darry wrote on 2020-07-27, 19:08:

Parni wrote on 2020-07-27, 18:01:

I'm back! I got the TL866 Plus from China, however I think there are some issues with it. I'll use Xgpro v10.27 and it ask's me to update the firmware. When I run the firmware update from the Xgpro application is states "Reset Error! Please remove Programmer" and disconnects the device. Also when I run the System self-check I'll get an error. I'll need to figure this out somehow. (I have Windows10)

I haven't yet received my blank EEPROMS so I haven't yet tried to fire the motherboard with a fresh BIOS. However it would be interesting trying to read the old BIOS. Any clue what IC type it could be? Is it also W27C512 as the ones I ordered?

Have you checked whether you got a counterfeit ?

http://www.autoelectric.cn/EN/note.html

Shiiiiiiiiiiit, is this fake?

Mine was a TI TMS27c512.

You could try USB 2.0 ports if you have any on your system.

According to the pictures on the site provided above, it looks genuine.

fitzpatr wrote on 2020-07-27, 19:57:

Mine was a TI TMS27c512.

You could try USB 2.0 ports if you have any on your system.

According to the pictures on the site provided above, it looks genuine.

I got it working with my other computer, for some reason the firmware update worked with Windows7 but not Windows10 😀
Anyways the chip doesn't look empty, please find attached the binary. Is there a convenient way to compare the images?
Can the BIOS still be faulty even though I can read it?

fitzpatr wrote on 2020-07-27, 07:20:

Here is a picture of the RAM that I'm using.

2x 8MB sticks (1Mx4b x 16 chips)

NN514400AJ-60

Thanks also of this, seems to be basic non-parity FPM memory

Parni wrote on 2020-07-28, 13:37:

Is there a convenient way to compare the images?

Any hex editor should be able to compare two binary files. The one I use is called HxD.

computerguy08 wrote on 2020-07-28, 14:08:

Parni wrote on 2020-07-28, 13:37:

Is there a convenient way to compare the images?

Any hex editor should be able to compare two binary files. The one I use is called HxD.

Thanks! I will try this 😀

Unfortunately I have to inform that BIOS wasn't the problem. I got myself today the Winbond Dip-chip and flashed it with the BIOS I got from Mr. fitzpatr but there were no change in the Motherboard behavior.
Now when BIOS is closed out, any suggestions where to focus? Or should I just conclude that this motherboard is completely dead?

You still getting "-- --" on the POST card?
I think I have a slightly newer bios image than the one you have used that I needed for my AMD 5x86 133 which I have attached in case it helps (was getting -- -- prior to flashing to that although admitadly was fine when set up with a 5v amd DX2-66)

Other thought - are your cache chips good and motherboard cache jumpers configured correctly?
If bios update doesnt work, could try 1/2 the cache and swap chips around to see if a dead one?

squelch41 wrote on 2020-08-01, 14:45:

You still getting "-- --" on the POST card?
I think I have a slightly newer bios image than the one you have used that I needed for my AMD 5x86 133 which I have attached in case it helps (was getting -- -- prior to flashing to that although admitadly was fine when set up with a 5v amd DX2-66)

Thanks, I will try this

squelch41 wrote on 2020-08-01, 15:20:

Other thought - are your cache chips good and motherboard cache jumpers configured correctly?
If bios update doesnt work, could try 1/2 the cache and swap chips around to see if a dead one?

I’ve tried to remove all the caches and jumpers are correct, it didn’t help

Dont think it works with no cache, but will do 128kb. Presume you've tried that though?
From looking back - you've tried different CPUs, updating BIOS, checked jumpers and voltages.
Couldnt see if you'd tried different FPM ram in case that was it (EDO doesnt work - made that error!)
No cracked traces/joints youcan see and from the pics, the electrolytic caps look alright? No signs of burns on any of the tantilum capacitors?
Presume still -- on the POST card at all stages?
Other than that, I'm out of ideas!

squelch41 wrote on 2020-10-06, 21:02:

Dont think it works with no cache, but will do 128kb. Presume you've tried that though? From looking back - you've tried differe […]
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Dont think it works with no cache, but will do 128kb. Presume you've tried that though?
From looking back - you've tried different CPUs, updating BIOS, checked jumpers and voltages.
Couldnt see if you'd tried different FPM ram in case that was it (EDO doesnt work - made that error!)
No cracked traces/joints youcan see and from the pics, the electrolytic caps look alright? No signs of burns on any of the tantilum capacitors?
Presume still -- on the POST card at all stages?
Other than that, I'm out of ideas!

Very good point!! I have actually tried to boot it when removed all the caches, however I've tried also various jumper setting for different cache sizes (not sure if this is the same as partially removing the caches)
One more thing that I'm a bit confused, in the picture below what is the cache in location1? and also if I try to boot it with 128k how should the caches be placed in location2?
I've tried tons of various FPM rams and it didn't work

Not sure Position 1 is a cache chip - on mine is marked mako mk341256p-15
Cant seem to find a data sheet for it online.

My cache chips are all w24257ak-15 chips.

The manual tells you how to position cache chips depending on the type you have - see the table next to the jumper settings says eg for 32x8 chips 128k then populate sockets U5-U8

squelch41 wrote on 2020-10-09, 18:21:

Not sure Position 1 is a cache chip - on mine is marked mako mk341256p-15 Cant seem to find a data sheet for it online. […]
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Not sure Position 1 is a cache chip - on mine is marked mako mk341256p-15
Cant seem to find a data sheet for it online.

My cache chips are all w24257ak-15 chips.

The manual tells you how to position cache chips depending on the type you have - see the table next to the jumper settings says eg for 32x8 chips 128k then populate sockets U5-U8

What manual do you use?

Same one you link to on the 1st post in the thread

squelch41 wrote on 2020-10-11, 08:39:

Same one you link to on the 1st post in the thread

It doesn't describe that well the location of Bank 0 / 1 and what is TAG? 😀

Parni wrote on 2020-10-11, 08:50:

squelch41 wrote on 2020-10-11, 08:39:

Same one you link to on the 1st post in the thread

It doesn't describe that well the location of Bank 0 / 1 and what is TAG? 😀

It's not great is it! It seemed to suggest you could do 128k cache by putting your cache chips only in u5-u8 if they are 32k cache chips. Would give you the option to swap around to see if dead chip.

When I first found my board it didn't POST as the cache chips were installed the wrong way up! Amazingly, they survived.

I'm not near my motherboard atm but the "Ux" is silkscreened next to the chip sockets.

I couldn't see a marking next to the chip you highlighted in position 1 in your photo. As I say, it is a different chip to my cache chips (which are all the same) but I couldn't find a data sheet googling the part number

EDIT: I'm an idiot - position 1 in your picture is u13! Couldn't see it printed on my board but can clearly see it on yours so mine must just have a non-matching cache chip!

squelch41 wrote on 2020-10-11, 09:42:

It's not great is it! It seemed to suggest you could do 128k cache by putting your cache chips only in u5-u8 if they are 32k cac […]
Show full quote

Parni wrote on 2020-10-11, 08:50:

squelch41 wrote on 2020-10-11, 08:39:

Same one you link to on the 1st post in the thread

It doesn't describe that well the location of Bank 0 / 1 and what is TAG? 😀

It's not great is it! It seemed to suggest you could do 128k cache by putting your cache chips only in u5-u8 if they are 32k cache chips. Would give you the option to swap around to see if dead chip.

When I first found my board it didn't POST as the cache chips were installed the wrong way up! Amazingly, they survived.

I'm not near my motherboard atm but the "Ux" is silkscreened next to the chip sockets.

I couldn't see a marking next to the chip you highlighted in position 1 in your photo. As I say, it is a different chip to my cache chips (which are all the same) but I couldn't find a data sheet googling the part number

EDIT: I'm an idiot - position 1 in your picture is u13! Couldn't see it printed on my board but can clearly see it on yours so mine must just have a non-matching cache chip!

I tried to leave the caches only to U5-U8 and jumppered thje board to 128k, also played around with the modules in case some of them was broken. Didn't help 🙁

The caches on location 2 are marked as following: W24257AK-15 94490 and the cahce(?) in location 1 is marked as following: UM61256KF-15 94525 RB0120

Im not sure of the cache sizes, we seem to have same caches in location2 but the location 1 seems to differ? Could you take a pic of your board?

Just out of curiosity, how could I test the position 1 cache, it is a cache chip right?