exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

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.

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

@exxos - I've just run this on one of the 4meg STE's (not opened it up to check which chips are fitted just yet, maybe later today)...
I think it's showing the 'good' image - there are diagonal lines in the background which move from right to left but I wanted to be sure that is the 'good' output. Not easy to be sure on a still image...

I've not managed to wire up the sound output from the STE yet but will check for crackling audio later as well...and also dig out & test the other two (working) STEs (when I can find them) :lol: :roll:

JezC wrote: 31 Oct 2023 12:27 I think it's showing the 'good' image - there are diagonal lines in the background which move from right to left but I wanted to be sure that is the 'good' output. Not easy to be sure on a still image...

Yeah the diagonal pattern is the good one.

It might be worth testing @ijor's blitter test program as well viewtopic.php?f=25&t=6040

I will see if I can get my STE connected up later and fiddle with the sync board to see if it shows differences in that program.. I'd assume so..

Ok, so I've tried the DMA Test program on two of my STE's now (both with the 1712 chip) & both exhibit a few pops on the audio as well :( but both have that rolling diagonal pattern on the video background :)

Both these appear to have the F257 & a socketed CPU so might be good test candidates for the 32MHz booster... ;)

So, some good & some bad news with those two.

Need to find the STE with the external blitter (and an S257 IIRC) to test next. :roll:

Managed to find, set up and test the third STE...that shows the same diagonal background pattern...but no audible pops or crackles, just a noticeable level of high frequency noise.

I'll check on the versions of chips later, but IIRC this one has the external blitter & the S257 for the 32MHz clock, so needs that changing before I can consider the 32MHz booster.

I should mention that all 3 STEs have the 4 SIMM sockets populated, at least 2 have 4 Meg.

Just to close off this thread, I finally got hold of a C300588 shifter and swapped it with the C301712 that was in my STE. I wasn't holding my breath, but it actually worked! The image instability I experienced with the C301712 shifter has gone and the image is now rock solid. Result!

Anyone want a C301712 shifter?!

DementED wrote: 05 Feb 2024 15:19 Just to close off this thread, I finally got hold of a C300588 shifter and swapped it with the C301712 that was in my STE. I wasn't holding my breath, but it actually worked! The image instability I experienced with the C301712 shifter has gone and the image is now rock solid. Result!

Anyone want a C301712 shifter?!

That's interesting! I think Exxos previously said that when he experimented swapping C301712 with C300588 it caused lots of weird issues for him, or it just didn't work. I used his buffer-board mod on my 712 shifter to fix the stability.

I see @Steve .

I may have spoken too soon, because with the Booster in 32MHz mode and TOS 2.06 enabled, I often get the message:
BAD ROM CRC IN CHIP E.
BAD ROM CRC IN CHIP O.

I didn't get that message with the original shifter chip, and it doesn't appear in 8MHz mode. It also doesn't appear every time I boot. :?:

I read on another thread here that this message isn't a problem with SELTOS, but I'm not using SELTOS.

I have also noticed that I don't get sound in some games (e.g. Frontier) in 32MHz mode, but I assume that's a compatibility issue.

Anyone have any ideas?

I haven't got much time to read / follow all threads currently.

But it could be a problem with the 32MHz wire. You could experiment with some series resistors such as 33R,68R see if that helps.

Also, looking at this post viewtopic.php?p=107595#p107595 I assume you have P100 as 1.2K ?

Also are those black sils on the MB 4.7K ? You could try removing them..

I don't really have any other suggestions other than you have a bad connection somewhere. Maybe re-seat the booster, DUALTOS board and ROM IC and see if that solves it.

Thank you @exxos .

I'll try what you suggest. I really appreciate your help.