RJs Adventures in Mega land III

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PaulJ
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Re: RJs Adventures in Mega land III

Post by PaulJ »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Thu Dec 31, 2020 6:12 pm Well, looks like I jumped the gun a bit with the RAM expansion. I just realised that sysinfo reports 4MB, but shows only 721KB available once booted. That's consistent with 1MB available, and I think 1MB is what YAART tested.
So the extra RAM is still AWOL, so I think I might have to try dropping in the Marpet expansion I have.
At least the 1MB on board works, which is something.
Jon, you seem to always have memory issues. I believe it comes down to how the computers get stored when not in use for 20 or 30 years. I certainly like the mega form factor much better than an ST. The mega has more rigidity than an ST so would be subject to less bending over time but who know. Happy new year.. hopefully 21 will be better than 20.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: RJs Adventures in Mega land III

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PaulJ wrote: Fri Jan 01, 2021 3:53 pm
rubber_jonnie wrote: Thu Dec 31, 2020 6:12 pm Well, looks like I jumped the gun a bit with the RAM expansion. I just realised that sysinfo reports 4MB, but shows only 721KB available once booted. That's consistent with 1MB available, and I think 1MB is what YAART tested.
So the extra RAM is still AWOL, so I think I might have to try dropping in the Marpet expansion I have.
At least the 1MB on board works, which is something.
Jon, you seem to always have memory issues. I believe it comes down to how the computers get stored when not in use for 20 or 30 years. I certainly like the mega form factor much better than an ST. The mega has more rigidity than an ST so would be subject to less bending over time but who know. Happy new year.. hopefully 21 will be better than 20.
Happy new year to you too!! :) In agreement about 2021 too!

To be fair, the only Mega I had with actual proper duff memory was the Mega 4, and I had to replace some of the RAM.

The memory in this one, well the stock RAM at least, is 100%, it's this weird 3MB RAM expansion that just wont play, but I think some of it is down to heavy handed soldering on the part of the installer, as I found some via damage today and had to do some more bodge wiring. This board has a lot of bodge wiring because of the damage done by whoever originally pulled the WD1772, plus the damage I found today where the RAM upgrade was.

Sadly I cannot get the upgrade to work, no matter what I do, so it's out again and running at 1MB. It's a shame as the board itself is really nice and compact, fitting under the FDD, but I have a Marpet kit I know works that I'll probably install instead now, at least I can drop in 4MB of SIMMS.

I will probably offer up the strange board to whoever wants it for the cost of postage only.

As for storage, I am in agreement.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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PaulJ
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Re: RJs Adventures in Mega land III

Post by PaulJ »

I'm sure you will get it sorted @rubber_jonnie . Just remember your soldering iron is akin to a pitbull and can turn on ya in a microsecond. :) Hopefully this year will be better than last. Getting a severe case of cabin fever here but at least I have all these toys to keep me busy. Happy new year. :mrgreen:
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: RJs Adventures in Mega land III

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PaulJ wrote: Sat Jan 02, 2021 4:16 pm I'm sure you will get it sorted @rubber_jonnie . Just remember your soldering iron is akin to a pitbull and can turn on ya in a microsecond. :) Hopefully this year will be better than last. Getting a severe case of cabin fever here but at least I have all these toys to keep me busy. Happy new year. :mrgreen:
Same to you sir :)

That pit bull has bitten me many times over the years, so I shall remain vigilant!! As for cabin fever, I hear you there too, being on top of each other 24/7 is difficult.

The main thing for us this year is to move house, and things are progressing well so far, we just have to hope it is built in time!!! What I'm looking forward to is having a proper workshop area and office instead of huddling over a tiny workbench in the loft area!

:D
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: RJs Adventures in Mega land III

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Well, my 40 pin DIP sockets just arrived, so I can pull the Shifter out and install my Shifter/MMU based SIMM adapter.

Fingers crossed nothing else breaks in the process.....
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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exxos
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Re: RJs Adventures in Mega land III

Post by exxos »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Mon Jan 04, 2021 3:23 pm Fingers crossed nothing else breaks in the process.....
*giggles* :lol:
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/ All my hardware guides - mods - games - STOS
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/ - All my hardware mods for sale - Please help support by making a purchase.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
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stephen_usher
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Re: RJs Adventures in Mega land III

Post by stephen_usher »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Mon Jan 04, 2021 3:23 pm Fingers crossed nothing else breaks in the process.....
Don't break your fingers! ;-)
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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Re: RJs Adventures in Mega land III

Post by rubber_jonnie »

@exxos & @stephen_usher

Thanks for the support...... NOT!!!
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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PaulJ
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Re: RJs Adventures in Mega land III

Post by PaulJ »

Not really an issue of @rubber_jonnie breaking his finger. However burnt fingers are always a possiblity when Jon and the infamous soldering iron are in the same room. :fire: :fire: :fire:
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: RJs Adventures in Mega land III

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PaulJ wrote: Mon Jan 04, 2021 6:22 pm Not really an issue of @rubber_jonnie breaking his finger. However burnt fingers are always a possiblity when Jon and the infamous soldering iron are in the same room. :fire: :fire: :fire:
HEY!!!

Why are you lot ganging up on me AGAIN!!

I don't even have that soldering iron any more!!!

AND I haven't yet burned myself on the new one, or the hot air gun or the de-soldering gun!!

So there!!!

:fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire:
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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