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Booting 540c Off of PCMCIA Rev C. Card Cage on 7.1.1?
- Thread starter Paralel
- Start date
Is it a partitioned Mac OS Standard and Extended CF card? I think I ran into that recently, I think re-blessing the System on the Mac OS Standard partition fixed it.
Is it possible that the System was intended for a different computer and might not a 'universal' install for any computer?
Is it possible that the System was intended for a different computer and might not a 'universal' install for any computer?
Paralel
Well-known member
Nope, just two standard partitions of 2 GB each.
It happens if any card is in the PCMCIA slot, WLAN, CompactFlash, etc.. doesn't matter. unless the card has somehow been activated on a boot that occurred from somewhere other than the PCMCIA slot, it will bomb out, if for some reason the card is designated by a different booting drive as the boot drive, or the WLAN can connect to a network, it doesn't bomb. I haven't been able to figure out why this is.
The system version I'm using is not exactly meant for this system, but I tried it with a universal 7.1 Disk Tools boot disk (7.1 System/7.1.3 Finder) with the PC card extension in the folder and it still bombs, same exact error. I'm thinking it is something that is shared by the System files of the 7.1.x lineage.
If possible, if someone could step me through it (like real baby steps, I'm not all that good with debuggers) and figure out where this error is coming from I'd like to try and 'patch' it so I don't have to keep dealing with this nonsense.
It happens if any card is in the PCMCIA slot, WLAN, CompactFlash, etc.. doesn't matter. unless the card has somehow been activated on a boot that occurred from somewhere other than the PCMCIA slot, it will bomb out, if for some reason the card is designated by a different booting drive as the boot drive, or the WLAN can connect to a network, it doesn't bomb. I haven't been able to figure out why this is.
The system version I'm using is not exactly meant for this system, but I tried it with a universal 7.1 Disk Tools boot disk (7.1 System/7.1.3 Finder) with the PC card extension in the folder and it still bombs, same exact error. I'm thinking it is something that is shared by the System files of the 7.1.x lineage.
If possible, if someone could step me through it (like real baby steps, I'm not all that good with debuggers) and figure out where this error is coming from I'd like to try and 'patch' it so I don't have to keep dealing with this nonsense.
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Paralel
Well-known member
Well, I seem to have found a way to circumvent the error, but it makes no sense to me, maybe someone else here will be able to explain it.
If for some reason I make a RAM disk, even the smallest one possible (288k), it negates this error.
Does it have something to do with the order of the way things are done during the boot process?
If for some reason I make a RAM disk, even the smallest one possible (288k), it negates this error.
Does it have something to do with the order of the way things are done during the boot process?
Paralel
Well-known member
Never mind on figuring this one out. Considering it needs valid PRAM to boot from PCMCIA, it's a suboptimal solution. I'm just going to stick with the 2.5" SCSI -> CF I currently setup.
However, my workaround, for some reason, does seem to provide some relief to the problem. I'm still interested to see if anyone can figure out why creating a tiny RAM disk makes any difference.
However, my workaround, for some reason, does seem to provide some relief to the problem. I'm still interested to see if anyone can figure out why creating a tiny RAM disk makes any difference.
Elfen
Well-known member
The only think I can think off is holding down the mouse/trackpad button during boot. Doing this on a desktop Mac is supposed to restart the SCSI Device count down, but I do not know if it will force the 540c to look at the PMCIA.
Stupid Question: Is the Start Up Disk in the Control Panel set to load from the PCMCIA?
Stupid Question: Is the Start Up Disk in the Control Panel set to load from the PCMCIA?
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Elfen
Well-known member
That PRAM battery is going to be scourge you do not want it to be. I'm hoping that the PRAM Battery is not hidden in the case of the 500-series like it is on the 5300 and G3 Wallstreets - when you separate the case and remove the connected wires, in the 5300 and G3 Wallstreets there's a red & white wire that goes into a folded piece of plastic on the top case - that is where the PRAM Battery is. Its a 2032 or similar watch battery with the wires solder-tabbed onto it.
In short how about replacing the PRAM Battery on the 540c, and if need be, use a watch battery like many PCs do. Since the 5300 and G3 Wallstreets use a 2032 watch battery, why not use one of those. Make it easy, get a watch battery holder and solder to the board or someplace and replace the battery as needed by sliding into the battery holder. I think somebody put a post of how they did that with their Mac II Series, and it's a great idea - watch batteries last for a couple of years and are relatively cheap.
In short how about replacing the PRAM Battery on the 540c, and if need be, use a watch battery like many PCs do. Since the 5300 and G3 Wallstreets use a 2032 watch battery, why not use one of those. Make it easy, get a watch battery holder and solder to the board or someplace and replace the battery as needed by sliding into the battery holder. I think somebody put a post of how they did that with their Mac II Series, and it's a great idea - watch batteries last for a couple of years and are relatively cheap.
Paralel
Well-known member
The battery for the 5xx series requires essentially disassembling the entire system to access it, and then it's a very unusual configuration of two button cell batteries in heat shrink wrap with a 3 pin wire:
Plus, batteries die. I will just be in the same situation in 10 years again. I want a permanent solution I don't have to keep messing with.
Plus, batteries die. I will just be in the same situation in 10 years again. I want a permanent solution I don't have to keep messing with.
Elfen
Well-known member
Interesting that it is 2 batteries, and I see the 3 wires. I could bet there's a heat/over charging sensor in there.
Only permanent solution is to get the PRAM into a flash EEPROM which is not a viable solution without total ROM rewrite. Rechargeable watch batteries would be your best bet, which would only last about 10 or so years.
Another solution have a get of rechargeable PRAM Battery and in case that fails, have a floppy boot up the system and load in a saved PRAM into memory and then reboot. There is a program called "TechTools" by MicroMat (their current version is for Intel/OSX, but search the net for the older versions for 68K and System 6/7/8; Hint: Macgarden, and pay what shareware fees applies). This way if the PRAM battery dies and the information lost, you can reload it from the floppy and reboot. Though it takes a few extra steps, it saves a lot of headaches down the line. BTW - while the 540c (or any laptop as a matter of fact) is plugged in but off, the powerpac takes over of keeping the PRAM alive. Though keeping a powerbook plugged in may not be an option 24/7, it could be a saving grace for a while.
Only permanent solution is to get the PRAM into a flash EEPROM which is not a viable solution without total ROM rewrite. Rechargeable watch batteries would be your best bet, which would only last about 10 or so years.
Another solution have a get of rechargeable PRAM Battery and in case that fails, have a floppy boot up the system and load in a saved PRAM into memory and then reboot. There is a program called "TechTools" by MicroMat (their current version is for Intel/OSX, but search the net for the older versions for 68K and System 6/7/8; Hint: Macgarden, and pay what shareware fees applies). This way if the PRAM battery dies and the information lost, you can reload it from the floppy and reboot. Though it takes a few extra steps, it saves a lot of headaches down the line. BTW - while the 540c (or any laptop as a matter of fact) is plugged in but off, the powerpac takes over of keeping the PRAM alive. Though keeping a powerbook plugged in may not be an option 24/7, it could be a saving grace for a while.
MacJunky
Well-known member
Having three wires seems to just be the way it is hooked up in the case of the Wallstreet. IDK about older PBs. Pull the heatshrink and/or sticker off to have a look.
Someone with a spot welder could whip these things up really easily. Having a PB PRAM/backup battery database might be a nice start.
RE: permanency.
I do not think you are going to easily find a way for that. Unless you ripped off the PRAM and wired up an interface to something non-volatile.
Someone with a spot welder could whip these things up really easily. Having a PB PRAM/backup battery database might be a nice start.
RE: permanency.
I do not think you are going to easily find a way for that. Unless you ripped off the PRAM and wired up an interface to something non-volatile.
Wallstreet used 6 batteries total, all 2330 50mA each rechargeable lithium. They were arraigned: 3 batteries in parallel with red wire to + side. White wire to the - side. Second set of batteries are also in parallel with the + side connected to white wire and - side of first set. The black wire connected to - side of the second set.
red and black are probably the main wire for recharging and for maintaining PRAM. White wire may be for reference when charging the battery.
You could replace it with any lithium rechargeable. I've planned on 2 more common regular lithium batteries wired the same way but instead of putting it into the tiny compartment, I'm going to hot-glue it in where the large battery pack normally sits. I have gutted the dead battery pack so I could trim one end to make room for the new PRAM battery and put it in and make Wallstreet look complete. I'll do pictures when I get the new battery in, Wallstreet is a pain in the butt to change PRAM.
I also need to do the same thing with my Duo 280c (2 battery cells, same wiring design)
red and black are probably the main wire for recharging and for maintaining PRAM. White wire may be for reference when charging the battery.
You could replace it with any lithium rechargeable. I've planned on 2 more common regular lithium batteries wired the same way but instead of putting it into the tiny compartment, I'm going to hot-glue it in where the large battery pack normally sits. I have gutted the dead battery pack so I could trim one end to make room for the new PRAM battery and put it in and make Wallstreet look complete. I'll do pictures when I get the new battery in, Wallstreet is a pain in the butt to change PRAM.
I also need to do the same thing with my Duo 280c (2 battery cells, same wiring design)
register
Well-known member
A cheap and convenient replacement for the PRAM battery is a standard battery holder, like for AA or AAA size cells. There are some threads regarding the PRAM batteries for desktop Macs. PowerBooks have similar requirements, only less space available inside the case. Just check for the voltage you need and build a battery pack with approximately the neccessary voltage. Keep the original PRAM battery plug and extend the wire to desired length. In a PB1400 I found some space in the HDD compartment after replacing the HDD by a small CF-IDE adapter. Else you could stuff the PRAM battery into an unused expansion bay or hide it inside a dead main battery case. Make sure to wrap the battery to avoid damage from a leaking battery.
