Upgrading FastPath 4 to FastPath 5?

[olePigeon]

So I read and was told that a FastPath 4 can be upgraded to the 5.1 ROM just by swapping out the PROMs inside. I opened mine up and it's version 4.1, but they are socketed.

Anyone with a FastPath 4+ or 5 that can make a copy of the 5.1 ROM and send me a copy?

Doug

 

[NJRoadfan]

I got an answer for you direct from Phil Budne, the lead developer of the Fastpath 5 (I figured I'd ask as I was seeking other technical info):

They're already on my FTP server:

ftp://ftp.ultimate.com/FastPath/fp4prom/51f1.gz

ftp://ftp.ultimate.com/FastPath/fp4prom/512d1.gz

The first is the first "final" candidate for the 5.1 release (I can't

tell you off hand, that's what shipped) the second is the first

development build for 5.1.2 (which was probably never released - I

think it fixed a bug that would allow SNM (Shiva NetManager) to safely

let fly multiple download packets). I'd go with 512d1.gz

They're probably both binary files sucked out of boxes I had, using

the copyprom.c program located in the same directory, so you'll need

to split them into odd and even, format the data suitably for your

PROM blaster. I think jumpers will need to be adjusted to deal with

the larger PROMs needed... I can look at the settings on mine to tell

you, I can also see which socket is ODD and which is EVEN.

http://retro.icequake.net/fastpath/shivadocs/fastpath.html gives the socket info which I'll duplicate here.

U45 is EVEN and U46 is ODD. I'm awaiting more information but the jumpers he is talking about are likely the ones labelled "EPROM Select" on the PCB.

 

[olePigeon]

Holy cow, awesome! Thanks! I'm in the process of shipping back some ROMs that bbraun was nice enough to burn for me, but he copied his directly from his FastPath 5. It was a long shot, and unfortunately didn't work.

This looks promising.

 

[NJRoadfan]

Use the 5.1.2 images, they fixed a critical bug. Hopefully those EPROMs are 27c512 chips as the image is 128k. Looking at the board with the front panel LEDs towards the left, you have to set the "EPROM select" jumpers to the left two pins. The pins are located closest to the J8 and J9 silkscreen on the PCB. Once you get it working, I would be interested in a set of ROMs. Fastpath Manager is just an cumbersome tool to configure these things with... ugh.

 

[olePigeon]

OK, I gave it a whirl, but it didn't seem to work. Just to make sure before I send the ROMs back to bbraun, this is how I had my jumpers set (assuming I'm jumping the right jumpers.) I also tried them in various other configurations, but those didn't seem to do anything, either.

I searched for it over local talk and ethernet.

 

[NJRoadfan]

Yes, that is the correct orientation for the jumpers. The Fastpath 5 VROM will never work in a Fastpath 4, the hardware is completely different. When you get the chips back, make sure they are labelled odd/even and put them in the sockets I listed above. It should work in Shiva Net Manager after that. By default you must connect to the Fastpath on the Localtalk side to configure it with just the router and one computer connected. Than you can follow this tutorial to get it up and running (minus the VROM download part): http://www.walshcomptech.com/fastpath5/upnrunning.htm

You will need K-STAR 9.1.2 as a Fastpath 4 with its 256k of RAM can't run 9.2.

This download should have K-STAR 9.1.2 and Shiva Net Manager if you need it: ftp://ftp.ultimate.com/FastPath/shiva-ftp/distrib/fastpath/9.1.2/

 

[olePigeon]

Cool, thanks! I'll ship these back to bbraun if he'd be so kind to flash the 9.1.2d1 ROM, then I'll give it another go.

 

[NJRoadfan]

Just to clarify, you want to burn the 512d1 ROM I posted the link to above( ftp://ftp.ultimate.com/FastPath/fp4prom/512d1.gz ). All he has to do is split the file into two 64k images, one with the "even" data, and one with the "odd" data and burn the two ROM chips (he'll know what you are talking about). Just make sure he labels which chip is which so you can put them in the right sockets.

K-STAR 9.1.2 is the TCP/IP routing program resides in the unit's RAM. You load it from Shiva Net Manager over the network.

 

[NJRoadfan]

Any update on this?

 

[bbraun]

Sorry, I've been slacking. It's waiting on me.

 

[olePigeon]

NJRoadfan, you mention in another thread that the FastPath 4 can be upgraded to 512K RAM. Would enable it to run 9.2 K-STAR software? Are there sockets or pads on which to solder sockets for upgrading the RAM?

 

[NJRoadfan]

there is a socket in the unit that appears to be for a memory card. Unfortunately its non-standard. Back when the Fastpath 5 came out Shiva offered an upgrade for Fastpath 4 owners that added 256k of RAM, the 5.1 PROMs, and a fan. Looks like the unit got sent in to be upgraded by Shiva, not the end user.

You may be able to run K-STAR 9.1.2 on a FP4 and the 5.1 PROMs. 9.2's Readme explicitly says it needs 512k of RAM. There really is no benefit for the average home user to run the newer versions though since they only add tunneling capabilities. K-STAR 8.1.1 works fine for basic MacIP use. I have a configuration guide for the Fastpath 4 all typed up. I just have to proofread it.

 

[techknight]

Now I really feel dumb. "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" is fastpath?

 

[NJRoadfan]

A Localtalk to Ethernet bridge that can route TCP/IP (IPTalk and MacIP), DECNet, and Appletalk. The later units can even tunnel Appletalk over TCP/IP from one router to another (TunnelTalk). It competed with the Cayman Systems GatorBox.

Here is a nice ad

 

[olePigeon]

I've wasted an hour reading that whole magazine.

There's a nifty review of the Dynamac portable Macintosh Plus on page 67.

 

[NJRoadfan]

In regards to running K-STAR 9.1.2 on a Fastpath 4. Reading old USENet posts, its very apparent that I'm not the only one that had problems with the unit crashing with 4.x PROMs. You should be able to safely run 9.1.2 with the 5.1 PROMs whenever you get them.

Somewhat unrelated, but out of the 3(!) Fastpath 5s currently in my possession, each one is different inside.

#1 has a green PCB and 5.0 Boot PROMs.

#2 has a green PCB and 5.1 Boot PROMS.

#3 has a beige PCB and 5.1.1 Boot PROMs.

All of them say its a Rev. A PCB. Now I just have to track down the official manuals for the Fastpath 5 so I can scan them....

 

[olePigeon]

Just got bbraun's ROMs in the mail. I'll give it a go when I get home from work.

 

[NJRoadfan]

Install the ROMs in the right sockets and set the jumpers as pictured and you should be good to go. Shiva NetManager should work with it,

 

[olePigeon]

Tadaaaaaa! Screenshot of my FastPath 4 running bbraun's 5.1.2 PROMs. Showed up in the new Shiva Net Manager 2.5. The power light is blinking instead of solid, but I'm wondering if that's because I haven't updated K-STAR yet. Yahoo!