Programmed Mach 130 chips needed for Apollo 3040

[amesie2]

Like title says need all three chips programmed if anyone has them, would even purchase dead board for reasonable price if needed.

Thanx in advance for any assistance.

[alexh]

Just out of curiosity, how come you need said chips?

[amesie2]

@alexh

I had one of them pop on me when a short had occured, I am hoping the rest of the board is still good and can be used again.

Thanx

[alexh]

If anyone can confirm that these CPLD's do not have the security bit set, I could try to remove them for dumping from my Apollo 4040 when it arrives next week.

However I fear that the security bit will be set and the design will be lost.

[amesie2]

@alexh

If you could do that it would be great! I think you are probably right about the security bit though :-(

I did email Elbox as I think they have the rights to the Apollo boards to see if they can help but haven't heard back yet.

Thanx for the response :-D

[rkauer]

 The owner of Apollo designs is Jens Schoenfeld (aka Individual Computers).

[amesie2]

@rkauer

Thank you for the correction, I will send him an email and hopefully find out if he has more info. on this.

[amesie2]

I did get a reply from Jens but it wasn't what I was hoping for.

At 13:53 27.01.2008 -0600, you wrote:
>Jens,
>
>Thank you for the quick response! What would the cost be for the 3
>chips? Would it be possible to get the files for the chips and program
>them myself?

I won't release the files and I strongly discourage the repair of an Apollo card, that's why I charge fairly high prices for the programmed MACH chips. Besides, you'd need fairly expensive equipment for programming MACH131 chips (programmer and adapter are around 1000,- EUR, as it's industrial equipment).

I charge 25,- EUR per programmed MACH chip, another 15,- EUR for shipment over the pond.
Again - Apollo accelerators are instable by default. They even randomly lock up if you haven't overclocked them. *only* use the crystal that came with it, any other crystal needs adjustment of resistors on the card. *only* use 2-chip or 4-chip memory modules. Make sure that your power supply has low ripple (less than 50mV) on the 5V rail. Think twice before you spend money on the repair of an Apollo 4040/4060.

ciao,
--
Jens Schönfeld

I haven't heard anyone else complain about lock-ups with the apollo boards and that they are poor quality. Is there others here that have had the problems Jen describes above?
I also can't believe his response about charging so much to discourage people from repairing the boards, I mean so what if there are random lock-ups and some instability with them they are what they are and we don't have alot of choices at the moment for new accelerators. They may not meet his standards but the problem is people still have them and are using them to keep the Amiga alive.
Why not be fair about it instead of charging higher prices because he feels he has to?

[alexh]

Bollox, I just bought one. Hey ho. You live and learn.

I am suprised by Jens' reply (WRT to releasing the files), not what I had hoped from such strong Amiga patriot. However it's his choice.

You'd think that whatever money was left in the Apollo firmware, it must be minimal. I cannot understand what witholding the JDEC files will gain him?!

Perhaps he has a forthcoming competing product? I doubt it given his investment in Clone-A

[mfletcher]

Gah,

Just saw this thread over on EAB. I bought an Apollo 4060 a few months back off Fleabay, and it was working when I got it, but died after I tried to put an upgrade into my A4000. I didnt know the Apollo's had such a bad reputation. Im going to have to scrimp the money to send it off to AmigaCenter now, unless theres someone in the North America that can do a repair.

First person to suggest Doomy get's shot.