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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: matt3k on November 19, 2017, 04:24:28 AM

Title: Bad PPC?
Post by: matt3k on November 19, 2017, 04:24:28 AM
I think, but I am not sure that my PPC is no longer working.

Here are the symptoms:
* When it boots up it locks when it should put the picture in the background. I'm using warp datatypes.
* If I boot with no start up sequence and run whichamiga it will just stop before it displays your system.
* If I boot with no startup sequence and run any warpos program like LHA or stat, etc it will lock that shell. If I run normal lha it runs.

I may be missing something.

Do anyone know of a way I could test it to be sure?

The fan is still spinning and I run the system cool.

Got to say that Cyberstrorms are crap, if this is a PPC failure. It will be the 3rd failure of the card in the last year and a half and it may be going back to get fixed again... sigh...

Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: kreciu on November 19, 2017, 05:13:15 AM
If you want to test PPC, make a floppy from this and boot from it:

http://powerup.amigaworld.de/download.php?id=59

Run PowerUP test and you should get "OK". WarpUP test will most likely fail (not important).
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: matt3k on November 19, 2017, 08:41:15 PM
Thanks for the great resource.

I tried it and the Powerup claims I don't have the ppc.library, which I assume means the PPC is toast.

Thanks for the help!
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: kreciu on November 19, 2017, 10:03:51 PM
Quote from: matt3k;833343
Thanks for the great resource.

I tried it and the Powerup claims I don't have the ppc.library, which I assume means the PPC is toast.

Thanks for the help!

OR your cyberstorm is not powered properly/or connected! My Blizzard + Mediator is super touchy with power.

I had the same ONCE.

Your have "issue" for sure... (I spend last few weeks playing with 100% PPC and I think I've seen "everything" already).
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: matt3k on November 20, 2017, 12:07:07 AM
Hmm, I think it is connected ok because the 060 is working.

Power is an interesting idea.  The 3000D power supply could be the issue although it aeems fine.  I also have a mediator but, the system ran fine for years.  So I'm thinking the ppc.
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: kreciu on November 20, 2017, 01:17:08 AM
Quote from: matt3k;833349
Hmm, I think it is connected ok because the 060 is working.

Power is an interesting idea.  The 3000D power supply could be the issue although it aeems fine.  I also have a mediator but, the system ran fine for years.  So I'm thinking the ppc.


I don't have to much experience with PPC, but recently I got my 060/PPC and it was really interesting experience.

In short.. NOTHING looks simple for me :), my point don't give up to fast. PPCBoot tells you that "something" is wrong - this is MY interpretation of this results.

In my BlizzardPPC I also had the same error "no ppc.library" and right now my A1200+AmigaOS4.1 works great... stable as a rock (expect Update 1, but this is different story :) ).

Good luck!
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: Acill on November 20, 2017, 02:24:48 AM
Hey Matt if your willing to be without it for a bit I would be happy to look it over for you. Just testing it would only cost you shipping back.
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: rvo_nl on November 20, 2017, 12:00:13 PM
Quote from: kreciu;833346
OR your cyberstorm is not powered properly/or connected! My Blizzard + Mediator is super touchy with power.

I had the same ONCE.

Your have "issue" for sure... (I spend last few weeks playing with 100% PPC and I think I've seen "everything" already).


yeah I can confirm this. the symptoms you describe sound very familiar. I have an Elbox tower myself and the plug that powers the motherboard can lose connection over time resulting in all sorts of weird problems. The most noticeable is always that workbench backdrop picture that doesnt load.

I did replace the PSU for a new 450w version. also I had to add extra power to the motherboard via the floppy power connector. with all this in place, and a new set of caps, my system is finally stable! (twice a year it starts acting up again, then I have to reseat the Bvision, but thats about it)

If all fails you can always consider upgrading the ppc to something faster.
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: matt3k on November 22, 2017, 03:28:09 AM
Wow, great call.  The power supply was the culprit.

Thanks for saving me lots of money.  Never thought the power supply would create issues like killing the ppc but keeping the 060 going.

I now have to shop for a decent atx power supply that was retrofitted for a 3000D power supply case.  I think I saw a few on Amibay...

This is my 3rd 3000 power supply to go bad in the last 2 years.  

Quote from: rvo_nl;833367
yeah I can confirm this. the symptoms you describe sound very familiar. I have an Elbox tower myself and the plug that powers the motherboard can lose connection over time resulting in all sorts of weird problems. The most noticeable is always that workbench backdrop picture that doesnt load.

I did replace the PSU for a new 450w version. also I had to add extra power to the motherboard via the floppy power connector. with all this in place, and a new set of caps, my system is finally stable! (twice a year it starts acting up again, then I have to reseat the Bvision, but thats about it)

If all fails you can always consider upgrading the ppc to something faster.
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: kreciu on November 22, 2017, 03:43:20 AM
Quote from: matt3k;833457
Wow, great call.  The power supply was the culprit.

Thanks for saving me lots of money.  Never thought the power supply would create issues like killing the ppc but keeping the 060 going.

I now have to shop for a decent atx power supply that was retrofitted for a 3000D power supply case.  I think I saw a few on Amibay...

This is my 3rd 3000 power supply to go bad in the last 2 years.

Thanks for update! I can give you my paypal address for payment ;). Happy it worked! Now you will have all OTHER issues with it ;)

BTW. My best PC power supply: CORSAIR  RM650i. Peace of ART.
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: matt3k on November 22, 2017, 03:52:09 AM
Quote from: kreciu;833459
Thanks for update! I can give you my paypal address for payment ;). Happy it worked! Now you will have all OTHER issues with it ;)

BTW. My best PC power supply: CORSAIR  RM650i. Peace of ART.


That is a nice power supply.

I need one that fits in a 3000D case and adapted for it.

Thanks again.
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: klx300r on November 22, 2017, 05:54:34 AM
Quote from: matt3k

..Got to say that Cyberstrorms are crap, if this is a PPC failure...[/QUOTE


sorry about your bad luck but I whole heartedly disagree:smack:
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: Acill on November 22, 2017, 02:23:14 PM
Ian Steadman makes some awesome ATX adapter boards with the -5V and the Tick supply conversions done so you dont need to fuss with anything. They use the cable from the original 3000 and you just cut it and wire it into the board, then plug in the atx.

Easy stuff and super clean!

http://www.ianstedman.co.uk/Sales/sales.html
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: kirk_m on November 22, 2017, 02:45:30 PM
His adapters are very nice, indeed.  Try an SFX size power supply.  It will probably fit, as I was able to fit one and that adapter inside my A4000 when the power supply seemed to get flaky on me.
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: matt3k on November 22, 2017, 02:55:16 PM
Quote from: klx300r;833464
sorry about your bad luck but I whole heartedly disagree:smack:


Crap may have been too harsh of a label the entire card, but they do have a high failure rate and the 060 sockets are total crap and prone to failure.  :)

Many people I know that owned them had failures.  Shame their CV64 was an awesome build and built right from the beginning.  Their MKI, II, III, and PPC either under performed, had a crazy design, or had high failure rates.  Macrosystems had a much better accelerator card for reliability and problem free and well thought out designs.  All the warp engines I know of still work and never failed and delivered decent performance.

I still plan on the PPC and hope for good luck.
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: matt3k on November 22, 2017, 03:09:07 PM
Welp either the other old power supply I swapped out failed in the same manner (after working yesterday) with the system locking with loading the background or the PPC is faulty...

Will have to do more testing... Sigh...
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: kreciu on November 22, 2017, 03:48:06 PM
You wrote this is your third power supply in two years, that is not normal for sure. Power supply can/should last 20 years... You should send your Amiga to Dr. Acill :-) for physical.
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: klx300r on November 22, 2017, 04:12:36 PM
@ matt3k

I can only speak for myself and my MKIII has been rock solid from day 1. I installed a heat sink right away on the 060 and upgraded the fan in my 040 desktop to make sure airflow was good in the system.  

as others have mentioned 3rd failure in a year is quite odd so it smells like an inconsistent power issue to me.  If your not handy with soldering irons and voltmeters I +1 what kreciu said and said it to Dr. Paul (Acill) for a check up:)
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: BLTCON0 on November 22, 2017, 05:55:50 PM
Quote from: matt3k;833478
Welp either the other old power supply I swapped out failed in the same manner (after working yesterday) with the system locking with loading the background or the PPC is faulty...

Will have to do more testing... Sigh...

Maybe some solder joints on the PPC are failing.
Heat up the PPC area a bit (to allow for the joints to expand and improve conductivity where possibly fractured) and see if the PPC comes back to life (only to disappear again when the area has cooled off).

Only heat up the PPC chip, do not expose the CPLDs between the two odd-spaced SIMM sockets to excess heat (PPC can be replaced, CPLDs cannot unless taken from a donor CS PPC card).

If it comes back to life this way, you can probably get away with it by having the PPC chip reballed, although it might be wiser to have it replaced with an altogether new (and faster :-) ) chip.
Title: Re: Bad PPC?
Post by: amiadudeorwat on November 24, 2017, 03:51:16 AM
Quote from: matt3k;833478
Welp either the other old power supply I swapped out failed in the same manner (after working yesterday) with the system locking with loading the background or the PPC is faulty...

Will have to do more testing... Sigh...

If it hasn't been done the large electrolytic caps on the CSPPC probably need replaced by now.