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Amiga News and Community Announcements => Amiga News and Community Announcements => Amiga Hardware News => Topic started by: Tenacious on June 23, 2010, 11:20:54 PM

Title: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: Tenacious on June 23, 2010, 11:20:54 PM
I'm installing that, a Deneb, PicassoII, and new HD in an A3000 this week.

The USB pigtails to the back of the case appear to be too short!
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: Karlos on June 24, 2010, 12:10:58 AM
Since you posted this in the hardware news section, we expect a review :D
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: Tenacious on June 24, 2010, 12:55:55 AM
Quote from: Karlos;566826
Since you posted this in the hardware news section, we expect a review :D

I thought the forums section looked funny, must have been a senior moment.

The ZorRAM went right in.  The only chance for a screw up is installing it upside down, which will probably let the smoke out.

ShowConfig lists 8 Megs of Zip ram, 128 Megs of ZorRAM, 2 Megs of Chip.  Oddly, Workbench reports 140 Megs of other memory.

I haven't installed much yet.  Distant Suns and Final Writer looked great with the Picasso II.  I opted for the 128 Meg version to save money.  For most Amiga apps, 128 megs is like sailing the open ocean.

I decided not to install the Deneb at this time.  It seems to be missing the connectors (solder pads are there) for the
USB pigtails (they would be long enough if the connectors were present)
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: cv643d on June 24, 2010, 10:30:19 AM
I installed my Deneb last year in october but have not used it more than trying a keyboard yet. But when I tried it properly with a review I can make news item for it.
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: TheGoose on June 24, 2010, 02:43:45 PM
What kind of hard drive to you get ? How big, how old/new ? Still using on-board SCSI?

Oh yeah, if anyone comes up with a good way to bring the USB to front or side please share.
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: Tenacious on June 24, 2010, 03:23:09 PM
Quote from: TheGoose;566966
What kind of hard drive to you get ? How big, how old/new ? Still using on-board SCSI?


I'm using the A3000's on-board SCSI.  I have a handful of used drives that range in size from small to 4 Gigs.

At some point I want to include electronic drives (like CF) in my SCSI equipped systems.
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: Crumb on June 24, 2010, 03:59:36 PM
Quote from: Tenacious;566838

I decided not to install the Deneb at this time.  It seems to be missing the connectors (solder pads are there) for the
USB pigtails (they would be long enough if the connectors were present)


That's certainly strange, could you take a picture of it?

This is a normal Deneb: http://amiga.erkan.se/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/deneb-usb-amiga-zorro-card.jpg
And here it is plugged in: http://amiga.erkan.se/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/deneb-usb-card-mounted-in-amiga-4000.jpg
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: Rabbi on June 25, 2010, 05:15:19 AM
Quote from: TheGoose;566966
Oh yeah, if anyone comes up with a good way to bring the USB to front or side please share.
I purchased a USB multi-card reader w/1 USB 2.0 port on it. I plan to attach a USB hub to the 1 USB 2.0 port.  It's the size of a 3.5" floppy disk drive which fits nicely into the knock-out below the original floppy drive. It even came w/3 different colored bezels, 1 of which was a perfect match for the front of th A4000. I got pictures of it if you want.
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: omnicron10 on June 25, 2010, 05:28:33 AM
I got one as well but I am having some problems. I sent a support ticket to Amigakit.  They came back with very vague information. I replied back to them and no response yet.  I hope they can help me resolve it.

Mine is not seen by early startup and the crystal and main chip (FPGA?) get very warm. I asked about this behavior and they did not respond to that. I think it may have to do with my Mediator A4000D in a tower.  Not sure.  I hope they can look in to it more soon.
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: TheGoose on June 25, 2010, 02:43:37 PM
Quote from: Rabbi;567116
I purchased a USB multi-card reader w/1 USB 2.0 port on it. I plan to attach a USB hub to the 1 USB 2.0 port.  It's the size of a 3.5" floppy disk drive which fits nicely into the knock-out below the original floppy drive. It even came w/3 different colored bezels, 1 of which was a perfect match for the front of th A4000. I got pictures of it if you want.



Ah duh, I forgot about that free 3.5 spot, perfect for the right card reader! I just added one to my A1200 with subway, turned out nice with a direct hook up to the pins on the subway.

Like to do the same for A3000D. Pic of inside would be nice, where / how the cables reach over or under the daughter board?
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: amigadave on June 26, 2010, 06:25:35 PM
Quote from: omnicron10;567117
I got one as well but I am having some problems. I sent a support ticket to Amigakit.  They came back with very vague information. I replied back to them and no response yet.  I hope they can help me resolve it.

Mine is not seen by early startup and the crystal and main chip (FPGA?) get very warm. I asked about this behavior and they did not respond to that. I think it may have to do with my Mediator A4000D in a tower.  Not sure.  I hope they can look in to it more soon.

Are you having trouble with your Deneb, or with an internal 3.5" card reader?  I am guessing it is your Deneb since you mention the FPGA chip getting warm and I don't think a card reader needs or has an FPGA chip.

IIRC, I read somewhere that the Deneb could be easily plugged in backwards which would ruin it and possibly damage your Amiga, but my memory might be faulty as it has been many months since the time when I think I read something like that.  I hope that is not the case for your Deneb, good luck getting it working correctly.
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: amigadave on June 26, 2010, 06:30:31 PM
Quote from: Rabbi;567116
I purchased a USB multi-card reader w/1 USB 2.0 port on it. I plan to attach a USB hub to the 1 USB 2.0 port.  It's the size of a 3.5" floppy disk drive which fits nicely into the knock-out below the original floppy drive. It even came w/3 different colored bezels, 1 of which was a perfect match for the front of th A4000. I got pictures of it if you want.

Pictures are always wanted!  Also, what brand is it and where did you purchase it from and how much did it cost?  Having a Multi-Card Reader working in any Amiga is another great way to "Sneaker Net" and transfer files between Amiga's and PC's or Mac's.
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: omnicron10 on June 26, 2010, 07:12:02 PM
No the deneb is working great!  I actually got the system booting from the Deneb using a USB 8 gig flash drive.  Nice and fast and no more hard drives!

It is the zorrram that I am having problems with.  I wonder if it got damaged in shipping.
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: Jose on June 27, 2010, 02:57:37 PM
Benchmarks please!
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: amigakit on June 27, 2010, 08:30:22 PM
Our ZorRAM shouldn't get damaged in shipping, we pack them very securely and safely.
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: omnicron10 on June 28, 2010, 06:27:37 AM
Yes I agree.  They should not get damaged in shipping.  That does not preclude them from ever getting damaged.  I have seen USPS so some nasty things to mail!

I am just trying to figure out why I cant get mine to work.  I am waiting a new reply from Amigakit support.  Each update takes 2-3 days from Amigakit as they send me questions or ideas as to why it does not work.

If they dont have a many other good ideas at this point I have asked them if I can ship it back so they can test it on know good systems.  I only have one Z3 machine.  My Deneb is working so I believe my machine is good but I can not 100 percent preclude a damaged machine.

Waiting can be a bit tiresome.
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: mboehmer_e3b on June 30, 2010, 05:24:55 PM
Quote from: omnicron10;567414
It is the zorrram that I am having problems with.  I wonder if it got damaged in shipping.

Which Buster revision do you have in that machine, and which CPU card?

What exactly do you mean by "having problems"? Red screen on powerup/reset with ZorRAM board being marked "defective"?

Michael
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: omnicron10 on June 30, 2010, 08:20:54 PM
Quote from: mboehmer_e3b;568212
Which Buster revision do you have in that machine, and which CPU card?

What exactly do you mean by "having problems"? Red screen on powerup/reset with ZorRAM board being marked "defective"?

Michael


A4000 buster 11 and MK3 060/50 with 128 megs.  16meg MB ram.  Mediator 4000D, Deneb. Voodoo 3.

It is like it is not in the machine.  No power up problems.  No screen colors.  Does not show up in the early startup screen with the boards. Z3 slot works in the Deneb will work in any slot.  I have the system booting from USB flash off the Deneb.  

I need to take some pictures for Amigakit.  They want to see the card installed.

Thanks for the reply!
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: mboehmer_e3b on July 01, 2010, 08:56:22 AM
Quote from: omnicron10;568253

It is like it is not in the machine.  No power up problems.  No screen colors.  Does not show up in the early startup screen with the boards. Z3 slot works in the Deneb will work in any slot.  I have the system booting from USB flash off the Deneb.  

I need to take some pictures for Amigakit.  They want to see the card installed.


OK. So from hardware point of view, if not even an entry inside the Early Startup list of autoconfig cards exists, then something must have gone wrong during autoconfig process, namely reading out the ROM for the ZorRAM.
This indicates a very basic problem.
Which could be a missing reset signal, or completely screwed up signals (regarding timings) on your busboard. Do you have the original busboard still available?

If autoconfig would at least have seen the card, but a red screen with "defective" would have appeared, then the problem would have been known :-)

Keep me updated.

Michael
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: HammerD on July 09, 2010, 02:00:14 AM
Quote from: omnicron10;568253
A4000 buster 11 and MK3 060/50 with 128 megs.  16meg MB ram.  Mediator 4000D, Deneb. Voodoo 3.

It is like it is not in the machine.  No power up problems.  No screen colors.  Does not show up in the early startup screen with the boards. Z3 slot works in the Deneb will work in any slot.  I have the system booting from USB flash off the Deneb.  

I need to take some pictures for Amigakit.  They want to see the card installed.

Thanks for the reply!


I have same machine as you, basically, and both my ZorRAM's work ok.  So perhaps something up with your ZorRAM card...got a screenshot of your early startup boards?
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: omnicron10 on July 09, 2010, 08:55:27 PM
No screen shots.  The board is on its way to Germany for review.

Thanks for your reply.
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: amigakit on July 09, 2010, 11:04:24 PM
We extensively test every ZorRAM (read/writes) for about 4 hours before dispatching to customer to ensure that cards are not DOA.  We have comprehensive quality assurance processes.

Of course our tests are a secondary set of tests after production quality assurance.
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: TheGoose on July 20, 2010, 10:54:05 PM
Quote from: amigakit;569706
We extensively test every ZorRAM (read/writes) for about 4 hours before dispatching to customer to ensure that cards are not DOA.  We have comprehensive quality assurance processes.

Of course our tests are a secondary set of tests after production quality assurance.


What happens if you don't have a buster 11 and pug it in ? I have had no luck with buster 11 in my A3000D, been through all that with the Deneb mess.
Title: Re: I just received the ZorRam128
Post by: TheGoose on July 20, 2010, 10:59:28 PM
Quote from: TheGoose;567186
Ah duh, I forgot about that free 3.5 spot, perfect for the right card reader! I just added one to my A1200 with subway, turned out nice with a direct hook up to the pins on the subway.

Like to do the same for A3000D. Pic of inside would be nice, where / how the cables reach over or under the daughter board?


Well that works for the A4000 3.5 bays, but not the A3000, front bezel is the front of the case, they use floppies with face plate removed. :confused: