OS4.1 and Sam Flex video issue

[Everblue]

I just got my Sam440 Flex @ 800mhz with 1 gig RAM. I am at work and didnt find a HDD, so I am using OS4.1 via CD (so no updates).

I am getting some random horizontal lines (maybe 1px by 4px) on the screen with compositing off. Tonight I will install OS4.1 properly complete with updates.

One more thing - I have connected a VGA montior (dont have a DVI monitor), when I got these lines... So I tried with DVI to VGA adapter. Same problem!

[Jeff]

Try testing with only 1 DIMM module installed instead of 2 and see if the problem goes away.

[Piru]

In that thread people have found that adjusting certain settings makes the problem go away. What they do not realize is that it only hides the symptoms (the visible graphics glitches are just one manifestation of them). The problem is likely still present and causes random stability issues.

If indeed removing the 2nd DIMM makes the glitches go away it will again reinforce the scenario that this is indeed is a problem with the Flex HW, specifically memory setup when using two memory modules.

[Jeff]

@Piru

Does the standard (not overclocked) 667mhz version of the Flex board work properly with both DIMMs installed or are ALL of the Flex boards affected?

[Piru]

@Jeff

It is highly unlikely the overclocking would affect the memory bus, but rather just modifies the PLL multiplier (bus_mhz * multiplier = cpu_mhz). As such I'd assume all Flex models are affected. However, I have no actual knowledge of the matter, I am merely speculating.

[Splurge]

Yeah, I got a response from Acube yesterday.

This is a known problem of OS4. The problem should go away with the next updates from Hyperion.

So I'm just running it without the second DIMM for now.

[Everblue]

Me too.

[Splurge]

The problem is likely still present and causes random stability issues.

If indeed removing the 2nd DIMM makes the glitches go away it will again reinforce the scenario that this is indeed is a problem with the Flex HW, specifically memory setup when using two memory modules.

I really think this is the case.  Other than the video issue, I would have lockups mainly when browsing the web.  Screen would lock into a solid color and there would be a distortion patch over where the mouse pointer was.

Ever since I removed the second DIMM, I cant remember the last time it crashed on me.  Used it all day yesterday and didnt have to reboot once due to a lockup.

I'm sure it will get sorted out soon.  I'm not terribly upset about having to use the 512 for a short time.

[Piru]

@Splurge

Yeah, I got a response from Acube yesterday.

This is a known problem of OS4. The problem should go away with the next updates from Hyperion.

They really said "should"? That doesn't sound very reassuring to me. In all this sounds like no or very little testing was done on the new boards. It is quite unfortunate the end users are forced to alpha test the boards.

Simple question: Are these stability issues running linux with two DIMMs?

Also, I would expect a public statement from Hyperion or Acube by now. Just alone to reassure their customers that the boards are fine, and it's just a software problem that will be sorted out shortly. There is a potential for a PR disaster here.

PS. Obviously Hyperion and ACube are free to conduct their business as they see fit.

[Everblue]

Yeah I also removed the 2nd DIMM and it worked with no glitches. What are Acube's testers on?!? I mean, it took me 5 seconds to spot this problem!

I expect at least an announcement and apology, and of course an explanation on how they are going to fix this.

[number6]

@Piru

Also, I would expect a public statement from Hyperion or Acube by now. Just alone to reassure their customers that the boards are fine, and it's just a software problem that will be sorted out shortly. There is a potential for a PR disaster here.

I've talked to 2 dealers who state that Acube is aware of the issue. Ergo...Hyperion is aware as well.
Nevertheless, I agree wholeheartedly with your comment.
From a strictly PR standpoint someone in authority should announce this "awareness". If they do...the posts about said topic will slow down or stop. Without such a post...the bad PR continues.
Sadly, we appear to be walking down the same PR path we've seen in the past. We all know there are not enough human resources to assign to such a dedicated task, but still...

#6

[KimmoK]

It seems that ACube's warranty is working but the PR side sucks a little. AOS4.1 for SAM is a BETATESTER OS, so that might explain why some problems might seem low priority.


I'm happy that I do not currently suffer from any problem with SAM. And if I would ... I'm not sure if I would dare to ask for help ... at least not from AW.net  :-P  on amigans.net I most likely would be :flame: to death ....


... at the recent friendlines rate I'll end up getting help from Piru for my future AOS4.1&SAM issues.  :-P

Imagine Priest and Piru playing together: :ponder:  

 :crazy:

[m3x]

@all

the OS4.1 CD supplied with the Sam440ep-flex board is still the same beta version as shipped with the previous Sam440ep board, which is now several months old.

Unfortunally this beta version shows a few problems when running on the flex board variant which are now cured, or are in the process to be cured, with the latest updates available to OS4 betatesters.

If any customer fells his board may be defective, he could try running Linux on the board (ISO available for download on ACube's web site) to check the full functionality of the board.

[Splurge]

Splurge wrote:

www.2dlives.com/glitch2.jpg
www.2dlives.com/glitch.jpg

Noticed some folks on AW.net were asking about the second picture.  Maybe I should have named the file different, but it was my intention to show that the glitch only shows up during Icon view of a folders contents and not during list view.

[MickJT]

Here's my thread on amigaworld.net (probably already posted here): http://amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic_id=28806&forum=14&start=0&viewmode=flat&order=0

In regards to www.2dlives.com/glitch.jpg - What am I supposed to be seeing in this picture?

[MickJT]

Everblue wrote:
So I tried with DVI to VGA adapter. Same problem!

OK, I need to give you a little lesson in DVI, and DVI to VGA adapters.

DVI is a type of socket, and DVI-D is a type of signal.

On the DVI socket, certain pins output DVI-D, and other pins DVI-A.

You can buy DVI-D only cables as well.

DVI-A is actually a VGA signal just being output through the DVI socket.

A DVI to VGA adapter cannot and does not convert a digital DVI signal to VGA, it simply takes the VGA video and puts it back into a VGA cable again, no conversion at all. The only thing it is adapting, is the socket.

So, that's why you still have issues when using a DVI<->VGA adapter.

(It's the same as some RCA to S-Video adapters for PCs. It doesn't convert to an S-Video signal to Composite, so you have to tell your computer it's still a composite signal sent over an S-Video cable).