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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: adolescent on July 23, 2004, 12:17:17 AM

Title: Blizzard 1260 Problem
Post by: adolescent on July 23, 2004, 12:17:17 AM

I have a problem with a new (to me) Blizzard 1260.  I get random gurus (usually 8000 0004), software failures, and drive not ready errors.  If I disable caches using SETPATCH NOCACHES then everything works fine, but much slower.  

Any ideas?  Bad CPU?  Bad RAM?  Incorrect libs?  

System specs:
AT A1200
DCE Blizzard 1260 (060@50MHz)
32M RAM
OS 3.5

Title: Re: Blizzard 1260 Problem
Post by: Hyperspeed on July 23, 2004, 02:37:03 AM

Hi there adolescent!

I have a Blizzard 1260 with SCSI-IV and it and I don't get along...

;-)

It doesn't seem to be the 1260 itself but more the Checksum Error
messages I get randomly when accessing devices through the SCSI-IV
kit.

It has been suggested to me that the problem with the 1260 is that the
contacts are made from some funny alloy that oxidises and may make a
bad contact.

What I mean is, the edge connectors tarnish yellow and might impede
reliable data flow.

In your case it could be the DCE manufacturing process or your 150-pin
trapdoor slot connector has tarnished.

I'm making enquiries where to get a cleaning fluid to make the
contacts shiny gold again.

The only other things I can think of are software conflictions or some
dodgy capacitor/battery.

Let me know how you get along, I seem to get these trouble during the
equinoxes for some reason, as though my problem is
temperature/environment related.

Title: Re: Blizzard 1260 Problem
Post by: TjLaZer on July 23, 2004, 02:40:48 AM

First thing I would do is get latest Libs (68040.library and 68060.library) then if that fails I would get a different SIMM to see if that doesn't do it.  Next I would reinstall a clean OS 3.1.  All you have to do is use a Directory Utility to make a temp folder on DH0: then move all files to it, then reboot with WB3.1 install disk in drive!  Then if that fails you can always revert to backed up OS! ;)

Title: Re: Blizzard 1260 Problem
Post by: Matt_H on July 23, 2004, 04:03:26 AM

I second TjLaZer's suggestion. Make sure libs are up to date, and then try another SIMM. I had a bad 64MB SIMM in my Blizzard that brought stability to a crashing (literally :-P) halt.

Title: Re: Blizzard 1260 Problem
Post by: doctorq on July 23, 2004, 07:24:05 AM

Yeah, it seems like TjLaZer has the solution. Running the card without 68040 and 68060 libs will give you gurus of that kind eventually.

One more thing I can think of is virus. When I upgraded from my thrusty Blizzard 1230 to Blizzard 1260 (also made by DCE) I couldn't get it to work, even with the correct libs installed...Had the accelerator sent back and forth a couple of times as the card was brand new, but turns out in the end that it was because of viruses on my boot drive. Silly me.
Conclusion : Just download VirusExecutor and the needed libs to make sure you don't have any virus floating on your hdd.

Title: Re: Blizzard 1260 Problem
Post by: Damion on July 23, 2004, 08:01:26 AM

And make sure you're using the correct 040 lib, you want the small,
"dummy" lib renamed/named "68040.library". All it does is load the
68060.library, since old versions of setpatch are not coded to look
for the 060 lib. If you use a later setpatch or edit it yourself with
a hex editor, you can dispose of the 040 lib completely.

If you're not using the dummy, but the "real" 040 lib, the system will
act just as you're describing.

Good luck...:)