mechanical problems?
- I'm going with a stock 8 MHz system, so I *should* be okay with
LS-series logic chips, yes?
- Sergey has a 74ALS139
<http://www.malinov.com/Home/sergeys-projects/zeta-sbc-v2#TOC-BOM> in
the BOM, but I could only get an LS locally. At 8 MHz, that shouldn't be a
problem, should it?
- My logic chips are kind of a mess of different manufacturers (if
you've ever been in the glorious confusion that is Supremetronics in
Toronto, you'd understand). I'm hoping that this won't cause problems.
- I don't (yet) have logic debugging experience or tools. What would be
a relatively sane way to go about eliminating any possible faulty chips? Is
there a minimal build that would just get me a serial prompt? (I have the
Flash pre-programmed — thanks, Sergey!)

So many questions, I know. Any hints or words of wisdom appreciated.


cheers,

Stewart


My Zeta v2 build log: http://scruss.com/blog/tag/zeta/