IIci - freezes with PowerCache

[CJ_Miller]

I am liking my new IIci. Problem is that I had the Daystar PowerCache 33 MHz first, and bought the IIci to go with it. The IIci starts and runs fine with the regular cache card installed, but with the PowerCache it freezes within a minute or so of startup. Happens every time.

Is there anything I should be looking for here? The PowerCache was new in the bag. I really don't know what else I can do for it. It looks ok. I would hate to throw my hands up and dismiss "it doesn't work" and move on, but unless I can fix it somehow I guess I'll need to. Incidentally, I have not installed the accelerator's software yet. The instructions say to install the card first, boot, and then install the software - so it should be booting.

Does anybody run dual internal hard drives? Since I was wondering about A/UX I thought maybe instead of the single scsi cable, I could use one of the longer multi-connector ones from another box. This is my first II so I am not yet aware of power issues or scsi quirks with these.

Just tried restarting it again with original cache and it works once more. Threw SampleCell II in there for kicks because it is here, seems ok. This box seems to run cooler than all of my other Macs, which is nice.

 

[Dennis Nedry]

It could be an extension that doesn't work well with your cache. Have you tried starting up with the shift key to turn extensions off?

 

[ClassicHasClass]

Power supply? That would be easier to replace than the card, and I have seen systems where a marginal PS fell under the bar with an extra card installed. A Snooper would come in handy here.

However, it does sound suspiciously like bad hardware.

 

[CJ_Miller]

It could be an extension that doesn't work well with your cache. Have you tried starting up with the shift key to turn extensions off?

Good advice. The situation is the same with the extensions off. Freezes anywhere from instantly to a minute later. Arg!

If the PowerCache is broken, and I look into tweaking it - anybody know what was different between the 33MHz and 50 MHz versions? Is it as simple as replacing the crystal, CPU, etc with faster rated parts? I wouldn't do it right away, but if something is fried on the board I might eventually just pull the parts off and repopulate it to see what happens

 

[CJ_Miller]

Power supply? That would be easier to replace than the card, and I have seen systems where a marginal PS fell under the bar with an extra card installed. A Snooper would come in handy here.

I never had a PSU just fail without being fairly loaded, Were the Mac II known for this? Also it starts fine with the regular cache and the SampleCell. Can you tell me what level of cross-compatibility there is with PSUs of this era? I would like to know that I can run a few NuBus cards without it dying on me. I have a DMM but I don't know how to measure what the power draw on the supply is.

 

[Unknown_K]

I run IIci and IIcx systems loaded with Nubus cards and accelerators with no problems on the old stock supplies. You said it freezes (maybe checking the cache module) but doesn't stay that way so the card works? What Mac OS version are you running and is the PRAM battery good? I think the system stores which CPU to boot from and cache settings in PRAM and that might affect the system booting if the battery is dead or dying.

 

[ClassicHasClass]

I think you misunderstand me -- the PS is certainly capable of it. However, I personally have witnessed a IIci that mysteriously would not boot or would not stay booted after I put in a Daystar card. A Snooper probe showed a voltage drop, and indeed replacing the PS fixed the problem. I've also heard of it occurring with NuBus cards.

The IIci should be fine with a IIcx, IIci or 7100 power supply.

 

[trag]

The IIci should be fine with a IIcx, IIci or 7100 power supply.

Also IIvi, IIvx, Centris 650, Quadra 700 and Quadra 650.

That power supply got around.

And you can test a IIci board on the bench with a good IIsi power supply. Same connector.