JC8080
Well-known member
Cool, please keep us updated on the build!
Mac Plus/SE Performer accelerator build
- Thread starter JC8080
- Start date
ruthsarian
New member
You installed one of these in your Plus? Did you have sockets for the 68882 and 68030 or were they soldered directly to the PCB? I've populated a board with sockets for the 68882 and 68030 and the PLCC socket for the 68882 is the tallest thing on the board. It seems like it might be a couple millimeters too tall to fit inside the plus, although I haven't soldered the headers to the 68000 yet.
Would removing the 68000 and replacing it with a socket and fitting the double-male headers to the accelerator board and plugging the board into the socket work? That seems like it might save me a couple millimeters in height and maybe get it all to fit.
JC8080
Well-known member
I only installed it in my plus once, I took it out for now until I recap the AB since it may be a bit weak, the machine was struggling with both the accelerator and BlueSCSI using SCSI power. I didn't see any fitment issues, but I didn't look closely. I might be able to check later today.
Regarding the 68000, @Bolle can you help with this question? I don't know how the board works, but I suspect it needs the 68000 to start up.
Bolle
Well-known member
Yes, the 68000 is needed. I am actually running one of those clones in my Plus - it fits but as usual for the Plus you have to bend the logicboard rails to install and remove the board.
You want to keep the sockets that you solder to the 68000 as low as possible to keep the height of the whole stack low.
You want to keep the sockets that you solder to the 68000 as low as possible to keep the height of the whole stack low.
twelvetone12
Well-known member
What is the 68000 used for? Does it initially boot and then switch the processor? I'm asking because I'm gathering some information to see if it is possible to condense this accellerator to fit in a powerbook 100 CPU daughter board, since the signals are the same as the SE PDS slot. But that would mean removing the 68000 since it is already on the board (and another series of problems, the roms are there too, and finding the proper 68030 to fit there...).
JC8080
Well-known member
Did you have any luck with this project?
Not much luck. I am having issues with programming the GAL's properly. I have tried several of the suggested settings in Xgpro including GAL16V8D @SOIC20 no encryption and voltage set to 12v. (I have tried default settings as well encrypt and 16v and selecting just GAL16V8D).
I still get a checkered screen.
I have checked my solder joints, they are tight and have checked with a multimeter and I get continuity on the GAL pins.
I am just wondering what the proper GAL settings would be to work or maybe I am missing something.
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JC8080
Well-known member
As you can see in my posts, I had very mixed luck with the GALs. They all tested good after burning, and I was very careful when soldering them and checking continuity, yet sometimes they didn't work. I would recommend keeping on trying a couple more times. I wish I had better advice, but I never figured out why some of mine didn't work right.
Thanks for the encouragement. I will keep trying. This is still a great project.
JC8080
Well-known member
Im pretty sure it has the same audio issues as most SE accelerators. I have never tested the floppy drive, I've only used with my Floppy Emu. I can test the audio and floppy drive this weekend. Unfortunately I don't have any way to test the serial ports. Since this is an exact clone of the MicroMac Performer, you might be able to find some answers searching for info on that card. I'm happy to check the two that I can though.
theirongiant
Well-known member
Are you the team that sold the new 68030 PDS card on MacEffects? I just got my production card and installed it in my SE this weekend. It works great so far!
JC8080
Well-known member
No, I have no connection to this project, I just built a couple for myself before Mac Effects made them commercially available.
Not yet. I did buy some PLCC 20 pin sockets for the GAL chips. I also bought some Motorola 68030 25Mhz chips. The last time I tried, I was getting a checkered screen. I am hoping the new sockets to insure proper solder joints and the new CPU will help.
I also read a bit more on programming the GAL chips as well. So I am hopeful.
However, most of my time has been spent building a Mac IIfx recreation board that was designed by Bolle. I will finish adding all the components on Saturday. Hoping for a good first boot, but I am not expecting a success on first try. I am sure I missed something.
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I know it's an issue with the GALs or programming them. I thought maybe a socket would work since I have seen the new board that is being prepared is using sockets. I just wasn't sure I had soldered the pins correctly (even though I had checked the pins and the pads for continuity). Still trying, but after I get this Mac IIfx recreation board booting.
I was finally successful with installing the card. I used the suggestions for programing the GAL chips. My biggest issue for not being able to get this card working really was my soldering. Those PLCC chips sit directly on top of the pads. I made sure this time to connect the pins to the pads.
This is a great project. I am glad I learned so much from building Bolle's other board, the Mac IIfx recreation. Soldering properly was definitely my issue.
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xporadio
Member
Thanks for the great info, I've just ordered some boards to try this in a couple of my macs.
I just wanted to clarify, as Bolle answered that in a Mac Plus you are to keep the original 68000 CPU and add a socket or pins over top and solder to its legs to connect the accelerator board.
In a Mac SE, do you need to do this? Or is the PDS slot connection alone good enough? Or do you have the option to do the just the 68000 socket connections only and not the PDS?
Edit: Now that I have seen a pezter's photo it looks like the SE version wouldn't line up with the original CPU if using the PDS slot. But I am still curious if it would work by installing it the Mac plus way over the original CPU. Would it work and would you be able to use the PDS slot for something else like a network or video card?
I just wanted to clarify, as Bolle answered that in a Mac Plus you are to keep the original 68000 CPU and add a socket or pins over top and solder to its legs to connect the accelerator board.
In a Mac SE, do you need to do this? Or is the PDS slot connection alone good enough? Or do you have the option to do the just the 68000 socket connections only and not the PDS?
Edit: Now that I have seen a pezter's photo it looks like the SE version wouldn't line up with the original CPU if using the PDS slot. But I am still curious if it would work by installing it the Mac plus way over the original CPU. Would it work and would you be able to use the PDS slot for something else like a network or video card?
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Trash80toHP_Mini
NIGHT STALKER
Performer/SE build has no need for direct connection to the 68000, the PDS slot itself is a direct connection to the CPU.
SE PDS includes the C16M reference clock that became a standard feature of later PDS implementations. That would be why the clock doubling GAL at U7 is not required for the SE version of Performer.
SE PDS includes the C16M reference clock that became a standard feature of later PDS implementations. That would be why the clock doubling GAL at U7 is not required for the SE version of Performer.
