Can't get Sidekick to work.

[daver99999]

I built one of these and when I load it. I get the TFT display but the computer doesn't boot right. Comes up with a blue screen but no cursor or basic message. Any Ideas?

[SensoryTrash]

check it for bad solder joints and especially the RPI connector are you getting led Cyclin ok?

upload pictures so we can see if anything obvious shows.

[daver99999]

I checked the soldering and none of the pins move at all. I don't see any shorts. Here are some pictures. My SMD soldering is not great.

[daver99999]

Also the lights blink as normal.

[SensoryTrash]

573a looks slightly miss aligned but should be ok...

whats the value for SMD Resistors on below Leds ive got 1081

so screen is good and shows logo leds cycle... what happens when you press reset? black screen? or normal

what happens when you press menu button?>

you are powering the pi as well externally ?

[SensoryTrash]

well i dont think its your build as ive built 3 of them and all have the identical problem and im not hand soldering im reflowing the, in a oven...

where did you get the pcbs pressed ????

[daver99999]

PCBWAY

[SensoryTrash]

so it seems we both have the same problem. im wondering if its the pcb?

[SensoryTrash]

or crappy chips

[daver99999]

Well That sucks did you get your boards from PCBWAY?

[SensoryTrash]

and i changed my chips as well for ti and nexperia ones and the result is the same.

[SensoryTrash]

you did uncomment the correct line in the config,txt on the sd card?

just checking

[daver99999]

Yes.

[MC6809E089]

Probably a daft question but have you set the jumper for A13? I can't see it in your photos.

[daver99999]

Tried it with and without. Not supposed to be needed on a C64.

[pigravity]

I had somewhat similar situation 1/3 Sidekicks wasnt working, for no particular reason. Once ive resoldered all chips - as a test - to another PCB, everything was suddenly ok.. But im not ordering on PCBWAY.. So cant blame that :)

[SensoryTrash]

i have assembled 5 now and they all are the same,,,,,,

no menu.... everything else is fine...

[frntc]

Hi guys,

a quick begin of a checklist for trouble shooting:

• does the HDMI output show the logo? No => RPi doesn't boot, likely SD-card content is not correct
• does the TFT display show the logo after boot (but HDMI does) => LVC573
• are GAME and EXROM low upon start (measure at expansion port)? No => check LCX/LVC07 and make sure GPIO0 and 15 on the RPi are LOW)

According to my experience (and from the building thread on forum64.de) it usually is some solder bridge or missing contact with the SMD ICs...

[daver99999]

With a LVC07

[daver99999]

Let me check the Game and EXROM again with the LVC

[daver99999]

Game and Exrom are showing the same thing. 2.3ish volts.

[frntc]

... but they go low after reset at first, correct?

[daver99999]

Seems like they do.

[nathanozlegend]

I had the same issue found out my raspberry pi3/B was stuffed. I replaced it and it worked. but with your picture you are missing a jumper on A13

[SensoryTrash]

I tested with other Pis and J13 is optional but thanks :)

[lac463]

Might not help in this case, but the faults are similar.
So I had the blank blue screen. The 2nd and 4th LEDs on the sidekick were constantly on (sometimes the 1st as well).
I have a C64C short board and a Pi 3A+. Originally I powered the Pi from my pc via USB, And I powered the C64 from a brick of death through tebl's power saver circuit.
I ordered my PCB from Restore Store, SMD assembled. So I ruled out SMD soldering problems and I checked my THT soldering multiple times with a multimeter.
I adjusted the config files.
Both the HDMI and the TFT screen had the SIdeKick logo showing, but I tried to use newer bootcode files anyway. Ofc it didn't work.
I checked Vcc and it was fine. I checked GAME and EXROM on the expansion port, both were low.
I remembered, my cartridge port might be crusty from years of sitting, so I tried to wiggle an old cart in and out a few times but no dice.
I tried powering the Sidekick through the C64, while doing that, there was a point i didn't hook up the power sawer circuit and suddenly ths Sidekick started working. I was able to reproduce the error with the power saver after that.
It also worked while powering the Pi from my phone charger and powering the C64 with the power saver.
Also when is moved my C64, the blue screen came back. So yea, My cart port was also flakey.

TL;DR: Try different power sources for the Pi and contact cleaner on the cart port.