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Memory test program for +2

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  Memory test program for +2 lizardb0y <andrew.stephen@gmail.com> - 2012-04-28 18:48 -0700
    Re: Memory test program for +2 "Brian Gaff" <Briang1@blueyonder.co.uk> - 2012-04-29 08:16 +0100
      Re: Memory test program for +2 "Chris Young" <chris.usenet@mail-filter.com> - 2012-04-29 14:55 +0100
      Re: Memory test program for +2 lizardb0y <andrew.stephen@gmail.com> - 2012-04-29 12:27 -0700
    Re: Memory test program for +2 Matthew Westcott <gasman@raww.org> - 2012-04-29 12:44 +0100
      Re: Memory test program for +2 lizardb0y <andrew.stephen@gmail.com> - 2012-04-29 12:30 -0700
        Re: Memory test program for +2 Matthew Westcott <gasman@raww.org> - 2012-04-30 00:59 +0100
          Re: Memory test program for +2 lizardb0y <andrew.stephen@gmail.com> - 2012-04-30 03:48 -0700
            Re: Memory test program for +2 rogerjowett <rogerjowett@gmail.com> - 2012-05-17 09:48 -0700
      Re: Memory test program for +2 "Brian Gaff" <Briang1@blueyonder.co.uk> - 2012-04-30 07:53 +0100
        Re: Memory test program for +2 "Brian Gaff" <Briang1@blueyonder.co.uk> - 2012-04-30 07:57 +0100
    Re: Memory test program for +2 sam coupe <rogerjowett@gmail.com> - 2012-05-31 09:42 -0700

#944 — Memory test program for +2

Is there such a thing as a memory test program for the 128K/+2?  I have a +2 I've been using regularly with a DivIDE interface, and it started crashing with corrupted screen at certain points in programs; e.g. with "More Tea Vicar" 128K version it crashes immediately after choosing the keyboard/joystick mode.

It would be great if there were a program that could help identify if RAM is the problem, and identify the faulty chip if it is.

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#945

Is this the black or the grey +2?

 I'm not aware of a test in the grey one, but I believe there is one in the 
black one accessed by holding some key combination down.
 Anyone?

Incidentally the grey ones had a notoriously bad connection on the voltage 
regulator as it was a push on type.
This used to cause crashes when the machine was  vibrated.
 Its also a very good idea in all Spectrums to open them and check any 
socketted chips are inserted well, they tend to work out over time.
 The Grey +2  also suffered from the  fan out issues of the 128k but not 
quite as much so they could easily crash with addons  as the signals were 
preytty low and noisy.
 I seem to recall a ram checking program or 5 for the 128, but cannot recall 
the names or how good they were. Obviously if you were unlucky enough to 
have a ram fault on where the code sat, you were in a bit of trouble. There 
used to be a technique for finding duff chips but I don't think it worked if 
the ram in question was in the  swetched banks.
 Brian

-- 
Brian Gaff - briang1@blueyonder.co.uk
Note:- In order to reduce spam, any email without 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name may be lost.
Blind user, so no pictures please!
"lizardb0y" <andrew.stephen@gmail.com> wrote in message 
news:10966586.767.1335664125464.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@pbvd8...
Is there such a thing as a memory test program for the 128K/+2?  I have a +2 
I've been using regularly with a DivIDE interface, and it started crashing 
with corrupted screen at certain points in programs; e.g. with "More Tea 
Vicar" 128K version it crashes immediately after choosing the 
keyboard/joystick mode.

It would be great if there were a program that could help identify if RAM is 
the problem, and identify the faulty chip if it is. 

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#949

On Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:16:23 +0100 da kidz on comp.sys.sinclair were rappin'
to MC Brian Gaff:

> Is this the black or the grey +2?
> 
>  I'm not aware of a test in the grey one, but I believe there is one in the 
> black one accessed by holding some key combination down.
>  Anyone?

Hold BREAK and reset to get the stripes, then QAZPLM to get into test
mode.  Not sure it tests the memory though.

Chris


-- 
+-------------------------------------------+
| Unsatisfactory Software - "because it is" |
|  http://www.unsatisfactorysoftware.co.uk  |
| Your Sinclair: A Celebration              |
+- http://www.yoursinclair.co.uk -----------+

DISCLAIMER: I may be making all this stuff up again.

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#951

Thanks Brian.

Mine's a grey +2.  I think I'll have to strip it down and check chip seating. The fan out issue you describe certainly rings true - I get differing problems depending on combinations of RAM Turbo and DivIDE.  It has been getting worse over time.  Would old capacitors contribute to this kind of problem?

-- Andrew
 
On Sunday, 29 April 2012 19:16:23 UTC+12, Brian Gaff  wrote:
> Is this the black or the grey +2?
> 
>  I'm not aware of a test in the grey one, but I believe there is one in the 
> black one accessed by holding some key combination down.
>  Anyone?
> 
> Incidentally the grey ones had a notoriously bad connection on the voltage 
> regulator as it was a push on type.
> This used to cause crashes when the machine was  vibrated.
>  Its also a very good idea in all Spectrums to open them and check any 
> socketted chips are inserted well, they tend to work out over time.
>  The Grey +2  also suffered from the  fan out issues of the 128k but not 
> quite as much so they could easily crash with addons  as the signals were 
> preytty low and noisy.
[snip]

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#946

On 29/04/2012 02:48, lizardb0y wrote:
> Is there such a thing as a memory test program for the 128K/+2?  I have a +2 I've been using regularly with a DivIDE interface, and it started crashing with corrupted screen at certain points in programs; e.g. with "More Tea Vicar" 128K version it crashes immediately after choosing the keyboard/joystick mode.

The crash on More Tea Vicar is a known bug:
http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39107

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#950

On Sunday, 29 April 2012 23:44:39 UTC+12, Matthew Westcott  wrote:
> On 29/04/2012 02:48, lizardb0y wrote:
> > Is there such a thing as a memory test program for the 128K/+2?  I have a +2 I've been using regularly with a DivIDE interface, and it started crashing with corrupted screen at certain points in programs; e.g. with "More Tea Vicar" 128K version it crashes immediately after choosing the keyboard/joystick mode.
> 
> The crash on More Tea Vicar is a known bug:
> http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39107

Aha!  Yes, that would explain that one.  Still having issues with programs that used to work fine (e.g. Jetpac) until recently, so I still suspect hardware fault.

-- 
Andrew
"Just one more cup of English Breakfast before I go" -- Not Bob Dylan
http://www.vintage8bit.com/

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#954

On 29/04/2012 20:30, lizardb0y wrote:
> On Sunday, 29 April 2012 23:44:39 UTC+12, Matthew Westcott  wrote:
>> On 29/04/2012 02:48, lizardb0y wrote:
>>> Is there such a thing as a memory test program for the 128K/+2?  I have a +2 I've been using regularly with a DivIDE interface, and it started crashing with corrupted screen at certain points in programs; e.g. with "More Tea Vicar" 128K version it crashes immediately after choosing the keyboard/joystick mode.
>>
>> The crash on More Tea Vicar is a known bug:
>> http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39107
>
> Aha!  Yes, that would explain that one.  Still having issues with programs that used to work fine (e.g. Jetpac) until recently, so I still suspect hardware fault.

Are you absolutely sure you've had Jetpac working with the DivIDE 
before? I ask because that's another one with a known issue...

When the standard DivIDE firmwares drop you into 48K Basic, it isn't 
actually true 48K mode - it leaves the 128K's memory paging active 
(otherwise known as USR 0 mode, because the usual non-DivIDE way of 
reaching it is to type 'usr 0' in 128K Basic). Certain Ultimate games 
make spurious accesses to the 128K paging hardware, causing them to crash.

The workaround is to enter OUT 32765,48 before loading - this disables 
the memory paging, leaving you in 'proper' 48K mode.

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#959

On Monday, 30 April 2012 11:59:46 UTC+12, Matthew Westcott  wrote:
> On 29/04/2012 20:30, lizardb0y wrote:
> > On Sunday, 29 April 2012 23:44:39 UTC+12, Matthew Westcott  wrote:
> >> On 29/04/2012 02:48, lizardb0y wrote:
> >>> Is there such a thing as a memory test program for the 128K/+2?  I have a +2 I've been using regularly with a DivIDE interface, and it started crashing with corrupted screen at certain points in programs; e.g. with "More Tea Vicar" 128K version it crashes immediately after choosing the keyboard/joystick mode.
> >>
> >> The crash on More Tea Vicar is a known bug:
> >> http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39107
> >
> > Aha!  Yes, that would explain that one.  Still having issues with programs that used to work fine (e.g. Jetpac) until recently, so I still suspect hardware fault.
> 
> Are you absolutely sure you've had Jetpac working with the DivIDE 
> before? I ask because that's another one with a known issue...

Err.. now that you mention it, I may well have been playing that off cartridge.

> When the standard DivIDE firmwares drop you into 48K Basic, it isn't 
> actually true 48K mode - it leaves the 128K's memory paging active 
> (otherwise known as USR 0 mode, because the usual non-DivIDE way of 
> reaching it is to type 'usr 0' in 128K Basic). Certain Ultimate games 
> make spurious accesses to the 128K paging hardware, causing them to crash.

Righty ho - I think I have a bit more to learn about using the DivIDE then :)

> The workaround is to enter OUT 32765,48 before loading - this disables 
> the memory paging, leaving you in 'proper' 48K mode.

Thanks.  I'll try that and see how it goes.  It sounds entirely possible that explains most of the crashes I've been seeing.

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#1001

On Apr 30, 11:48 am, lizardb0y <andrew.step...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Monday, 30 April 2012 11:59:46 UTC+12, Matthew Westcott  wrote:
> > On 29/04/2012 20:30, lizardb0y wrote:
> > > On Sunday, 29 April 2012 23:44:39 UTC+12, Matthew Westcott  wrote:
> > >> On 29/04/2012 02:48, lizardb0y wrote:
> > >>> Is there such a thing as a memory test program for the 128K/+2?  I have a +2 I've been using regularly with a DivIDE interface, and it started crashing with corrupted screen at certain points in programs; e.g. with "More Tea Vicar" 128K version it crashes immediately after choosing the keyboard/joystick mode.
>
> > >> The crash on More Tea Vicar is a known bug:
> > >>http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39107
>
> > > Aha!  Yes, that would explain that one.  Still having issues with programs that used to work fine (e.g. Jetpac) until recently, so I still suspect hardware fault.
>
> > Are you absolutely sure you've had Jetpac working with the DivIDE
> > before? I ask because that's another one with a known issue...
>
> Err.. now that you mention it, I may well have been playing that off cartridge.
>
> > When the standard DivIDE firmwares drop you into 48K Basic, it isn't
> > actually true 48K mode - it leaves the 128K's memory paging active
> > (otherwise known as USR 0 mode, because the usual non-DivIDE way of
> > reaching it is to type 'usr 0' in 128K Basic). Certain Ultimate games
> > make spurious accesses to the 128K paging hardware, causing them to crash.
>
> Righty ho - I think I have a bit more to learn about using the DivIDE then :)
>
> > The workaround is to enter OUT 32765,48 before loading - this disables
> > the memory paging, leaving you in 'proper' 48K mode.
>
> Thanks.  I'll try that and see how it goes.  It sounds entirely possible that explains most of the crashes I've been seeing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc4Xoz75yHI
sim coupe with snapper disc runs 48k SNApshots at 6mhz

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#957

Is that part of the protection system? I seem to recall that the plus 2 had 
different  value empty rom locations to the other spectrums and  when these 
were addressed to jump somewhere it failed as the value was not right.
Brian

-- 
Brian Gaff - briang1@blueyonder.co.uk
Note:- In order to reduce spam, any email without 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name may be lost.
Blind user, so no pictures please!
"Matthew Westcott" <gasman@raww.org> wrote in message 
news:a04nt7F7c0U1@mid.individual.net...
> On 29/04/2012 02:48, lizardb0y wrote:
>> Is there such a thing as a memory test program for the 128K/+2?  I have a 
>> +2 I've been using regularly with a DivIDE interface, and it started 
>> crashing with corrupted screen at certain points in programs; e.g. with 
>> "More Tea Vicar" 128K version it crashes immediately after choosing the 
>> keyboard/joystick mode.
>
> The crash on More Tea Vicar is a known bug:
> http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39107 

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#958

Also of course any checksom would fail on such roms.
When I made the  plus 2 adaptor for the 2A I had to be sure the roms I 
burned had the right values in the areas with no code. I still have some of 
those roms I believe, just need to find them. They are eproms of course.
 Brian

-- 
Brian Gaff - briang1@blueyonder.co.uk
Note:- In order to reduce spam, any email without 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name may be lost.
Blind user, so no pictures please!
"Brian Gaff" <Briang1@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message 
news:jnlcse$p09$1@dont-email.me...
> Is that part of the protection system? I seem to recall that the plus 2 
> had different  value empty rom locations to the other spectrums and  when 
> these were addressed to jump somewhere it failed as the value was not 
> right.
> Brian
>
> -- 
> Brian Gaff - briang1@blueyonder.co.uk
> Note:- In order to reduce spam, any email without 'Brian Gaff'
> in the display name may be lost.
> Blind user, so no pictures please!
> "Matthew Westcott" <gasman@raww.org> wrote in message 
> news:a04nt7F7c0U1@mid.individual.net...
>> On 29/04/2012 02:48, lizardb0y wrote:
>>> Is there such a thing as a memory test program for the 128K/+2?  I have 
>>> a +2 I've been using regularly with a DivIDE interface, and it started 
>>> crashing with corrupted screen at certain points in programs; e.g. with 
>>> "More Tea Vicar" 128K version it crashes immediately after choosing the 
>>> keyboard/joystick mode.
>>
>> The crash on More Tea Vicar is a known bug:
>> http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39107
>
> 

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#1200

On Sunday, 29 April 2012 02:48:45 UTC+1, lizardb0y  wrote:
> Is there such a thing as a memory test program for the 128K/+2?  I have a +2 I've been using regularly with a DivIDE interface, and it started crashing with corrupted screen at certain points in programs; e.g. with "More Tea Vicar" 128K version it crashes immediately after choosing the keyboard/joystick mode.
> 
> It would be great if there were a program that could help identify if RAM is the problem, and identify the faulty chip if it is.

doesnt one of fruitcakes roms do that?
http://www.fruitcake.plus.com/

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