CyberStormPPC refuses to work

[x56h34]

@Patrik

I am not sure on the built-in hardware MapRom feature which you are reffering to.

Anyways, are you sure that the original owner is telling the truth about the card working?

[patrik]

@Neo:

Cheers . I have tested without memory, so then the memory definately is not the issue. Does the CSPPC do any flashing ala Phase5-accelerators on the screen at every boot?

(edit):

@x56h34:

No, you can never be sure . Though, now when you say it, he did mention that it was working in his A4000T, but it wouldnt boot when he tried it in his A3000 before shipping. We both thought the A3000 was flaky or something, but who knows, maybe he damaged it when trying it in the A3000.


/Patrik

[x56h34]

No flashing colours as with Blizzard boards.

Have you tried holding the ESC key at boot? Does it let you access the CSPPC boot menu?

I am suggesting new things as they come to mind...there's just so many little details which could lead to unsuccessfull installation. :-(

[patrik]

@x56h34:

No bootmenu. Just booted it and kept ESC pressed for a minute, but no result.


/Patrik

[Neo]

@Patrik

If you refer to the grey to white flashes, then yes!
Also, the power led should go from dim to lit.
If your the power led goes lit atleast the 68k is working otherwise it's dim.

I use a CyberVisionPPC GFX board so I usually don't see the flashes but changed the cable to the Amiga VGA connector and there whey where. Very fast althought.

There are still a few things to check if it doesn't power up. Is the fan on the PPC alright. If not it may draw to much power so the Amiga can't boot. Happened to me! Also, check the motherboard switches again. If they are wrong things won't work to well. CPU clock may have to be set to INTERNAL. Has to on A3000, otherwise the MB CPU fries.

[x56h34]

Jumpers should be set to EXT (external) on A4000D.

It seems more and more that your card is DOA. :-(

[patrik]

@neo:

Ok, no flashing here of any kind. The power-led never goes lit, it is dim all the time, so no 68k activity then .

I tried using another fan connected directly to the power-supply and disconnected the original PPC fan, but no difference.

The jumpers on the motherboard are set to EXT as the manual says.


/Patrik

[patrik]

@x56h34:

Yes, alive doesnt seem to be the name for this card .


/Patrik

[Neo]

@Patrik

Last thing is to check that the 060 is seated properly in the socket. I can't come up with anything more unless the board has been modified to run at a higher speed.

It shouldn't be a conflict. You should atleast get a gury.

[patrik]

@Neo:

I have checked that the 68060 is seated properly, but the CSPPC is as dead as before . No modifications are done to the card.


/Patrik

[Van_M]

It may sound silly but.....
have you grounded yourself before touching the board? Static electricity can be quite nasty sometimes...
Anyway, in case it is dead, I hope you didn't lose a lot of money. Good luck.

[patrik]

@Van_M:

Yes, I am always careful with that.

(edit): I feel a bit burned with hardware at the moment, all the urge to buy more hardware has more or less vanished.


/Patrik

[patrik]

@All:

I want to thank everyone for all the effort you made when helping me! Kudos to you all!

I also want to inform you the card is now working . I got the tip to apply pressure to the 68060-processor and then while holding the pressure start the computer. To my big surprise it started and continued to work when I released the pressure.

It is now solid as a rock and as some of you suspected - the damage to the ppc core wasnt enough to make it malfunction as it has worked perfect in all tests I have done with it.

The card can though be made to not start again by applying enough pressure to other areas of it, but it can withstand all the bumping and shaking I felt comfortable to give the computer without refusing to boot again. If apply pressure to other areas of the card and it stops working, I just need to apply pressure to the 68060 to make it work again. As I have tried aplying pressure to the 68060 earlier while the card wasnt mounted, the problem cant be that the 68060 doesnt contact.

Even if it bugs me that I dont know what the problem really is, the important thing is that it works...it is as I said solid as a rock. I have tried my best to make it crash or malfunctioning by running stress-tests for several hours utilizing both the 68060 and the PPC without any overheating or anything.. it just seems fine .

Credits for giving me this tip goes to Mr David Myers, thank you!


/Patrik

[Karlos]

@Patrik

Its working? Excellent :-D

Does that mean you are going to do some low level ppc coding soon? ;-)

[Acill]

Very good to hear. I am excited about getting mine!! I just found out the card I am getting is a Phase5 branded one too! I hope it gets to me in okay condition.

[voxel]

Hi patrick :-)

The ppc seems to be fine :-) BTW,

What I see most on your pictures are Monstruous solders on the 200 pins motherboard connector!

I would not be surprised if your card have multiple cold solder joints all around it!

Amigalement,
Jean-François, Amiga ONLY since 1985.