Which firmware for which computer with which equipment

MNT ZZ9000
1

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  • Amiga model: B2000CR Rev6
  • 680x0 CPU: 68030/50MHz (TF536
  • RAM Configuration: 64MB FastMem / 2MB ChipMem
  • Kickstart, AmigaOS Versions: KS 47.111, AOS 3.2
  • ZZ9000 Firmware version: ? (Tested many of 1.13)
  • ZZ9000 Driver version: (I’m not even getting that far yet.)
  • Monitor model: NEC Multisync EA243WM
  • Other Zorro cards: Buddha Plus One
  • ZZ9000 Version: (R-4 2024-01-18)

Which firmware file for which equipment?
For me, the matter is quite inscrutable.
Background: All 1.13 versions of the Zorro2 (Amiga 2000) do not work and trigger a continuous flashing of the power LED…
Only the Zorro3 files work to some extent, but create many image dropouts.

According to everything I could find out so far, I should probably use a “2MB/noauto/nofast/zorro2” variant of the firmware. But this does not (yet) exist. After skimming the source code and the dependencies to compile it myself, it is also clear to me that this will not be my solution… too many dependencies to install it “by the way”.

What i have to do to get closer to a resolution?

2

Hi, there’s no “nofast” for Z2 because there’s no room in Z2 address space to offer additional Zorro RAM. That’s only possible with a Z3 bus. So the best firmware in your case would be zorro2-2mb-noauto: https://mntre.com/media/ZZ9000_info_md/zz9000-firmware-1_13-zorro2-2mb-noauto.zip

Some things to try:

  • Do you have latest firmware for TF536?
  • Do you get further when taking out the Buddha?
  • Have you tried different Zorro slots, or swapping the slots of Buddha and ZZ9000 (to change the autoconfig order)?
  • Re-seat the Zynq module on the ZZ9000 (make sure it’s a good fit)
  • Try a different MicroSD card (can influence FPGA boot timing)
  • You can also try the older 1.9.1 firmware: https://mntre.com/media/ZZ9000_info_md/zz9000-firmware-r-1_9_1-zorro2-2mb.zip

Do you have any other Bigbox Amiga to cross-check if there is a HW issue with the card?

3

Good morning.
Yes, I have already completed tests in various slots, as well as without all other extensions (Buddha, TF536) including all 1.13 firmware versions. Only the 2MB Agnus I can no longer exchange for the original chip. Another 2000 is not available to me for further tests.
The Zynq module apparently sits correctly - I have already checked it before 1st installation.
Now i have checked FW 1.9.1 (Zorro-II, 2MB). No luck.
Power-LED blinks 6 times. (Denise-Failure?)
Btw.: The Denise is a “8362R8”…

4

Is there any news or does anyone have an idea?
It would make sense for me to have a clue before I indulge in any brainless tinkering and avoid the effort for searching/buying a “Super Denise”. Not least because of their poor supply situation.

5

Reseat all custom chips, clean pins with isopropyl alc. Next best move is to inspect motherboard traces for any damage Varta battery might have done. At last, get a DiagROM and perform check against HW.

6

My old board was already too damaged by a leaking battery.
Therefore, I personally transferred old components - only if necessary and not reproachable from New-Old-Stock - to a brand new board.
Some ICs were even in an ultrasonic bath for cleaning.
So we can rule out problems in this regard. Of course, the Zorro slots were also renewed in this process. After the re-soldering, there have been no errors with all the cards and expansions that are still available so far (XT card, Rossmöller memory expansion, ALF SCSI controller, CBM Original-Mem-Extension, …). However, only the already mentioned extensions (Buddha IDE controller and TF536 Turbo card) were installed recently, but they have already been removed for tests of the ZZ9000.
I haven’t gotten to the Diag ROM yet. But my work on the hardware should also be finished after the time-consuming soldering.

How realistic is it that the problem is related to the old Denise?

7

8362R8, if providing correct Amiga RGB through DB23 at back od A2000, should not be problem. I my case of several A500 boards (Rev6, 8A and Raemixx) hosting ZZ9000 old Denise performed rock solid compared to SuperDenise. What happens if you remove Buddha IDE and leave in only TF536 and ZZ9000, do you get a boot screen ?

8

Hmm, ok. So it should work with old Denise… That’s fine. No, it doesn’t work even with the Buddha Card removed. In the meantime I have already tried various permutations of the cards (ZZ9000, Buddha, TF536) - also in different slots (or with and without the TF536). Unfortunately without result…
Btw.: The function with BAS/RGB-Out on DB-23 ist functional.

9

Sorry to hear that. Denise obviousy work. It seems that card refuse even to attempt to autoconfig. I’m out of ideas or at least rational ones. Maybe Kickstart v3.1. Amiga HW is very borked at times…

10

If you’re in the EU, it’s affordable to send the ZZ9000 back to us for inspection under warranty. Otherwise we have some addresses of Amiga repair people in the US and UK who could take a look, i.e. to see if the card works in another Amiga or has issues in general.

11

Hello and thank you for the feedback.
First I will try to find a DiagROM to carry out a detailed check.
However, an analysis of the problem would be easier for me with the knowledge of the exact initialization processes. For example, which signals play a role at which time during initialization.
Unfortunately, some new features have apparently been implemented in Kickstart 3.1 as well. The 4-fold flashing code of the power LED was apparently not yet documented for the old Kickstart 1.3?!
As soon as I have the results of a DiagROM test,
I would go in contact again…
Thanks so far for now!