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> PC Card Home > Support > HardwareProblems.html
Recognising Hardware related Problems
Hardware problems normally give erratic random errors that do not appear all
the time. Most, but not all, errors that are persistent and reproducible are
software.
Kinetic Cards
All CASTLE Kinetic card users must ensure they are using PCPro3 version 3.06 or greater together with the latest MemFix module available from Castle's Web site on the Index of /Support/kinetic page. Full FAQ is also available from Castle.
PC cards can only use the main memory fitted to
the mother board and none fitted to the Kinetic card itself.
You should also remember that 4Mb of that is used for DMA so not all of the
mother board memory can be used. Thus to have the full 32Mb allocated to the
PC card you need at least 36Mb+VRAM fitted to the mother board with a Kinetic.
We believe that our software, combined with Castle's memfix module, fix all
the software problems introduced by Kinetic. Any remaining problems have
been due to hardware. We may be proved wrong on this, of course, but if you
are still having problems after using !PC v3.06 or greater with memfix it is
likely that your hardware needs attention.
Harware problems in order of probability.
C32 Motherboard mod
VRAM
Main Memory
PC card timing mod
PC card C20 mod
All modifications should only be undertaken after consulting with Castle.
Contact details available from their web site.
StrongARM
All StrongARM-driven systems should be using PCPro as this is the only fully
compliant PC card support software. Read about the latest version of PCPro 3.xx.
If you have a StrongARM fitted then you need to remove any doubts about
having or not having timing problems. To do this the system needs to have the
StrongARM replaced by an older ARM cpu card for testing. If the problem goes
away it is undoubtedly a StrongARM timing problem.
DO NOT change the StrongARM if your system is still under warranty;
contact your supplier for instructions.
If you do not have an older ARM CPU you need to contact your local
Acorn dealer or a friend with an older ARM card.
Timing problems may appear on any StrongARM system even if it has been to
Reflex Electronics Ltd for modifications. One or more of the following
circumstances can cause a StrongARM system to show timing problems:
- New Hardware or change in hardware specifications, including Memory,
Podules and PC card upgrades.
- New or upgraded software, such as software that is known to push the
system to its limits, like Video editing, PCPro for a PC Card or Writing
CDROM's.
After the original launch of the StrongARM-110 R25 and R35's were changed
from being vertical to horizontal. This changes the card timing slightly.Here is a diagram to view.
Timing problems in order of probability.
VRAM
Main Memory
C32 Motherboard mod
PC card timing mod
PC card C20 mod
All modifications can be undertaken by Reflex Electronics.. Contact details available from their web site.
ViewFinder
ViewFinder has not been tested with a PC card by Aleph One. John Kortink has
tested it and reports that it currently only works in multitasking mode. So
Direct Draw display adapters can not be used by Windows 95/98. We are working on improving PC Card/Viewfinder compatibility.
Early RPC's from Acorn were fitted with Samsung VRAM SIMM and do not
work well with StrongARM's or the Kinetic. Try testing with a
different VRAM or just remove it. Just because it worked with a
StrongARM is no guarantee that it will work with a Kinetic.
The VRAM is the only upright SIMM, located in line with the PC card,
and is the rear most SIMM just to the front of the large VIDC chip.
Location drawing for the VRAM.
There are three memory slots in the current RiscPC. Starting from the back
the upright slot is for VRAM. The next two are main memory SIMMs, which are
slanted slots. The most significant memory slot should contain the
largest memory SIMM. This is the rear slanted SIMM and the secondary slot
or forward forward slot is the least significant slot..
The Risc PC series allows you to mix SIMMs of different sizes within your
machine as long as the SIMM's are compatible with one another. This means
that adding a 32MB SIMM to an existing 10MB Risc PC will give you a 42MB
machine, including your 2MB of VRAM. Main memory SIMMs that can be fitted
are 64,32,16,8 and 4MB. Two 128MB simms and a 2MB VRAM will give the
maximum memory of 258MB.
Ask the supplier the following questions
- Are the chips new (some companies use second hand chips) ?
- Is it a 72 pin SIMM with 32 bit data ?
- Is the Access Time 70ns or faster ?
- Is the DRAM a square array ?
- Does the SIMM contain 16 or fewer chips ?
- Do the DRAM devices support 'fast page mode' and 'CAS before RAS' refresh ?
- Will they fit a Risc PC (Double sided SIMM's need to be 108mm long,
36.2mm wide & 9.4mm thick. Single 25mm wide.) ?
If they can answer yes to all these questions, the price is right
and they will give you a refund if it doesn't work, then buy it.
We have been informed that the DRAM chips, used to build the SIMMs, are
becoming harder to get. Prices haven't increased yet but they have
stopped falling; draw your own conclusions.
Fault finding
StrongARM-driven systems using PCPro prior to !PC 2.13 will have
memory allocation problems if you try to allocate more than 28Mb. With
StrongARM and RiscOS 3.71 you will require PCPro3.06 or later otherwise you can still have problems allocating 28Mb or more.
- If it will not work at all then there is a fault with the SIMM or the
motherboard's access to the SIMM slot.
- Try another SIMM in the same slot; if this fails it suggests a
motherboard fault. If a different SIMM
functions then the removed SIMM is probably the cause.
Removing the surface mounted capacitor, C32, has proven to be the most
effective cure for timing problems introduced by fitting a Kinetic,
especially if the system has EDO main memory or the
system was working OK with a StrongARM. If you did not previously have a strongARM then you should check the PC Card timing components are correct before doing this modification. This modification was not always effective with
StrongARM upgrade timing problems where older memory SIMMs are fitted.
Procedure
- Switch off the system.
- Remove the two processors before you start.
- Locate C32 (Diagram).
- Use a large tipped soldering iron which still has a small dab of
solder on it. Do not leave it on the surface mounted component for too long or
have too big a blob of solder on the bit.
- C32 should come away easily and should be on the iron bit within the
wet solder.
- Ensure no excess solder is left breaching the pads. Use solder sucker
to remove any unwanted solder.
These mods should not be done unless you have the surface mounted
replacement components and a steady hand. It is quite difficult without a
twin-pronged surface-mount soldering bit of the correct size. If you do
not want to tackle the job youself contact Contact Aleph One
Sales. This only applies to Gemini2 cards, and only early production
is likely to have the 'wrong' components.
Procedure
Surface mounted components list. 0R (Link), 680R and 56R (Resistors)
- Switch off system.
- Remove PC card from System.
- Locate C21,R35 and R26 (Diagram).
- Remove C21, replace with 0R (Link)
- Change R35 (looks like it's labled R50) from 560R to 680R
- Change R26 from 10R to 56R
- Refit PC card.
This mod should not be done unless you have the replacement component and a steady hand. It is easy to damage the board tracks trying to remove the capactitor without the right soldering bit. If you do not want to tackle the job youself
contact Contact Aleph One Sales. Newer Gemin2 PC cards should not need this mod.
Procedure
Component list. 33uf 10V 5C low ESR (the low ESR bit is very important - tantalum capacitors are best).
- Switch off system.
- Remove PC card from System.
- Locate C20 (Diagram).
- Remove C20, replace with 33uf 10V 5C low ESR.
- Refit PC card.
Upgrades
Upgrades can take three forms - Memory, PC card or ARM CPU. All can give an
increase in speed and there are 5x86 PC Card
Benchmarks for you to view so that you can make an informed decision.
- Memory is particularly important, as much PC OS and GUI software,
especially Windows, will hardly function with less than 16Mb. PC cards have
a hardware memory limit of 32Mb. Remember, your RiscPC host also needs memory
to work with the PC card. 4Mb will work but 8Mb is better. (This does not
include VRAM. As far as that is concerned 1Mb is a must and 2Mb is the best).
- PC card upgrades are for pure speed. The second level cache can
be upgraded to a full 512K and/or to a 5x86 CPU. This may be achieved by
modification to, or a change of, the PC card. See below.
- RiscOS ARM CPU upgrades for RiscPC's are available from your local
Acorn Dealer. The StrongARM upgrade will increase the speed of the RiscOS
side of the PC card operation.
Cache 128K or 512K
Original Gemini I and Gemini II versions of the PC cards produced for the
Acorn Risc PC computer were fitted with a 128K level2 cache. Recently the
size of the cache has been increased to 512K on some PC cards. PCPro is able
to take advantage of this increase in the size of cache, but can not
automatically detect the size fitted. You need to recognise a PC card cache
and know how to change the Advanced Configuration settings of PCPro to make
maximum use of you PC card.
Visual recognition by inspecting the PC card
Ensure that your computer system is shutdown in the normal way. Switch off
and unplug the power lead from the electrical power socket. You can now
safely remove the top cover of the Risc PC computer. (See page 87 of your
Acorn Risc PC Welcome Guide for instructions)
Viewed from the rear of the Risc PC, the PC card stands at right angles to
the motherboard on the right hand of the case, with its components facing
you.
Look at the PC card now facing you.
On a Gemini II PC card
'IC2' & 'IC3' are at the top right hand side of the PC card.
- If 'IC2' and 'IC3' are not in these locations you have an original PC
Gemini I card with 128K cache.
- If these ICs have 28 pins (4 pads left uncovered) then you have a Gemini II PC card with 128K cache.
- If they have 32 pins (no uncovered pads) then you have a Gemini II with
512K cache.
Make a note of which card is fitted and replace the top cover of the Risc PC.
(See page 88 of your Acorn Risc PC Welcome Guide for instructions)
If the PC card is a Gemini II fitted with 128K cache you can have the card
upgraded to 512K. See below.
To change or check the cache settings using !PCconfig.
PCPro3.xx
Run !PCConfig and Select "Advanced" icon
Then look for the 'Size of External cache fitted to your card' option and
select '512'.
Then save the settings and Quit !PCconfig or "Launch PC".
The changed settings will be used the next time you run !PC.
PCPro2.xx
Run !PCConfig and Click 'menu' on the icon-bar icon and select 'advanced
configuration'.
Click 'OK' on the warning message that appears.
Then look for the 'Size of External cache fitted to your card' option and
select '512'.
Then save the settings and Quit !PCconfig.
Changed settings will be used the next time you run !PC.
Pre PCPro
Non PCPro software needs the cache settings chaching manually. You should
only change the settings manually if the 'Size of External cache fitted to
your card' option did not appear in the list when using !PCconfig.
Find your !PC application.
Shift-double click on it, to see the files inside.
One of them is a text file called 'config'.
Edit it by double-clicking on it.
Add a line to the end of the file like this:
L2size 512
(Check that there isn't already a line saying L2size 128 and if there is change the 128 to 512)
Then save the file.
These settings will be used the next time you run !PC.
What happens if it is set wrong?
If you set 128K on a 512K card it just goes a bit slower than it should
as the full 512K is not being used.
If you set 512K on a 128K card it will give memory test errors immediately
on start-up:
ERROR: ROM failed checksum =001F, and
ERROR at address 00001000H : Wrote 0001 Read 0000
Cards from CJE Micros with AMD processors give:
ERROR: ROM failed checksum =00FC
Upgraded to 512K
Gemini II Cards only can be upgraded to 512KB cache. This is carried out by
First SMT Ltd
Spirella Buildings
Bridge Road
LETCHWORTH
SG6 4ET
Tel: 01462 483360
Phone First SMT Ltd to find current pricing.
Please note this is not a repair service. Your Card must work when it
arrives.
Upgrade PC podules
Elvis (Second generation podule cards)
These podule cards have use SIMMs all of them can use 8Mb but many need a
modification to enable them to use the maximum 16MB SIMM. The modification
can be done by anybody capable of using a fine soldering iron.
Modification diagram download.
These can be fitted with a Maths CoProcessor but they are not easy
to obtain email sales@aleph1.co.uk
for availability.
Diva (First generation podule cards)
These have the older ZIP type of RAM chips with a maximum of 4Mb.
The memory is nor easy to obtain but email sales@aleph1.co.uk
for availability.
These can be fitted with a Maths CoProcessor but they are not easy
to obtain email sales@aleph1.co.uk
for availability.
Last Updated: 2005.11.07
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