3.1 ROM CHIPS

[DGB]

Does anyone know if the 3.1 ROM chip used in the CD32 is in fact the same chip as used in the A2000.  They look as if they are the same.  Thanks.

Dave

[Jeff]

They are not the same.  The CD32 is a 42 pin 1 meg rom (I Think) and the A2000 is a 40 pin 512k rom.

I often wondered if the CD32 Rom would fit in the 42 pin socket found on some A1200 motherboards and if that would work.  If not, then what was the reason for including a larger socket on the 1200? I'm sure this has already been discussed somewhere.

Jeff

[nex4060]

hmm if you could make the CD32 3.1 ROMs work in an A1200 would you then get CD-ROM access direcly from a cold boot?

[pjhutch]

Unlikely as the CDROM in the CD32 is propietary and would not work on other systems...

[Piru]

hmm if you could make the CD32 3.1 ROMs work in an A1200 would you then get CD-ROM access direcly from a cold boot?

No.

[DGB]

That answers my question.  Thanks.

Dave

[TjLaZer]

The CD32 is a 32-bit computer, AGA, like the A1200, A4000, thus two chips, the A2000/A500 is 16-bit, one chip.

[adolescent]

TjLaZer wrote:
The CD32 is a 32-bit computer, AGA, like the A1200, A4000, thus two chips, the A2000/A500 is 16-bit, one chip.

No, CD32 is a single chip.

[TjLaZer]

Really?  That is weird, I thought it was based on the A1200.  Interesting.

[Doobrey]

Yup, it is a 32 bit machine loosly based on the A1200.. but some bright spark at Commodore decided to use a single 16 bit rom (maybe the usual cost cutting?) and setup the hardware to only do 16bit reads at the rom addresses.
 The PCB has the holes for a second socket, and the schematics  show that you just need to install a 74F125 at XU1 and change the jumper XJ1 to get it working in 32bit mode....erm and split the rom into 2 chips!