Merlin Mail R3 just died

[newlajo]

Hi all

Merlin Mail R3 was working great. Until I unplugged it to move. Plugged it back in. For a second all was well HDD whirled, red and green lights on the port card blinked on and then nothing.

No power supply fan. Only sign of life is that damn orange power switch light up taunting me.

I think it's the power supply. The only power supplies I have are the new style (pentium and above so I have nothing to swap out with.

In hindsight I had another one of these that I gave away cause the HDD was bad. Kicking myself now.

Is there a fuse or anything else I should be checking? I'm really desperate here. I don't have the cash to upgrade.

Thanks in advance for any help at all.

 

[XrayboX]

If its the power supply, use a ATX to AT converter cable with your ATX(new style) power supply

http://www.amazon.com/ATX-Motherboard-Power-Converter-Cable/dp/B000E7JUVO

When Linux is Free and Open, who needs Windows or Gates?

 

[XrayboX]

Or if you want to make your own

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-specifications-atx-reference,3061-7.html

some cheap ATX power supplies will blow if powered on without a load, to be safe, hook up an disposable hard drive while testing connections.

Don't forget if you screw up, you can cook the mother board !!!

!!!!!!USE AT YOUR OWN RISK !!!!!!


When Linux is Free and Open, who needs Windows or Gates?

 

[merlinman]

I would take the covers off and make sure the HD is still spinning. Maybe even move it to a test machine.

I know a guy in the HD Data Recovery business, and he said that Hard Drives die like that after running 24/7 for years. Then when they are turned off, the grease that was solvent, becomes solid, and then.........

http://home.comcast.net/~merlinman

-merlinmansblog.blogspot.com

 

[newlajo]

Thanks for the quick response everyone.

I appreciate the wiring diagrams between the 2 supplies. The one i viewed had no -5V line, needed for the wonderful ancient card bus...

Merlin man- aside from being a personal hero (you have helped me in the past) please don't yell at me for what I did. I think it was a good idea but it was also 3am and I was frustrated. So I decided to test the HDD in my regular desktop. Its spinning but I did get a message on the monitor regarding no os found. But I don't know what magic chips are on the Mer Mail motherboard so I assume that could be normal.

I am going to check my newer power supply to see if it has the optional - 5v wire.

Thanks again. I will update tomorrow. I truly appreciate your help. I lost my job and would like to try opening my own business but I am broke. So anything I can fix instead of buy is a huge help.

 

[XrayboX]

merlin mail R3 has a CP/M , and a fat12 partition, so windows wouldn't recognize it.

See
thread689-1653345

thread689-746340

When Linux is Free and Open, who needs Windows or Gates?

 

[merlinman]

Wasn't yelling......

Just telling....

http://home.comcast.net/~merlinman

-merlinmansblog.blogspot.com

 

[newlajo]

I know you were not yelling... I was just jaggin and didn't know if my HDD test was safe or not. You are super nice and super helpful.

I have not found a supply with the - 5v wire so I'm still looking...

 

[exsmogger]

Maybe you can find a Merlin Mail or Partner Mail on eBay being sold for parts with a good power supply.

Brian Cox
Georgia Telephone

http://Georgia-Telephone.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

 

[XrayboX]

I've got an older (ATX style) power supply, 300 watts with a -5v leg (0.5 amp max) let me know if you want it, (free)

When Linux is Free and Open, who needs Windows or Gates?

 

[Dexman]

Given the age of the Merlin Mail, would an upgrade to a Merlin Messaging be doable? I saw where money is tight...but a 1.1 with a 2 or 4 port license doesn't appear to be all that expensive. Replacement hard drives (both traditional and flash) can be readily purchased online.

I "FEATURE 00"

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7n25t/

 

[newlajo]

A special thanks to everyone who has responded. I was able to hard wire a new style power supply into the system and she is back up and running.

I really appreciate all the help!

 

[XrayboX]

Glad to hear it.
I"m a huge fan of fix it if you can
Dexman does have a good point tho, Considering the age (especially the drive) I would consider this a temporary solution, and keep a look out on ebay for a newer voice mail.
Merlin messaging units can be had for under $100, with 2.5's occasionally going in the $150 range, (sometimes you're better off looking at complete systems, cause a voice mail card doesn't always get well described).

Good Luck with your endeavor

When Linux is Free and Open, who needs Windows or Gates?

 

[XrayboX]

newlajo shoot me an email
x no xp x at Gmail

When Linux is Free and Open, who needs Windows or Gates?