Wes1262 wrote on 2024-11-19, 06:45:

more marketplace drama I buy job lot of 3 cards (40€). I try them. None works. I send pictures with proof. Seller says, "if they […]
Show full quote

more marketplace drama
I buy job lot of 3 cards (40€). I try them. None works. I send pictures with proof. Seller says, "if they don't work there's no need to send them back. Just don't leave me a negative feedback."
Then I contact him and I decide to keep one of the cards because the heatsink is in really good conditions and I might need it in future.
I tell him I will keep one of the cards and I propose to send him half of what I paid (20€) just for the heatsink.
I send him back the other two cards, but now he won't release the dispute unless I send him the 20€ I PROMISED first.
First he was "yeah just throw them in the bin". Now he wants me to pay 20 more on top of the 40 I've already paid.

That's not how it works, at least not on eBay. During the dispute, he can offer a partial refund. Once you agree, the case closes amicably. I don't know how marketplace handles disputes.

Nexxen wrote on 2024-11-19, 09:43:

Bought 2 286 boards. One does post (3x ic chipset) - https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/leadma … inc-lm-103fs-16 […]
Show full quote

Bought 2 286 boards.
One does post (3x ic chipset) - https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/leadma … inc-lm-103fs-16

The other does not (HT12 chipset) - ??? no idea which one it is but can you spot "what's wrong with this picture"? (placebo quote)
Probably this one: https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/lucky-star-cm-286ghs

Heh, KBC in the 287 socket. Did you notice that after it didn't POST ? Or it doesn't POST with it put in the right place? There's a possibility that chip is toast now, you could try it with only 512kb in and the KBC out altogether. Also some boards do nothing without a battery on the header, and some do nothing until you bridge the keylock switch.

Finally got my hand on an Aztech Waverider 32. Trust 'branded' without the branding.

Kahenraz wrote on 2024-11-19, 13:45:

Wes1262 wrote on 2024-11-19, 06:45:

more marketplace drama I buy job lot of 3 cards (40€). I try them. None works. I send pictures with proof. Seller says, "if they […]
Show full quote

more marketplace drama
I buy job lot of 3 cards (40€). I try them. None works. I send pictures with proof. Seller says, "if they don't work there's no need to send them back. Just don't leave me a negative feedback."
Then I contact him and I decide to keep one of the cards because the heatsink is in really good conditions and I might need it in future.
I tell him I will keep one of the cards and I propose to send him half of what I paid (20€) just for the heatsink.
I send him back the other two cards, but now he won't release the dispute unless I send him the 20€ I PROMISED first.
First he was "yeah just throw them in the bin". Now he wants me to pay 20 more on top of the 40 I've already paid.

That's not how it works, at least not on eBay. During the dispute, he can offer a partial refund. Once you agree, the case closes amicably. I don't know how marketplace handles disputes.

not on this platform, which is very basic (leboncoin)

Update for the Gainward Ti4400: Got the screen artifacts fixed and installed new capacitors. I don't have a lot of faith in the original Elna CE caps. They deteriorate badly, without any signs from the outside.

Wes1262 wrote on 2024-11-19, 06:45:

more marketplace drama I buy job lot of 3 cards (40€). I try them. None works. I send pictures with proof. Seller says, "if they […]
Show full quote

more marketplace drama
I buy job lot of 3 cards (40€). I try them. None works. I send pictures with proof. Seller says, "if they don't work there's no need to send them back. Just don't leave me a negative feedback."
Then I contact him and I decide to keep one of the cards because the heatsink is in really good conditions and I might need it in future.
I tell him I will keep one of the cards and I propose to send him half of what I paid (20€) just for the heatsink.
I send him back the other two cards, but now he won't release the dispute unless I send him the 20€ I PROMISED first.
First he was "yeah just throw them in the bin". Now he wants me to pay 20 more on top of the 40 I've already paid.

I canceled the dispute, I let him have the money. I am paying 40€ for the pleasure of leaving this trash can of a human being a negative feedback. Best 40€ spent ever.

Masterchief79 wrote on 2024-11-19, 15:11:

Update for the Gainward Ti4400: Got the screen artifacts fixed and installed new capacitors. I don't have a lot of faith in the […]
Show full quote

Update for the Gainward Ti4400: Got the screen artifacts fixed and installed new capacitors. I don't have a lot of faith in the original Elna CE caps. They deteriorate badly, without any signs from the outside.

You could fix the card just by replacing the capacitors? No memories, reballing? That gives me hope.

Just arrived, brand new Lian Li PC-6083A fresh in box after 20+ years. Mint condition of course. Incorrectly labeled and priced on eBay, this was so cheap I couldn't say no!

PD2JK wrote on 2024-11-19, 15:05:

Finally got my hand on an Aztech Waverider 32. Trust 'branded' without the branding.

I have some fondness for that brand!
Can you scan or take pics of the products leaflet?

appiah4 wrote on 2024-11-19, 13:23:

Late reply, but all of these are fantastic finds. The PAS and Ensoniq cards are fairly standard, but I am really curious about the Boca Research sound card. Boca was a very big player in the Modem market back when FaxModems were the shit; I believe they eventually got bought out by someone or rebranded or something and disappeared into obscurity.. I never heard of their sound cards before, but it all makes sense considering Modems are basically audio equipments to some degree. I would love to hear your impressions of this sound card.. I would also love to find a specimen somewhere myself.

Haven't tested the Boca card yet. It does use a OPTi 82C929A chip. According to a review of a card based on the same chip at Phil's Computer Lab, it sounds like a competent SB Pro clone, bug-free MPU-401, etc. It also includes a Crystal audio chip for WSS support and Yamaha OPL3.

Assuming the audio output is reasonably clean, I imagine it will be a decent SB Pro / WSS / OPL3 card. Though a little lengthy for such functionality. 😅

Masterchief79 wrote on 2024-11-19, 15:11:

Update for the Gainward Ti4400: Got the screen artifacts fixed and installed new capacitors. I don't have a lot of faith in the original Elna CE caps. They deteriorate badly, without any signs from the outside.

Curious to know how you fixed the artifacts?

After years of waiting I finally captured my "unicorn".
My retro hobby have been mainly about cheap stuff popping out on local market however this one was my first "I want this" type of chase. However it started badly since it turned out that there are more "I want this" type of weird people but with fatter wallet on auction sites. I still clearly remember bid getting over 200EUR and I let it slide. After that it became quest to find one with normal price...

It was sold untested but competition was lighter this time. Fortunately quick power on test was successful.
Looks like B4 chipset revision so good one...

vutt wrote on 2024-11-19, 17:47:

After years of waiting I finally captured my "unicorn". My retro hobby have been mainly about cheap stuff popping out on local m […]
Show full quote

After years of waiting I finally captured my "unicorn".
My retro hobby have been mainly about cheap stuff popping out on local market however this one was my first "I want this" type of chase. However it started badly since it turned out that there are more "I want this" type of weird people but with fatter wallet on auction sites. I still clearly remember bid getting over 200EUR and I let it slide. After that it became quest to find one with normal price...

It was sold untested but competition was lighter this time. Fortunately quick power on test was successful.
Looks like B4 chipset revision so good one...

Congrats, I feel you. My unicorn is still for sale, but at a price that’s absolutely nuts. I’ve been watching it for four years now.

lolo799 wrote on 2024-11-19, 16:17:

PD2JK wrote on 2024-11-19, 15:05:

Finally got my hand on an Aztech Waverider 32. Trust 'branded' without the branding.

I have some fondness for that brand!
Can you scan or take pics of the products leaflet?

Sure! Give me a few days, I'm away for now, but I can generate a PDF.

zuldan wrote on 2024-11-19, 17:05:

Curious to know how you fixed the artifacts?

Wes1262 wrote on 2024-11-19, 15:42:

You could fix the card just by replacing the capacitors? No memories, reballing? That gives me hope.

Reballed one memory chip and reflowed the rest just as a precaution. Channel A on the back was faulty. Reflowing means liquifying the solder balls with flux and physically moving the chip a tiny bit, not putting it in the oven together with your thanksgiving turkey. 😉

Here is Mats test with memory errors on Channel A.

The capacitors were also more of a precaution although they were definitely on their way out. I measured capacitance between 330 and 400yF and ESR between 350 and 600. They were rated at 470yF and more like 150 ESR from the factory.

Masterchief79 wrote on 2024-11-19, 18:33:

Reballed one memory chip and reflowed the rest just as a precaution. Channel A on the back was faulty. Reflowing means liquifyin […]
Show full quote

zuldan wrote on 2024-11-19, 17:05:

Curious to know how you fixed the artifacts?

Wes1262 wrote on 2024-11-19, 15:42:

You could fix the card just by replacing the capacitors? No memories, reballing? That gives me hope.

Reballed one memory chip and reflowed the rest just as a precaution. Channel A on the back was faulty. Reflowing means liquifying the solder balls with flux and physically moving the chip a tiny bit, not putting it in the oven together with your thanksgiving turkey. 😉

Here is Mats test with memory errors on Channel A.

Wow, nice job! I could definitely use that software too. Where would I find a version that is suitable for cards like this (up to, maybe the 7000 series?), and is there a guide anywhere that would help with locating the memory banks on different models of cards?

Also... just in case... are there any programs similar to this that work on ATi, 3dfx or other brands?

Wes1262 wrote on 2024-11-19, 15:09:

Kahenraz wrote on 2024-11-19, 13:45:

Wes1262 wrote on 2024-11-19, 06:45:

more marketplace drama I buy job lot of 3 cards (40€). I try them. None works. I send pictures with proof. Seller says, "if they […]
Show full quote

more marketplace drama
I buy job lot of 3 cards (40€). I try them. None works. I send pictures with proof. Seller says, "if they don't work there's no need to send them back. Just don't leave me a negative feedback."
Then I contact him and I decide to keep one of the cards because the heatsink is in really good conditions and I might need it in future.
I tell him I will keep one of the cards and I propose to send him half of what I paid (20€) just for the heatsink.
I send him back the other two cards, but now he won't release the dispute unless I send him the 20€ I PROMISED first.
First he was "yeah just throw them in the bin". Now he wants me to pay 20 more on top of the 40 I've already paid.

That's not how it works, at least not on eBay. During the dispute, he can offer a partial refund. Once you agree, the case closes amicably. I don't know how marketplace handles disputes.

not on this platform, which is very basic (leboncoin)

👀
French spotted 🇨🇵
I knew i was not alone here

Ozzuneoj wrote on 2024-11-19, 19:48:

Wow, nice job! I could definitely use that software too. Where would I find a version that is suitable for cards like this (up to, maybe the 7000 series?), and is there a guide anywhere that would help with locating the memory banks on different models of cards?

Also... just in case... are there any programs similar to this that work on ATi, 3dfx or other brands?

Thank you. I actually found it here on Vogons. I think it was in a thread about GeForce 3 chip replacement with different brands of memory. It's Nvidia Modular Diagnostics Software (MODS).

There are universal tests for memory errors (memtest.py and dmgg.py) but they don't (or don't reliably) tell you which chip has a problem. So they're pretty much useless. There is something like this for AMD cards called TServer, but only for R9 270X and onwards.

Shadzilla wrote on 2024-11-19, 16:04:

Just arrived, brand new Lian Li PC-6083A fresh in box after 20+ years. Mint condition of course. Incorrectly labeled and priced on eBay, this was so cheap I couldn't say no!

Nice! I'm jealous. Need to find me one myself .. a PC-60 would be great. It will take a long time to find one NIB or a decent one though.

Masterchief79 wrote on 2024-11-19, 20:11:

Ozzuneoj wrote on 2024-11-19, 19:48:

Wow, nice job! I could definitely use that software too. Where would I find a version that is suitable for cards like this (up to, maybe the 7000 series?), and is there a guide anywhere that would help with locating the memory banks on different models of cards?

Also... just in case... are there any programs similar to this that work on ATi, 3dfx or other brands?

Thank you. I actually found it here on Vogons. I think it was in a thread about GeForce 3 chip replacement with different brands of memory. It's Nvidia Modular Diagnostics Software (MODS).

There are universal tests for memory errors (memtest.py and dmgg.py) but they don't (or don't reliably) tell you which chip has a problem. So they're pretty much useless. There is something like this for AMD cards called TServer, but only for R9 270X and onwards.

Amazing! Thank you!

Here is the post in question:
Re: GeForce3 - mixing memory modules

I have also attached the MODS and MATS files that were available at that link, just in case that Google Drive link ever goes down.

I also saw this post, which then lead me to here:
Re: Accurately troubleshooting video memory faults with VMTCE

What an amazing thread! I have so many cards that will benefit from this information! Especially the memory chip map for the Voodoo 3 SDRAM.