E-Matrix 1230-50 problem

Hi all,
I got an E-Matrix card 1230-50 and scsi, with a problem fitted to an a1200 with 4gb cf (also tried old hd).
When its fitted to the a1200 the cold boot up takes 1 minute or more.
Drive led flashes, then resets then sits with a grey screen and then eventually boots.
After this appears to work ok for a while(30)mins unless you reboot but eventually crashes and resets.
Then when hot won't reboot, it flashes drive led, resets, sits a while on grey screen, drive flashes comes up with various software errors. resets etc..
If you let it cool down a while it will restart.
The card gets hot but i don't know how hot it should get.
It works for longer if not in the case.

I have tried a different power supply, timing mod on board 1d4.
Ive tried different memory amounts.
Visually the card looks good, no new solder or damage.

Don't know what to do next its driving me crazy!

Thanks Ian

[roy bates]

can you tell us whats written on the cpu 030.

Originally Posted by roy bates

can you tell us whats written on the cpu 030.

Hi Roy,
The cpu is MC68030RC50C
FPU is XC68882RC50A

Thanks
Ian

[roy bates]

hi ian.

can you disable the scsi part of the card?
also can you try leaving the trapdoor open for air circulation?
what speed is you ram 70ns or 60ns?
can you post some high res pictures of your card?both sides if you can.

the card may be overheating but they do get hot anyway 030's can get so hot that you can just about touch it without it being uncomfortable
EDIT:-actaully i dont think you can disable the scsi.

Hi Roy,
This is the exact card recognised from number on bag and paintbrush bristle.

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=51129

Was advertised on here last year.

thanks
Ian

[roy bates]

thanks ian try the above suggestions and see how you go.

Hi Roy,
I have tried it with just mobo, no case earlier and is still the same.
not sure what speed memory is but have tried it with 4meg 16meg 32meg.
Still the same behaviour.
Tried moving jumpers about no real difference.

The main problem is it struggles to boot when plugged in and enabled.
There is a link to disable the card and then it boots normally.
When enabled and tries to boot, it flashes the power led and resets.
It does this 2 or 3 times then boots. approx 1min.

When hot, it just keeps resetting then trying to boot, flashing led, resetting etc..
It won't boot when hot just does the above.
always a grey screen, flashes black on reset then grey again.

power off for 5-10 mins and it will eventually boot.

Hope this helps

Thanks
Ian

[roy bates]

ok ian.

heres what you can try.gently remove the fpu and its oscilator and try again.

also can you make sure the battery isent dead or remove it for this test.

also make sure the oscilator is firmly in it socket (for the 030)this can play havoc with thiese cards as they are upside down when in use.

and good luck.

Hi Roy,
Tried the above, oscillator soldered in but i carefully removed. re-soldered the processor oscillator.
It worked normally for about 20mins then i reset. then the same problem.
It boots normal speed now but exhibits the same faults.
Resets drive led flickers, pwr led flashes then resets again and again then will not boot.
Always a grey screen.

Many thanks
Ian

[roy bates]

hi again ian.

there is still one more thing you can try.

right so when the cpu is warmed up it crashes and cant recover untill its cool again=yes?

right this is going to sound extreme but here goes,remove everything from the 1200 untill you have an empty case(as youve said it works without the case)allign the card with the slot and mark a "square mark" where the 030 would be in the 1200's lower case,

then drill 10mm holes into the case about 3mm apart OR cut the entire square out so you can see the cpu totally.
and repeat for the fpu in the trapdoor.
then re-assemble the 1200 and test.
and use something as spacers under the case to raise it up to about 10-12mm.

i think because the cpu is covered by the case when inserted it is blocking airflow.


also is this a recent problem or was it always like this do you have an a500 supply on it as these are better?

roy.

Hi again,
the card came with some other stuff but was described as working.
It just works a little longer in fresh air.

Do you think its the processor or oscillator at fault?
The oscillator gets quite hot also.

Something is breaking down as the card gets hotter, as a1200 is fine without card fitted.

Thanks
Ian

[roy bates]

hi ian.

the oscillator shouldent get hot at all.it may be worth changing that for a new one.

also ive got to mention you wont need a timing fix on any revision mobo for an 030,thats just for 040-060 cpu's.so you wont need to worry about that one ian.
ive tried 030 cards in these mobos:- 1.A 1.B 1.D.1 1.D.4 2.B
the only ones that need a timing fix for 040-060 are 1.D.4 and 2.B

how much longer does it work for in fresh air,is it alot longer.
ive heard peaple stick heatsinks on them but i think that if the oscilator is getting hot its worth canging it,also does any other parts get hot as well?

Hi Roy,
Can i change it for a slower Oscillator just for testing before i try and find a new one?

It runs for a little bit longer in fresh air not much though.

will look for other places it gets hot.

thanks
ian

[roy bates]

yes of course you can mate try a 40 or watever you have.it wont hurt it.

or swap the one on the fpu for the cpu one and stick the slower one on the fpu itll work fine.

Thanks Roy
Ill give it a go and see what happens.

Just a quick update,
Put the 40mhz oscillator in for the cpu and fitted a 33.3mhz oscillator to the fpu.
Seems to work now (well ran gloom for a couple of hours)and rebooted ok.
The only thing is the boot speed is a lot lot quicker without the fpu fitted, about 10 seconds.
With fpu fitted takes probably 30 seconds to boot, sits on a grey screen (think its dark).

Will order new oscillators if i can find them.

will keep you updated.

Thanks Roy for your help.

Ian

[roy bates]

no probs ian glad to help.

when you order new oscilltors try to make them both the same speed if possible.

the long boot is probably the card checking the ram and fpu if present dont worry about that.

also if you want to check the speed of the simms,its normaly the last digit in the chip number.I.E xxxxx,xxx7=70ns xxxxx,xxx6=60ns etc the lower the number the faster the simms.

if its got 70ns its too slow for the card and can caurse stability problems.60ns is better for 50mhz.
simptoms are slow boots random crashes etc.

roy.