Image instability with STE booster and system memory over 512k

Help & information about the STE V1 series boosters.
User avatar
exxos
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 28357
Joined: 16 Aug 2017 23:19
Location: UK

Re: Image instability with STE booster and system memory over 512k

Post by exxos »

@rubber_jonnie at some point can you please try this program ? https://github.com/fenarinarsa/ste_dmatest/releases/ May only work in 8MHz mode.

But I got this on a malfunctioning machines.

1.JPG


This on a working one. Notice the background lines are more consistent / diagonal.

2.JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 14890
Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
Location: Essex

Re: Image instability with STE booster and system memory over 512k

Post by rubber_jonnie »

exxos wrote: 26 Oct 2023 14:52 @rubber_jonnie at some point can you please try this program ? https://github.com/fenarinarsa/ste_dmatest/releases/ May only work in 8MHz mode.
Can do but likely tomorrow now.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
User avatar
JezC
Posts: 2783
Joined: 28 Aug 2017 23:44

Re: Image instability with STE booster and system memory over 512k

Post by JezC »

I'll see if I can fit the booster into one of my STEs and run that @ 8MHz to see if that works.

Can't remember which board version has the F series logic for the clock, but it might be another data point.
User avatar
exxos
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 28357
Joined: 16 Aug 2017 23:19
Location: UK

Re: Image instability with STE booster and system memory over 512k

Post by exxos »

JezC wrote: 26 Oct 2023 16:18 I'll see if I can fit the booster into one of my STEs and run that @ 8MHz to see if that works.
You don't need the booster to do the test.. the booster (or RAM/ROM etc) can just aggravate the problem more.
User avatar
JezC
Posts: 2783
Joined: 28 Aug 2017 23:44

Re: Image instability with STE booster and system memory over 512k

Post by JezC »

exxos wrote: 26 Oct 2023 16:20 You don't need the booster to do the test.. the booster (or RAM/ROM etc) can just aggravate the problem more.
Ah that makes it easier...and gives me more STEs to test with...think it's 3 working ones at the moment...
User avatar
exxos
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 28357
Joined: 16 Aug 2017 23:19
Location: UK

Re: Image instability with STE booster and system memory over 512k

Post by exxos »

I found the boards :D

1.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
JezC
Posts: 2783
Joined: 28 Aug 2017 23:44

Re: Image instability with STE booster and system memory over 512k

Post by JezC »

JezC wrote: 26 Oct 2023 16:23
exxos wrote: 26 Oct 2023 16:20 You don't need the booster to do the test.. the booster (or RAM/ROM etc) can just aggravate the problem more.
Ah that makes it easier...and gives me more STEs to test with...think it's 3 working ones at the moment...
Probably the biggest problem will be getting the s/w from the PC onto the ST...maybe the second SD slot on the SD hard drive I teste the other day...

...but then I still need to find a way to get the files for the DFB1x onto the Falcon as well :( :roll:
User avatar
exxos
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 28357
Joined: 16 Aug 2017 23:19
Location: UK

Re: Image instability with STE booster and system memory over 512k

Post by exxos »

JezC wrote: 26 Oct 2023 18:16 Probably the biggest problem will be getting the s/w from the PC onto the ST...maybe the second SD slot on the SD hard drive I teste the other day...

...but then I still need to find a way to get the files for the DFB1x onto the Falcon as well :( :roll:
Easy with floppy drives :P

That reminds me I need to test the USB drives I got ages ago and get them in my store. The drives I got do 720K and 1.44MB. I use one in my PC now 8-)
User avatar
JezC
Posts: 2783
Joined: 28 Aug 2017 23:44

Re: Image instability with STE booster and system memory over 512k

Post by JezC »

exxos wrote: 26 Oct 2023 18:20
JezC wrote: 26 Oct 2023 18:16 Probably the biggest problem will be getting the s/w from the PC onto the ST...maybe the second SD slot on the SD hard drive I teste the other day...

...but then I still need to find a way to get the files for the DFB1x onto the Falcon as well :( :roll:
Easy with floppy drives :P

That reminds me I need to test the USB drives I got ages ago and get them in my store. The drives I got do 720K and 1.44MB. I use one in my PC now 8-)
Yes, I have an old Win XP laptop that has a working floppy in it...but I have to transfer the files onto that form an internet-connected box via USB pen drives :( :roll:

The working USB drives sound interesting!

Of course, were I to ever sort out a few more Gotek drives (I have them just not ye got them installed & working) then just the USB transfer would become an option (even better if I do that in an external drive case)...yet more jobs to add to the retro work list!
Steve
Posts: 3305
Joined: 15 Sep 2017 11:49

Re: Image instability with STE booster and system memory over 512k

Post by Steve »

@DementED

It might be a long shot, but having stuff to try out that isn't too difficult to implement is a good thing right? The creators of the TwiSTer STe booster created this guide for installing some stability fixes for the STe, to make it stable with their booster:

https://www.newtosworld.de/download/file.php?id=2942

I don't think there is any harm in trying them out. I put them on my STe which has the 32mhz Exxos booster and it works fine.

Return to “STE V1 SERIES 32MHz BOOSTER”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: ClaudeBot and 6 guests