Can you revive a zombie Picasso IV card?

[DocSane]

And by zombie, I mean that the firmware seems to have been corrupted such that while the system can detect a card with memory is inserted in the system, it cannot identify itself as a Picasso IV anymore. This lack of ID keeps me from just running the firmware update again. I recall the problem was caused when I booted up the card with the flash RAM chip not inserted all the way. (Don't ask. It happened almost 9 years ago.)

So, anyone know of any way to bring this card back from the dead?

[Tahoe]

If anyone can it's mastatabs, write him a PM

[zipper]

You could try P4Update_v1.11.zip from Picass96 yahoo groups, it flashes PicassoIV blindly, resetting it to be reflashed with higher versions. But can't say if it works with a zombie.

[MozzerFan]

The manual says, that if your picasso iv is no longer
recognised, this can be resolved by reinstalling the
firmware. You can find it here.
Look for the p4update-files. Version 7.4 is the latest.

Regards,
Lloyd

[DocSane]

The manual says, that if your picasso iv is no longer
recognised, this can be resolved by reinstalling the
firmware. You can find it here.
Look for the p4update-files. Version 7.4 is the latest.

I think you must have missed the part where I mentioned that I can't run the firmware update because it keeps telling me "No Picasso IV detected!" when I do. My problem is that the system config DOES see a card in the video slot and that it has memory and a hardware ID, but the Picasso firmware software doesn't recognize the card as a PIV, and so doesn't try to reflash it.

[zipper]

So the 1.11 is meant to "reset" flashes gone haywire, so it's worth to try; if it works, it needs another flash with newer version to make PIV to work.

[MozzerFan]

I think you must have missed the part where I mentioned that I can't run the firmware update because it keeps telling me "No Picasso IV detected!"

Yeah, sorry my mistake.
You can try Zipper's solution. If that fails also,
I'm afraid you need a new ROM-chip. As Tahoe wrote, try
to contact Tobias Seiler, aka Mastatabs. He's a former
villagetronic engineer, maybe he can help you out.

Regards,
Lloyd

[Jeff]

Hopefully the flash rom is socketed on your board. Perhaps you could remove it and have someone program it for you. It should be near the center of the board and is probably a AM29F010 or something similar.

Good Luck.
-Jeff

[Nlandas]

DocSane wrote:
And by zombie, I mean that the firmware seems to have been corrupted such that while the system can detect a card with memory is inserted in the system, it cannot identify itself as a Picasso IV anymore.

So, anyone know of any way to bring this card back from the dead?

Sure I can receive one - send a PM and I'll give you my address. Of course I won't be sending it back.   :lol:

-Nyle

[DocSane]

Nlandas wrote:
Sure I can receive one - send a PM and I'll give you my address. Of course I won't be sending it back.   :lol:

-Nyle

Okay. I'll mail it to you via eBay and you can just pay me a negotiated fee while you keep the board. :-D

[DocSane]

MozzerFan wrote:

If that fails also,
I'm afraid you need a new ROM-chip. As Tahoe wrote, try
to contact Tobias Seiler, aka Mastatabs. He's a former
villagetronic engineer, maybe he can help you out.

Well, I just reinstalled the card into my 4000 and fired it all up, and guess what? Now the system can't even see the board! I find this more than a little mysterious, and now wonder if what I thought was the P IV was not, in fact, my Apollo 4060 card showing up in the expansion board display.

In any case, we can now officially reclassify my zombie as a corpse. I'm not sure what to do next, barring great news from Mr. Seiler. Would anyone be interested in a Picasso IV that doesn't work?

[Tahoe]

Don't give up hope, I had a card JUST like that, didn't do a thing and wasn't recognised. Tobias fixed mine.

Don't get rid of it (yet)

[DocSane]

Tahoe wrote:
Don't give up hope, I had a card JUST like that, didn't do a thing and wasn't recognised. Tobias fixed mine.

Don't get rid of it (yet)

Then I'll be patient and wait for Tobias to answer my PM. Cross your fingers for me. If we're lucky, someone will be able to buy a working P-IV soon.

[Nlandas]

DocSane wrote:

Nlandas wrote:
Sure I can receive one - send a PM and I'll give you my address. Of course I won't be sending it back.   :lol:

-Nyle

Okay. I'll mail it to you via eBay and you can just pay me a negotiated fee while you keep the board. :-D

HEHEHEHEHE!!! Uh, oh - eBay pricing - I'll be in debt up to my ears.   :-o

-Nyle

[Damion]

DocSane wrote:

Tahoe wrote:
Don't give up hope, I had a card JUST like that, didn't do a thing and wasn't recognised. Tobias fixed mine.

Don't get rid of it (yet)

Then I'll be patient and wait for Tobias to answer my PM. Cross your fingers for me. If we're lucky, someone will be able to buy a working P-IV soon.

If it doesn't work out, let me know... I'd be interested in a non-working board (might be a fun project for me, you make a few bones...)

Although -- here's to hoping you do get it fixed! :pint: