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

Posted: 26 Oct 2023 14:52
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

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

Posted: 26 Oct 2023 15:27
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.

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

Posted: 26 Oct 2023 16:18
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.

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

Posted: 26 Oct 2023 16:20
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.

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

Posted: 26 Oct 2023 16:23
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...

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

Posted: 26 Oct 2023 16:34
by exxos
I found the boards :D

1.jpg

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

Posted: 26 Oct 2023 18:16
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:

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

Posted: 26 Oct 2023 18:20
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-)

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

Posted: 26 Oct 2023 18:25
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!

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

Posted: 26 Oct 2023 19:11
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.