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Powerbase 240 doesn't like cpu accelerators

RadRacer203

RadRacer203

6502
Just traded for this Power Computing Powerbase 240 and it seems to work great, it works fine with everything I can throw at it, except an accelerator... I've tried the 2 I have on my shelf- a maxpowr g3 and a 400mhz Sonnet of some description. Wondering if this might be a known problem, or if there's any way to fix it? It works perfectly with the stock cpu, but no chime or anything with an accelerator
 
Accelerators had to be made with the Powerbase in mind, usually a dip switch specifically for the Powerbase. My 220MHz G3 upgrade my Powerbase came with was sold specifically for it. The Powerlogix Zforce I have now had a dip switch that had to be set for it.

It is physically compatible but must have differed enough to not work with normal upgrades.
 
Powerbase said:
Accelerators had to be made with the Powerbase in mind, usually a dip switch specifically for the Powerbase. My 220MHz G3 upgrade my Powerbase came with was sold specifically for it. The Powerlogix Zforce I have now had a dip switch that had to be set for it.

It is physically compatible but must have differed enough to not work with normal upgrades.
Click to expand...
Huh, that's interesting. The one I have is a Newertech Maxpowr g3, and it does have dip switches, I'll see if I can find a list of settings
 
Powerbase said:
The Powerlogix Zforce I have now had a dip switch that had to be set for it.
Click to expand...

Same with my PowerLogix card—PowerBase-specific switch in addition to the bus and multiplier switches. Not sure about the Newertech products, so a manual would definitely help—like you mentioned, there were some made for it in mind, and others they didn't care to include it. I had to scour WaybackMachine site captures to find the correct PowerLogix manual for mine… so might be worth a look?
 
jessenator said:
Same with my PowerLogix card—PowerBase-specific switch in addition to the bus and multiplier switches. Not sure about the Newertech products, so a manual would definitely help—like you mentioned, there were some made for it in mind, and others they didn't care to include it. I had to scour WaybackMachine site captures to find the correct PowerLogix manual for mine… so might be worth a look?
Click to expand...
I tried, I do have the manual but it only says how to do the switches to put it in an 8600 or 9600. Very unhelpful lol. I'm gonna try and just do every possible switch combo to see if I can get it working. Only has 4 switches so 16 combinations isn't too tough to try
 
RadRacer203 said:
I tried, I do have the manual but it only says how to do the switches to put it in an 8600 or 9600. Very unhelpful lol. I'm gonna try and just do every possible switch combo to see if I can get it working. Only has 4 switches so 16 combinations isn't too tough to try
Click to expand...
Just four switches seems like the standard amount. It probably doesnt support the powerbase if it doesnt mention it.

I know the first gen Daystar ZIF carriers supported the Powerbase, and Powerlogix's Zforce. I believe the L2-slot upgrades will work too, I think. Ive never tried myself.
 
Changing the switches on the Newertech card doesn't seem to change anything, but I do have an xlr8 machspeed g3 that uses a zif cpu that has 12 switches, but I can't seem to find the manual for it online
 
RadRacer203 said:
Changing the switches on the Newertech card doesn't seem to change anything, but I do have an xlr8 machspeed g3 that uses a zif cpu that has 12 switches, but I can't seem to find the manual for it online
Click to expand...
This might help? What switches are left over?

Screen Shot 2020-07-30 at 9.00.17 PM.png
 
I did manage to find the manual on archive.org but I don't have the processor that's shown in the manual, just a standard one out of a b&w g3 so it probably isn't quite as forgiving or compatible
 
I mean, I might be able to, but wouldn't be worth it cause even a low end g3 accelerator will be significantly faster I think. I'll probably see if I can sell one of the accelerators I have now and buy one of those Sonnet L2 accelerators. I do have one already, but it's in my ridiculously overkill 6500 and I'm not about to take it out lol
 
I just really like this thing, but I want it to be a bit more. Already threw a voodoo 2 and an ssd in there, so why not an accelerator too?
 
RadRacer203 said:
I just really like this thing, but I want it to be a bit more. Already threw a voodoo 2 and an ssd in there, so why not an accelerator
Click to expand...

I do have my ole Newertech G3 upgarde for it laying around. I had it overclocked to 260MHz with a faster than 1:2 cache (I think it ran at 170 something). Not the speediest G3 and only 512KB cache too.
 
Powerbase said:
I do have my ole Newertech G3 upgarde for it laying around. I had it overclocked to 260MHz with a faster than 1:2 cache (I think it ran at 170 something). Not the speediest G3 and only 512KB cache too.
Click to expand...
Hey, any g3 is better than a 603! I'd definitely be interested if you wouldn't mind letting it go, maybe I could trade one of these other accelerators if you want
 
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