Help with 386 cache \ VOGONS

Help with 386 cache

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First post, by Erik765

Posted on 2017-05-22, 05:30

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Hi there,

I've recently fired up a DX-33 build but have been unsuccessful at getting the cache working (testing with cachechk).

I've set the bios options to whatever size chips I have installed and have tried what was on the board originally (64k) as well as replacing them with a 256k set I pulled from a working 486 system, adjusting the jumper (j12) accordingly.

Haven't had any luck though. Cachechk always states 'this system doesn't seem to have any cache installed' 🙁

The board is- http://th99.classic-computing.de/src/m/E-H/30083.htm

Pretty great board so far, except for this one issue 🙁

Am I missing something, or does anyone have any tips on anything I can try or check?

Thanks in advance

Reply 1 of 10, by Jo22

Posted on 2017-05-22, 19:41

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Don't know if I can help, but may I ask if the 64K cache did work originally ?
One of my 386 boards is missing some additional cache controller chips, because the previous owner removed them
(they look similar to cache chips themselves and are socketed, as well).
Because of this, I always got a "cache faulty" warning during bootup until I disabled the whole cache thing in the CMOS.

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Reply 2 of 10, by Erik765

Posted on 2017-05-23, 04:17

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The 64k was not working originally, no 🙁

I've been unable to get any amount of cache working at all.

What are cache controller chips, exactly? Is that different than the chips themselves or the tag chip? I wonder if mine are faulty as well, if so.

Thanks.

Reply 3 of 10, by Erik765

Posted on 2017-05-23, 05:21

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Just tried a later-model DX-33 (latest SX544) chip and same result.

Reply 4 of 10, by Anonymous Coward

Posted on 2017-05-23, 14:25

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Are the sockets at U30, U31 and U43 filled?

"Will the highways on the internets become more few?" -Gee Dubya
V'Ger XT|Upgraded AT|Ultimate 386|Super VL/EISA 486|SMP VL/EISA Pentium

Reply 5 of 10, by Erik765

Posted on 2017-05-25, 03:00

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When I have 64k in there, U30 and U31 have the tag chips in.
When I have 256k in there, U43 has the tag chip in.

Reply 6 of 10, by Anonymous Coward

Posted on 2017-05-25, 04:15

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Can you take a picture of the tags?

"Will the highways on the internets become more few?" -Gee Dubya
V'Ger XT|Upgraded AT|Ultimate 386|Super VL/EISA 486|SMP VL/EISA Pentium

Reply 7 of 10, by Erik765

Posted on 2017-05-25, 04:28

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64k tags-

256k tag-

Reply 8 of 10, by AlaricD

Posted on 2017-06-30, 18:46

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Looks like the tag SRAMs are fine, but you only mention J12. Are JP8-11 open?

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Reply 9 of 10, by Erik765

Posted on 2017-06-30, 18:52

Erik765 Offline

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They are, yes.

I have since given up on this board though since it began freezing entirely after posting no matter what I'm trying to boot from. I managed to find another (better) board since after so many different issues on this one, it was deemed unworthy of further troubleshooting. Probably a bad chipset, is my best guess 🙁

Thanks for all the help and feedback.

Reply 10 of 10, by AlaricD

Posted on 2017-06-30, 19:41

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Erik765 wrote:
They are, yes.

You can't blame me for asking 😀

I have since given up on this board though since it began freezing entirely after posting no matter what I'm trying to boot from. I managed to find another (better) board since after so many different issues on this one, it was deemed unworthy of further troubleshooting. Probably a bad chipset, is my best guess

Sounds like it was having issues, for sure.

Sorry I didn't have the magic bullet!

"The Big Bang. The ultimate hero of low frequency. The divine intergalactical bass drum connecting the tribes of our solar system."
Yello
"Solar Driftwood"

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