Amiga 500+ does not start up [closed]

Question

Amiga 500+ does not start up. It has been offline for a considerable amount of time.

The machine powers up but does not move from that point.
I have inserted the workbench disk.
Can anyone advise the best way to connect to a TV set

Answer 1

When you switch on an Amiga, you should expect to see the following:

1. The power light will illuminate, slightly dimmed.
2. About half a second later, the power light will brighten.
3. Usually 3-4 seconds later (but could be up to a minute for Amiga models with HD controllers), the floppy drive will start to make noises.

For this check to work, you need only plug in the power supply. There's no need to plug in anything else, not even a TV or monitor - in fact, unplugging everything is recommended in case it's a peripheral that is actually faulty and preventing the Amiga from starting.

If you do not get any power light, then it is likely that the PSU has failed, but could also indicate a fault with the Amiga mainboard.

If you get a dim power light, but it does not brighten a moment later, then you have a good PSU, but there is a fault with the computer.

If you get a dim and then bright power light, then you likely have only a minor fault - perhaps the floppy drive has seized up.

You may also find this question and answer useful.

Unfortunately because you have a 500 Plus which has not been used for a long time, then it is very likely that you have a damaged computer. The 500 Plus has an onboard alkaline battery which leaks as it ages. It is very likely that this battery has leaked corrosive alkaline over the mainboard and caused damage. Such damage is often repairable by a retro computer specialist.

Even if you decide that you do not want to repair the computer, I would urge you to not throw it away. Some spare parts for Amigas are in short supply. Even if the mainboard has been extensively damaged by battery alkaline, there will still be many salvageable parts that an Amiga specialist would find useful.