Problematic AGA demos.

[amilo3438]

Originally Posted by Zarnal

I am also testing OCS at the moment.

I am testing only demos from 1990 till beginning of 1991 and only with ECS setting on the emu.
On that way I could see if something is not working OK if ECS is selected.
Also with that time period I have had most success in finding problems so far.

[Zarnal]

Toni, this is a question. I noticed something with a couple of demos. The example is OZF-Rendervous. Is this a problem or is it just off-screen? With WinUae, the letters go into the black zone while on hard and LCD they don't.

Pic 1 : WinUae.

Pic 2 : Real hardware ( A1200 stock ) + LCD screen.

Pic 3 : Real hardware ( A1200 stock ) + CRT screen for reference.

[Zarnal]

S(pi)d (64k Intro) by Zomo ---> http://janeway.exotica.org.uk/release.php?id=15770

I'm posting this demo only because we had the same kind of concern on an OCS ( Phenomena-Dots A1000) demo and it doesn't seem to be CPU related. At the start of the demo, there are several returns to the cli. The demo starts (1), there is a quick return to the cli (pic 2) and the demo continues (3). This happens at least three times. This does not happen on real hardware ( tested ).

Quickstart A1200.

[Foebane]

Originally Posted by Zarnal

S(pi)d (64k Intro) by Zomo ---> http://janeway.exotica.org.uk/release.php?id=15770

I'm posting this demo only because we had the same kind of concern on an OCS ( Phenomena-Dots A1000) demo and it doesn't seem to be CPU related. At the start of the demo, there are several returns to the cli. The demo starts (1), there is a quick return to the cli (pic 2) and the demo continues (3). This happens at least three times. This does not happen on real hardware ( tested ).

Quickstart A1200.

It doesn't happen on my 4.2.0 WinUAE with similar config, neither.

[Zarnal]

Originally Posted by Foebane

It doesn't happen on my 4.2.0 WinUAE with similar config, neither.

@Foebane

Maybe you have filters / scaling enabled which hide the problem (because it also appears in version 4.2.0, 4.3.0 and 4.4.0). For my tests, all the superfluous options is turned off. The return to the cli is very very fast


This demo is now Ok with latest winuae.7z/Quickstart A1200.

[Foebane]

Originally Posted by Zarnal

@Foebane

Maybe you have filters / scaling enabled which hide the problem (because it also appears in version 4.2.0, 4.3.0 and 4.4.0). For my tests, all the superfluous options is turned off. The return to the cli is very very fast


This demo is now Ok with latest winuae.7z/Quickstart A1200.

Check for yourself with the attachment I have provided. It ran fine, but the demo was so small I wonder why it's of significance in the first place.

[Zarnal]

Originally Posted by Foebane

Check for yourself with the attachment I have provided. It ran fine, but the demo was so small I wonder why it's of significance in the first place.

Not possible because your config is not a simple " Quickstart A1200 2MB " ( you have 8Mb Fast+HD+Kickstart 3.1 ).



In this kind of config with Fast Ram, this demo has usual CPU glitch issue before the credits part ( pic 1 ). And cli issue is always present with your config ( 4.2.0, 4.4.0 and latest b33 but is now ok with latest winuae.7z ).


To answer your question, I don't think it's the length of the demo that matters. A lot of the long AGA demos we tested in AF forum are 3D and particularly boring.

[Foebane]

Originally Posted by Zarnal

Not possible because your config is not a simple " Quickstart A1200 2MB " ( you have 8Mb Fast+HD+Kickstart 3.1 ).

In this kind of config with Fast Ram, this demo has usual CPU glitch issue before the credits part ( pic 1 ). And cli issue is always present with your config ( 4.2.0, 4.4.0 and latest b33 but is now ok with latest winuae.7z ).

To answer your question, I don't think it's the length of the demo that matters. A lot of the long AGA demos we tested in AF forum are 3D and particularly boring.

Oh, sorry, I forgot I added Fast and all of that stuff.

AGA demos are awesome, as is the low-end A500 stuff that tries innovative things. I think I'm particularly fond of the audio, even if the visuals can be dull.

[Zarnal]

@Amilo3438

For your list in first page ( all demos were rechecked on real A1200 2MB and 2MB+4MB ), WinUae 4.9 b33 Quickstart A1200 :


Union-Zoombi bonus version ---->http://janeway.exotica.org.uk/release.php?id=92414

glitches between cube rotation and logo scene, on clown rotozoom part ( during and after scene), sphere part ( during and after scene ).

Notes :


Real A1200 2MB or 2MB+4MB : no glitche

Real A1200+ACA 68030 40Mhz : The majority ( but not all, one of two " big " picture corruption of one rotozoom scene is not present ) of the problems observed with WinUae are identical with this hardware configuration.


Gods Future -----> http://janeway.exotica.org.uk/release.php?id=10930

The demo hangs (but the music continues). Real A1200 2MB is 100% Ok

Note : this demo runs fine only with real A1200 2MB.

@Foebane

[amilo3438]

Originally Posted by Zarnal

Gods Future -----> http://janeway.exotica.org.uk/release.php?id=10930

The demo hangs (but the music continues). Real A1200 2MB is 100% Ok

Note : this demo runs fine only with real A1200 2MB.

Quickstart A1200 2MB + Custom CPU Freq. = 10.640685
With above config. it goes much further but anyway crashes somewhere after!
As usually its the CPU timing problem I guess.

EDIT: Custom CPU Freq. = 10.000000 and the demo works till the end! (maybe would be good to find the last higher freq. where it still works till the end)
EDIT2: If Custom CPU Freq. = 10.010000 it still works and if CPU Freq. = 10.020000 it crashes before the end! (no need to explore for other decimals, its good enough)
Ps. tested with WinUAE 4900 b33 latest winuae.7z (15.9.2021)

[Zarnal]

Originally Posted by amilo3438

Quickstart A1200 2MB + Custom CPU Freq. = 10.640685
With above config. it goes much further but anyway crashes somewhere after!
As usually its the CPU timing problem I guess.

EDIT: Custom CPU Freq. = 10.000000 and the demo works till the end! (maybe would be good to find the last higher freq. where it still works till the end)
EDIT2: If Custom CPU Freq. = 10.010000 it still works and if CPU Freq. = 10.020000 it crashes before the end! (no need to explore for other decimals, its good enough)
Ps. tested with WinUAE 4900 b33 latest winuae.7z (15.9.2021)

Yes, most of the time this is EC020 CPU troubles ( few exceptions ).


If I have any doubts, I will clarify it. And thanks for détails.

[Zarnal]

Short by Floppy ---> https://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=12179

I don't know if it's a CPU problem (and it's last problematic AGA demo of all my tests at this day ). By design, there is huge screen corruption after the torus scene. The results are quite different between real A1200 (pic 1 and 2) and WinUae (pic 3 and 4).
I noticed at the end of this voluntary corruption the "famous" checkerboard encountered in "Subspace-Ubergirl" (feature not emulated). But for first part of corruption ( pic 1 ) ? Same thing ?

[Lisko]

Originally Posted by Zarnal

Short by Floppy ---> https://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=12179

I don't know if it's a CPU problem (and it's last problematic AGA demo of all my tests at this day ). By design, there is huge screen corruption after the torus scene. The results are quite different between real A1200 (pic 1 and 2) and WinUae (pic 3 and 4).
I noticed at the end of this voluntary corruption the "famous" checkerboard encountered in "Subspace-Ubergirl" (feature not emulated). But for first part of corruption ( pic 1 ) ? Same thing ?

I tried this on my 1200 with blizzard 1230 IV and after loading 1st_short_floppy.exe it stucks in a loop without even opening a screen. I tested also on stock and got the same result. What's wrong?

[Zarnal]

Originally Posted by Lisko

I tried this on my 1200 with blizzard 1230 IV and after loading 1st_short_floppy.exe it stucks in a loop without even opening a screen. I tested also on stock and got the same result. What's wrong?

This demo must be started from Hard Drive.

[amilo3438]

Originally Posted by Zarnal

This demo must be started from Hard Drive.

Here is the demopack with the SHORT / Floppy demo! (the 2nd one)

http://janeway.exotica.org.uk/release.php?id=26378

Not sure what is the problem here CPU or Gfx !?

[Zarnal]

Originally Posted by amilo3438

Here is the demopack with the SHORT / Floppy demo! (the 2nd one)

http://janeway.exotica.org.uk/release.php?id=26378

Not sure what is the problem here CPU or Gfx !?

Yes, the version this packdisk boots normally from a floppy disk. The other version only starts from a hard disk or a CF (WinUae and real A1200).
I sincerely believe that this case is not directly CPU related.

And the graphics issues are the same in both versions in WinUae.

[Lisko]

Originally Posted by Zarnal

This demo must be started from Hard Drive. <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" smilieid="1" class="inlineimg" />

<br />
<br />
I'm starting it from hard drive, tried also booting with no s-s and kickstart 3.1/3.2 and the blizzard enabled/disabled. Maybe doesn't like pfs3 partitions? I'll try today with the packdisk.

EDIT: I tried the demo from the packdisk and it works both from floppy and hd. Maybe it's the one from the lha that has problems.

[Zarnal]

Originally Posted by Zarnal

S(pi)d (64k Intro) by Zomo ---> http://janeway.exotica.org.uk/release.php?id=15770

I'm posting this demo only because we had the same kind of concern on an OCS ( Phenomena-Dots A1000) demo and it doesn't seem to be CPU related. At the start of the demo, there are several returns to the cli. The demo starts (1), there is a quick return to the cli (pic 2) and the demo continues (3). This happens at least three times. This does not happen on real hardware ( tested ).

Quickstart A1200.

Most of the cli returns is gone with latest non beta versions but there is one left just before the EB logo ( just before white flash, pics 1,2,3 ) that I hadn't noticed before retesting.

Edit 22/09 : same with b34.

[Aladin]

Originally Posted by Zarnal

Most of the cli returns is gone with latest non beta versions but there is one left just before the EB logo ( just before white flash, pics 1,2,3 ) that I hadn't noticed before retesting.

Out of curiosity, I retested and you’re right, there is a very brief return to the remaining cli just before the white flash. With b34 version.

[amilo3438]

@Zarnal

S(pi)d (64k Intro) by Zomo - tested in WinUAE 4.9.0 b34

QS A1200 basic non-expanded configuration = don't see any problem with this demo!

Ps.
Do you have in Quickstart option compatibility slider moved on "Best compatibility"?
Do you use quickstart A1200 basic non-expanded configuration?