ZorRAM vs. Busters

[strim]

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?

[TheGoose]

Hey,

I just went through this. I got B11 and B11 works with ZoroRam and Deneb in my A3000D. Got the B11 from A.K. Any one else here with a 16Mhz A3000 ?

[CSixx]

I don't know what the facts are, only my observations.

In my Buster9 A4000, zorram did not work.
In my Buster9 A3000 it worked fine...

So it's not strictly an incompatability with Buster9.

[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.

[VingtTrois]

I don't know what the facts are, only my observations.

In my Buster9 A4000, zorram did not work.
In my Buster9 A3000 it worked fine...

So it's not strictly an incompatability with Buster9.

Strange...and what is the result with A3000+Buster09+DENEB+ZORRAM ?
I still have big problem with A3000+Buster07/09/11+DENEB (perhaps only software pbs)!!!

[CSixx]

It wasn't the Deneb that caused me issues.
The Deneb worked fine on both machines, but I don't remember trying it with the zorram.

[mousehouse]

It wasn't the Deneb that caused me issues.
The Deneb worked fine on both machines, but I don't remember trying it with the zorram.

Wouldn't the big trick to run with both? AFAIK the issue is mainly with Zorro3 bus master cards and bugs in the Buster that give issues when multiple bus masters are present. I recall this causing compatibility issues and that Buster11 was the best chip (but not error free)...

Methinks Deneb runs in Z3 bus master mode...

[CSixx]

I don't know. Deneb wasn't the focus for me.

A4k, buster9, zorram, no other cards present = Red Early Startup, board failed.
A3k, buster9, zorram, no other cards present = works

[TheGoose]

"Buster revision 11 is required." - AmigaKit

Yeah, does say that. Funny, when you get the Zororam, the instructions never really mentioned it. Just have a free ZIII slot. Hmmm

[Zac67]

Deneb can run in DMA or PIO mode. DMA mode doesn't work with onboard or Zorro III SCSI due to Super Buster limitations.

[mousehouse]

Deneb can run in DMA or PIO mode. DMA mode doesn't work with onboard or Zorro III SCSI due to Super Buster limitations.

offtopic, apologies. But does "onboard SCSI" include the SCSI in the A3000? Eg. is DMA mode of the Deneb supported on the A3000?

[Zac67]

offtopic, apologies. But does "onboard SCSI" include the SCSI in the A3000?

Yes, unfortunately.

Eg. is DMA mode of the Deneb supported on the A3000?

Yes, but only with CPU board SCSI. More than a single bus master messes up the Buster.

[Tension]

Buster 11 has it's own strange caveats.

[Ratte]

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

[strim]

My ZorRAM arrived today! Postal service literally massacred the package :angry:. Fortunately card was packaged very carefully and is not damaged.

I installed it immediately and tested extensively for a few hours. Looks like I was worried needlessly, because it works great even with Buster 7 .