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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: arkanoid on November 11, 2008, 07:01:38 PM

Title: advice: Blizzard 1200/4 fast ram expansion
Post by: arkanoid on November 11, 2008, 07:01:38 PM

hi guys and gentleladies

just a quick, simple question which hopefully someone can answer...

Does anyone know if the Blizzard 1200/4 with +4 MEG expansion module (total 8meg) is PCMCIA compatible? :idea:

cheers.

Title: Re: advice: Blizzard 1200/4 fast ram expansion
Post by: arkanoid on November 11, 2008, 11:24:22 PM

 :bump:

nobody knows of this board?

Title: Re: advice: Blizzard 1200/4 fast ram expansion
Post by: scuzzb494 on November 11, 2008, 11:32:06 PM

Hi

Do you mean the Blizzard 1230 MkIV

http://www.commodore-amiga-retro.com/amiga/car_0507/a_scuzz_retro_0507_102.jpg

If so I had to go with this card because the Apollo I had did conflict with the PCMCIA. The GVP had one or two issues with games like Uridium when I also used a PCMCIA RAM card but I have never had problems with Blizzard cards and the PCMCIA slot.

Worth checking that the PCMCIA slot does work though cus 1 in 3 1200s I get have busted slots for some reason. Probably young kids sticking sharp objects in there not knowing what it was.

scuzz
http://www.commodore-amiga-retro.com

Title: Re: advice: Blizzard 1200/4 fast ram expansion
Post by: arkanoid on November 11, 2008, 11:57:59 PM

Hi Scuzz,

Nope, the board is a basic Fast RAM expansion, not the famous 030 accelerator.

here it is: http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=1702

I'm thinking of buying one, with the optional 4MB upgrade module (8 MB total ram). If I'm not mistaken, I believe many fast ram expansions also have the old PCMCIA conflict issues.

But I can't seem to find any details on this particular ram expansion. :-(

Title: Re: advice: Blizzard 1200/4 fast ram expansion
Post by: NovaCoder on November 12, 2008, 12:31:10 AM

I think the basic rule of thumb is that any card without it's own processor (not FPU) will disable the PCMCIA slot when using the full 8mb.

Title: Re: advice: Blizzard 1200/4 fast ram expansion
Post by: rkauer on November 12, 2008, 01:31:16 AM

 Indeed, any "sub-full 020" (68000, 010 & EC020) processor will hit the PCMCIA address space if more than 4Mb of RAM is inserted.

Title: Re: advice: Blizzard 1200/4 fast ram expansion
Post by: arkanoid on November 12, 2008, 03:58:04 AM

thanks for the info. guys.

bummer. i really need the full 8mb. but at the same time i cannot live without the PCMCIA port for transfering files/networking and having to open the trapdoor and remove the 8 MB jumper to disable the full 8mb would be a pain.

i wonder if the only problem is potential data corruption in the top half of the 8mb, or if enabling the full 8mb will totally disable the PCMCIA? if its still enabled i guess it could still be quite usable. :idea:

if not i guess I could attach an external throw swith to the 8meg jumper, to make it easier to disable when i needed to use the PCMCIA slot.  

Title: Re: advice: Blizzard 1200/4 fast ram expansion
Post by: scuzzb494 on November 12, 2008, 07:21:53 PM

Hi

Sorry. I gotta say I thought this was a max 4MB card anyway. Most likely more of a problem then. Better to get an accelerator to be honest if you can. The IV can be expanded with SCSI then and leave the PCMCIA clear for your ethernet. Also you get better RAM options.

No help though if you can`t get one. Sorry.

Interesting card all the same.

scuzz
http://www.commodore-amiga-retro.com