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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: sim085 on February 16, 2009, 04:15:43 PM

Title: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: sim085 on February 16, 2009, 04:15:43 PM
Hi,

What RAM should I buy to upgrade my GVP A500 HD8+?

Regards,
Sim085
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: Bazzaq on February 16, 2009, 04:24:48 PM
Pop it open and check.. Its usually 30 pin simms, so 4x1mb simms.

Best checking first though some gvp stuff uses custom gvp simms.

I had a hd8 a while back and it took the standard 30 pin simms i pulled from an old pc motherboard no problem.
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: Munchkin on February 16, 2009, 04:36:46 PM
I remember my HD8+ took standard 30 pin simms. What sizes it supported I can't remember though. I think I just put 4 1MB simms in it.

http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=1194
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: sim085 on February 16, 2009, 04:53:55 PM
As much as I know it should reach up to 8MB!
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: alexh on February 16, 2009, 06:28:06 PM
Two 4mbyte * 30-pin SIMMS
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: sim085 on February 16, 2009, 06:52:11 PM
Quote

alexh wrote:
Two 4mbyte * 30-pin SIMMS


Thanks :) ... can I buy four 2mbyte * 30-pin SIMMS or they do not exist? I am asking because on this (http://www.amiga-hardware.com/download_photos/gvpa500hdplus_big.jpg) image it seems there are four slots.
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: Munchkin on February 16, 2009, 07:34:03 PM
There is 4 slots, at least in mine just as on that picture. Think that 8MB is maximum though.
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: EdFlux on February 16, 2009, 07:48:34 PM
Mine has 4 slots, I think max 2mb SIMMS to equal 8mb. There is a jumper diagram in there if you pop the top off, i'll take a pic of mine if yours is missing the label.
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: sim085 on February 16, 2009, 08:23:29 PM
Quote

EdFlux wrote:
Mine has 4 slots, I think max 2mb SIMMS to equal 8mb. There is a jumper diagram in there if you pop the top off, i'll take a pic of mine if yours is missing the label.


if you have the time I would really appreciate that :) I bought my GVP second hand and do not have any manuals.
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: Tahoe on February 16, 2009, 08:47:17 PM
Use either 1MB SIMMS's for a maximum of 4MB or use 2 4MB SIMM's to get the full 8MB. I have never seen 2MB SIMM's (30 pins), nor do the jumper positions suggest they exist.

Get the jumper settings from the amiga hardware database (http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/impact500mk2)
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: sim085 on February 16, 2009, 09:02:13 PM
Quote

Tahoe wrote:
Use either 1MB SIMMS's for a maximum of 4MB or use 2 4MB SIMM's to get the full 8MB. I have never seen 2MB SIMM's (30 pins), nor do the jumper positions suggest they exist.

Get the jumper settings from the amiga hardware database (http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/impact500mk2)


Good, that is what I wanted to know .. I know what's next on my shopping list.

Just another question. From one of the above posts someone suggested that the RAM could be of a normal PC!!? is this true?
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: alexh on February 16, 2009, 10:48:11 PM
Quote

sim085 wrote:
can I buy four 2mbyte * 30-pin SIMMS or they do not exist?

Regardless as to whether they exist you could almost certainly not use them. 1MB or 4MB SIMMS are the only two types that are described as being compatible.

When using 2*4MB SIMMS you have to put the SIMMS in slots 0 and 2.
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: countzero on February 16, 2009, 11:02:41 PM
2 mb 30 pins simply do not exist probably because there are no double sided 30 pin SIMMs. (wild guess here)
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: EdFlux on February 16, 2009, 11:27:06 PM
It's 2x4mb, sorry, it's been a while since I worked with 30pin SIMMS. Sorry for the incorrect info.
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: Tahoe on February 17, 2009, 06:54:20 AM
Quote

alexh wrote:
When using 2*4MB SIMMS you have to put the SIMMS in slots 0 and 2.


Sorry, that would be slots 0 and 1. CN9 and CN10 to be more precise.
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: sim085 on February 24, 2009, 08:26:34 PM
Hi,

PLEASE HELP!! I connected the new RAM to the CN9 and CN10. However when I switch my A500+ my harddisk does not boot (although it starts running).

How should I set the JUMPER settings when having 8Mb of RAM?
I checked here; http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/impact500mk2

It says:

J5 = ON
J9 = ON
J12, 1 & 2 ON

However when I do that I get a pink screen telling me that the second board is defected!!!

Regards,
Sim085
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: DoogUK on February 24, 2009, 08:45:12 PM
Sounds like one of the sticks of ram could be defective to me, had similar symptons in my gvp hd+8 for my a2000 and it was down to a dodgy stick of ram.
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: sim085 on February 24, 2009, 08:57:36 PM
How can I know which one .. can I connect only one of them or?
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: DoogUK on February 24, 2009, 09:02:26 PM
I'm pretty sure they have to be added in pairs.
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: MozzerFan on February 25, 2009, 12:00:59 AM
Quote

sim085 wrote:
Hi,

PLEASE HELP!! I connected the new RAM to the CN9 and CN10. However when I switch my A500+ my harddisk does not boot (although it starts running).

How should I set the JUMPER settings when having 8Mb of RAM?
I checked here; http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/impact500mk2

It says:

J5 = ON
J9 = ON
J12, 1 & 2 ON

However when I do that I get a pink screen telling me that the second board is defected!!!

Regards,
Sim085


According to my manual, J12 should be: 2 & 3 ON with 8 MB RAM.
Works like a charm for me.

Edit: That's also being told in your link to the Amiga Hardware Database.

Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: sim085 on February 25, 2009, 08:26:21 AM
Tried all configurations .. but still did not work :( I get the pink screen telling me that the 2nd board is defected. I will try to order some more RAM. Does anyone know from where I can buy more of this?
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: sim085 on February 25, 2009, 02:28:06 PM
Hi again,

Just wanted to ask another question. Could I have damaged the RAM because I connected the drive to my A500 without first changing the Jumper settings?
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: alexh on February 25, 2009, 02:42:30 PM
Quote

sim085 wrote:
It says:

J5 = ON
J9 = ON
J12, 1 & 2 ON

No it doesn't!

As Mozzer says you've got J12 wrong, should be 2&3

Quote

sim085 wrote:
Tried all configurations .. but still did not work :-(

Duff RAM then. Are you sure the two sticks are identical.

Jumper settings cannot break SIMMS
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: sim085 on February 25, 2009, 02:56:20 PM
No they are not the same, but from where I bought them they told me they should work together. I ordered two new which are identical now. I think I may have damaged them myself however!!

Also ... how the hell do you get the RAM out of those sockets?? I had to use a lot of force to pull the old RAM out!! ... is this normal?
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: alexh on February 25, 2009, 04:46:53 PM
You press the two clips either side of the SIMM outwards with your thumbs.

Then (whilst still holding the clips) tilt the SIMM towards you with your forefingers.

Then the SIMM is infront of the clips you can let go.

Now lift the SIMM upwards and out.

No force at any stage of removal should be required and only a little force for insertion.

I always thought 30-pin SIMMS were idiot proof, but hey ;-)
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: DoogUK on February 25, 2009, 06:21:04 PM
Not in the GVP's, they are simple to get in and a bugger to get out...the clips are not like most 30pin simm sockets....i even had to use some leverage to get mine out.

1mb 30 pin simms are cheap and plentiful on Epay.
Title: Re: GVP A500 HD8+
Post by: sim085 on February 25, 2009, 07:36:29 PM
Quote

alexh wrote:
I always thought 30-pin SIMMS were idiot proof, but hey ;-)


... I guess I over did it when I used the pincers to force the SIMM's out!! However when I put the old SIMM's in everything seemed to still remain working :)