Apollo A630: no more Fast-Ram

frost242 · 26 February 2009, 20:42

Hello,

I recently got my Apollo A630 working. Everything was fine until I left the machine off for some minutes. Then, the fast-ram didn't get recognised anymore.
I tried two different PSU, the stock one and an A500 PSU, same result with both.

I tried another SIMM, but the magic does not happen

DoogUK · 26 February 2009, 20:47

Are the wait states jumpers set accordingly to the speed/ram you are using?
If not used for some time i would suggest removing the socketed chips and cleaning the contacts with rubbing alcohol before reseating them firmly...also try cleaning the contacts in the simm socket.

I hope you get that rare puppy running.

frost242 · 26 February 2009, 21:04

Oh, what a clever advice...

Yes, it was actually a wrongly positionned jumper. However, it's strange it worked this way before. Thanks !

/me hides

Gordon · 26 February 2009, 21:05

Would you be intrested in selling this to me?

DoogUK · 26 February 2009, 21:12

Result

frost242 · 26 February 2009, 21:29

Gordonbennett: I'm afraid I can't. I'll let you know if I do it.

frost242 · 27 February 2009, 22:59

Today's update. I left the machine yesterday after a little coding session... When I got back home this evening, the fast-ram didn't appear anymore. Also I didn't change any setting of the board.
That's quite annoying... If anyone has an idea, it's welcome.

Zetr0 · 28 February 2009, 05:46

@Frosty

is there anything that could be pushing down on the board?

is the 030 still recognised?

I wonder if the connector could settle off the 680000 cpu.... hmmmmm how is the unit secured to the motherboard, did you make your own clip or are you just using the force of the cpu socket?

alexh · 28 February 2009, 10:00

These things were originally recommended to be held down with epoxy glue on the main CPU.

frost242 · 28 February 2009, 15:17

@Zetro: actually, my board is just forced on the CPU, but it's always working.
At least the 68030 and the 68882 are always recognised, that's the main issue I have. The board seems to work, but there's simply no Fast-Ram recognised.

alexh: is it possible to remove the board after being glued with this epoxy glue ?

Charlie · 28 February 2009, 16:13

Bad luck old chap,
As DoogUK mentioned it's also worth pulling the RAM & giving both the RAM & it's socket a good clean; followed by the connection between the CPU & the accelerator; followed by those PLCC socked chips, then anything else in a socket.

I have a feeling these little suckers can get a bit unstable due to heat, possibly worth adding some heat-sinks to those MACH chips & anything else that's hot (warm) to touch, maybe along with a little laptop fan in the case to keep the air flowing...

...once glued you *can* get the board out again but I'm told it requires a scary amount of effort.

hope that helps.

>linky< may be of interest.

alexh · 28 February 2009, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost242

alexh: is it possible to remove the board after being glued with this epoxy glue ?

No.

frost242 · 02 March 2009, 21:38

Thanks for your replies. I'll let you know as soon as I get my hands on some cleaning spray.

26 February 2009, 20:42	#1
frost242 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France, 87 Age: 44 Posts: 96	Apollo A630: no more Fast-Ram Hello, I recently got my Apollo A630 working. Everything was fine until I left the machine off for some minutes. Then, the fast-ram didn't get recognised anymore. I tried two different PSU, the stock one and an A500 PSU, same result with both. I tried another SIMM, but the magic does not happen

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26 February 2009, 20:47	#2
DoogUK Doogster Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dorset Posts: 1,069	Are the wait states jumpers set accordingly to the speed/ram you are using? If not used for some time i would suggest removing the socketed chips and cleaning the contacts with rubbing alcohol before reseating them firmly...also try cleaning the contacts in the simm socket. I hope you get that rare puppy running.

26 February 2009, 21:04	#3
frost242 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France, 87 Age: 44 Posts: 96	Oh, what a clever advice... Yes, it was actually a wrongly positionned jumper. However, it's strange it worked this way before. Thanks ! /me hides

26 February 2009, 21:05	#4
Gordon Settler Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Serf City Posts: 1,760	Would you be intrested in selling this to me?

26 February 2009, 21:12	#5
DoogUK Doogster Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dorset Posts: 1,069	Result

26 February 2009, 21:29	#6
frost242 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France, 87 Age: 44 Posts: 96	Gordonbennett: I'm afraid I can't. I'll let you know if I do it.

27 February 2009, 22:59	#7
frost242 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France, 87 Age: 44 Posts: 96	Today's update. I left the machine yesterday after a little coding session... When I got back home this evening, the fast-ram didn't appear anymore. Also I didn't change any setting of the board. That's quite annoying... If anyone has an idea, it's welcome.

28 February 2009, 05:46	#8
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@Frosty is there anything that could be pushing down on the board? is the 030 still recognised? I wonder if the connector could settle off the 680000 cpu.... hmmmmm how is the unit secured to the motherboard, did you make your own clip or are you just using the force of the cpu socket?

28 February 2009, 10:00	#9
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,337	These things were originally recommended to be held down with epoxy glue on the main CPU.

28 February 2009, 15:17	#10
frost242 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France, 87 Age: 44 Posts: 96	@Zetro: actually, my board is just forced on the CPU, but it's always working. At least the 68030 and the 68882 are always recognised, that's the main issue I have. The board seems to work, but there's simply no Fast-Ram recognised. alexh: is it possible to remove the board after being glued with this epoxy glue ?

28 February 2009, 16:13	#11
Charlie . . Mouse . . Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 55 Posts: 1,792	Bad luck old chap, As DoogUK mentioned it's also worth pulling the RAM & giving both the RAM & it's socket a good clean; followed by the connection between the CPU & the accelerator; followed by those PLCC socked chips, then anything else in a socket. I have a feeling these little suckers can get a bit unstable due to heat, possibly worth adding some heat-sinks to those MACH chips & anything else that's hot (warm) to touch, maybe along with a little laptop fan in the case to keep the air flowing... ...once glued you can get the board out again but I'm told it requires a scary amount of effort. hope that helps. >linky< may be of interest.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

02 March 2009, 21:38	#13
frost242 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France, 87 Age: 44 Posts: 96	Thanks for your replies. I'll let you know as soon as I get my hands on some cleaning spray.