lphillips@lpami.wimsey.bc.ca (Larry Phillips) (01/04/91)
In <3860@bnr-rsc.UUCP>, hounsell@nmerh4.BNR.CA (Rob Hounsell) writes: >Folks, > > I've got an Amiga 1000 that I've upgraded using the LUCAS accelerator and >the FRANCES 32-bit memory expander with 1 Meg installed. The memory tests out >fine using the diagnostics that came with the FRANCES board, but when I add the >memory to the system (i.e. it doesn't autoconfigure) the system recognizes the >extra ram, but locks up within 1-5 minutes. > > Before it locks up, if I insert a disk, I often get a system requestor with a >message like: > > Validation Error > Key 880 checksum error > > This key value of 880 is very consistent. What is it telling me, and what >could cause this problem just by adding extra memory (i.e. why key 880??). A key is a block is a sector. Key 880 is the root block on a floppy. Since it is accessed when you insert a diskette, if you have problems with memory, the root block is a ikely candidate to show up a problem. -larry -- The best way to accelerate an MsDos machine is at 32 ft/sec/sec. +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | // Larry Phillips | | \X/ lphillips@lpami.wimsey.bc.ca -or- uunet!van-bc!lpami!lphillips | | COMPUSERVE: 76703,4322 -or- 76703.4322@compuserve.com | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
hounsell@nmerh4.BNR.CA (Rob Hounsell) (01/04/91)
Folks, I've got an Amiga 1000 that I've upgraded using the LUCAS accelerator and the FRANCES 32-bit memory expander with 1 Meg installed. The memory tests out fine using the diagnostics that came with the FRANCES board, but when I add the memory to the system (i.e. it doesn't autoconfigure) the system recognizes the extra ram, but locks up within 1-5 minutes. Before it locks up, if I insert a disk, I often get a system requestor with a message like: Validation Error Key 880 checksum error This key value of 880 is very consistent. What is it telling me, and what could cause this problem just by adding extra memory (i.e. why key 880??). It doesn't matter if it's the internal or external 3.5 inch drive. The LUCAS card has been running well (68020/68882 at 16MHz), and I don't get this problem unless the system recognizes the extra memory. I'm sure I've got a short or a loose connection somewhere, but it would help to know where to look. Thanks, Rob +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Rob Hounsell UUNET: ...!chekov!hounsell | | NT Product Support Technology BNR WAN: hounsell@nmerh4 | | PHONE: (613) 765-2904 | | ESN: 395-2904 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
amiga-relay@ee.udel.edu (01/04/91)
From: fhwri%CONNCOLL.BITNET@cunyvm.cuny.edu
For what it's worth (I have NO idea about your FRANCES problem), Key 880
is the root block of an AmigaDOS disk; in other words, Block 0 of Track 40.
It is the most often screwed-up block on a nonvalidated disk.
I realize that this doesn't help you one little bitm but it does answer
one question...
--Rick Wrigley
fhwri@conncoll.bitnetjoost@neabbs.UUCP (JOOST BOERHOUT) (01/06/91)
In message 526139 News.Amigahard, 04-01-91 10:55:07 Rob Hounsell wrote: > I've got an Amiga 1000 that I've upgraded using the LUCAS accelerator and >the FRANCES 32-bit memory expander with 1 Meg installed. The memory tests out >fine using the diagnostics that came with the FRANCES board, but when I add the >memory to the system (i.e. it doesn't autoconfigure) the system recognizes the >extra ram, but locks up within 1-5 minutes. > > Before it locks up, if I insert a disk, I often get a system requestor with a >message like: > > Validation Error > Key 880 checksum error > > This key value of 880 is very consistent. What is it telling me, and what >could cause this problem just by adding extra memory (i.e. why key 880??). Hmmm, sounds like power line noise. The problem is that testing the memory using the software tool supplied with FRANCES is NOT sufficient. If there is anything actually running in FRANCES memory (e.g. exec) there is a lot more power line noise due to more (/different) access cycles to the board. This will happen the moment you tell exec to use FRANCES. A side effect of this is that in some cases disk access is not possible (i.e. Exec reads garbage from the drive and concludes it's a bad disk). Normally one should not notice these noise problems of course. However, the A1000 and FRANCES have noisy busses. An important thing to battle noise is to use MULTILAYER CERAMIC capasitors only. Use a multimeter to check ground/power line voltage differences. Check the gnd/pwr terminals of the LS245 chips on FRANCES. If the meter reads more than 10mV run a wire to the expansion bus (or piggy back board). >unless the system recognizes the extra memory. I'm sure I've got a short or a >loose connection somewhere, but it would help to know where to look. No I don't think it's a short. (PS: have you tried a 74HC74 for U9 ??, it may sound strange but it's the ONLY chip which works in my system.) >Thanks, >Rob - joost -