VOGONS


First post, by jasa1063

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I just picked up an Intel TC430HX motherboard with onboard S3 Virge video and Yamaha YM701 & YM704 audio. I decided to try the MR BIOS available on The Retro Web site. I know I was rolling the dice with this, but was not concerned since the Intel motherboard has a BIOS recovery feature. I backed up the BIOS and then flashed the MR BIOS, but it failed. I then tried the BIOS recovery, but that failed. I was left at that point with a bricked motherboard. I decided to install a PCI video card as I know that disables the onboard video. I then tried the BIOS recovery again and it worked. I then flashed the MR BIOS and that worked as well. If you want to use the available MR BIOS, you need to give up the onboard video and use a separate PCI video card. There are no options in the MR BIOS for the onboard audio, but you can just treat it as a Plug-N-Play device and configure the resources with the SETUPSA DOS utility or Windows 9x. If found this works quite well. In the end I decided to restore the BIOS to the original AMI BIOS as I want to use the onboard video. So my question is if anyone knows of a MR BIOS version that has the S3 Virge onboard video BIOS support included with it?

Reply 2 of 17, by jasa1063

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Sphere478 wrote on 2024-05-29, 03:35:

I bet the onboard video bios is on the system bios. If you can extract it, you may be able to run it from a rom card.

That is an interesting idea and definitely worth further investigation.

Thanks!

Reply 3 of 17, by Babasha

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jasa1063 wrote on 2024-05-29, 03:33:

I just picked up an Intel TC430HX motherboard with onboard S3 Virge video and Yamaha YM701 & YM704 audio. I decided to try the MR BIOS available on The Retro Web site. I know I was rolling the dice with this, but was not concerned since the Intel motherboard has a BIOS recovery feature. I backed up the BIOS and then flashed the MR BIOS, but it failed. I then tried the BIOS recovery, but that failed. I was left at that point with a bricked motherboard. I decided to install a PCI video card as I know that disables the onboard video. I then tried the BIOS recovery again and it worked. I then flashed the MR BIOS and that worked as well. If you want to use the available MR BIOS, you need to give up the onboard video and use a separate PCI video card. There are no options in the MR BIOS for the onboard audio, but you can just treat it as a Plug-N-Play device and configure the resources with the SETUPSA DOS utility or Windows 9x. If found this works quite well. In the end I decided to restore the BIOS to the original AMI BIOS as I want to use the onboard video. So my question is if anyone knows of a MR BIOS version that has the S3 Virge onboard video BIOS support included with it?

There 5-6 versions of Mr.BIOS for TC430HX. One is from gambling machine and not compatible with DOS/Win. Other versions are with or without VIDEO or SOUND support. Sometime ago i found Mr.BIOS with nice compatibility with my mobo version… nice but with one caveeat - video bios give me some distorsions (like it was set to high videomemory freq’s)

Need help? Begin with photo and model of your hardware 😉

Reply 6 of 17, by Babasha

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jasa1063 wrote on 2024-05-29, 12:52:
Babasha wrote on 2024-05-29, 10:29:

Here is the list of BIOS'es
Intel part -> Search for TC430HX
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vtPso … #gid=1489729917

Awesome and thanks for the info!

Do you successfully set up OPL4 MIDI in DOS/Win?

Need help? Begin with photo and model of your hardware 😉

Reply 7 of 17, by jasa1063

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Babasha wrote on 2024-05-29, 13:00:
jasa1063 wrote on 2024-05-29, 12:52:
Babasha wrote on 2024-05-29, 10:29:

Here is the list of BIOS'es
Intel part -> Search for TC430HX
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vtPso … #gid=1489729917

Awesome and thanks for the info!

Do you successfully set up OPL4 MIDI in DOS/Win?

Midi has been a mixed bag. I have been unable to get the General Midi to work in pure DOS mode. It does work when using Windows 9x and setting the DOS Midi output to use the Software Wavetable Midi. Midi files in Windows play fine, but I am unable to get the Software WaveTable Midi to work in Windows 9x games. I get no music output. Doom Legacy 1.42 reports that the Midi stream is in use when looking at the log file. I have tried the drivers supplied by Intel and the ones directly from Yahama. I get the same results. I am a bit disappointed in that respect, but if you have any suggestions that would be appreciated.

Reply 8 of 17, by Babasha

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jasa1063 wrote on 2024-05-29, 13:19:
Babasha wrote on 2024-05-29, 13:00:
jasa1063 wrote on 2024-05-29, 12:52:

Awesome and thanks for the info!

Do you successfully set up OPL4 MIDI in DOS/Win?

Midi has been a mixed bag. I have been unable to get the General Midi to work in pure DOS mode. It does work when using Windows 9x and setting the DOS Midi output to use the Software Wavetable Midi. Midi files in Windows play fine, but I am unable to get the Software WaveTable Midi to work in Windows 9x games. I get no music output. Doom Legacy 1.42 reports that the Midi stream is in use when looking at the log file. I have tried the drivers supplied by Intel and the ones directly from Yahama. I get the same results. I am a bit disappointed in that respect, but if you have any suggestions that would be appreciated.

Yeap i have some ideas - but i need detailed photo of your motherboard (general and part with soundchips) and screenshots of properties and settings of your soundcard in BIOS and in Windows Control panel (Devices, Multimedia etc)

Need help? Begin with photo and model of your hardware 😉

Reply 9 of 17, by jasa1063

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Babasha wrote on 2024-05-29, 13:52:
jasa1063 wrote on 2024-05-29, 13:19:
Babasha wrote on 2024-05-29, 13:00:

Do you successfully set up OPL4 MIDI in DOS/Win?

Midi has been a mixed bag. I have been unable to get the General Midi to work in pure DOS mode. It does work when using Windows 9x and setting the DOS Midi output to use the Software Wavetable Midi. Midi files in Windows play fine, but I am unable to get the Software WaveTable Midi to work in Windows 9x games. I get no music output. Doom Legacy 1.42 reports that the Midi stream is in use when looking at the log file. I have tried the drivers supplied by Intel and the ones directly from Yahama. I get the same results. I am a bit disappointed in that respect, but if you have any suggestions that would be appreciated.

Yeap i have some ideas - but i need detailed photo of your motherboard (general and part with soundchips) and screenshots of properties and settings of your soundcard in BIOS and in Windows Control panel (Devices, Multimedia etc)

Here are pictures of the motherboard. I will get the screenshots of the other settings this evening, but here is how I have it configured and I have the BIOS and Windows settings the same. I would upload screen shots now, but I am at work. The pictures of the motherboard are from the seller on eBay.

Sound Blaster settings:
I/O Port = 220
IRQ = 5
DMA = 1

MPU-401 settings:
I/O Port = 330
IRQ = 5

Microsoft Sound System:
I/O Port = 530
IRQ = 10
DMA = 0

Adlib:
I/O Port = 388

Midi mapper in Windows is set to Software Wavetable.

Thanks!

Reply 10 of 17, by Babasha

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jasa1063 wrote on 2024-05-29, 14:16:
Here are pictures of the motherboard. I will get the screenshots of the other settings this evening, but here is how I have it c […]
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Babasha wrote on 2024-05-29, 13:52:
jasa1063 wrote on 2024-05-29, 13:19:

Midi has been a mixed bag. I have been unable to get the General Midi to work in pure DOS mode. It does work when using Windows 9x and setting the DOS Midi output to use the Software Wavetable Midi. Midi files in Windows play fine, but I am unable to get the Software WaveTable Midi to work in Windows 9x games. I get no music output. Doom Legacy 1.42 reports that the Midi stream is in use when looking at the log file. I have tried the drivers supplied by Intel and the ones directly from Yahama. I get the same results. I am a bit disappointed in that respect, but if you have any suggestions that would be appreciated.

Yeap i have some ideas - but i need detailed photo of your motherboard (general and part with soundchips) and screenshots of properties and settings of your soundcard in BIOS and in Windows Control panel (Devices, Multimedia etc)

Here are pictures of the motherboard. I will get the screenshots of the other settings this evening, but here is how I have it configured and I have the BIOS and Windows settings the same. I would upload screen shots now, but I am at work. The pictures of the motherboard are from the seller on eBay.

Sound Blaster settings:
I/O Port = 220
IRQ = 5
DMA = 1

MPU-401 settings:
I/O Port = 330
IRQ = 5

Microsoft Sound System:
I/O Port = 530
IRQ = 10
DMA = 0

Adlib:
I/O Port = 388

Midi mapper in Windows is set to Software Wavetable.

Thanks!

Tnx!

You got the same IRQ for SB and for MIDI/MPU-401!

Try the SB IRQ=5 and MPU IRQ = 9 😀

Need help? Begin with photo and model of your hardware 😉

Reply 11 of 17, by jasa1063

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Babasha wrote on 2024-05-29, 16:00:
Tnx! […]
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jasa1063 wrote on 2024-05-29, 14:16:
Here are pictures of the motherboard. I will get the screenshots of the other settings this evening, but here is how I have it c […]
Show full quote
Babasha wrote on 2024-05-29, 13:52:

Yeap i have some ideas - but i need detailed photo of your motherboard (general and part with soundchips) and screenshots of properties and settings of your soundcard in BIOS and in Windows Control panel (Devices, Multimedia etc)

Here are pictures of the motherboard. I will get the screenshots of the other settings this evening, but here is how I have it configured and I have the BIOS and Windows settings the same. I would upload screen shots now, but I am at work. The pictures of the motherboard are from the seller on eBay.

Sound Blaster settings:
I/O Port = 220
IRQ = 5
DMA = 1

MPU-401 settings:
I/O Port = 330
IRQ = 5

Microsoft Sound System:
I/O Port = 530
IRQ = 10
DMA = 0

Adlib:
I/O Port = 388

Midi mapper in Windows is set to Software Wavetable.

Thanks!

Tnx!

You got the same IRQ for SB and for MIDI/MPU-401!

Try the SB IRQ=5 and MPU IRQ = 9 😀

I tried changing the IRQ, but when I change it for the Sound Blaster it also changes it to the same thing for the MPU-401 IRQ. There are no other options in the BIOS to do so as they seem to be linked. It is doing the same thing with the SETUPSA DOS utility as well. Any suggestions on how to overcome this issue?

Reply 12 of 17, by Babasha

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jasa1063 wrote on 2024-05-29, 16:20:
Babasha wrote on 2024-05-29, 16:00:
Tnx! […]
Show full quote
jasa1063 wrote on 2024-05-29, 14:16:
Here are pictures of the motherboard. I will get the screenshots of the other settings this evening, but here is how I have it c […]
Show full quote

Here are pictures of the motherboard. I will get the screenshots of the other settings this evening, but here is how I have it configured and I have the BIOS and Windows settings the same. I would upload screen shots now, but I am at work. The pictures of the motherboard are from the seller on eBay.

Sound Blaster settings:
I/O Port = 220
IRQ = 5
DMA = 1

MPU-401 settings:
I/O Port = 330
IRQ = 5

Microsoft Sound System:
I/O Port = 530
IRQ = 10
DMA = 0

Adlib:
I/O Port = 388

Midi mapper in Windows is set to Software Wavetable.

Thanks!

Tnx!

You got the same IRQ for SB and for MIDI/MPU-401!

Try the SB IRQ=5 and MPU IRQ = 9 😀

I tried changing the IRQ, but when I change it for the Sound Blaster it also changes it to the same thing for the MPU-401 IRQ. There are no other options in the BIOS to do so as they seem to be linked. It is doing the same thing with the SETUPSA DOS utility as well. Any suggestions on how to overcome this issue?

Try to turn off WINDOWS SOUND SYSTEM and/or "unnecessary" hardware like COM/LPT ports to free more IRQ's in your system

Need help? Begin with photo and model of your hardware 😉

Reply 13 of 17, by jasa1063

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Babasha wrote on 2024-05-29, 16:27:
jasa1063 wrote on 2024-05-29, 16:20:
Babasha wrote on 2024-05-29, 16:00:

Tnx!

You got the same IRQ for SB and for MIDI/MPU-401!

Try the SB IRQ=5 and MPU IRQ = 9 😀

I tried changing the IRQ, but when I change it for the Sound Blaster it also changes it to the same thing for the MPU-401 IRQ. There are no other options in the BIOS to do so as they seem to be linked. It is doing the same thing with the SETUPSA DOS utility as well. Any suggestions on how to overcome this issue?

Try to turn off WINDOWS SOUND SYSTEM and/or "unnecessary" hardware like COM/LPT ports to free more IRQ's in your system

Will do and I will let you know how that goes.

Thanks for all your input, I really appreciate it.

Reply 14 of 17, by Babasha

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There are other owners of TC430HX - ask them for screenshot of BIOS with audio configuration
I dont have currently TC430HX on my hands to recheck settings(((

Need help? Begin with photo and model of your hardware 😉

Reply 15 of 17, by Babasha

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I got some ideas but i need photos of audiochips part of your mobo

Need help? Begin with photo and model of your hardware 😉

Reply 16 of 17, by jasa1063

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The IRQ for the Sound Blaster and MPU-401 are link and cannot be separated as shown in the BIOS setup screen. It is the same thing in the SETUPSA DOS utility. I disabled the Windows Sound System, COM and Parallel ports, but none of this has made any difference with getting Wavetable Midi to work properly in DOS and Windows games. At this point I am just going to punt on this until I get some new ideas.

Reply 17 of 17, by Babasha

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jasa1063 wrote on 2024-05-30, 00:43:

The IRQ for the Sound Blaster and MPU-401 are link and cannot be separated as shown in the BIOS setup screen. It is the same thing in the SETUPSA DOS utility. I disabled the Windows Sound System, COM and Parallel ports, but none of this has made any difference with getting Wavetable Midi to work properly in DOS and Windows games. At this point I am just going to punt on this until I get some new ideas.

PM me 😀

Need help? Begin with photo and model of your hardware 😉