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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: KatManDEW on February 12, 2009, 03:20:46 AM

Title: Megachip woes
Post by: KatManDEW on February 12, 2009, 03:20:46 AM
Is the attached image the correct way to install a Megachip? Installed this way, the Fat Lady is oriented the same way she is oriented without the Megachip board, but I have no video with the Megachip installed.

When I reinstall my original Fat Lady, I have video again.

(http://www.katmandew.com/images/Misc/Megachip.jpg)
Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: Fingers on February 12, 2009, 03:37:17 AM
http://amiga.resource.cx/manual/MegAChip.pdf

PZ.
Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: orb85750 on February 12, 2009, 03:40:44 AM
The orientation looks correct.  And your jumper is connected properly to Gary?
Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: Fingers on February 12, 2009, 03:58:38 AM
*edit*

That's an A3000 Agnus in there.

Are they compatible with the MegAChip? I'd imagine so, but you never know.

Did you check/modify your motherboard revision as per the manual?

PZ.
Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: KatManDEW on February 12, 2009, 04:10:27 AM
Thanks for all the replys!

I had a printout of the PDF file laying beside my Miggy while installing the Megachip, but the PDF instructions were confusing as for the orientation. The PDF said "To install the MegAChip 2000/500™ in your computer you need to hold the board with the Agnus chip facing you and in the same orientation as it was in the computer. Holding the MegAChip 2000/500™ in your hand by the edge of the board, the adaptor plug on the MegAChip 2000/500™ should be to the left over the Agnus socket with the memory chips on the MegAChip 2000/500
™ to the right."

They didn't mention which way the motherboatd should be facing....

Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: KatManDEW on February 12, 2009, 04:19:29 AM
According to the PDF instrustions, I didn't need to modify my motherboard because I already had 1 meg of chip RAM (I think I made the modifications many many years ago, when I upgraded from 512k to 1 meg).

The PDF instructions say "Part number 318069-11 is for NTSC use and part number 318069-10 is for PAL operation."

My chip is 318069-19. Some info I read on The Big Book of Amiga Hardware said the Megachip allowed using a A3000 Agnus...

I got the Megachip from SoftHut, and they originally sent me a "MegIchip", without any jumper wires, and I only had 512k of chip RAM with it installed. They sent me the current MegAchip as a replacement, but the jumper wire was broken off and I had to solder it back on.

I just checked the MegIchip that they sent me, and it has a 318069-11 on it. Maybe I chould try that chip in the MegAchip?
Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: Damion on February 12, 2009, 04:38:43 AM
You got the orientation right.

Quote
I just checked the MegIchip that they sent me, and it has a 318069-11 on it. Maybe I chould try that chip in the MegAchip?


I think your problem is the Agnus revision in the MegaChip, it should work fine with the the "-11" part (it's what's in mine). Is your other one a DCE MegiChip? Most (all?) of those had the Agnus soldered on. :/

*edit* they must have sent you one of these (http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/megichip)? In which case you're golden, swap the Agnus and I bet it works.






Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: KatManDEW on February 12, 2009, 05:18:19 AM
The first one they sent me has the Agnus soldered on  :boohoo: But it doesn't have the "jumper socket" to go under the Gary chip :madashell:

(http://www.katmandew.com/images/Misc/Amiga%202000%20Megachip.jpg)

Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: Fingers on February 12, 2009, 05:53:41 AM
Soldering time! 8-)

PZ.
Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: Damion on February 12, 2009, 06:07:37 AM
Quote

Fingers wrote:
Soldering time! 8-)

PZ.


Yeah, I would get a socket and solder the wires (good pics of where they go on amiga resource). Kind of a PITA, but with the correct 8375 Agnus (NTSC versions are somewhat easy to find) and your MegIChip fixed, you'll have two working units. :-)


Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: KatManDEW on February 12, 2009, 02:35:42 PM
Any reason I couldn't just two jumper wires with the MegIchip, instead of the Gary "jumper socket"?
Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: alexh on February 12, 2009, 05:06:51 PM
Quote

Fingers wrote:
That's an A3000 Agnus in there.

It is an Agnus which has been spotted in an A3000. It is not necessarily an A3000 specific Agnus. No-one has been able to successfully work out what, why, where all the different versions mean (other than where they have seen them in use)

MegAchips were designed to take different Agnus chips depending on how the PCB was wired up (resistors, zero ohm links etc.) so DKB could use which ever Agnus was cheaper that week.

If that MegAchip came from the manufacturer with the -19 chip then it was designed to use that chip.
Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: Damion on February 12, 2009, 06:34:35 PM
Quote

KatManDEW wrote:
Any reason I couldn't just two jumper wires with the MegIchip, instead of the Gary "jumper socket"?


None at all, that would work fine.

Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: KatManDEW on February 12, 2009, 11:46:47 PM
[/quote]

Yeah, I would get a socket and solder the wires (good pics of where they go on amiga resource). Kind of a PITA, but with the correct 8375 Agnus (NTSC versions are somewhat easy to find) and your MegIChip fixed, you'll have two working units. :-)
[/quote]

Thanks again for the info.

I would settle for one that works :boohoo:

Where would I find a NTSC 8375 Agnus?
Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: KatManDEW on February 13, 2009, 12:49:57 AM
None of the MegIchip photos look like mine, so I'm not sure which wire goes to which pin on the Gary chip?
Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: Gavilan on February 13, 2009, 01:24:32 AM
Quote
Where would I find a NTSC 8375 Agnus?


Hi there! I have a couple of 8375 Agnus, both PAl and NTSC

If you need one, you can have it for free. You just pay shipping (im located in Argentina BTW)
Let me know and i will gladly help you

Regards
Sebastian
Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: Fingers on February 13, 2009, 01:33:01 AM
Quote

KatManDEW wrote:
None of the MegIchip photos look like mine, so I'm not sure which wire goes to which pin on the Gary chip?



(http://amiga.resource.cx/photos/minimegichip.jpg)

http://amiga.resource.cx/photos/minimegichip

PZ.
Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: KatManDEW on February 13, 2009, 02:54:53 AM
That's it Fingers! Mine is a MiniMegIchip!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I have some of those little circ clips, so I will solder them to wires going to my MiniMegIchip! and give it a whirl.


Many many thanks for the offer Gavilan! I'll contact you if my MiniMegIchip doesn't work out.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: KatManDEW on February 14, 2009, 07:46:41 PM
That did the trick! I ran two jumpers down to pins 35 and 36 on the Gary chip, and I now (finally) have 2 meg of chip RAM, using the MiniMegIchip!

Whoo hoo!

Thanks to all for the help!
Title: Re: Megachip woes
Post by: Damion on February 14, 2009, 08:07:27 PM
Right on man, congrats! :pint: