Another A4000 project! - Page 2

fitzsteve · 15 November 2010, 22:24

My A3640 arrived today from MarcB over at Amibay

The Card is immaculate, I took her for a quick test drive and she's running fine. I did have a couple of connection issues but I'm pretty sure thats becuase I don't have the little plastic standoffs, my set got lost in the post sending them out on loan.

Hopefully I can find another set soon and enjoy this great card! When I had it running there was a very decent speed boost.

As you've come to expect, pictures follow my little speech

johnim · 15 November 2010, 22:28

hi steve that looks great

prowler · 15 November 2010, 22:38

Great work, Steve!

(as usual

)

alexh · 15 November 2010, 22:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitzsteve

I did have a couple of connection issues but I'm pretty sure that's because I don't have the little plastic stand-off's, my set got lost in the post sending them out on loan. Hopefully I can find another set soon

We really need to find a new source of these. If we can 100% confirm the dimension at 17.5mm long and 3.18 mm plug diameter then I'll have another go at sourcing them. I need three sets now.

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=54234

fitzsteve · 16 November 2010, 01:34

JuvUK at Amibay is making some up for me like this:

http://amibay.com/showpost.php?p=107785&postcount=116

Should do the trick...

alexh · 16 November 2010, 09:51

Those standoffs look like they screw in from the other side of the motherboard?

Too much like hard work to taking my motherboard out just to fit some posts.

If you have any of the normal ones... just quickly measure the diameter of the plug bit at the end... if 3.18mm is suitable we've found a source.

fitzsteve · 16 November 2010, 09:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

Those standoffs look like they screw in from the other side of the motherboard?

Too much like hard work to taking my motherboard out just to fit some posts.

If you have any of the normal ones... just quickly measure the diameter of the plug bit at the end... if 3.18mm is suitable we've found a source.

Yep they screw in both sides.

Its dead simple to take the Motherboard out on the elbox Tower as its secured to a removable mounting plate. Plus I'll know that the card is secure and thats an added bonus given the upright location.

As you know Alexh my spare set got lost in the post and I don't really want to pull my A4000D apart to measure the ones in that machine.

I was also given this link over at Amibay:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...rderCode=N18CH

By the way thanks Prowler/Johnim

Steve.

alexh · 16 November 2010, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitzsteve

I was also given this link over at Amibay:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...rderCode=N18CH

Thanks but they are not the right size. 19.05mm for the main stand section.

Hopefully someone else will be able to find out the diameter of the plug end for me??

Zetr0 · 16 November 2010, 12:44

@Alexh

If I get 5mins and my digital calipers work - I will see what I can do over lunch =)

fitzsteve · 19 November 2010, 20:06

OMG, the package I've been waiting for over three weeks from USA finally arrived today!

Got stung for 20 squids taxes (grrr) but I'm soon getting over that because my dream has (almost) been realised!

So whats tonights upgrade you ask?

16x 16mb 30pin Simms for a total of 256mb of Z3 Fast Ram!!!

4 CPU Stand Off's from JuvUK so I can fir my A3640 properly (thanks Juvvy)

And the A3640 of course!

Now these Simms were a right bar steward to fit, so I just started with 4 and set the jumpers. Plugged in the card, switched on and prayed! Yippppeeeeeeeeeeee! 64mb Fast Ram

So we know it works with 16mb Simms! Great

In goes the rest...

Ok so the more observant of you have spotted there is 48mb awol somewhere, I think some of the simms might have not gone in fully becuase they were so damn tight to fit, so they're all comming out and will be refitted!

More on that and the A3640 later!!!

Steve.

Peter · 19 November 2010, 20:23

GO Steve!!!
Glad it arrived OK - stuff from over the water is taking an age at the moment...

fitzsteve · 19 November 2010, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter

GO Steve!!!
Glad it arrived OK - stuff from over the water is taking an age at the moment...

Thanks mate!

Didn't help it sat at Customs for 9 days though and they have the nerve to charge £20 for it!

Still way cheaper then I could have got 16mb 30pin simms in EU

Going to chill out for a while then re-fit the Simms, test and then strip out the motherboard to fit the A3640

Fun times...

AmigaFriend · 19 November 2010, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitzsteve

16x 16mb 30pin Simms for a total of 256mb of Z3 Fast Ram!!!

And finally someone who proves what I'm saying for ages! That this board was always prepared to support 256Mb RAM from the start.

Last year I've tested it with 4x16Mb and worked, so now finally fully populated and here we have it. Nicely done Steve!

Paul_s · 19 November 2010, 21:41

if any of the caps need replacing on that a3640 I think I have some spares (new) you can have. Just lemme know their values if you want them so I can check.

fitzsteve · 19 November 2010, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul_s

if any of the caps need replacing on that a3640 I think I have some spares (new) you can have. Just lemme know their values if you want them so I can check.

@xpect, thanks for your comment! I just need to check I have everything set right as the card only shows 208mb, but still I think we prove that it works! I'm really pleased

Hi paul_s I think maybe it might do becuase its a bit 50/50 to boot

I've installed the A3640 again now with Juvvy's stand offs but its still being a pain so I think maybe it might need looking at.

One more pic for you guys:

prowler · 19 November 2010, 23:07

Wow, Steve, you've made some great progress on this.

I must save this thread and read it slowly to see just what I've missed while I've been busy restoring CU_AMiGA's games disk image to his X68000 hard drive.

alexh · 19 November 2010, 23:12

You sure it's REALLY working? Some sort of random memory test required

fitzsteve · 19 November 2010, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

You sure it's REALLY working? Some sort of random memory test required

No crashes or hanging, copied some large files to Ram (pretty much filled it) without issues.

Will try a Memtest - I just didn't have one on the drive at the time.

Testing was done with Cosmicfrogs A3630 since its not booting now at all with the A3640

Think the Caps need doing or something.

Still not sure why it shows only 208mb, sure I'll figure it out

Steve.

Paul_s · 19 November 2010, 23:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitzsteve

Hi paul_s I think maybe it might do becuase its a bit 50/50 to boot

no probs, I followed the guide linked to a few lines down.... they are 22uF 16V SMD's so I'll take a look tomorrow and PM you.

http://amiga.serveftp.net/A3640_capacitor.html

fitzsteve · 19 November 2010, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by prowler

Wow, Steve, you've made some great progress on this.

I must save this thread and read it slowly to see just what I've missed while I've been busy restoring CU_AMiGA's games disk image to his X68000 hard drive.

Thanks mate

All its lacking now is a nice quick CPU, having trouble with the A3640.

Might try to get the caps replaced and do the 33mhz mod.

I noticed the A3640 has a jump wire on it, maybe some re-work?

Can't do anything else tonight Mrs Fitz has gone to bed and this Miggy sleeps in the bedroom

Steve.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul_s

no probs, I followed the guide linked to a few lines down.... they are 22uF 16V SMD's so I'll take a look tomorrow and PM you.

http://amiga.serveftp.net/A3640_capacitor.html

You are a true gent Paul, appreciate it.

19 November 2010, 20:06	#30
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	Progress!!!! OMG, the package I've been waiting for over three weeks from USA finally arrived today! Got stung for 20 squids taxes (grrr) but I'm soon getting over that because my dream has (almost) been realised! So whats tonights upgrade you ask? 16x 16mb 30pin Simms for a total of 256mb of Z3 Fast Ram!!! 4 CPU Stand Off's from JuvUK so I can fir my A3640 properly (thanks Juvvy) And the A3640 of course! Now these Simms were a right bar steward to fit, so I just started with 4 and set the jumpers. Plugged in the card, switched on and prayed! Yippppeeeeeeeeeeee! 64mb Fast Ram So we know it works with 16mb Simms! Great In goes the rest... Ok so the more observant of you have spotted there is 48mb awol somewhere, I think some of the simms might have not gone in fully becuase they were so damn tight to fit, so they're all comming out and will be refitted! More on that and the A3640 later!!! Steve. Last edited by fitzsteve; 19 November 2010 at 22:10.

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15 November 2010, 22:24	#21
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	My A3640 arrived today from MarcB over at Amibay The Card is immaculate, I took her for a quick test drive and she's running fine. I did have a couple of connection issues but I'm pretty sure thats becuase I don't have the little plastic standoffs, my set got lost in the post sending them out on loan. Hopefully I can find another set soon and enjoy this great card! When I had it running there was a very decent speed boost. As you've come to expect, pictures follow my little speech

15 November 2010, 22:28	#22
johnim Amibay Mod/Staff Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: birmingham uk Age: 48 Posts: 1,019	hi steve that looks great

15 November 2010, 22:38	#23
prowler Global Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sidcup, England Posts: 10,300	Great work, Steve! (as usual )

16 November 2010, 01:34	#25
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	JuvUK at Amibay is making some up for me like this: http://amibay.com/showpost.php?p=107785&postcount=116 Should do the trick...

16 November 2010, 09:51	#26
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,332	Those standoffs look like they screw in from the other side of the motherboard? Too much like hard work to taking my motherboard out just to fit some posts. If you have any of the normal ones... just quickly measure the diameter of the plug bit at the end... if 3.18mm is suitable we've found a source.

16 November 2010, 12:44	#29
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@Alexh If I get 5mins and my digital calipers work - I will see what I can do over lunch =)

19 November 2010, 20:23	#31
Peter Still an Amiga user Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kent Age: 55 Posts: 2,715	GO Steve!!! Glad it arrived OK - stuff from over the water is taking an age at the moment...

19 November 2010, 21:41	#34
Paul_s Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Amigaville Age: 46 Posts: 3,334	if any of the caps need replacing on that a3640 I think I have some spares (new) you can have. Just lemme know their values if you want them so I can check.

19 November 2010, 23:07	#36
prowler Global Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sidcup, England Posts: 10,300	Wow, Steve, you've made some great progress on this. I must save this thread and read it slowly to see just what I've missed while I've been busy restoring CU_AMiGA's games disk image to his X68000 hard drive.

19 November 2010, 23:12	#37
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,332	You sure it's REALLY working? Some sort of random memory test required

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