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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: motorollin on July 07, 2007, 10:30:13 AM
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How do I find out whether my CV64 has 2 or 4MB on board? According to the BBOAH they came in 2 or 4MB flavours, and I want to know whether mine has enough video RAM for 1280x1024x16 (which would use 2.5MB of RAM)
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moto
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check sysinfo / boards
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Check if all video ram sockets are occupied, if they are you've got 4 meg
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@countzero
SysInfo reports the board size as 0kb! Bizarrely, ShowBoardsMUI reports it as 64MB :-?
@AMIGAZ
I've got several empty brown sockets on the card. Are they the video RAM sockets?
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moto
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motorollin wrote:
@countzero
SysInfo reports the board size as 0kb! Bizarrely, ShowBoardsMUI reports it as 64MB :-?
@AMIGAZ
I've got several empty brown sockets on the card. Are they the video RAM sockets?
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moto
Yesss, if you fill them all up you will have a 4mb CV64 ;-)
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Great! :-D So what type of chip do I put in the sockets? I think I counted 4 empty sockets so I assume I need 4x512k chips? But what type? Also does the card autoconfig the RAM or do I have to set a jumper to tell it how much to use?
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moto
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motorollin wrote:
Great! :-D So what type of chip do I put in the sockets? I think I counted 4 empty sockets so I assume I need 4x512k chips? But what type? Also does the card autoconfig the RAM or do I have to set a jumper to tell it how much to use?
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moto
A long time ago I had a 1Mb S3 Trio and I desoldered 2 ram chipsoff a cirrus logic card, and put them in its spare sockets to get 2Mb.
I guess look for a similar old card with 2mb on board in the right config and pinch the chips.
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Just looked on the CV64 photo on BBOAH and the sockets are populated with HM514260CJ7, but according to this datasheet (http://www.datasheets.org.uk/specsheet.php?part=HM514260CJ7), those chips are only 256k each :-?
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moto
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It says "Number of Words = 256k" & "Bits Per Word = 16"
meaning its 512 thousand bytes but on a 16 bit data bus (so times the number of 16bit words by 2 to get what would be on an 8 bit bus, 8 bits being in a byte)
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I bought a 2mb cv64 not so long ago.. It's 2mb if the soj-brown sockets are empty. I pinched 4 chips from a 4mb pci s3 trio and put them in. Works no problems. I recall the virge and trio having different types of mem.
Look on ebay for trio pci cards with the brown sockets populated. Usually 512k chips. get 2x2mb cards or a 4mb and take em out.
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@Bazzaq
Thanks! You reckon this card (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Diamond-4MB-PCI-video-card-S3-Virge-and-Stealth-3D_W0QQitemZ290128650755QQihZ019QQcategoryZ3762QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting) would have the correct chips on it? There are 4 soldered on and 4 in sockets, just like the CV64, and it says it's a 4MB card, so I guess they are the right ones.
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moto
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look at the soldered 2 megs already installed and look for 4 identical chips:
814260-70 (FUJITSU)
not that easy to find in small quantities
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@Framiga
Have already tried to find the same chips but can't find them for sale anywhere. See my post above - think I might have found a card with some compatible chips on but just need confirmation before I buy it.
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moto
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http://www.ic2ic.com/search.jsp?sSearchWord=814260-70&prefix=8
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Yeah I did find that site, but I can't find anywhere on there to actually order anything!
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moto
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click on INQUIRY (they have 7 in stock)
Is not easy to cope with these stockers but hey... it worth a try!
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That ebay link is an S3 Virge chip.. I doubt they will do.
I would probs buy these ones. >
get 1mb from each.
ebay2 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/S3-TRIO64V2-DX-775-2Mb-PCI-GRAPHICS-CARD-1266_W0QQitemZ220128231162QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3762QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)ebay1 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/S3-Trio64V-2Mb-PCI-Graphics-Card_W0QQitemZ110146747632QQihZ001QQcategoryZ3762QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
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@Bazzaq
Thank you very much! I bought 2 of these ones (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/S3-TRIO64V2-DX-775-2Mb-PCI-GRAPHICS-CARD-1266_W0QQitemZ220128231162QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3762QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) since it worked out cheaper for shipping once combined.
@Framiga
Thanks anyway for the link. But it's easier to buy the cards from eBay and steal the chips than to go through a dealer who may or may not still have them, and might not even sell me 4.
Cheers guys :-D
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moto
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My S3 Trios arrived this morning. Before I insert the RAM I want to check something.
The CV64 has a maximum memory of 4MB with 8 sockets, which means each chip needs to be 512k. The S3 Trio is a 2MB card with 2 chips, which means each chip is 1MB. Will 1MB chips work as 512k in the CV64? Will the chips definitely be compatible? Really don't want to blow up my CV64...
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moto
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Further to the above, the chips from the S3 cards have different part numbers to the chips on the CV64. Will this be a problem? I'm very nervous about putting these chips in my CV64.
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moto
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The CV64 has a maximum memory of 4MB with 8 sockets, which means each chip needs to be 512k. The S3 Trio is a 2MB card with 2 chips, which means each chip is 1MB.
Ermm on that auction you linked to the picture shows two socketed ram chips and two soldered chips... making four.
(the two bottom right below the ROM are ram chips too)
That would make 512kb
the chips from the S3 cards have different part numbers to the chips on the CV64
If you list the part numbers I will have a look on the net and see if I cna find the pinouts to the ram chips.
I'm very nervous about putting these chips in my CV64.
Hehe, dont blaim you. :-D
Ive gotta fix my Picasso IV by desoldering a GPU from a cheap ass PC PCI card and soldering it onto the IV... I aint looking forward to it but the IV is dead at the moment..
Still best of luck with the RAM :)
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In the Posting Of The Beast (Oli, check your post count :-) ) Oli_hd wrote:
Ermm on that auction you linked to the picture shows two socketed ram chips and two soldered chips... making four.
(the two bottom right below the ROM are ram chips too)
That would make 512kb
Ahhh, I didn't realise they are RAM chips too. Anyway, after extensive Googling and checking of datasheet archives I couldn't find any information on the chips which came on the S3s. So I decided to be brave (stupid?) and just try it, telling myself that the chips would die before the card if they are wrong :-) The machine still boots and the CV64 still works :-D However, I still don't seem to be able to open any larger screenmodes. Using the following equation:
Minimum video memory = (HR x VR x CD) / 8,388,608
I should be able to open a 1280x1024x24 screen ((1280 x 1024 x 24)/8,388,608=3.75). However when I test the screenmode in CGXMode I get "cannot open test screen", which suggests it doesn't have enough video RAM. Do I have to tell the card it has 4MB with a jumper or a CGX setting?
[EDIT]
Oh it looks like the CV64 can't do 1280x1024x24. I don't have a CV64 manual but checked the CV64/3D manual on amiga.resource.cx and 1280x1024x24 isn't listed as a supported resolution. So I have set it to 1280x1024x16 and it works fine. This screenmode didn't work before since it requires 2.5MB of RAM so the extra memory must be working :-D
Thanks for the help guys!
[/EDIT]
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moto
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In the Posting Of The Beast (Oli, check your post count )
Woohooo, Im a beast baby :-D
Oh it looks like the CV64 can't do 1280x1024x24. I don't have a CV64 manual but checked the CV64/3D manual on amiga.resource.cx and 1280x1024x24 isn't listed as a supported resolution. So I have set it to 1280x1024x16 and it works fine. This screenmode didn't work before since it requires 2.5MB of RAM so the extra memory must be working
Goodo, I was gonna say you should try reinstalling cybergfx as it may set something on installation saying the card couldnt do better than such a res but if you have made a new screen res that needs 2.5meg and it works it must be fine.
First thing I would have done is go into showconfig and see how much address space its using, 2 meg + 64k and it aint, 4meg+64k and its good. :)
(you could have also added it as RAM to the system)
But anyway you dont need any of that.
Glad it didnt end up in a big pile of smoldering ash. :lol:
Seems the bboah agrees, 1280 x 1024x16@75Hz is the best it can do in true colour.... time to upgrade me thinks ;-)
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Oli_hd wrote:
Woohooo, Im a beast baby :-D
Not any more :-P
Oli_hd wrote:
I was gonna say you should try reinstalling cybergfx as it may set something on installation saying the card couldnt do better than such a res but if you have made a new screen res that needs 2.5meg and it works it must be fine.
I might reinstall CGX anyway just in case it detects the RAM and sets up some of the variables with different values accordingly. But agreed, if my screenmode requires >2MB of RAM then I know the extra chips are doing their job.
Oli_hd wrote:
First thing I would have done is go into showconfig and see how much address space its using, 2 meg + 64k and it aint, 4meg+64k and its good. :)
(you could have also added it as RAM to the system)
I did try showconfig but it showed 0MB :-? I'll try again now I've got the 4MB on board.
Oli_hd wrote:
Glad it didnt end up in a big pile of smoldering ash. :lol:
Me too!
Oli_hd wrote:
Seems the bboah agrees, 1280 x 1024x16@75Hz is the best it can do in true colour.... time to upgrade me thinks ;-)
Good to know I'm pushing the card to its limit. The only way I can think to upgrade is with a Mediator + Voodoo, but I think I'd rather keep this A4000 as classic as possible :-)
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moto
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Oli_hd wrote: Woohooo, Im a beast baby Not any more
:-( I have no stamina, thats my problem
I did try showconfig but it showed 0MB I'll try again now I've got the 4MB on board.
Ermm.. thats odd.
The only way I can think to upgrade is with a Mediator + Voodoo, but I think I'd rather keep this A4000 as classic as possible
Going off topic a bit but you can get both the G-Rex and the Mediator as replacement bus boards for the A4000, keeping it in its original case.
Ive got a prometheus and am having that problem, using it in any of my miggies blocks all other Zorro cards and there just arnt enough cool PCI cards for me to do that, hence its been sat in its box since I bought it about four/five years ago. :(
Gotta get a right angled adaptor for it so I can fit a Voodoo, loosing only two Zorro slots.
That said the CV64 and my current gfx card, the GVP Specky 24 are great cards.
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Should the daughterboard in my A4000 ever die then I will replace it with a Mediator 4000Di, but until then I'll stick with pure Zorro. Makes it feel more like a "real" Amiga for some reason.
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moto
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Moto,
I've followed your lead and bought a couple of these (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220131238554). Any instructions for getting them out and putting them into my CV64 mate? :nervous:
Which way round do they go? Prehaps you took a photo of them fitted in yours? :-D
Thanks :pint:
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Pin 1 is marked with a little dot on the chip. That end goes the same end as the missing corner on the socket. To get the chip out just use a small screwdriver and *gently* lever out one side then the other and the chip will pop out. Then align the chip in the socket on the CV64 and firmly but gently push both sides at the same time and it will pop in.
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moto
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@Moto
Since you've got the CSmk3 you could always go for a CVPPC - 8MB of RAM! (feel like you're on the cutting edge yet?)
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Yes I know I could go for the CVPPC, but I like the autoswitch in the CV64 :-)
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moto
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motorollin wrote:
Pin 1 is marked with a little dot on the chip. That end goes the same end as the missing corner on the socket. To get the chip out just use a small screwdriver and *gently* lever out one side then the other and the chip will pop out. Then align the chip in the socket on the CV64 and firmly but gently push both sides at the same time and it will pop in.
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moto
Thanks Moto,
Hopefully the PCI cards will arrive by Tuesday or Wednesday :-)