exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

Ok

First test with STe confirms that the monitor still works well with all the ST resolutions, flipping the switch on the ST-VGA monitor to get Hi-Res.

On with the Falcon, all tests with USB power plugged in to the adapter.

RGA on interface selected:
All video modes seem fine at first, other than anything interlaces looks awful as expected, but when using the machine I get regular screen blackouts and it doesn't seem to be linked to whatever resolution I use. Running Gembench right now for example and the screen randomly goes blank. It certainly isn't usable like this.

As an aside, GEMbench is reporting 42% for integer division and 45% for ROM access compared to a baseline of an STe - average CPU score is 73% - not what I would expect at all!

VGA on interface selected:
It looks much sharper as I would expect, but again no matter was resolution I use I get a very jittery display and constant black outs. So much so that I can't even get to launch Gembench as the screen is more often than not just blank.

RF
No problems at all, apart from the standard blurry RF display.

So with my very basic tests and understanding of these sort of things I think it could be:
1 - Monitor not up to the Falcon resolutions, unlikely as this Dell has been used by loads of other people without problems.
2 - Interface, unlikely as i have tried two and each do the same thing.
3 - Something else in the machine that could cause a conflict? I've tried removing IDE drive, removing and reinstalling the Ram expansion, removing keyboard - all fairly simple stuff but is there anything else I should try?

And then there is the Gembench score to think about, I have ordered the diagnostic cartridge from the store here so will see if that pinpoint anything?

Thoughts welcome!

Many thanks,

Simon

p.s. Just played Ultima 4 for 5/10 minutes and didn't once have a problem - does this point to a GEM issue, or maybe ROM chips? I'm just guessing I'm afraid!

smoore100 wrote: 28 Apr 2024 17:23 As an aside, GEMbench is reporting 42% for integer division and 45% for ROM access compared to a baseline of an STe - average CPU score is 73% - not what I would expect at all!

Sounds like your Falcon is running in 8MHz mode.

I didn't even know that was a thing!

Is it a setting that can be changed in software, something in the control panel rings a faint bell but it's been a long time!

Jut had a USB 3.5" drive delivered so can prepare some disks tomorrow, will see what I can find.

Cheers,

Simon

This can set it.

awesome - thanks!

I ran the control panel extension and it looks like it was set for 16Mhz already, so who knows!

Anyway, diagnostic cartridge on the way so will see what that shows up.

I've also got a few bits and pieces that the guy who sold me the machine didn't get around to fitting so I'll get them sorted out before diving in to other things.

Actually there are so many things I want to do to make this Falcon exactly how I want it I could start a blog!

smoore100 wrote: 29 Apr 2024 18:54 I ran the control panel extension and it looks like it was set for 16Mhz already, so who knows!

Anyway, diagnostic cartridge on the way so will see what that shows up.

I've also got a few bits and pieces that the guy who sold me the machine didn't get around to fitting so I'll get them sorted out before diving in to other things.

Actually there are so many things I want to do to make this Falcon exactly how I want it I could start a blog!

Load the Falcon profile in Gembench and compare apples to apples. Make sure the screen resolution and colour depth are exactly the same. Perhaps download Nembench (which I think is in the software section of this forum somewhere) and try that too.

Thanks Steve

I finally found some free time and ran Gembench against the Falcon profile and all checked out ok.

Now to keep on fiddling with the display - I've just landed a VGA monitor locally for £25 off ebay so will see if that helps.

Cheers,

Simon