A3000 accelerator problem

[MrZammler]

I'm trying to install a Cyberstorm MKII into my 3000 desktop.

The jumpers are all set up correctly, but all I get is a dimmed power light and no disk or monitor activity.

Before that, I had a 3640 which suddendly (while the machine was working) broke down. It froze the machine and later reboots only got me yellow screens. Now, even that card doesnt work.

The onboard 030 works fine.

Has anyone else encountered something like that? I'm thinking that there might be a short-circuit or a PSU problem, or something. The card is ok, AFAIK. Testing it though on another machine is very hard to do.

Any ideas?

[kolla]

Yellow screen suggests bad ram.

[Prmetime]

I can't say I have any ideas but I am interested in hearing how this turns out.  I also have recently acquired a Cyberstorm MkII which I haven't installed yet.  I hope everything works out for you.

Don't know the answer, but would be interested to know where I can get an accelerator for my A4000/030. Just got one. I am running O.S.3.9 with mediator Voodoo 3 card and SoundBlaster 128 but need more RAM and speed.

[melott]

This is just an aside , I am interested in an accelerator for my A3k ,  
 But anyway I thought all A4k's came with the
 040 chip. If I understand what you said then
 some or all came with the 030 chip. Which would
 make sense , since the accelerator card I
 am looking at is an A3640 card.
 So that would mean the main difference of the
 A3k and A4k is mainly gfx, ect. Not the processor.
 You learn something new everyday ;-)

 Mel Ott

[Ilwrath]

But anyway I thought all A4k's came with the some or all came with the 030 chip.

The 4000/030 was an optional configuration.  I believe (and someone correct me, if I'm wrong) it had an 030 on the mainboard, and left the processor slot open.  The 4000/040 was the more common configuration, with NO 030 on-board, it won't boot without the A3640 board (or a replacement) in the processor slot.  The only 4000's I've ever seen disassembled have been the 4000/040 (like mine started life as).

As for what is going wrong with that A3000 that started this thread...  I'm not sure.  Are you positive the jumpers are set right for the processor card?  Also, might you need a buster or dmac update?  Wouldn't explain why the 3640 stopped working for you, though.  :-?

[Joshua]

it had an 030 on the mainboard, and left the processor slot open

No, the 4000 had no CPU on the motherboard.  The 4000/030 had an 030 card in the fast slot rather than the 3640.

[Jope]

No, the 4000 had no CPU on the motherboard. The 4000/030 had an 030 card in the fast slot rather than the 3640.

Yes, the A4000 rev D had an 030 on the mobo with the FAST slot open.

All the other revisions didn't have a CPU on board.

By the way, the A3640 is not a good choice, as it has to do protocol conversions in order to talk to the RAM. Best use a CPU card with on board RAM.

Also, the 3640 heats up a lot - not recommended for a desktop A3000.

[Castellen]

I use Cyberstorm mkII, mkIII PPC and A3640 here.
Other than being a bit slow and crusty, the A3640 (rev 3.1) are pretty good
cards.  I've never had any heating problems with them.

As for using Cyberstorm cards in A3000, there is a modification you need to do
to the motherboard for some of them.  This definately applies to the Cyberstorm
PPC, I'm not 100% sure about the mkII, but probably.

The A3000's CPU slot is missing a timing signal, so you need to cut a track and
solder a wire link in.  No big deal, there's details on the net of how to do it.
If you search, you can also find if this applies to the Cyberstorm mkII or not.
I've never used a Cyberstorm in an A3k myself.  Don't have my mkII manual handy
either I'm sorry.
.

[Castellen]

I spoke too soon

The A3000's motherboard definately does need to be modified for the Cyberstorm
mkII.

Read all about it here:
http://www.vgr.com/int2/#InfoSheet

[MrZammler]

Yeah, I know.

Thanks guys

Basically, I have given up on this. I'm on the market for a 3000D motherboard, if anyone has one ;-)

[Castellen]

I just noticed your wanted add on Amibench.

Just reading more on the A3000 motherboard modification as well, it possibly
only needs doing for the Cyberstorm mkII if you're using the SCSI module.

But if the motherboard needs the modification done, and if you get a new
motherboard which doesn't have the fix, chances are it will not work either.

Best bet is to try the CPU card in a working A4000 to test it.


The only motherboard jumpers that will effect the operation of the card is the
two clock source jumpers (right beside each other).  They both need to be set to
the INT position for the Cyberstorm mkII to work.

[MrZammler]

@Castellen

I'm sending the MK to a friend of mine to try it out on an A4000.

Jumpers are set, but I havent done the int2 mod. Maybe, but at the moment, I'm too bored to get the board out to do it, and I'm 99% sure that that's not the fault (my 3640 also refuses to work).