BlizzardPPC flash update problem.

[x56h34]

I've decided to upgrade my BPPC 040/200Mhz no SCSI with the latest flash update and I seem to have corrupted the flashrom somehow. I've used the BlizzPPC040Update file and I've booted without startup-sequence, disabled every HD volume, etc., etc.

When I ran the update file, it started to detect my hardware and it correctly reported Blizzard 603e 200Mhz CPU, but then the unthinkable happened. I got this message:

MFB error: sector 0 protected
Oops! You're in deep trouble now !
Close all doors and wait for the end of the world or rerun the program.

Hmmm...immediately I suspected that the board is DOA from this point, and I am probably right, as now when I try to execute the flash update again and again (even used older flash updates of BlizzPPC040Update), I get a message that says something like:

Blizzard 603e unknown Mhz Speed?
Error detecting clock.

Is there any hope for this card yet or is it done for?

[x56h34]

But I had to run it. It's a revision 2 BPPC that I was going to use with Grex 1200, and in order to do that I needed the Grex compatible flashrom which carries the PCI boot menu option.

I wouldn't touch it otherwise, if things are working fine. I know about the sensitive nature of these cards, especially when it comes to 040 BPPC models.

[x56h34]

Ryu,

if this works I will send you a nice little postcard. Thanks for the tip, I will try it out tonight.

[x56h34]

The card lives! :-)

I've used the 200MHZ comment and it worked. The flashing process lasted longer than usual (5 minutes or so), but I suppose this was due to the previously corrupted flashrom. I can now access the bootmenu again. Thanks Ryu! Also thanks to others who chiped in with tips. ;-)

As soon as I get a tower case, I am ready to unleash the awesome power of Grex 1200 PCI. :-P

The case will most likely be Infinitiv Tower. :lol:

[x56h34]

I've had a Grex 1200 before, when it was still neck to neck with Mediator (my old Power Tower 1200 BPPC 060 setup), and it ran perfectly well.

I would assume that those dead Grex boards and PPC cards were most likely killed due to usage with BPPC 040 cards. Now, before I actually got one, I assumed that Lempkee was exaggeratting about their heat problems, but boy was I wrong. A BPPC 040 has got to be the hottest Amiga product of all, and I mean this heat wise, not hot as in good or cool! ;-)

I will need to implement some major cooling for this. The 040 will get a 486 heatsink and fan, and I may as well put some sort of an extra fan over the PPC heatsink. I just need to find one that can easily be attached and is the right size.

[x56h34]

@Karlos:

Sounds good. Do you have any pictures of all that, by any chance? :-)

[x56h34]

Thanks! :-)