@rasteri do you get these compatibility warnings under Settings/Control Panel/System/Performance?

Mu0n wrote on 2021-11-29, 14:46:

@rasteri do you get these compatibility warnings under Settings/Control Panel/System/Performance?

Yeah I get the same thing. I never really looked into it too much as I usually copy stuff directly to the SD card from my laptop and basically just use 98SE as a menu system to launch dos games

Perhaps the SD controller is exposed to DOS through a BIOS extension without being compatible with an actual IDE controller at the hardware level?

I noticed that a lot of effort had been built into the Vortex DX weecee design, and the forks thereof.
Is/Was there any reason for not using the DX3 in the weecee design, or was it simply a timing /release issue (DX3 released after the weecee design)?
I am asking, since I too have some nostalgia over the 90's gaming era and would like to develop a similar board to the DX weecee for personal use.
Most of my code is based on 90's IBM hardware, therefore keyboard scan set 3 (from ps/2 era) is prominent, since it requires less logic to translate, as well as Adlib FM, SB16 PCM, and VESA VBE 2.0.
Is the DX3's SOM 100% compatible with Adlib OPL2 (and in my case OPL3) and maybe also with GM or XM (midi) and keyboard scan set 3?
I take it that VESA VBE 2.0 became standard after '95.
Has anyone been successful in utilising the dual core functionality on the DX3 in DOS (Watcom dos4gw, Freedos32, or the like)?
I'm particularly interested in splitting my DOS code to have the control logic in one core and the decoding/rendering in another core.

Thank you all.

The MicroSD route seems to be fraught with issues - I would expect that just bringing the integrated IDE out to a CompactFlash slot would be more compatible and performant, although I do appreciate that CF cards are more expensive and less prevalent now; another solution would be to add a SATA bridge to the IDE connection and use a SATA SSD; small 120GB drives which would be ideal are insanely cheap now, and much faster that MicroSD.

I agree that I would have preferred a CompactFlash slot/adapter but I would think SD might be OK if you disable the page file (if using Windows), and limit writing, etc.

Anyways, I received my ICOP SOM and my PCBs are almost here so I placed an order from Mouser for the components. Most of it they had in stock (only 2 cases left though!) but I couldn't find a SOT-223-4 3.3v regulator with 1.2A output so I ordered the largest one available (1A). Any idea if that should work OK?

Sorry I haven't been around much to answer questions, life is super busy.

To be honest SD cards are so cheap and plentiful that I don't really care about them occasionally failing, I have clone images of all the OSs I use and when an SD fails I'll just re-image a new one. I haven't had one fail yet anyway.

What part number is your replacement regulator? It should be an LDO otherwise you might have issues

It's an LDO. The part number is LMS8117AMP-3.3/NOPB.

Here is the full BOM of parts I've ordered from Mouser: https://www.mouser.com/ProjectManager/Project … ssID=f0ad39a381

Here were the out-of-stock parts:

1C15, C16, C38, C39         	    4	GRM31CR61E106KA12L	CAP CER 10UF X7R 1206	10uF																					
2C25, C26	                    2	1206YC106KAT2A	    CAP CER 10UF X7R 1206	10uF																
3FB1, FB2	                    2	BLM31PG601SN1L	    FERRITE 1500 mA 1206	FERRITE						
4R1, R2, R3, R4, R5	            5	TNPW06034K70BEEA	RES 4.7K 0603	        4.7K			
5R12, R13, R14, R15, R16, R17	6	ERJ-3GEYJ473V	    RES 47K 0603	        47K																					
6R18, R28, R29, R30, R31, R32	6	ERJ-3GEYJ330V	    RES 33 0603	            33					
7R22, R23, R24, R25	            4	ERA8AEB49R9V	    RES 49.9 1206	        49.9							
8R9	                        1	CRCW12064K70JNEA	RES 4.7K 1206      	    4.7K			
9U4	                        1	LDL1117S33R	        IC LDO 3.3v	            LDL1117S33R																																																																																																											

Replacement parts:
CC1206KKX5R8BB106 (C15, C16, C38, C39)
C1206C106K4RACTM (C25, C26)
BLM31PG601SH1L (FB1, FB2)
AT0603BRD074K7L (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5)
RCG060347K0JNEA (R12, R13, R14, R15, R16, R17)
CRCW060333R0JNEA (R18, R28, R29, R30, R31, R32)
RP73PF1J49R9BTDF (R22, R23, R24, R25)
ERJ-8GEYJ472V (R9)
LMS8117AMP-3.3/NOPB (U4)

Hopefully these are the correct/compatible replacement parts. 😀

sofakng wrote on 2021-12-13, 19:41:

It's an LDO. The part number is LMS8117AMP-3.3/NOPB.

Technically the ESR of C35 is outside the spec of that LDO, but it'll probably be fine. If you have problems with the SD card or ethernet try replacing C35 with a 10uF tantalum capacitor.

Thanks ... I updated the above post with all of the out-of-stock parts and what I used to replace them. (it's a lot to go through, so I don't expect you to verify everything)

Thanks for the information on the LDO too. Do you see a better replacement on Mouser.com (USA) ? If not, is T491A106K016AT the type of replacement capacitor for C35? This looks to meet the specifications of the input/output bypass capacitors of the LDO?

Yeah that tantalum should be fine. Then you can use pretty much any 3.3v LDO in that form factor.

Are these modules stocked anywhere? Every time this peaks my interest and I start looking I am always faced with request quote, contact for pricing etc. Is that the only way to get the vortex module? (I am in Canada)

yyzkevin wrote on 2021-12-17, 06:01:

Are these modules stocked anywhere? Every time this peaks my interest and I start looking I am always faced with request quote, contact for pricing etc. Is that the only way to get the vortex module? (I am in Canada)

Yeah you'll usually have to get a quote from most industrial suppliers. Most of them are happy to sell single quantities to individuals, though.

rasteri wrote on 2021-12-17, 11:24:

yyzkevin wrote on 2021-12-17, 06:01:

Are these modules stocked anywhere? Every time this peaks my interest and I start looking I am always faced with request quote, contact for pricing etc. Is that the only way to get the vortex module? (I am in Canada)

Yeah you'll usually have to get a quote from most industrial suppliers. Most of them are happy to sell single quantities to individuals, though.

I got mine by contacting the California based ICOP office by email, getting a quote. I was able to buy 2 at 177 USD apiece + shipping (around 55 USD). I also live in Canada (Quebec). There were no duties.

I also contacted ICOP but they asked me to through a reseller (WDL Systems) and I paid $183 + $17 shipping. They were extremely helpful and I received it really quickly.

Tomorrow my PCBs arrive so I'll be able to get started with assembly and I'll post pictures and results 😀

Is R10 supposed to be populated? It's listed as 'NP' but it has a description instead of "DO NOT POPULATE".

EDIT: Can you also verify the VGA connector? I've finished building everything and was ready to solder the VGA connector but the part number in the BOM seems wrong? (ugh!)

The BOM lists K202XHT-E15S-N and the BOM description also specifies a "high density" connector but these aren't through-hole and meant to be soldered on top of the board:

sofakng wrote on 2021-12-20, 21:51:

Is R10 supposed to be populated? It's listed as 'NP' but it has a description instead of "DO NOT POPULATE".

Only 2 pairs of pads aren't populated. R10 associated with the EEPROM and R19, part of the "pc speaker" signal.

your VGA connector doesn't look like it'll work here.
Here's what I used:
https://www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/710-618015231121

and ofc, long lead time (sucks about the shortage of many components).
I'm not very good at navigating my way to viable alternatives and even less at editing board design to accomodate other connection strategies.

sofakng wrote on 2021-12-20, 21:51:

EDIT: Can you also verify the VGA connector? I've finished building everything and was ready to solder the VGA connector but the part number in the BOM seems wrong? (ugh!)

Ooops.... that was the BOM that I ordered so I have no idea how I got the wrong part... probably I just have lots of d-sub connectors lying around so I never noticed

Mu0n wrote on 2021-12-21, 05:38:

your VGA connector doesn't look like it'll work here.
Here's what I used:
https://www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/710-618015231121

I think that's a low-density socket, intended for the Joystick connector. I can't actually find a high-density connector on mouser currently

EDIT : found one - https://www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/EDAC/634- … xYZjEwpUA%3D%3D

rasteri wrote on 2021-12-21, 10:19:

Mu0n wrote on 2021-12-21, 05:38:

your VGA connector doesn't look like it'll work here.
Here's what I used:
https://www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/710-618015231121

I think that's a low-density socket, intended for the Joystick connector. I can't actually find a high-density connector on mouser currently

OOPS was looking at the wrong line in my excel document, this is the one I used, it's slightly cheaper.
https://www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/649-ICD15S13E4GX00LF