Help for a nubus Radius PrecisionColor Pro 24X ROM/firmware upgrade

[Phipli]

Here, btw :

Radius PrecisionColor NuBus Cards

Radius PrecisionColor NuBus Cards NOTE! This information is post is currently an in progress draft. The aim here is to ensure that all data is only entered first hand by the author, and not repurpo…

stuffandnonsense.elephantandchicken.co.uk

Table looked better in edit mode, need to make that work better, but it is pre-draft, I'm literally just writing the info down.

 

[MJ313]

Table looked better in edit mode, need to make that work better, but it is pre-draft, I'm literally just writing the info down.

Are you just looking for 2.0 roms? I've got a couple of the 8-24X cards, with v1.2.1 and v1.42 roms, but not sure if those are needed now.

 

[Phipli]

Are you just looking for 2.0 roms? I've got a couple of the 8-24X cards, with v1.21 and v1.42 roms, but not sure if those are needed now.

I was grabbing everything. In part to compare same versions between card models to play spot the difference. Might make it possible to make custom ROMs? Who knows.

 

[MJ313]

I was grabbing everything. In part to compare same versions between card models to play spot the difference. Might make it possible to make custom ROMs? Who knows.

OK here are a couple of 8-24X roms

 

[Mr. Ksoft]

I've also emailed the guy on this website where I found some.

That's me, I replied already but to put it in writing here too, no problem with anyone doing what they want with the ROMs - as I see it they're not mine, I just happened to dump them off the chip. The more copies out there the less likely we'll lose them in the future.

 

[Phipli]

OK here are a couple of 8-24X roms

Thank you! That gives us three different v1.42 ROMs to compare. Hopefully we can learn something.

 

[Phipli]

That's me, I replied already but to put it in writing here too, no problem with anyone doing what they want with the ROMs - as I see it they're not mine, I just happened to dump them off the chip. The more copies out there the less likely we'll lose them in the future.

Thanks again, much appreciated.

Note MJ313 has just uploaded two ROMs that should work on your 8-24X and are a bit newer (although not V2.0) that the ROM you currently have.

 

[mg.man]

That gives us three different v1.42 ROMs to compare.

Pretty sure I have a PrecClr 24X with a 1.4(?) ROM - I'll pull it out of my IIcx and have a look. Might have others down in my storage unit. Stay tuned.

 

[Phipli]

@mg.man @Mr. Ksoft @MJ313

Could anyone photograph the label on one of the RAM SIPs on a PC 8-24? So I can work out how much VRAM they have? Bet it is maximum 3MB. I see the 8-24 is because they came either fully populated or 1/3 populated. That would be 128k per SIP? Assuming they didn't use more than one type of SIP.

 

[Phipli]

Edited my last post - realised I'd assumed 1/3 was 1MB, but then written 1.5MB max... which made no sense. What made me realise I was being daft was this photo - it would still be good to verify their calculation :

 

[MJ313]

Could anyone photograph the label on one of the RAM SIPs on a PC 8-24?

Here's a pic-

 

[Phipli]

Here's a pic-

Much obliged. Max VRAM confirmed. They are 256kx4bits chips, so 128k each, 24 of them total, 128x24 = 3MB. (or 1MB for the partially populated version).

 

[pizzigri]

So I have checked on EEVblog (I'm registered there as well) for programmers able to write to these PLCC 256k roms. I was appalled at the prices I found, even for chinese clones - like, 270 Euro for a TL866II with the required sockets!! Ouch... is anyone able to write a couple ver. 2.0 rom chips for me?

 

[Phipli]

So I have checked on EEVblog (I'm registered there as well) for programmers able to write to these PLCC 256k roms. I was appalled at the prices I found, even for chinese clones - like, 270 Euro for a TL866II with the required sockets!! Ouch... is anyone able to write a couple ver. 2.0 rom chips for me?

It really isn't that expensive for something to program these. I'm waiting on chips, then I can send you some flashed I didn't have any 5V chips so had to order some.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005302276053.html

Something like that, make sure you pick the option with the included PLCC32 adapter.

 

[Phipli]

So I have checked on EEVblog (I'm registered there as well) for programmers able to write to these PLCC 256k roms. I was appalled at the prices I found, even for chinese clones - like, 270 Euro for a TL866II with the required sockets!! Ouch... is anyone able to write a couple ver. 2.0 rom chips for me?

With a single added resistor to your board, I can also make a ROM with two different ROM versions in it, so you can experiment with different versions! Thats what I'm planning to do with my dad's 24AC. I'm going to flash the Apple and the Radius ROMs to one chip, and make it so that by removing the jumper he can pick if he wants an Apple or Radius card.

 

[mg.man]

OK... last one from me today.
Some may have seen in the general Radius thread, but I also have another 24X with an earlier (1.42) ROM. Here's the card :



ROM attached.

 

[pizzigri]

With a single added resistor to your board, I can also make a ROM with two different ROM versions in it, so you can experiment with different versions! Thats what I'm planning to do with my dad's 24AC. I'm going to flash the Apple and the Radius ROMs to one chip, and make it so that by removing the jumper he can pick if he wants an Apple or Radius card.

Interesting, I do not have a jumper (well, I do, but it's hardwired). That means using a 512K prom, right?

 

[Phipli]

Interesting, I do not have a jumper (well, I do, but it's hardwired). That means using a 512K prom, right?

No, it just means that they decided nobody needed the jumper and they could save a penny

 

[pizzigri]

Yeah I suppose...
in any case to support "dual boot rom" I need to replace the soldered jumper and add a smd resistor right? That could be nice, since I have two cards I could make one "standard" and the other "dual boot"!

 

[Phipli]

Yeah I suppose...
in any case to support "dual boot rom" I need to replace the soldered jumper and add a smd resistor right? That could be nice, since I have two cards I could make one "standard" and the other "dual boot"!

Yeah, desolder the wire jumper and replace it with either pins or a switch (wired in a specific way, not to the 3rd pad) and add a resistor.