ZorRAM vs. Busters

[HammerD]

Hello Amigadudes.

I'd really like to use ZorRAM in my A3000. In fact, I already ordered one . I have vague memory of AmigaKit site stating that ZorRAM is incompatible with Buster 9. But now there's information that ZorRAM is compatible only with Buster 11. Or maybe my memory is playing tricks on me...

Until recenty my Amiga was equipped with Buster 9. This setup was unstable, so I replaced it with Buster 7, and everything works just fine. I have 16MHz model of A3000, which is supposedly incompatible with Buster 11 (due to Buster 11 inability to run at 16MHz). So I probably can't upgrade it.

Anyone care to elaborate on this? Will I be able to use ZorRAM with Buster 7? Could installation of 25MHz A3640 card make it possible to install Buster 11?

Actually I just read on AmigaKit's website that Buster revision 11 is required...not sure why.

[HammerD]

A4000D(Buster11) + Blizzard 4030/50MHz + IndivisonAGA + Mediator4000Di (WinSize 512MB) + Radeon 256MB (with automatic Monitorswitch) + Realtek8139C + Deneb (FirmwareV9) + ZorRam 256MB = working

... but now i am running out of ZIII-ConfigSpace ... $4000.0000 - $7fff.ffff :-P

You need a beefier CPU in there  Otherwise you are good.  how did you do the automatic monitor switch for the Radeon?

[HammerD]

I send my defective CyberstormPPC to Vesa... in 2001 and it never returned.

http://www.a1k.org/forum/showthread.php?t=19230
(my selfmade monitorswitch based on the stmav340-referencedesign)

Your monitor switch looks awesome Does it fit in normal A4000 case if that radeon is connected to the Mediator?  I have what it looks like exact same Radeon card...

By the way, yesterday I put a Sapphire PCI Radeon 9250 256MB into my A4000 Mediator system and it worked! Much to my surprise

[HammerD]

Switch to Page 3 (Seite 3) on that thread and you will see the Radeon inside the A4000D-housing.
Alternativ ... http://www.a1k.org/forum/showpost.php?p=360634&postcount=79

( The free PCI-Slot between Radeon and Network/USB is reserved for a PCI-Soundcard. But I need a card with OpenPCI-Support .. FM801 or is the SB128 fully supported by OpenPCI? )

Very nice. I like how you have saved a PCI slot by putting the Deneb USB connectors and realtek 8139 card on the same backplane.  Good stuff.

Unfortunately for my A4000 (which is very similar to yours with Mediator PCI/4000i and Deneb), I often switch between OS 3.9BB4 and OS 4.0 so I don't put in a realtek 8139.

I have to keep the cards that are compatible with both OS 3.9 and OS 4.0 in the system.

So right now I have:

Voodoo 3 PCI (with fan - that chip gets VERY hot)
Realtek 8029
Deneb
ZorRAM 256MB

Those cards all either work in OS 4.0 or don't conflict with it, so when I switch between OS 3.9 and OS 4.0 I don't have to change any hardware.

I also don't like how the Radeon doesn't support Warp3D...too bad really

Otherwise for sure I'd prefer to leave my Radeon 9250 PCI 256MB in there...

[HammerD]

For all the google-translaters .. on a1k exist a thread about the deneb and technical details about diferences between buster 9 and buster 11.
It seems to be, that ONLY buster 9 is able to handle TWO ZIII-cards in DMA-mode.
But it needs some workarounds to fix some timing problems, Deneb firmware can handle ist.
Buster11 is fixed in some issues but is only able to handle ONE ZIII-card in DMA-mode.

I wish some enterprising individual would make a new Buster Rev.12 to fix all the lame bugs and limitations and make it faster....single DMA busmaster sucks (not to mention, it would be nice if Zorro 3 was faster.

[HammerD]

Yes, only one: get a Buster 11 :-)

We haven't tested with Buster 7 - I think I have at least one crouching around in my spare part stuff, but Buster 7 is definitely outdated. My spare part is just for historical interests :-)

Michael

Hi Michael, you mention V10 Deneb firmware on your site in the FAQ? I assume this will come out at some point soon?

Also, I have two ZorRAM cards - how do I tell if they are affected by the Buster 9 problem?

Not that it really matters for me, my three A4000 systems have Buster-11.

Is there any remote possibility of making a buster-12 ? Fix the stupid bugs and faster would be nice.  I mean, it can't be too complex of a chip nowadays...

[HammerD]

HammerD
I'm jeoulous of your classic a4k setup! I used to have a amiga tech 4000T w phase ppc and cybervisionppc but sold it when I got into pegasos. Boy i'd love to have that thing back! how is the ZoroRam board compared to say a DKB 3128 >?

Both my ZorRAM cards (I have two - one 128MB and one 256) work fine.

They aren't very fast because of Zorro 3 limitations, you'll max out at around 10MB/sec.  But it's nice to have nonetheless.  Better than trying to find a used DKB3128 which is next to impossible.  

As for my setups, yes they are nice.  I have actually three systems near identical setups, all with CS PPC's, two 233MHz versions and one 200MHz version upgraded to 366MHz

And a CD32/SX32, but I have to admit that doesn't get much use

[HammerD]

WOOT it came in yesterday and installed the zorram today! Installed and running fine!!!!
lol now what to do!!! Funny though fast ram is showing 137 megs...

lost

Nice ! Run some speed tests on it let us know how fast it is