I would like to report my experience with the OPL3LPT: I have found it to be excellent, in particular using it with AdLib Tracker II (https://github.com/pdewacht/at2lpt/) is simply a joy, the sound is really good.

Unfortunately my OPL3LPT became defective, probably during the two weeks after I received it (I hadn't used during this time). Even though the PC was turned off, I had kept it powered on with a Samsung USB phone charger, and without any load (headphones or speakers) connected.

My initial hypothesis was that because of a lack of a load, a program that would try to access LPT1 (such as Windows 98 during installation?) would have caused sound output that reflected in the amplifier due to the lack of a load, and damaging it.

I contacted Serge at Serdaco (dreamblaster on this forum) who very quickly offered a replacement OPL3LPT and also provided me with the information needed to locate the source of the issue. After probing with a scope with OPL3TEST running, it appeared no clock signal was generated for the YMF262, hence the culprit would be either the 14.3 MHz OSC or the HC04.

Serge kindly sent me the necessary parts to try and perform a repair. As it turned out the problem was indeed with the HC04, and replacing it completely fixed the issue. This part is not hard at all to replace if you have some chipquik and flux for desoldering.

My advice to other OPL3LPT users would be as follows: make sure your 5V power source is clean (perhaps this phone charger was a counterfeit?) and be careful of ESD. Even with the plastic cover, the back of the PCB is still exposed, and so it is best to manipulate the OPL3LPT by the sides. Consider powering off the OPL3LPT when not in use (I have bought https://www.ebay.com/itm/-/201640973904 to switch off the power more easily).

So in conclusion I'm very satisfied not only with this great product but also with the prompt resolution of this problem and the great customer service by Serdaco! 😀

My OPL3LPT is not everytime detected i need to several replug it/repower it to get it finally working in the Testprogram.

This is on Escom Blackmate 386SXL 33Mhz Notebook.

Anyone has similar issues ?
maybe this is also power supply issue, i power it from 5V Rail inside the Notebook.

matze79 wrote:

My OPL3LPT is not everytime detected i need to several replug it/repower it to get it finally working in the Testprogram. […]
Show full quote

My OPL3LPT is not everytime detected i need to several replug it/repower it to get it finally working in the Testprogram.

This is on Escom Blackmate 386SXL 33Mhz Notebook.

Anyone has similar issues ?
maybe this is also power supply issue, i power it from 5V Rail inside the Notebook.

Initially I tried with the USB from my motherboard (KT7A) but it was too weak.

Have you tried with an external USB power? Such as a phone charger.

cde wrote:

matze79 wrote:

My OPL3LPT is not everytime detected i need to several replug it/repower it to get it finally working in the Testprogram. […]
Show full quote

My OPL3LPT is not everytime detected i need to several replug it/repower it to get it finally working in the Testprogram.

This is on Escom Blackmate 386SXL 33Mhz Notebook.

Anyone has similar issues ?
maybe this is also power supply issue, i power it from 5V Rail inside the Notebook.

Initially I tried with the USB from my motherboard (KT7A) but it was too weak.

Have you tried with an external USB power? Such as a phone charger.

Could you wire up USB power from a molex connector? That would turn and off with the PC and have plenty of juice.

EDIT: Like this https://www.amazon.com/Coolerguys-Molex-Dual- … r/dp/B006JCHN08

mothergoose729 wrote:

cde wrote:

matze79 wrote:

My OPL3LPT is not everytime detected i need to several replug it/repower it to get it finally working in the Testprogram. […]
Show full quote

My OPL3LPT is not everytime detected i need to several replug it/repower it to get it finally working in the Testprogram.

This is on Escom Blackmate 386SXL 33Mhz Notebook.

Anyone has similar issues ?
maybe this is also power supply issue, i power it from 5V Rail inside the Notebook.

Initially I tried with the USB from my motherboard (KT7A) but it was too weak.

Have you tried with an external USB power? Such as a phone charger.

Could you wire up USB power from a molex connector? That would turn and off with the PC and have plenty of juice.

EDIT: Like this https://www.amazon.com/Coolerguys-Molex-Dual- … r/dp/B006JCHN08

That's a great idea that I didn't think of initially. I will certainly try that as the 5V from my PSU (Seasonic brand) is certainly of better quality that a phone charger.

mothergoose729 wrote:

Could you wire up USB power from a molex connector? That would turn and off with the PC and have plenty of juice.
EDIT: Like this https://www.amazon.com/Coolerguys-Molex-Dual- … r/dp/B006JCHN08

That's a good idea !

Thats not possible, but i can use Step Down Converter from the 16-19V Input.
But.. OPL2LPT is always detected thats weird.

I'm sorry it is not exactly the topic. But Can I connect somehow Adlib LPT and Covox on the same port? Looks like impossible to find PCMCIA-LPT adapter (not cardbus!)

kirikl wrote on 2020-01-09, 07:11:

I'm sorry it is not exactly the topic. But Can I connect somehow Adlib LPT and Covox on the same port? Looks like impossible to find PCMCIA-LPT adapter (not cardbus!)

I don't see how the Covox LPT DAC would interfere with the OPL3LPT, but the data for the OPL3LPT will certainly be audible on the Covox LPT DAC, so you cannot sensibly use them at the same time.

Are there any windows 3.1 users here ?
Apparently an updated version of msadlib.drv was created,
with support for OPL2LPT and OPL3LPT devices : https://github.com/andreiw/adlib21

dreamblaster wrote on 2020-02-09, 19:20:

Are there any windows 3.1 users here ?
Apparently an updated version of msadlib.drv was created,
with support for OPL2LPT and OPL3LPT devices : https://github.com/andreiw/adlib21

I have WFG 3.11 on my current daily retro driver but no LPT devices to check, sorry for not being able to show up for this.

appiah4 wrote on 2020-02-10, 05:59:

dreamblaster wrote on 2020-02-09, 19:20:

Are there any windows 3.1 users here ?
Apparently an updated version of msadlib.drv was created,
with support for OPL2LPT and OPL3LPT devices : https://github.com/andreiw/adlib21

I have WFG 3.11 on my current daily retro driver but no LPT devices to check, sorry for not being able to show up for this.

I will test this today, very excited.... On a semi-related note: Is it at all possible to create a similar driver for the S2P device that allows it to be used as midi device within Win3.1/3.11?

dreamblaster wrote on 2020-02-09, 19:20:

Are there any windows 3.1 users here ?
Apparently an updated version of msadlib.drv was created,
with support for OPL2LPT and OPL3LPT devices : https://github.com/andreiw/adlib21

Is it possible to install it on Windows 98? And, if so, what do I have to do? Do I have to edit system.ini manually?

Is it possible to implement Reverb and Chorus effects on the OPL3LPT? That would also give mono games a stereo like effect.

Have it been tried to get ADPTACH to patch Sierra AGI games? The AGI games support Composite CGA - 16 colors. It would be so cool to play CGA Compoiste games with Adlib support. That would get some attention.

I was using the OPL3LPT on my IBM 55sx (386). And the OPL2TEST and the OPL3TEST had wrong notes. After some digging i found out that the problem was POWER.EXE in my config.sys (device=c:\dos\power.exe - for power saving in DOS). When removing the line in config.sys it was all fine. One can also type POWER OFF after boot to disable power management.

I am flooding the thread with stuff. Sorry

Tip for removing noise:
I used a cheap USB charger from china. That gave me a lot of noise. Used the original Samsung charger and i had no noise.

Jinxter wrote on 2020-03-07, 20:16:

I am flotting the thread with stuff. Sorry

Tip for removing noise:
I used a cheap USB charger from china. That gave me a lot of noise. Used the original Samsung charger and i had no noise.

Thanks, yes this is useful advice !
Some chargers are only suited for .. charging...

Suggestion.
Sometimes i need to go to the back of the PC and press reset. Instead i start the opl3test which resets the OPL3LPT.
What about a reset util, or a parameter to the opl2test that only resets?

Jinxter wrote on 2020-03-08, 12:07:

Suggestion.
Sometimes i need to go to the back of the PC and press reset. Instead i start the opl3test which resets the OPL3LPT.
What about a reset util, or a parameter to the opl2test that only resets?

good idea