PPC very unstable

[patrik]

@awe4k:

I have a rather similar setup in my A4000D and the PSU does not have any problems with that load. I would rather suspect heat related issues as the heatsink/fan combo on the CSPPC are rather under-dimensioned which can become an issue, especially with the 233MHz model. To see if it is a heat related issue, I would advice you to do the following things and see if it gets better:
- Make sure there are a sufficent layer of thermal paste between the PPC and its heatsink (not too much, and not too little ).
- Make sure the PPC heatsink isn't dusty.
- Make sure the PPC fan is working properly.
- As you are running the A4000 without its cover, why not add a fan blowing air down on the CSPPC.

(edit):

Two more things sprung to mind, first - make sure the CSPPC and motherboard FastSlot connectors are clean and that they are connected properly. You should see no spacing between them if you check from the side. Putting some support like some stiff cardboard or similar under the motherboard under the middle section of the FastSlot connector before applying pressure to the CSPPC makes it much easier.

Secondly - the PPC acesses the memory with more aggressive timings than the 060 so try another set of memory and make sure the contacting surfaces on the SIMMs are clean.


/Patrik

[patrik]

@awe4k:

Here is a good page describing how to improve the cooling of the A4000D case. The improvement in section 1 and 4 suggested on that page are most important as that greatly affects the total amount of air that can flow through the case. The suggested modifications to the powersupply on that page should be sufficent, though here and here you can see some a bit more crazy modifications that can be done to the A4000D powersupply to improve airflow. Whatever you do, make sure you create a balance between the air that can flow in and the air that can flow out of the case.

Some other good things you can do to improve on the air-flow are:
- Remove unused expansions.
- Buy rounded SCSI and IDE-cables and make sure they are not unecessary long.
- Plan and do the cable-routing very well.
- Consider removing the CD-ROM if you have one and use an external model instead, shouldn't be a problem as you have a SCSI-interface.


/Patrik

[patrik]

@awe4k:

Well, you could always make sure you have a clean WarpUp installation by reinstalling it.

Delete this:
LIBS:warp.library
LIBS:warpHW.library
LIBS:powerpc.library
ENVARC:powerpc/
ENV:powerpc/

Download these archives:
WarpUP 4.0
WarpUP 5.1 Update

First install WarpUP 4.0 and then install the WarpUP 5.1 update.

That is pretty much the setup I have which works fine. The only other thing I have done that might be a good idea is to increase the default stack size to 32kB in Prefs/Workbench.

Btw, does for example the Voxelspace Demo in the WarpUP archives work ok for you?


/Patrik