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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: squall457 on September 13, 2025, 01:40:25 PM
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Hey everyone!
Hoping someone might have a suggestion on what I can try next to identify the cause of this strange issue.
I have an A1200 (recently recapped) and a Blizzard 1230IV with 64MB fast RAM. The Blizzard with fast RAM was purchased online recently.
This is all running like a dream - very stable, performing nicely, passing Amiga Test Kit tests and meeting expected benchmarks in SYSINFO.
I noticed though, that the seller sent the Blizzard with one jumper and it was placed in the most poorly-optimised possition - to disable MAPRAM. There was no jumper on the RAMSPEED, thus setting 70ns even though the RAM can handle 60ns (I found this based on the chip markings: https://ram-co-shop.de/64-MB-EDO-RAM-72-pin-Simm-non-Parity-60-ns-5V-Chips-8x-8X8E-43VDW-SS_1).
Strange right? So I moved the jumper to enable MAPROM and set RAMSPEED to 60ns.
Amiga booted well, I ran SYSINFO and got the expected boost to around 9.8MIPS for the RAMSPEED change to 60ns. Ran memory tests and all good. Fast RAM reading reduced to 63MB as expected from MAPROM. Happy days I thought.
Unfortuantely, there is the issue in the title; any soft reboot with MAPROM enabled will lead to crash, pretty much immediately (before the flashing blue lines for the Blizzard would show) with a bright magenta screen!
I've tried many things, including reseating the Blizzard and the fast RAM, but unfortunately not having any luck to solve. It happens on any soft reboot whenever it is done, even if I boot without the hard drive connected. It means I can't use Blizkick so it is bothering me... I really want to to determine if the issue is definitely with the Blizzard before I try to return (as it was sold as tested and fully working), becasue I'm really liking it otherwise.
Any help appreciated, thanks!
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Hey everyone!
Hoping someone might have a suggestion on what I can try next to identify the cause of this strange issue.
I have an A1200 (recently recapped) and a Blizzard 1230IV with 64MB fast RAM. The Blizzard with fast RAM was purchased online recently.
This is all running like a dream - very stable, performing nicely, passing Amiga Test Kit tests and meeting expected benchmarks in SYSINFO.
I noticed though, that the seller sent the Blizzard with one jumper and it was placed in the most poorly-optimised possition - to disable MAPRAM. There was no jumper on the RAMSPEED, thus setting 70ns even though the RAM can handle 60ns (I found this based on the chip markings: https://ram-co-shop.de/64-MB-EDO-RAM-72-pin-Simm-non-Parity-60-ns-5V-Chips-8x-8X8E-43VDW-SS_1).
Strange right? So I moved the jumper to enable MAPROM and set RAMSPEED to 60ns.
Amiga booted well, I ran SYSINFO and got the expected boost to around 9.8MIPS for the RAMSPEED change to 60ns. Ran memory tests and all good. Fast RAM reading reduced to 63MB as expected from MAPROM. Happy days I thought.
Unfortuantely, there is the issue in the title; any soft reboot with MAPROM enabled will lead to crash, pretty much immediately (before the flashing blue lines for the Blizzard would show) with a bright magenta screen!
I've tried many things, including reseating the Blizzard and the fast RAM, but unfortunately not having any luck to solve. It happens on any soft reboot whenever it is done, even if I boot without the hard drive connected. It means I can't use Blizkick so it is bothering me... I really want to to determine if the issue is definitely with the Blizzard before I try to return (as it was sold as tested and fully working), becasue I'm really liking it otherwise.
Any help appreciated, thanks!
Have a look here to download the manual:
https://bigbookofamigahardware.com/bboah/product.aspx?id=151
Secondly, download and run AmigaTestKit and check the RAM is okay on the card. Also try switching back the jumper for the 60NS to 70ns just incase.
AmigaTestKit can be downloaded here:
https://github.com/keirf/amiga-stuff/releases
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Already tried all that unfortunately :(
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Have you checked the jumper pins for any oxidisation? Like wise on the Blizzard 1230 pins that connect up to the A1200 expansion connector?
Other thing to check is the Power supply has correct voltages.
Which revision is the A1200 motherboard? If it is a 1D4 or 2B, did you have the timing fixes done when it was recapped?
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Already tried all that unfortunately :(
Where in the UK are you? I have a 1200 with the same accelerator and it might help to swap them over to see if the issue stays with the Blizzard, RAM etc or the Amiga.
Or a local Amiga group might have someone local willing to try the same.
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@Boing-ball Yeh the jumper pins look good and clean! Timing fix is done.
I did think maybe PSU. I just struggle to believe that if that had an issue that would lead to this behaviour, I wouldn't be seeing other problems too? Could it really be possible, when it's been fine with everything else?
I found someone else had the same issue 12 years ago, sadly without an update though. Mine is always fine from cold boot whereas theirs struggled even with that:
https://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=70368
@AndyFC thanks! Trying out different parts would definitely help (like PSU.. I don't want to buy one until PowerShark is back in stock ha). Will PM.
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I had problems with the same setup, which I hadn't used for a while.
I cleaned both the edge connector on the RAM and in the socket with IPA. That helped!
Best of luck with it.
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An update -
Bought a different RAM module but sadly the issue remained. Cleaned the contacts and no luck. Since I didn't see any errors with memory tests anyway, I'm ruling out the RAM being the problem.
I'm really thinking it must be an issue with the Blizzard, but nothing looks obviously suspect on the card. Think I'll have to return it and be patient waiting for another to come up :(
Thanks all for the suggestions