BlizzardPPC flash update problem.

[x56h34]

I've decided to upgrade my BPPC 040/200Mhz no SCSI with the latest flash update and I seem to have corrupted the flashrom somehow. I've used the BlizzPPC040Update file and I've booted without startup-sequence, disabled every HD volume, etc., etc.

When I ran the update file, it started to detect my hardware and it correctly reported Blizzard 603e 200Mhz CPU, but then the unthinkable happened. I got this message:

MFB error: sector 0 protected
Oops! You're in deep trouble now !
Close all doors and wait for the end of the world or rerun the program.

Hmmm...immediately I suspected that the board is DOA from this point, and I am probably right, as now when I try to execute the flash update again and again (even used older flash updates of BlizzPPC040Update), I get a message that says something like:

Blizzard 603e unknown Mhz Speed?
Error detecting clock.

Is there any hope for this card yet or is it done for?

[Brian]

Don't fix what isn't broken, especialy when it involves flashing of hardware which can end in dissaster.

Sadly I can't help you with your problem but the flash readme clearly say if the update isn't allowed to run it's course it can end up rendering the BPPC useless... hope for the best but prepare for the worst. :-(

[x56h34]

But I had to run it. It's a revision 2 BPPC that I was going to use with Grex 1200, and in order to do that I needed the Grex compatible flashrom which carries the PCI boot menu option.

I wouldn't touch it otherwise, if things are working fine. I know about the sensitive nature of these cards, especially when it comes to 040 BPPC models.

[Ryu]

this ones easy peasy, if you use the "?" qualifier youll see the flash tool has a mhz option, so you just need to enter the clockspeed manually, BlizzPPCupdate 200mhz, simple :-)

[Dragster]

I think there's a "force" option which could help too. Try the MHZ argument first.

Cheers

[hnl_dk]

Just searched a bit ... if you have updated to v2.2, and use BlizKick ... then you need to use the newest BlizKick

[x56h34]

Ryu,

if this works I will send you a nice little postcard. Thanks for the tip, I will try it out tonight.

[Karlos]

Ive seen this error a few times on my machine, usually when it decides to "forget itself" and I have to reflash it to get it going. This happens occasionally for no apparent reason.

The problem seems to be with the v1.4 flashtool. Earlier flash updates using the v1.3 flashtool will happily install regardless of the "sector 0" thing.

The pre-grexx flash and the one before it work well. You can flash with either one and it ignores the write protection gubbins and will happily install. Then you can flash it with a more recent version.

Be careful flashing your system if it doesn't need it. I have to reflash my system once in a while as I said, simply because it suddenly decides to fail (almost like I disabled it using the "2" key). Unfortunately the 10 second reset key combination trick doens't work here because I'm using a PC keyboard that won't hold the reset line that long.

Anyway, generally I seriously don't reccomend any of the later flash updates such as those that support grexx etc., unless you need to use it. I found it stopped warp3d etc. running on my bvision.

[x56h34]

The card lives! :-)

I've used the 200MHZ comment and it worked. The flashing process lasted longer than usual (5 minutes or so), but I suppose this was due to the previously corrupted flashrom. I can now access the bootmenu again. Thanks Ryu! Also thanks to others who chiped in with tips. ;-)

As soon as I get a tower case, I am ready to unleash the awesome power of Grex 1200 PCI. :-P

The case will most likely be Infinitiv Tower. :lol:

[Brian]

Infinitiv tower... eeew... it should be criminal to create such a lousy product!

[Peter_s]

Infinitiv tower... eeew... it should be criminal to create such a lousy product!

Yea tell me about it, I have two of them and everytime I look at them they fall apart.

[AmiGR]

BlizzPPC040Update -force

[Karlos]

x56h34 wrote:
The card lives! :-)

I've used the 200MHZ comment and it worked. The flashing process lasted longer than usual (5 minutes or so), but I suppose this was due to the previously corrupted flashrom. I can now access the bootmenu again. Thanks Ryu! Also thanks to others who chiped in with tips. ;-)

Actually, it sounds *just* like the problem I have with mine when it decided to "go funny."

It takes ages because your fast mem is not available and the whole flash program runs from grindingly slow, uncached chipram.

You might find this happens again in the future. I know I'm not the only one who has a weird flashrom in a BPPC, so don't worry - you'll know what to do if it does happen again.

As soon as I get a tower case, I am ready to unleash the awesome power of Grex 1200 PCI. :-P

The case will most likely be Infinitiv Tower. :lol:

Oh, I didn't read the bit about th GRrex when I told you not to touch that version of the flash update. Of course if you are intending to use one, of course you need it :-)

You might want to keep any eye on heat etc. with that GRex - IIRC Lempkee said his overheated and died. I dunno if he was just unlucky or what.

[Ryu]

I know at least 5 others who have had there Grex's die within a day or 2 with heat damage. I know one guy who lost his BPPC  and motherboard to it, needless to say he no longer uses an amiga. But still some people have been lucky with a Grex so...

[x56h34]

I've had a Grex 1200 before, when it was still neck to neck with Mediator (my old Power Tower 1200 BPPC 060 setup), and it ran perfectly well.

I would assume that those dead Grex boards and PPC cards were most likely killed due to usage with BPPC 040 cards. Now, before I actually got one, I assumed that Lempkee was exaggeratting about their heat problems, but boy was I wrong. A BPPC 040 has got to be the hottest Amiga product of all, and I mean this heat wise, not hot as in good or cool! ;-)

I will need to implement some major cooling for this. The 040 will get a 486 heatsink and fan, and I may as well put some sort of an extra fan over the PPC heatsink. I just need to find one that can easily be attached and is the right size.