cbmeeks Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 Ugh. I get all excited about my new 32K RAM expansion (https://atariage.com/forums/topic/254502-32k-expansion-for-the-side-port-released/) and when running the 32K Expansion Memory Test ver 1.1, I get FAILED on all four banks. I'm going to contact Matt directly but I thought I would ask here too in case I'm missing something stupid. My system has the F18A, the FR99 and this expansion. Nothing else at the moment. I've tried both internal and external power. The LED blinks (very dimly) when running the test. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 1 reseat it 2 check for loose chips or bent pins Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbmeeks Posted February 28, 2017 Author Share Posted February 28, 2017 Yep. That was the first thing I did. Everything looks good in the sockets too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jedimatt42 Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 That sounds like the system I test them all on. Is it a rev3 or rev4 board? ( lower right hand of pcboard says, next to the power jack. ) I'd go as far as pulling all of the chips, and reseating them. I also use a slightly different version of the memtest image, and run a burnin for about an hour on each board: https://github.com/jedimatt42/ti994a-32kmemtest/releases ( version 1.3 at the top of the list ) It stops as soon as a bank detects a failure. It also has the quick mode. And the best, real test of memory I've found is the parsec image on either the XB2.7 cart, or the flashrom image for parsec. If the memory is not perfect, you usually get sound glitches, then bad ground patterns, and ship wrapping through the ceiling into the ground... give that a try, and them PM me a picture too. -M@ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbmeeks Posted February 28, 2017 Author Share Posted February 28, 2017 It's REV 4. I re-seated all chips. I used the versions 1.3 that you suggested. Same thing. I have Parsec on cartridge but that doesn't use the 32K RAM does it? What do you need to see pics of? The board, TI, etc.? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 One more question, how are you powering it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opry99er Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 Sounds like power... with the dim light and all. The Parsec image they are talking about is a ROM dump that runs from the 32k space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbmeeks Posted February 28, 2017 Author Share Posted February 28, 2017 (edited) I've powered it two different ways. One with internal only (with jumper set to TI) and one external with a 5V regulated supply. Also, the LED is actually BRIGHT when I power it externally. In fact, with the TI powered OFF but the 32K powered externally, I can touch the GND pins and the light comes on really bright. This does not happen when the TI is powered on. But again, I've powered it both ways. I will try Parsec soon. But none of the other 32K titles work at all. Even Flappy Bird says a 32K RAM expansion is needed. I think I might check the voltages next with it powered via the TI. I might also see if I can replace some of the glue logic. I don't have any spare RAM IC's but I may have the other chips. Edited February 28, 2017 by cbmeeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jedimatt42 Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 The only value of trying parsec would be if you ran it off of one of the 512k, 2048k, or XB2.7 carts. The standard TI cart does not use the memory. Trying on one of those other carts would speak to an interaction with the FlashROM99 cart. I run my test from a FlashROM99, but there are variances in all of our parts. If you can check the voltages that would be great. The schematic here might be of help. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/254502-32k-expansion-for-the-side-port-released/?p=3590849 LS chips should work too instead of the HCT chips. The first 30 or so used a different brand memory chip and needed the stronger drive of the LS245. -M@ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 Yep. That was the first thing I did. Everything looks good in the sockets too. you ARE moving the jumper for internal/external power correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 you ARE moving the jumper for internal/external power correct? ok i see where you said that later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbmeeks Posted March 1, 2017 Author Share Posted March 1, 2017 (edited) I fixed it! All four banks passed. OK, I am a COLOSSAL IDIOT. I just realized that the first time I used the board, I used external power. I *THOUGHT* the PSU that I was using was a 5V but it was 9V!! So, I cooked the SRAM chip. IDIOT!! In my defense, there isn't a voltage regulator on the board. No...I'm still an idiot. I should have known. LOL!!! Anyway, I ordered some more IC's for the board. Fortunately, the glue logic IC's survived. Only the SRAM fried. Also, while I wait for my correct CY SRAM to arrive, I thought what the heck and tried another brand SRAM that is wired differently. All of the control lines are the same. The power lines are the same. But A0 - A14 are completely different. But, this doesn't matter because the chips are static. Anyway, I can at least use it now. Note to self...check my friggin' PSU before I plug crap in! Jeesh! Thanks all. Edited March 1, 2017 by cbmeeks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shift838 Posted March 1, 2017 Share Posted March 1, 2017 nice to see you got it working... Good job... And we have all done something like that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbmeeks Posted March 1, 2017 Author Share Posted March 1, 2017 Yeah, if you look up dufus in the dictionary you'll see my picture. LOL So far, every program has worked. Now I have two more problems. I need to make a custom audio cable (easy) and I've got to find a way to use one of my Commodore joysticks. I don't have any TI joysticks and using the keyboard sucks. But at least everything works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jedimatt42 Posted March 1, 2017 Share Posted March 1, 2017 Thanks for the update! I struggled with the barrel connector choice. That world has violated itself so many times over, it is just depressing. In the end, I chose the connector size, because it is the most common in those USB to barrel adapters, it is the size Sony used for their 5V devices ( or at least 3 of the ones I have ), it is the same as a 5V used on one of the other hobby-market TI items. And, yes, the order of the data pins and address pins don't matter ( as long as address pins are address, and data is data). Any number of brands of SRAM chip should work, if they agree to act like a 5V 62256. -M@ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jedimatt42 Posted March 1, 2017 Share Posted March 1, 2017 Yeah, if you look up dufus in the dictionary you'll see my picture. LOL So far, every program has worked. Now I have two more problems. I need to make a custom audio cable (easy) and I've got to find a way to use one of my Commodore joysticks. I don't have any TI joysticks and using the keyboard sucks. But at least everything works. Making joystick adapters isn't hard, but Greg at Arcadeshopper carries some there too: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/p/76477502 -M@ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted March 1, 2017 Share Posted March 1, 2017 I fixed it! All four banks passed. I just realized that the first time I used the board, I used external power. I *THOUGHT* the PSU that I was using was a 5V but it was 9V!! Anyway, I can at least use it now. I thought it might be the power. It's all good, just mark it up as a learning experience. Don't be too hard on yourself, you had the skills to diagnose and overcome the problem to get it working after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shift838 Posted March 1, 2017 Share Posted March 1, 2017 (edited) Yeah, if you look up dufus in the dictionary you'll see my picture. LOL So far, every program has worked. Now I have two more problems. I need to make a custom audio cable (easy) and I've got to find a way to use one of my Commodore joysticks. I don't have any TI joysticks and using the keyboard sucks. But at least everything works. the Atari Joystick adapter that Matt references sold at ArcdeShopper is top notch and will work with the Commodore sticks or you can make your own arcade style sticks. I have done an arcade stick for less than $30.00 total (counting the paint and hardware). Getting ready to post pictures.... Edited March 1, 2017 by Shift838 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted March 1, 2017 Share Posted March 1, 2017 Getting ready to post pictures.... That sounds GREAT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted March 1, 2017 Share Posted March 1, 2017 I fixed it! All four banks passed. OK, I am a COLOSSAL IDIOT. I just realized that the first time I used the board, I used external power. I *THOUGHT* the PSU that I was using was a 5V but it was 9V!! So, I cooked the SRAM chip. IDIOT!! In my defense, there isn't a voltage regulator on the board. No...I'm still an idiot. I should have known. LOL!!! Anyway, I ordered some more IC's for the board. Fortunately, the glue logic IC's survived. Only the SRAM fried. Also, while I wait for my correct CY SRAM to arrive, I thought what the heck and tried another brand SRAM that is wired differently. All of the control lines are the same. The power lines are the same. But A0 - A14 are completely different. But, this doesn't matter because the chips are static. Anyway, I can at least use it now. Note to self...check my friggin' PSU before I plug crap in! Jeesh! Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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