Re: Missing parts on Voodoo 1 card (photo included), no 3D image
Posted on 2019-10-26, 22:16
The "D" means it's a diode. WTF are even "micro transistors"? 😁
Re: UM8881chipset cacheable memory question
Posted on 2018-11-04, 22:10
Yup, jumpers are set for 256kB and the BIOS also shows 256kB detected. I did have an issue with some other cache chips but the ones that are in there now are working fine. I'm gonna try the suggestion with the CPU jumpers. The L1 cache is set to WB by jumpers. But is that even related to the L2 …
UM8881chipset cacheable memory question
Posted on 2018-11-04, 21:52
I have a DX4-100 system with an ECS UM8810PAIO board, rev 1.1, Phoenix BIOS 3.2J with 256kB cache (8x32kB) and 32kx8 tag RAM. When I put 64MB EDO in it, both ctcm and cachechk show that only 32MB is being cached, even if I disable write back for the L2 cache in the BIOS. Isn't the UM8881 supposed to …
Re: Intel DX4-100 - how to enable write back on ECS UM8810-PAIO?
Posted on 2018-11-04, 18:00
Doesn't pulling B13 to ground force an X2 multiplier? Or rather, pulling B13 high (or letting it float) forces an X3 multiplier on AMD DX/2-80 CPUs, I believe. Of course, on WB-CPUs it disables WB. So the mod could've been done to prevent AMD DX/2-80s from running at 120 MHz which would make them …
Re: Intel DX4-100 - how to enable write back on ECS UM8810-PAIO?
Posted on 2018-11-04, 17:09
So, after spending way more time with this than I should have, I decided to remove the mobo from the case and have a closer look, and this is what I found: https://i.imgur.com/kJQgDOz.jpg Looks like it was done at the factory. Pin B13 was connected to pin A11. I'll let you guys figure out what the …
Re: Soyo tualatin motherboard started to smoke
Posted on 2018-11-04, 16:40
Check the markings again. It could be an FDS8934A: https://www.mouser.com/ds/2/149/FDS8934A-1008457.pdf It's not an IC, it's a P-FET. The "Q" label is a clue. Probably part of some switching regulator circuit. They're not expensive, just get a handful and replace it. But before you solder the new …
Re: Is it safe to turn on an old computer?
Posted on 2018-11-04, 00:40
I would definitely look inside and check for mechanical issues (loose components, half-unplugged connectors, etc.) but other than that, it's pretty safe to turn it on. Contrary to popular opinion, I haven't found capacitors to be a major problem at all - certainly not on pre-2000 computers which …
Re: MT32 + Roland IPC-T + which hardware?
Posted on 2018-11-03, 05:52
gdjacobs, You're right, it's not a full MPU-401 clone, but it works with games like Wing Commander. I believe there are a handful of games where it fails. Still, it's all hardware and doesn't require any drivers or TSRs and as a bonus, it has pretty good General Midi. A Soundscape S-2000 or Elite …
Intel DX4-100 - how to enable write back on ECS UM8810-PAIO?
Posted on 2018-11-03, 00:52
Any hints on how to enable the write back feature on an Intel DX4-100? It's an EW model, so it definitely has write back. Mainboard is an ECS UM8810-PAIO. BIOS is Award 1.23PH (most recent Award) and has options for L1 and L2 write back. Both are enabled, but CPUCHECK still reports write through. I …
Re: MT32 + Roland IPC-T + which hardware?
Posted on 2018-11-03, 00:19
Ensoniq Soundscape has a full MPU-401 (including intelligent mode).
Re: Old Hardware in Movies
Posted on 2018-07-28, 17:36
Saw a prison documentary recently and all the TVs (CRTs) there were clear plastic. It wasn't mentioned, but I'm pretty sure it's so the inmates can't hide stuff in there: https://c.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/cleartv-1-600x420.jpg Edit: seems they make flatscreens too, google "prison tv …
Re: Questions related to my SC-55 mk1
Posted on 2018-07-24, 17:53
What's wrong with the cheap Chinese MIDI-USB adapters? I've been using one for years .... Many of them can't handle SysEx commands properly. If you just use an SC-55 you probably haven't run into any games that use SysEx, but those adapters suck for games that take advantage of additional features …
Re: Questions related to my SC-55 mk1
Posted on 2018-07-24, 13:43
What's wrong with the cheap Chinese MIDI-USB adapters? I've been using one for years ... But why hook it up to a modern machine anyway? It makes much more sense to use it on an older system with an ISA sound card and connect it to that so you can use the sound canvas with the actual games.
Re: Anyone still use ball mice?
Posted on 2018-07-24, 12:54
Never had an issue with ball mice. You just have to clean your balls (heh) and the rollers regularly. I did have a 486 laptop with a mechanical trackball once. Boy, that thing sucked.
Re: PCI card faster than AGP for DOS games?
Posted on 2018-07-04, 18:09
Thanks for the replies. As stated in my original post, I have MTRRLFBE in my autoexec.bat (MTRRLFBE VGA WC and MTRRLFBE LFB WC). Without that, I'd get maybe half the FPS, if that. I dug up my old Asus P2B and will retest using that. I have a hunch that the VIA Apollo Pro 133 chipset may be a bit …
Re: Thinkpad 380XD screen expansion/scaling
Posted on 2018-07-04, 11:12
Pretty much any old laptop will do the screen expansion. Problem is, it always looks like garbage. The interpolation algorithms were never good. That only changed with the later Thinkpads, like the T30/T40 (ATI had developed a special algorithm for the Radeon that actually looked decent). Those are …
PCI card faster than AGP for DOS games?
Posted on 2018-07-04, 10:55
How come I get higher FPS in Quake 1 with a PCI card than with AGP cards? Quake 640x480, timedemo demo1 is run from autoexec.cfg, leaving the console window closed (makes a huge difference in FPS). Win98SE DOS mode, clean boot (only CTMOUSE is loaded, using MTRRLFBE): AGP: I tried Voodoo5 5500, …
Re: PCI cards: shitty connections? Not detected sometimes.
Posted on 2018-06-30, 21:54
Worn out slots? Is this really a thing? I mean, I've heard of it on consoles, where the cartridge slot would be worn out after thousands of insertions (heh), but on PCs? I have a bunch of C64s, and their cartridge slots have doubtlessly seen many, many more insertions (chuckle) than any PC slot …
Re: Roland SCC-1 Question
Posted on 2018-06-30, 19:04
C38 seems to be for filtering the VCC from the ISA slot. In any case, it looks fine on my card and it works and sounds great. Guys, do not butcher your hardware when there's nothing wrong with it. "Recapping" for no reason is just plain stupid.
Re: PCI cards: shitty connections? Not detected sometimes.
Posted on 2018-06-30, 16:14
I've actually never had problems like that. But, before inserting any card or module in my retro hardware, I use some lubricating contact spray. It's basically contact cleaner that contains a lubricating oil. I spray some on a cotton pad and wipe down the contacts. This leaves a very thin …
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