VOGONS


First post, by xmamat

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Hello,

I just acquired the following BCM Advanced Research Inc. Rev 1.1 VLB ISA card with onboard video, floppy, IDE, joystick, serial and parallel features. However I couldn't find any documentation about it regarding the configuration of the 14 (!) present jumpers.

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The video part works without any problem (it's a Tseng Labs ET4000 with 1MB of RAM), but not the floppy/IDE (with the configuration in the previous capture).
Would anyone have some info about the jumpers settings before I start fiddling with all the combinations?

Reply 1 of 5, by weedeewee

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I'm fairly certain the pc87311 chip is the one that handles the FDC.
The datasheet can be found here https://cdn.datasheetspdf.com/pdf-down/P/C/8/PC8-7311.pdf
and has a table on page 13 which should link to some jumpers.
I'm thinking JP 1,2,3,4,5 & 6 are good candidates to verify continuity to from the corresponding pins on the chip, pin 65,66,71,73 & 74
Enabling the fdc should then be possible.

no idea about the ide since that is handled by another chip.

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Reply 2 of 5, by xmamat

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Thanks!

Also I just found something quite similar (same brand, same GP-4032 reference) but with different jumper blocks locations, except for the JP1 to 6 one which indeed seems to used to enable/disable all the features except for the IDE (looks like there are no jumper for the floppy).
https://arvutimuuseum.ee/th99/c/A-B/20359.htm

I'll see if I can make something of that.

EDIT: my bad, it is said in the bottom miscellaneous note that the location of jumpers JP7, JP10, JP11, S2, S3, and S4 was not presented by the manufacturer. So the previous link actually corresponds to my card!

Reply 3 of 5, by weedeewee

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with that info JP1,2,3,4,5 are likely the config jumpers, and either setting JP1 or JP5 different to what's on your first photo should enable the Floppy controller. That is, if the order lines up between chip & jumpers.
Though I'm guessing you might also want some serial ports & a parallel port.

Good luck & enjoy !

Right to repair is fundamental. You own it, you're allowed to fix it.
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
Do not ask Why !
https://www.vogonswiki.com/index.php/Serial_port