A600 FastRAM issue

actualreality · 01 May 2012, 10:58

Hi all

I have recently put a CF HDD in my Amiga 600 to run WHDLOAD games. All works great.

Problem is, I have bought a couple of 2mb FastRam PCMCIA cards for the computer and they seem to cause an issue.

Whilst the amiga shows the correct amount of RAM etc and games load like a dream, the screen is flashing, seems to be cycling colours, screen seems to shake a little. This is the same with both PCMCIA FastRAM cards.

When i remove the card, it's all fine and displays as expected. Also, when i use a PCMCIA adapter with CF card to copy from PC to Amiga, that is also absolutely fine.

My Amiga just doesnt seem to like FastRAM!

I have Kickstart 3.1, Motherboard revision is V1 Extra 1Mb trapdoor RAM installed.

If anyone could help i'd be very grateful!

Many thanks.

Darren

mfilos · 01 May 2012, 11:22

Is your PSU the lightweight (weaker) version?
Dunno if that could be the issue here, but it could be. Do you have another brick to test it out?

actualreality · 01 May 2012, 11:43

It's certainly not lightweight!

I suppose i could try removing the CF card and the Memory board and see what happens with the card plugged in then.

Regards
Darren

jimbob · 01 May 2012, 12:54

Hi, I believe this is a fault with rev1 motherboards. I don't have my rev1 any more but it had this problem on any pcmcia access. My ancient post about it is here, but it won't be very helpful -

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=23324

It may be not present or not noticeable with pcmcia CF card access because there is much less frequent access but with SRAM the PCMCIA is accessed constantly and the colour flickering is very obvious and distracting.

I don't think there is a solution, and the rev1 is also incompatible with ACA630 so I'm afraid you might be out of luck with fast RAM.

duga · 01 May 2012, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfilos

Is your PSU the lightweight (weaker) version?
Dunno if that could be the issue here, but it could be. Do you have another brick to test it out?

That's just wrong.

The old heavy A500 PSU: 2,5A@5V
The A600/A1200 PSU: 3A@5V
The newer lightweight A500 PSU: 4,5A@5V

actualreality · 01 May 2012, 14:23

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'll see if i can get a later rev from ebay or somewhere. I did have a Rev 1.1 board but that just kept giving me trouble - wouldnt boot at all in the end.

actualreality · 11 May 2012, 11:31

I have a chance of getting a V1.5 motherboard - anyone know if that version would work OK?

jimbob · 11 May 2012, 21:50

Ought to be fine. I have two V1.5 with no pcmcia problems.

actualreality · 17 May 2012, 13:01

Perfect, thank you - got a V1.5 board and it's A-OK thanks again for all the help everyone!

01 May 2012, 10:58	#1
actualreality Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 23	A600 FastRAM issue Hi all I have recently put a CF HDD in my Amiga 600 to run WHDLOAD games. All works great. Problem is, I have bought a couple of 2mb FastRam PCMCIA cards for the computer and they seem to cause an issue. Whilst the amiga shows the correct amount of RAM etc and games load like a dream, the screen is flashing, seems to be cycling colours, screen seems to shake a little. This is the same with both PCMCIA FastRAM cards. When i remove the card, it's all fine and displays as expected. Also, when i use a PCMCIA adapter with CF card to copy from PC to Amiga, that is also absolutely fine. My Amiga just doesnt seem to like FastRAM! I have Kickstart 3.1, Motherboard revision is V1 Extra 1Mb trapdoor RAM installed. If anyone could help i'd be very grateful! Many thanks. Darren

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01 May 2012, 11:22	#2
mfilos Paranoid Amigoid Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Athens/Greece Age: 45 Posts: 1,978	Is your PSU the lightweight (weaker) version? Dunno if that could be the issue here, but it could be. Do you have another brick to test it out?

01 May 2012, 11:43	#3
actualreality Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 23	It's certainly not lightweight! I suppose i could try removing the CF card and the Memory board and see what happens with the card plugged in then. Regards Darren

01 May 2012, 12:54	#4
jimbob Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kilmacolm Age: 45 Posts: 632	Hi, I believe this is a fault with rev1 motherboards. I don't have my rev1 any more but it had this problem on any pcmcia access. My ancient post about it is here, but it won't be very helpful - http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=23324 It may be not present or not noticeable with pcmcia CF card access because there is much less frequent access but with SRAM the PCMCIA is accessed constantly and the colour flickering is very obvious and distracting. I don't think there is a solution, and the rev1 is also incompatible with ACA630 so I'm afraid you might be out of luck with fast RAM.

01 May 2012, 14:23	#6
actualreality Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 23	Thanks for the replies guys. I'll see if i can get a later rev from ebay or somewhere. I did have a Rev 1.1 board but that just kept giving me trouble - wouldnt boot at all in the end.

11 May 2012, 11:31	#7
actualreality Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 23	I have a chance of getting a V1.5 motherboard - anyone know if that version would work OK?

11 May 2012, 21:50	#8
jimbob Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kilmacolm Age: 45 Posts: 632	Ought to be fine. I have two V1.5 with no pcmcia problems.

17 May 2012, 13:01	#9
actualreality Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 23	Perfect, thank you - got a V1.5 board and it's A-OK thanks again for all the help everyone!

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