Issues with a608mcfg and PCMCIA

cbmeeks · 31 May 2024, 20:43

I recently received the A608mini. My assumption is that I have to set the jumper to "PCMCIA" mode to be able to use the PCMCIA slot. However, this drops the fast RAM from 8 MiB down to 4 MiB.

Then I discovered the utility for the card called "a608mcfg". I copied that to my Amiga 600's C drive and when I run the command, it appears to recognize the card.

I then thought that I had to run the command every time I need to toggle between all of the RAM and the use of the PCMCIA card. But no matter what I do, the settings don't appear to stick. I don't get any errors, but it just doesn't seem to do anything.

On a hunch, I decided to remove the jumper (which gives me the full 8 MiB) and then I plugged my PCMCIA card in and not only does the card work, but my 8 MiB only dropped a couple hundred K.

What gives here? Is there danger of corrupting memory and/or the PCMCIA card (compact flash)?

Thanks for any information.

fryguy · 31 May 2024, 21:04

It was a long time since I used my card, but are you using the right arguments for the a608mcfg until?

you could use: a608mcfg pcmciainv on or a608mcfg pcmciainv off depending on how the jumper is set.

http://wiki.archi-tech.com.pl/pl/A608mini

I dont think its a good idea to try to use the pcmcia card with 8 MB, I think it might mess up the file system but i havent tried it myself.

cbmeeks · 31 May 2024, 21:07

Yep, that is exactly what I am doing.
Seems to make no difference.

It seems the PCMCIA is working AND I have the full 8 MiB of RAM. How is this possible I wonder?

fryguy · 31 May 2024, 21:19

Quote:

Yep, that is exactly what I am doing.
Seems to make no difference.

Ok, weird.

Quote:

It seems the PCMCIA is working AND I have the full 8 MiB of RAM. How is this possible I wonder?

I read that people say that this appears to work with some kickstart versions (like 3.0 IIRC), but it really does not.

Check this thread https://forum.amiga.org/index.php?topic=72869.0

fgh · 31 May 2024, 23:38

The potential conflict is between PCMCIA RAM cards and fast RAM >4MB.
PCMCIA I/O cards like storage and network cards use a different address range (PCMCIA I/O address range) that does not conflict with fast RAM.

So unless you plug in a PCMCIA RAM card (they are quite rare, and pointless if you already have 8MB fast) you will not have any issues.

If you install kickstart 3.1 or greater, the PCMCIA port will be disabled by the kickstart ROM if more than 4MB fast is detected.

Kin Hell · 01 June 2024, 15:34

You shouldn't destroy your hardware with software...

Perhaps you need the PCMCIA fixes in place for things to behave for you when setting 4Mb to use the PCMCIA port.

Read here:

https://aminet.net/package/docs/hard/A1200-ccreset

Files here:

CardPatch

CardReset

fryguy · 01 June 2024, 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kin Hell

You shouldn't destroy your hardware with software...

Perhaps you need the PCMCIA fixes in place for things to behave for you when setting 4Mb to use the PCMCIA port.

Read here:

https://aminet.net/package/docs/hard/A1200-ccreset

Files here:

CardPatch

CardReset

IIRC the A600 did not have the pcmcia reset bug.

Kin Hell · 01 June 2024, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by fryguy

IIRC the A600 did not have the pcmcia reset bug.

Read here:

https://aminet.net/package/docs/hard/A1200-ccreset

SkulleateR · 01 June 2024, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kin Hell

Read here:

https://aminet.net/package/docs/hard/A1200-ccreset

The CC_Reset Line works fine in A600, I never had to use this patch on my A600s in all those years

Kin Hell · 01 June 2024, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by fryguy

IIRC the A600 did not have the pcmcia reset bug.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkulleateR

The CC_Reset Line works fine in A600, I never had to use this patch on my A600s in all those years

I didn't want to mislead anyone & apologise if so....
Would the PCMCI bug be only apparent for Network cards in A600 & A1200's?

cbmeeks · 01 June 2024, 23:10

Thanks for the input!The only PCMCIA cards I have are a network card and compact flash card. Sounds like the network card might have issues if I leave the >4MB RAM enabled. But honestly, I really don't care about that. I have a Wimodem232 if I wan to do BBS's and I don't care about web browsing on this computer. But moving software over with CF is important.For me, this is great news.Thanks!

31 May 2024, 20:43	#1
cbmeeks Registered User Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Soddy Daisy, TN USA Posts: 106	Issues with a608mcfg and PCMCIA I recently received the A608mini. My assumption is that I have to set the jumper to "PCMCIA" mode to be able to use the PCMCIA slot. However, this drops the fast RAM from 8 MiB down to 4 MiB. Then I discovered the utility for the card called "a608mcfg". I copied that to my Amiga 600's C drive and when I run the command, it appears to recognize the card. I then thought that I had to run the command every time I need to toggle between all of the RAM and the use of the PCMCIA card. But no matter what I do, the settings don't appear to stick. I don't get any errors, but it just doesn't seem to do anything. On a hunch, I decided to remove the jumper (which gives me the full 8 MiB) and then I plugged my PCMCIA card in and not only does the card work, but my 8 MiB only dropped a couple hundred K. What gives here? Is there danger of corrupting memory and/or the PCMCIA card (compact flash)? Thanks for any information.

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31 May 2024, 21:04	#2
fryguy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Skarabörg, Sweden Age: 45 Posts: 1,029	It was a long time since I used my card, but are you using the right arguments for the a608mcfg until? you could use: a608mcfg pcmciainv on or a608mcfg pcmciainv off depending on how the jumper is set. http://wiki.archi-tech.com.pl/pl/A608mini I dont think its a good idea to try to use the pcmcia card with 8 MB, I think it might mess up the file system but i havent tried it myself.

31 May 2024, 21:07	#3
cbmeeks Registered User Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Soddy Daisy, TN USA Posts: 106	Yep, that is exactly what I am doing. Seems to make no difference. It seems the PCMCIA is working AND I have the full 8 MiB of RAM. How is this possible I wonder?

31 May 2024, 23:38	#5
fgh Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Norway Posts: 828	The potential conflict is between PCMCIA RAM cards and fast RAM >4MB. PCMCIA I/O cards like storage and network cards use a different address range (PCMCIA I/O address range) that does not conflict with fast RAM. So unless you plug in a PCMCIA RAM card (they are quite rare, and pointless if you already have 8MB fast) you will not have any issues. If you install kickstart 3.1 or greater, the PCMCIA port will be disabled by the kickstart ROM if more than 4MB fast is detected.

01 June 2024, 15:34	#6
Kin Hell 0ld0r Git Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 1,636	You shouldn't destroy your hardware with software... Perhaps you need the PCMCIA fixes in place for things to behave for you when setting 4Mb to use the PCMCIA port. Read here: https://aminet.net/package/docs/hard/A1200-ccreset Files here: CardPatch CardReset

01 June 2024, 23:10	#11
cbmeeks Registered User Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Soddy Daisy, TN USA Posts: 106	Thanks for the input!The only PCMCIA cards I have are a network card and compact flash card. Sounds like the network card might have issues if I leave the >4MB RAM enabled. But honestly, I really don't care about that. I have a Wimodem232 if I wan to do BBS's and I don't care about web browsing on this computer. But moving software over with CF is important.For me, this is great news.Thanks!

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