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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Flashlab on September 11, 2005, 02:03:04 PM
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I finally managed to get my Piccolo SD64 using Picasso96 to give some image but now there's another problem. I can succesfully test resolutions but all text is distorted and the mouse pointer is distorted as well...
Arrgh!
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Maybe one of the installed graphic ram chips is defect. I had a similar problem with a cybervision 64.
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That would be really bad news. Is it possible to replace those yourself?
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I noticed a third jumper on the Piccolo SD64 board. On the Big Book of Amiga Hardware it's not mentioned. Does anyone know what it does?
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I tested the jumper no. 3 and when open the card doesn't give any output.
How can I check if the RAM is broken or that something else is the problem?
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Tried all Zorro slot; no difference.
@AmireX
How did you repair your board?
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@Flashlab:
If you have CyberGraphX, you could try with that and see if you get graphical errors then too.
If you dont have the commercial v4, you can download the free v3 here (http://www.meanmachine.ch/~vgr/cgxv41_r71.lha). Just be sure to completely remove Picasso96 before installing.
/Patrik
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I had a similar prob, I just selected the option: Graphics-> other mem on the WB options, and everything was fine...
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I tried CybergraphX but that doesn't work too; even more corruption.
Unfortunately the WB option "Other Memory" doesn't make a difference.
Is my board fried of is it incompatible with the Zorro busboard? That's a Micronik rev 4.02. Or would incompatibility mean it not is accesible at all?
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distorted mouse pointer and all, you said?
Aren't you simply out of your monitor H/V sync boundaries?
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Well my monitor should sync to 64Hz horizontally. It gives image; won't it just say out of sync? I had that too sometimes. It's a Targa 17" monitor.
Could a bad sync cause these graphics corruptions?
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corrupted graphics or distorted/bent images/pointer/all?
Could you post a photo of the screen?
Anyway under P96 goto PicassoSettings(?) or under CGX goto CGXMode and test a screenmode. (start with your default used WB screen)
Try to low/rise the HV values/PixelClock/PulseLenght and so (even with LSHIFT/Ctrl/Alt+arrows keys) until you'll reach a stable screenmode. Test always before save.
If you will go out of sync, click on ESC to return to the editor.
PS- during the test, pay only attention, to stay inside your monitor max H/V sync limit values.
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@Flashlab:
It is more likely that you are pushing the graphics-card over its limits than the monitor. The max of that card in 8-bit should be around 1280x1024@60Hz, in 16-bit around 1024x768@75Hz and in 24-bit around 800x600@60Hz.
So, try different and lower modes if you havent and see if it makes a difference.
/Patrik
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I tried the mode change programs with the keyboard. As long as I stay within the right frquencies I get image; but still with distorted mousepointer and text. Maybe somthing is wrong with the sprites?
Should I change some other settings or should I start living with the idea that I my card is broken...
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Somthing I find really strange too is that I can't get it to give any normal image on my Optiquest Q51 15" monitor. That monitor does work with the SD/FF. Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't that output 31khz screens? With that option for the monitor in Picasso96 it doesn't work.
I'm getting a little desperate here :boohoo:
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@Flashlab:
What Amiga are you using the card in? If you have the possibility, you should try it in a different Amiga and preferrably an Amiga with genuine Zorro-slots - like an A2000, A3000 or A4000.
A friend of mine had similar issues with his CV64 (distorted text) because of Zorro-bus issues. The previous owner of his A4000 had fitted it with a Buster 7 chip (a that old Buster is not supposed to be in an A4000, only A3000). This problem vanished when he got a proper Buster chip. So the Zorro-bus evidently worked, but not flawless and that made his CV64 output corrupted text for some reason. So I was thinking that it could perhaps be a Zorro-bus issue for you too.
Btw, regarding setting the horizontal frequency for a mode to 31.5KHz in Picasso96Mode doesnt automatically render you a usable mode. For example - if you would try to run a 800x600 screenmode in a horizontal frequency of 31.5KHz, that would result in a vertical frequency of probably below 50Hz which your monitor most likely cant display. It also depends on the timings - blanking-interval size for example.
/Patrik
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just to add some more . . . confusion :-)
patrik suggestion, has a point . . anyway check also:
reseat the socketed (4) ICs on the card
check to DON'T have installed FBlit and/or FText (maybe from a
previous AGA/notRTG enviroment)
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I'll try reseating the chips.
I have an A1200 with Micronik busboard rev4.02; that could well be a problem:) Although I can find no information that it should be incompatible. Newer versions of this board (rev6.8) can be is stated on BBoAH.
I have used a clean install of OS3.9
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I just made a passthrough cable and that works ok.
Does anyone here use the Piccolo SD64 with a Micronik busboard rev. 4.02 succesfully?
I think maybe I need to set something using Picasso Tooltypes?
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Tried a lot of different Tooltypes and Env settings. None fixes the problem...
I think there is a hardware problem with the card. I haven't yet found anything that indicates that the busboard is incompatible.
Is there a way to test what is actually broken on the card? A video ram test or something.
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I haven't mentioned this yet but there's only 2Mb video ram onboard. There are 4 sockets to expand the memory. Could it be that this could be a problem? The jumper is set to 2Mb though...
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Is there any Amiga user from the Netherlands here that will test the Piccolo in his own Amiga for me? I need to know if it's the Piccolo that is broken or if the busboard is at fault...
Today I visited an Amiga meeting but no-one there wanted to test my Piccolo in their miggy... :(