Issues with WHDLoad on Blizzard PPC

[doctorq]

Hello everyone,

I have an issue when running WHDLoad on my Amiga equipped with Blizzard PPC, and I hope someone here can shed some light on the issue, or maybe even a solution if I should be so lucky.

Here is the thing; WHDLoad keeps quitting with an requester saying the following

Exception "Access fault" ($7008)
PC = $6B192
Byte Read from $DFD6EC

WHDLoad doesn't quit right away, but when I reach a certain point in a game. That would suggest taking a look at the installed game (in this case Pang), and so I did.

I disabled the Blizzard PPC and startet the game from my Compact Flash card and I was able to finish the game, and start all over again without any issues. Enabled the Blizzard PPC again, and startet the game in the exact same way, by booting from the Compact Flash card instead of the harddrive attached to the Blizzard PPC. The game quits once again. I replaced the 2 x 128 MB ram installed on the Blizzard with 2 x 64 MB ram, but the issue still remains.

I'm thinking of trying to reflash the Blizzard PPC, play with the memory settings in the Blizzard PPC menu, and as a last attempt, remove hardware and/or replace the motherboard.

As for the software, the latest CPU libraries are installed, and I believe the latest version of WHDLoad. I'm not sure on the latter, so will have to check up on it.

My system config is as follows, A1200, Kickstart 3.1, Blizzard PPC 603e+, 68040@25 MHz, 603e@160 MHz, BVision PPC, BMon monitorswitcher, 80 GB hdd connected to SCSI through bridge, 2 x SCSI CD drives, 8 GB CF card connected to onboard IDE controller, OS3.9, regged WHDLoad.

Does anyone have any idea what could cause the issue I have here? I will be sending the same describtion and question to the WHDLoad team in a second.

Thanks in advance

[doctorq]

Failed to mention. When running the game with the Blizzard PPC enabled I use preload as well as nocache to get the sound to play correctly; with the Blizzard PPC disabled I only use preload.

I'm running version 16.9 of WHDLoad, and the issue happens in OS3.9 as well as OS3.1.

[doctorq]

Thanks for the input; I tried it out, but unfortunately with out any luck (the mask transfer was already set at the value stated by amiga1260).

I have since then played around with the computer. I have updated the slave, but that didn't have any effect.

If I start the game without the nocache switch, and then the game doesn't quit when the BPPC is enabled. Unfortunately the sound plays faster than it should, so it ruins the game a bit. Running with nocache makes the game quit, and always after finishing stage 9, when the screen should switch to the world map in order to go to the next destination.

I tried a different motherboard with a B1260 and SCSI attached, started with the nocache switch, and then the game doesn't quit. Attaching the BPPC instead with the ram from the 1260 combo and nothing else, the game still quits when running the game with the nocache switch.

All that's left to try out, is reflashing, and play with memory settings. My god, there are many combinations to go through :-(

[doctorq]

Why not try to use one or more of these options:

NoAutoVec
NoFileCache
 NoMMU
NoWriteCache
NoVBRMove

ChipNoCache <- This option is especially for blizzppc.

Hope it worx now.

x303

Well, it doesn't. I have tried all switches, and no matter what I do, the sound will be to fast if I start the game without the nocache switch, and will quit if I start the game with the nocache switch.

It's time to check if it's a general problem with WHDLoad on my machine (other games have crashed as well before), or only this game in particular.

[doctorq]

The key is legit, so the key is not the issue.

[doctorq]

@foleyjo

I'm going to try out Robocop 3 to see if it does the same here with me. Is it the exact same error?

I wrote the WHDLoad team, but unfortunately the replies I got didn't solve the problem.

[doctorq]

Tried the game in Winuae with the same settings as my 1200 and it worked fine so Im guessing it's related to faulty hardware.

I have also narrowed it down to a hardware issue. I wouldn't call it faulty hardware as such, but the accelerator is the problem in my case.

I just tried out Robocop 3. With the accelerator disabled, I can play the game without issues (even though it is incredibly slow because of lack of fast ram). If I play it with the accelerator enabled I get problems; tried it with both the preload switch alone, and with chipnocache and expchip switches, but get this error.

Exception "Access Fault" ($7008)
PC = $18F00
Word read from $103C6B7

With the switch nocache alone, I get a slightly different error

Exception "Access Fault" ($7008)
PC = $18C06
Byte read from $F0040280

I guess there is nothing else to do other than live with the problem. I'll have to bring out my A1200 with Blizzard 1230 when it comes to gaming.

-EDIT-

@foleyjo

Have you tried with Pang to see if you get the same problem as me?

[doctorq]

So Pang doesn't crash after finishing level 9 on your machine??

[doctorq]

Doctor Q : Just been on the WHDLOAD site and notice this in the latest news

•05.10.2009 improved: Pang (Ocean) access fault removed

Might be worth trying it

Yep, I already got the updated slave on 4th October, and it fixed the error :-D

[doctorq]

@foleyjo

I just reported it to Bert Jahn. After he fixed Pang I asked if it was the same problem with Robocop 3. He told me that it wasn't easy to get the game running with WHDLoad  so he was reluctant in trying to fix the error. Fully understandable, if the game has been a nightmare to get working in the first place. I doubt a global fix is even possible.

@ZeBeeDee

Yep, the BPPC isn't always the easiest piece of kit to play around with, but I'm happy with my card despite the issues I have with WHDLoad (Pinball Fantasies being one of them ).

I'm glad I have another machine to play around with as well, when I need to play Pinball Dreams as well as Fantasies (I have a non WHDLoad HD version I'm about to try out very soon). I was hoping that the BPPC tower could become my main Amiga until I get my A3000 and A4000 put together.