LABS wrote on Yesterday, 09:16:

I actually have test-bb utility, but it is very raw and was never released as there was zero demand. Maybe its time to bring it to the release.

It would be really nice to have the test-bb tool to see where the problem is in this machine.

i will try some of the games. I already tried Wolfenstein3D, it plays music and effects fine but randomly crashes with sound enabled after a minute or so.but it may be due to other problems with this machine. The BlasterBoard works fine on a Pentium system.

Please keep me updated if it is only wolf3d that crashes or not. I already had problems with it on a 386 crashing at different intervals from the start. Which firmware version does your BB have?

i tested some more in Wolf3D, and after enabling music only, it does not crash. but then after enabling sound effects, it does crash as before. So i assume theres some DMA problem.

i will report back on other games, but the test-bb tool would also be nice. btw, does test-sbc usually hang up exactly on the screen i posted before?

thanks for your work. see screenshot for bb-ver.

That's the latest firmware. At least I can confirm that it doesn't make wolf3d to crash on a 386, but not sure about a 286.

I also suggest you to test it with a music tracker, they use DMA extensively. Run Scream Tracker 3 for example, it should detect the card and start DMA operation immediately, even without any module loaded. If it doesn't crash or freeze, load any light .MOD and press F5 to test it under load, F8 to stop.

PS: If only anyone else here with a BB and a 286 can test wolf3d and confirm if it crashes or not? Thanks!

from ST3.DOC:

In order to run Scream Tracker 3.2, you need at least a 386SX

going to test Duke2 now

ok played Duke 2 for an hour, and it ran without problems. Music and sound effects work good. So i assume there is some problem with Wolf3d

me and other people have issues with 286+wolf3d even with real SB1/SB2 cards - I can confirm that on a HT12-based 286 system I have wolf3d freezes with a real SB2.0 , if one searches here it will surely reveal the posts/threads
it is unclear why, another HT12-based system works
I think now there is a source port for wolf3d - and IIRC it does not have this issue

okay i found the thread here.

Thanks for letting me know, so basically nothing wrong with the machine. thats some good news 😀