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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: toples50 on January 02, 2017, 05:35:09 PM

Title: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: toples50 on January 02, 2017, 05:35:09 PM
First of all Happy New Year.I have bought a GVP HC8 card for my A2000.I don't have the software disk.I have install it but my Amiga does not recognised.The HDD says WB 3.1 with software.When I ran sysinfo does not find anything.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 02, 2017, 06:21:27 PM
You don't need a disk. Once it's installed correctly you can prep the hard drive with HDtoolbox. Does it show up in Early Startup menu? What Kickstart ROM version do you have?
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: toples50 on January 02, 2017, 07:19:04 PM
Finally its ok the card.Only the Hard disk needs format now.I have 2.05 version.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 02, 2017, 08:17:43 PM
With 2.04 ROM you should run Workbench 2.1.  Good luck! :)
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: magnetic on January 03, 2017, 02:30:52 AM
if that HD says 3.1 and software do yourself a favor and spend the $20 and upgrade to 3.1 rom.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: toples50 on January 03, 2017, 01:42:55 PM
Worth updating my A2000 to 3.1 or not?
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 03, 2017, 01:56:05 PM
Quote from: toples50;818856
Worth updating my A2000 to 3.1 or not?


Yes. Always. :hammer:
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: toples50 on January 04, 2017, 09:07:32 AM
It's easy procedure to upgrade my rev6 A2000 to 3.1 rom?
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Pat the Cat on January 04, 2017, 09:11:16 AM
Quote from: toples50;818965
It's easy procedure to upgrade my rev6 A2000 to 3.1 rom?

Depends. It's a socketed chip, but the rectangular (DIL) kind. Aim for the gap between the socket and the bottom of the chip.

Levering either end, gently, alternately, a little bit at a time, it should just pop out. There are plastic tools to do this, but a small flat bladed screwdriver will do the job.

Plugging in a new ROM chip (only one on an A2000) is easy, just make sure you get the notch at one end the right way. Same way as the old one was.

Make sure it goes in flat, no bent pins. If one side is a little bit off, you can put one side in a little, bend the pins in a row to line up the other set, and press it in fully.

If you do bend a pin, it can be straightened out with small pliers - again, gently.

First time it's a big deal, but it's not that difficult really. Even if you never done electronics at all.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: toples50 on February 03, 2017, 05:22:38 PM
Finally I bought  3.1 roms for my A2000 but when I install it refuses to boot.When I replace it with original ROM(2.04) it starts normally.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Iggy on February 03, 2017, 05:32:59 PM
Weird, mine works fine with a 3.1 rom.
Are you sure what you received is functional?
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on February 03, 2017, 07:37:47 PM
Quote from: toples50;821459
Finally I bought  3.1 roms for my A2000 but when I install it refuses to boot.When I replace it with original ROM(2.04) it starts normally.

Where did you buy the ROM from?  A reputable seller or some fly-by-night on ebay?  It's possible that you got a defective one, or damaged in transit, or by static electricity during handling.  Try again, clean & inspect all pins, make sure nothing obvious (like putting it in backwards, etc.), test it on another board, if you have one.  Inspect the ROM socket for corrosion (especially if you've had any battery leaks).

What exactly happens with the ROM installed (when you say "refuses to boot")?

If all of the above fail, contact the seller for a replacement.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: toples50 on February 03, 2017, 07:54:32 PM
I get a grey screen when its installed.I bought it for a reputable local seller which has sell many of this.Maybe I will try again...
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: toples50 on February 03, 2017, 08:19:09 PM
I bought it from a reputable seller who has sell many of this item.I get grey screen when I have the 3.1 rom.Maybe I have to try again...
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Pat the Cat on February 04, 2017, 06:27:22 AM
Not unusual, typically is a loose SIMM module or ROM chip on the card.

Also, check ROM to see if has a little adaptor fitted for 32K sized GuruROM, as opposed to more typical 16K GVP ROM. Even those sometimes need an update, for removable media I think.

http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/impact2000hc8

Ralph Babel page for download of ROMs and updated gvpscsi.device files;-

http://babel.de/amiga.html#gvp
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: utri007 on February 04, 2017, 10:36:05 AM
If not yet said, some old A2000 computers need a connect two rom's pin with jump wire.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: guest11527 on February 04, 2017, 11:20:54 AM
Quote from: utri007;821510
If not yet said, some old A2000 computers need a connect two rom's pin with jump wire.

As far as I recall, that only goes for some A500 boards. The more interesting question is now: Is this a ROM for an A2000? And which board revision are we talking about?

A3000 or A4000 ROMs cannot be used in A2000's, for example.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Pat the Cat on February 04, 2017, 07:25:42 PM
Quote from: Thomas Richter;821511
As far as I recall, that only goes for some A500 boards. The more interesting question is now: Is this a ROM for an A2000? And which board revision are we talking about?

A3000 or A4000 ROMs cannot be used in A2000's, for example.

Very important point. There are several versions of the "A2000" out there, and while they can all be modified to rev 6, on some of the earliest versions it is a long, tough job. Most are Rev 5, but there are still rev 4 German made units out there that have NEVER been modified.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiga_2000#Amiga_1500

Bottom most link off that is slightly more detailed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiga_2000#Amiga_1500

In all honesty - I have yet to meet an "honest trader" when it comes to selling retro computer hardware, in the sense of knowing exactly what kit they are selling. Maybe I just met the wrong people.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on February 04, 2017, 08:03:19 PM
Quote from: Pat the Cat;821538
There are several versions of the "A2000" out there, and while they can all be modified to rev 6

Sorry Pat, go back and check your schematics again, this information is incorrect. Rev. 6 is completely different board layout from Rev. 4.  The only way to "modify" would be to replace the motherboard. :lol:

http://amiga.resource.cx/mod/a2000.html

Most boards I've seen in the US seem to be >6, I think Europe has the greater number of older boards. But that's just FWIW IMHO. ;)
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Pat the Cat on February 04, 2017, 10:45:35 PM
Quote from: utri007;821510
If not yet said, some old A2000 computers need a connect two rom's pin with jump wire.

A2000 revisions below 6 can need pins 32 and 21 connecting. On the ROM connector. It's hardly a major fix.

Quote
; For the revisions 3 and 5, pins 1 and 31 must be connected to the base. To the
  ROM pin 31 and connect it to pin 21. No additional connection is required for revisions 6A and higher.
If the machine is OK with Kickstart 2, it can use 512K ROM, so that does not need fixing. :)

So maybe is 1mb size 3.1 ROM. Or just broken 3.1 ROM in 512K size. What is part number on chip?

If it is 1mb ROM, can be implemented less easily with this (necessary if 3.9 ever installed on machine);

http://members.iinet.net.au/~davem2/overclock/A2000Kickstart.html
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: toples50 on February 05, 2017, 08:13:05 AM
The chip says Kickstart v40.63 Amiga 500/600/2000 1993-1994 Escom AG.My Amiga is B2000-CR rev6
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: RiP on February 05, 2017, 08:39:30 AM
Odd, then isn't 1mb 3.1 rom compatible with A2000 rev6 512kb?
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on February 05, 2017, 05:19:46 PM
Quote from: RiP;821565
Odd, then isn't 1mb 3.1 rom compatible with A2000 rev6 512kb?


1MB ROM's are few and far between. Pretty much all custom jobs. I doubt this is your problem. IMHO buy a regular 3.1 ROM from AmigaKit for <$20 bucks and pop this in, see if this rules out the problem with an incorrect or defective ROM.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Pat the Cat on February 05, 2017, 05:39:28 PM
One oddity I noticed - the part no. covers all 3.1 ROMs fitted to A500, A600 and A2000 by Escom... but...

... Amigakit don't appear to sell an A600 version. They do separate versions for A500 and A2000?

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=157

So  maybe it's a pull from an old A600, an original part - but if your  Amiga doesn't have a PCMCIA interface like a real A600, it won't start  up. Because it's trying to initialize a port that isn't fitted?

That's another possible reason. I guess if you did it the other way around, an A500 ROM would startup  an A600 OK, but you wouldn't get the PCMCIA port working in a hurry... Something like that, maybe. ;)
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on February 05, 2017, 05:49:43 PM
Quote from: Pat the Cat;821581

... Amigakit don't appear to sell an A600 version. They do separate versions for A500 and A2000?


A600 ROM is listed on their page right under the one for A500/1500/2000. ;)

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=25
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: toples50 on February 23, 2017, 05:54:31 PM
Finally it worked.I have new problems now.The HDToolBox can't see the hard disk so I formatted from Workbench. I tried then to install  Workbench to the hard disk but still no boot..The previous owner had two partitions and the machine booted normally.Also I have not light from the front led...(when the HD working).Do I need the disk hat came with the card?Unfortunately i don't have it.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on February 23, 2017, 06:03:20 PM
Quote from: toples50;822625
The HDToolBox can see the hard disk but Workbench installed normally to the hard disk.

?

Quote from: toples50;822625
Also I have not light from the front led...(when the HD working)

Check that the wire going to the LED is plugged into the appropriate connector on the HD controller?
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: guest11527 on February 23, 2017, 06:06:54 PM
Quote from: Pat the Cat;821581
One oddity I noticed - the part no. covers all 3.1 ROMs fitted to A500, A600 and A2000 by Escom... but...
Which is no miracle, since the ROMs of all three machines are identical. Even the A2000 and A500 include the IDE scsi.device, except that it is not used.

Quote from: Pat the Cat;821581
... Amigakit don't appear to sell an A600 version. They do separate versions for A500 and A2000?
If these are original 3.1 ROMs without any "improvements", then there is no need to.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Pat the Cat on February 23, 2017, 08:16:41 PM
Quote from: Thomas Richter;822628
Which is no miracle, since the ROMs of all three machines are identical. Even the A2000 and A500 include the IDE scsi.device, except that it is not used.


If these are original 3.1 ROMs without any "improvements", then there is no need to.

Somewhat bad news if people want to run an A570 with 3.1 - surely they have to cook their own ROM to remove the "new" SCSI device?

I do so hope this is the case. Because I have an A570.... ;)
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: toples50 on February 24, 2017, 08:08:31 AM
Do I need the original disk that came with card to format the hard disk with HDToolBox?The HDToolBox can't see the hard disk.I've seen the icons in the Workbench normally but I can formatted the hard disk via HDToolBox.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on February 24, 2017, 08:39:08 AM
Quote from: toples50;822662
Do I need the original disk that came with card to format the hard disk with HDToolBox?The HDToolBox can't see the hard disk.I've seen the icons in the Workbench normally but I can formatted the hard disk via HDToolBox.


HDtoolbox is only for prepping and partitioning the drive. You format it using the normal Workbench "Format" command (or PFSformat, or whatever, if you're using an alternative file system). If the drive isn't detected by HDtoolbox at all go back and recheck your connections, ID and termination settings, etc.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on February 24, 2017, 08:45:09 AM
Quote from: Pat the Cat;822634

I do so hope this is the case. Because I have an A570.... ;)


Neat toy, I wonder how one of those would work with a Vampire?  :banana: :banana:
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Thomas on February 24, 2017, 10:56:33 AM
Quote from: toples50;822662
The HDToolBox can't see the hard disk.


Check icon information of HDToolbox. There should be a tooltype reading SCSI_DEVICE_NAME=gvpscsi.device


Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;822664
HDtoolbox is only for prepping and partitioning the drive. You format it using the normal Workbench "Format" command


You also need HDToolbox to make a partition bootable.


Quote
(or PFSformat, or whatever, if you're using an alternative file system).


That's more for experienced users. The standard Format command is ok for all file systems.


Quote
If the drive isn't detected by HDtoolbox at all go back and recheck your connections, ID and termination settings, etc.


If partitions of the drive are shown in Workbench, then the hardware is ok. It's just a configuration issue with HDToolbox.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: toples50 on February 25, 2017, 05:43:26 PM
I tried everything HDToolBox can't see my Hard disk.I don't know what to do.I tried two versions from WB 3.0 and WB 3.1
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Thomas on February 25, 2017, 06:05:15 PM
Run this and attach the report here: http://thomas-rapp.homepage.t-online.de/downloads/hddreport.lha
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: guest11527 on February 25, 2017, 08:10:40 PM
Quote from: Thomas;822667
Check icon information of HDToolbox. There should be a tooltype reading SCSI_DEVICE_NAME=gvpscsi.device.
Or "omniscsi.device", if equipped with a guru-rom.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: toples50 on March 01, 2017, 08:14:54 PM
Thanks guys a lot!.I managed to format the hard disk.Now the only problem I have is the LED of hard disk that does not work.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on March 01, 2017, 09:16:21 PM
Quote from: toples50;822880
Thanks guys a lot!.I managed to format the hard disk.Now the only problem I have is the LED of hard disk that does not work.

The LED on the hard disk or the LED on the front of the case?  Did you confirm that the lead is plugged in correctly into the card?
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: toples50 on March 01, 2017, 09:53:44 PM
The LED on the front of the case.The cables are plugged correctly but nothing.The hard disk(Quantum) has a light itself that work fine.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on March 02, 2017, 02:31:44 AM
Quote from: toples50;822882
The LED on the front of the case.The cables are plugged correctly but nothing.The hard disk(Quantum) has a light itself that work fine.

Try reversing the Power and HDD LED's briefly and see if there's any change.  Assuming your front panel HDD LED is completely toast, there's plenty of replacements on ebay, looks like they're going for around $30 bucks right now.  Alternatively, if you have the time and skill it might be cheaper to just repair your existing one.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: guest11527 on March 02, 2017, 10:40:59 AM
Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;822897
Assuming your front panel HDD LED is completely toast, there's plenty of replacements on ebay, looks like they're going for around $30 bucks right now.
Wow! What a rip-off! $30 for a 0.30$ LED. That's a plain standard rectangular LED, absolutely nothing special about it.

Problem typically is: Reversed polarity (unlike what people believe, it does not enable time travel or access to another dimension) or simply plugged onto the wrong pins. In worst case, some HDs have LED-out pins as well where you can connect it to (e.g. my old IBM did).
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: toples50 on March 02, 2017, 09:39:06 PM
I ha tried reversing the power and hd led and the hdd led worked.I think the GVP card has the problem because the two LEDs work fine.
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: RiP on March 05, 2017, 08:24:09 AM
Some hard disks have led jumper.

Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;822897
Try reversing the Power and HDD LED's briefly and see if there's any change.  Assuming your front panel HDD LED is completely toast, there's plenty of replacements on ebay, looks like they're going for around $30 bucks right now.  Alternatively, if you have the time and skill it might be cheaper to just repair your existing one.

30 bucks for led wtf lol
I bought 5 for free
Title: Re: GVP hc+ 8 series II and A2000
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on March 05, 2017, 04:39:24 PM
Quote from: RiP;822995

30 bucks for led wtf lol
I bought 5 for free


To be fair the $30 bucks was for the entire front panel "module" (both LED's, wiring, and the plastic housing). Go look it up, plenty of them on ebay. This would be a simpler "plug and play" replacement, if OP didn't have technical skill or time to replace a smaller component.

But TL;DR, it sounds like his problem is with the HC, not the LED. Maybe try measuring voltage across the pins to see if it's sending any activity signal at all?