VOGONS


First post, by Intel486dx33

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I am having trouble getting this Intel 430vx motherboard to post.
I have an FIC PT-2006 motherboard with 430vx chipset and 512kb. Cache module.
https://stason.org/TULARC/pc/motherboards/F/F … um-PT-2006.html

Currently when I power it on it just beeps constantly without stoping.
Motherboard appears to be getting power and power supply appears to be okay.

I removed all IDE connectors from motherboard and RAM. Even with the RAM installed it still beeps.
I only have the video card connected. I get no video out.
The video card is good.
I just swapped out motherboards so I am pretty sure the computer case, power supply, and cards are in good working condition.

Reply 1 of 19, by dionb

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Is it an Intel or a FIC board?

Assuming it is the FIC PT-2006 (and not an Intel OEM board with the same chipset), it has an Award BIOS.

That means the endless beeps are telling you you have a RAM problem.

Perhaps it would be relevant to tell us exactly which SIMM(s) you are trying to use with it.

Reply 2 of 19, by Intel486dx33

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dionb wrote on 2021-08-11, 17:23:
Is it an Intel or a FIC board? […]
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Is it an Intel or a FIC board?

Assuming it is the FIC PT-2006 (and not an Intel OEM board with the same chipset), it has an Award BIOS.

That means the endless beeps are telling you you have a RAM problem.

Perhaps it would be relevant to tell us exactly which SIMM(s) you are trying to use with it.

Okay, I was able to get it to work using 72-pin SIMMS.
2 x 8mb FPM RAM works for a total of 16mb.

I could NOT get the DIMM modules to work. I tried several PC-100 and PC-133u

I would like to get the DIMM to work.

Any Ideas ?

Reply 3 of 19, by Caluser2000

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What speed is are the SIMMs?

There's a glitch in the matrix.
A founding member of the 286 appreciation society.
Apparently 32-bit is dead and nobody likes P4s.
Of course, as always, I'm open to correction...😉

Reply 4 of 19, by BitWrangler

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I don't see a 3.3V/5V RAM voltage jumper like some boards around this time have. Things that could cause RAM beeps, ECC RAM, RAM with IBM rather than JEDEC presence detect bits set (Though some sizes and speeds coincide) CPU speed set way over the top high either by FSB or multiplier, CPU voltage set too low, like wayyy too low, 0.1 volt here or there ain't anything.... or if not actually set too low, delivering it too low. Bent pins and shorts from solder scraps in socket.

Unicorn herding operations are proceeding, but all the totes of hens teeth and barrels of rocking horse poop give them plenty of hiding spots.

Reply 5 of 19, by dionb

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Intel486dx33 wrote on 2021-08-11, 19:14:
Okay, I was able to get it to work using 72-pin SIMMS. 2 x 8mb FPM RAM works for a total of 16mb. […]
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dionb wrote on 2021-08-11, 17:23:
Is it an Intel or a FIC board? […]
Show full quote

Is it an Intel or a FIC board?

Assuming it is the FIC PT-2006 (and not an Intel OEM board with the same chipset), it has an Award BIOS.

That means the endless beeps are telling you you have a RAM problem.

Perhaps it would be relevant to tell us exactly which SIMM(s) you are trying to use with it.

Okay, I was able to get it to work using 72-pin SIMMS.
2 x 8mb FPM RAM works for a total of 16mb.

I could NOT get the DIMM modules to work. I tried several PC-100 and PC-133u

Well, then I would recommend several others...

I didn't ask *exactly* which modules you are using for nothing. i430VX is ancient and picky when it comes to SDRAM. EDO DIMMs are generally fine though.

Last edited by dionb on 2021-08-11, 19:53. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 6 of 19, by Intel486dx33

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Here is the RAM I have tried. Only the DATARAM brand works. It is FPM , -5ns

Reply 7 of 19, by BitWrangler

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True that dionb, if I had to put $100 down on a 32MB PC-100 module or a 128MB PC-66 module working with only that info, my $100 would go on the PC-100

Unicorn herding operations are proceeding, but all the totes of hens teeth and barrels of rocking horse poop give them plenty of hiding spots.

Reply 8 of 19, by BitWrangler

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Intel486dx33 wrote on 2021-08-11, 19:52:

Here is the RAM I have tried. Only the DATARAM brand works. It is FPM , -5ns

3rd pic top, did you have that NEC module in on it's own?

Unicorn herding operations are proceeding, but all the totes of hens teeth and barrels of rocking horse poop give them plenty of hiding spots.

Reply 9 of 19, by dionb

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I see a 64MB and a 128MB DIMM with at least 64Mb chips (possibly 128Mb on the 128MB, can't see if it's single or dual sided), and another 64MB DIMM with 128Mb chips.

i430VX eats max 16Mb chips, so no surprise there.

The Crucial SIMMs look stacked, which isn't supported either.

That Dataram stuff has 16Mb chips on it, so no surprise it works. So if you want DIMMs, make sure they have max 16Mb (2Mx8) chips on them. Go for a 32MB module with 16 chips and you're good.

Reply 10 of 19, by BitWrangler

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NEC module has 16Mbit https://datasheetspdf.com/pdf/1258975/NEC/UPD4516821/1 if it ain't working it's SPD weirdness or dead.

Unicorn herding operations are proceeding, but all the totes of hens teeth and barrels of rocking horse poop give them plenty of hiding spots.

Reply 11 of 19, by Intel486dx33

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I have this one on the bottom too.

Reply 13 of 19, by Intel486dx33

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Okay, I found another 16mb of DataRAM so now I have a total of 32mb of FPM RAM.
I was unable to get the DIMM memory to work. I guess 32mb will have to good enough for now.

I was able to get everything working PS/2 mouse port and USB ports.

I just need a Dual serial port ribbon. The one I have does not work.
Anyone know where I can get one that will work ?

Reply 14 of 19, by PC Hoarder Patrol

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Is this not a 'thing' on some FIC boards, if you don't use their supplied cable, and connected to this pinout difference

http://www.bodenzord.com/archives/117

Reply 15 of 19, by Intel486dx33

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Here is what I have so far.
In Win95b computer properties menu I have this setup to perform as a “Server”
For best performance.

Should I let Windows manage my memory or should I change these settings ?
Page file size ?
Memory allocation ?
Etc…

Reply 16 of 19, by Intel486dx33

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I want to update the bios to version 8.07J802

Here is a link to the bin files.
http://www.win3x.org/uh19/motherboard/show/2442

How can I flash the bios using this BIN file ?
I don't have an eprom programmer device.
Is there any way I can do this with a flash utility ?

Reply 17 of 19, by BitWrangler

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Do the windows 9x page file dance, it's slow paced, with a rhythm of days, but it goes like
Set page file size 4x physical
Windows complains that it will never use that much
use system a day or two
Windows thrashes to a halt and says you need a bigger swap file.
Try to set it super large.
Windows complains that it will never use that much
use system a day or two
Windows thrashes to a halt and says you need a bigger swap file.
Try to set it super large.
Windows complains that it will never use that much

repeat 3 or 4 times until a truce is reached.

Unicorn herding operations are proceeding, but all the totes of hens teeth and barrels of rocking horse poop give them plenty of hiding spots.

Reply 18 of 19, by dionb

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Intel486dx33 wrote on 2021-08-12, 13:29:
I want to update the bios to version 8.07J802 […]
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I want to update the bios to version 8.07J802

Here is a link to the bin files.
http://www.win3x.org/uh19/motherboard/show/2442

How can I flash the bios using this BIN file ?
I don't have an eprom programmer device.
Is there any way I can do this with a flash utility ?

Well, assuming you don't have a long trench coat, UNIFLASH might do the trick.

Reply 19 of 19, by Hoping

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I have this module on an IBM 300GL 6282, 430VX chipset. It runs smoothly. I think 64mb is enough for this chipset taking into account the cacheable limit, it has a 256kb COAST module so the limit may be higher, never checked it. In other systems I had to settle for 32mb SDRAM modules, because I only have one of these.