6100 dead G4 upgrade card.

[Phipli]

I'd suggest just disabling (not deleting) the Mac OS 9 System folder and installing 7.1.2 on the same disk alongside it...

Except that 7.1.2 is too old to be guaranteed to work :/ It might, but if you're trying to troubleshoot a component, you want the most vanilla setup possible.

 

[dust bunny]

Which is why a blank SSD, and a completely fresh install of OS has advantages (as well as introducing the unknown variable of an pre-used SSD).

 

[dust bunny]

So, I've been doing more digging, I've found some old CD-R discs, looks like the 6100 got backed up when I switched to a G4. I have no recolection of this from the time. Also found a long missing Sim City 2000 disc too, I think I know where the box is.

 

[Phipli]

So, I've been doing more digging, I've found some old CD-R discs, looks like the 6100 got backed up when I switched to a G4. I have no recolection of this from the time. Also found a long missing Sim City 2000 disc too, I think I know where the box is.

Are you sure it is a G4? I can't find any mention of a Newer Tech 6100 form factor G4.

 

[dust bunny]

Funnily enough, I've been doing some research, I can't find any evicence of a G4 version of this card either.
I mean, I can see it wouldn't be a dificult to fit a pin compatible G4 chip, but I can't find anywhere that says they did.
I found a booklet from Newer Technology, it shows what looks exactly the same as mine, but there's no mention of G4 cards.
Concievably they could have reused the same booklet, but it seems unlikely, and I would expect a slip of paper about a G4 version. There is no such slip, and no obvious sign that there ever was such a piece of paper.
So, it looks like either, this is an undocument G4 varient, some kind of 1 off conversion, or my memory is wrong.

My memory being wrong certainly looks like the most likely option.
I'll look at pulling the heatsink off tomorrow.

 

[Phipli]

Funnily enough, I've been doing some research, I can't find any evicence of a G4 version of this card either.
I mean, I can see it wouldn't be a dificult to fit a pin compatible G4 chip, but I can't find anywhere that says they did.
I found a booklet from Newer Technology, it shows what looks exactly the same as mine, but there's no mention of G4 cards.
Concievably they could have reused the same booklet, but it seems unlikely, and I would expect a slip of paper about a G4 version. There is no such slip, and no obvious sign that there ever was such a piece of paper.
So, it looks like either, this is an undocument G4 varient, some kind of 1 off conversion, or my memory is wrong.

My memory being wrong certainly looks like the most likely option.
I'll look at pulling the heatsink off tomorrow.

Isn't there a label?

 

[dust bunny]

There are 3 labels on this card, all in a group.
Top label is matt off white substrate, with grey inkjet printing, it says...
A840539

Middle label is gloss white substrate, with black printing, don’t recognise the printing technique, looks digital with very thick ink layer. It says…
12499 TELEL
M266/133. 0.5

Bottom label is gloss black substrate, with white printing, looks like litho printing (probably bought in), it says…
Model:MAXpowr
MXP6100
Newer Technology, Inc.

Also, on the PDS slot, there is moulded into the plastic, an AMP logo, and also…
650095 - 1
• • 9821

Heatsink is head on with 5 Phillips screws.
I can’t tell if there’s any thermal paste, but I can see it’s a BGA chip - which doesn’t help with identification.

 

[Phipli]

12499 TELEL
M266/133. 0.5

Hum...

That implies that it is a 266MHz card with a 133MHz 512k L2 Cache.

Likely a G3.

 

[dust bunny]

Thinking about it, pictures might be more helpful…

 

[dust bunny]

Hum...

That implies that it is a 266MHz card with a 133MHz 512k L2 Cache.

Likely a G3.

Looking at the two chips that aren't hidden by the heatsink, I can see they're...
ISSI IS61S6432-133TQ
...Cache ICs which I presume are 133MHZ rated.

 

[dust bunny]

So, I've been doing more digging, I've found some old CD-R discs, looks like the 6100 got backed up when I switched to a G4. I have no recolection of this from the time. Also found a long missing Sim City 2000 disc too, I think I know where the box is.

I've just reread that, what I meant to say was...
"I've found some old CD-R discs, looks like the 6100 got backed up, probably when I switched from the 6100 to a G4 MDD."

 

[joshc]

As Phipli says, to get this working reliably, remove all the possible complicating factors. System 7.5, 7.6 or 8.1 are probably good places to start. It sounds most likely to be a software/OS configuration problem rather than a hardware one in my opinion. I agree to not test with OS 9, it is likely supported but let’s keep this simple for now.

Also reduce the amount of RAM, you don’t need to test with so much RAM.

Also it is important to repaste the 601 processor on the logicboard, as the 601 still runs even with the accelerator present. Run with the lid closed because there’s no CPU fan.

 

[dust bunny]

And my G4 card is…
…a G3 card.

 

[Phipli]

And my G4 card is…
…a G3 card.

Hey, that's not a bad thing, that's like, 8 times faster than the stock setup or there abouts

 

[Phipli]

Nice, the G3 doesn't need repasting at least, because it uses a pad.

 

[dust bunny]

Quick blow over to shift the dust and fluff.

 

[Phipli]

Can't see any obvious issues. I suspect you just have software problems. I mean, we haven't even got to the point where I feel the need to ask you what driver you're using yet

That's a pretty basic question and we're really not there yet, given your OS crashes even without the upgrade installed.

 

[dust bunny]

Naughty thoughts…

 

[Phipli]

Naughty thoughts…

It isn't pin compatible. Plus you're on a 30MHz bus, and so wont be able to get a good speed from it due to limited bus multipliers.

 

[Phipli]

Quick check, ignoring any other issues, of which there are several, the best you could do would be a x16 the bus, which would give you a 480MHz processor.