SE/30 Memory Test Application Utility

[just.in.time]

Tried searching around a bit, but couldn't find a direct answer so here we go:

What is the best software utility to test RAM that is inside a running, working* SE/30?  Preferably something that does multiple test patterns to the memory, and can support either 6.0.8 or 7.x (or both).

I recently added 16mb of ram to my SE/30 to bring it to 20mb total.  *I'm experiencing issues here and there (freezes or bombs with Bus Error messages).  I want to make sure it is just some programs not liking the 32bit addressing and/or MODE32 and not the RAM itself.

I have heard that MODE32 is picky with wanting matching RAM speeds.  My new memory is 70ns, no idea what the old 1mb sticks are rated at.

Thanks.

 

[tjjq44]

I use "Snooper 2.0"

70ns is fast enough for sure

 

[Elfen]

What's the number(s) on the 1mb chips? And where is the 16MB (4MB Sticks) in Bank A or B?

Finally, have you tested the machine with just 16MB along - with the 1MB removed?

 

[TimHD]

I have an issue when I have 16mb in Bank A and 4 mb in Bank B with my Mac iifx. Both sets of memory work fine on their own in Bank A but when both Banks are populated they don't work - could it be different ram speeds and Mode 32?

(NB: I originally added the 16mb into Bank B with my existing 4mb in Bank A,and got the bad chimes, And I noted the Mac II manual tells you not to do 20mb that way, but even flipping it round to Bank A 16mb, Bank B 4mb, didn't work either so maybe it's ram speed?)

 

[just.in.time]

These are all great questions, some I will have to look up when I get home.  However, I definitely did load the 4mb simms into bank A, and left the 1mb simms in bank B as instructed on the LowEndMac website.  I will give Snooper a run when I get home.  Tim, I'm thinking you may be right on the speed issue combined with Mode32.  I'll look at the numbers on the 1mb sticks to see what they are.

Again, it runs fine 90% of the time... so it may just be that some apps don't like 32bit addressing.  Same apps work fine when i start up with escape held down to kick back to 24bit mode.  I just want to verify since I have a 30 day guarantee from the eBay seller of the RAM

 

[just.in.time]

Well I couldn't locate Snooper 2.0, so I made due with TechTool 2.5.x.  Everything passed.

Numbers on the 1mb stick chips don't seem to have any reasonable numbering that would give a speed away, as opposed to the 4mb sticks where every chip has a number that ends with 70, matching its speed.  I did indeed go ahead and try with the 1mb sticks removed, giving me 16mb of ram in Bank A (all 4 sticks identical), nothing in Bank B.  Symptoms still persisted.

Finally, I don't think it is a speed issue... If I turn off 32 bit addressing the problem completely resolves.  One sure fire way to trigger the bus error was to start up with 32bit enabled, and open Shufflepuck Cafe.  It would load fine, right up to the moment it got to the cafe where you select your opponent.  The instant that music should start playing it bombs out (so not a single note plays from the speaker) with a bus error, and then a Type 28 error, followed by a Type 1 error, and finally back into the Finder.

The solution to this is to simply hold down escape at startup to temporarily disable 32bit mode, or disable it from the Memory control panel and restart.  Doing so allows the game to run fine.

This game itself runs perfectly on a Color Classic w/LC575 board and 68mb of ram.  So it definitely isn't that the game itself is incompatible with 32bit environments.

I honestly believe it is a MODE32 problem.  Any alternatives?  In the long run I would like to order a ROM-inator II for the SE/30, and I think that will be the permanent solution.  If anyone has any short term solutions I'd love to hear them.

Oh, and this is all the same in both 7.1 and 7.5.5.  In both cases, with version 7.5 of MODE32.

 

[SoundChances]

I was pretty sure that Shufflepuck was not 32bit compatible...

Anyway, my SE/30 bombs out with a bus error just like you described in 32bit mode but runs fine in 24.

 

[just.in.time]

Thanks for verifying that, glad it isn't just my computer

As to Shufflepuck being 32bit compatible, I have no idea or explanation as to why it doesn't run into trouble on the Mystic Color Classic.  I also used to play it on a Powerbook 5300cs with PowerPC processor and 40mb of ram 15 years ago.  100% playable.  On that system however, the audio for the game never worked.  I was quite excited the first time I played it on a compact Mac and got to hear it as well.

At any rate, in a month or two when I pick up the ROM-inator II, I'll update this thread if it changes the status of the game working with 32bit addressing turned on without using a software patch.

 

[SoundChances]

Just a note on the Rominator, I have one and found it fixes some issues and causes others.

32 Bit clean is nice and the rom disk is a killer feature, but I had issues running 24 bit software and system 6. 

I went back to the stock rom and the problems I've known how to work around for ~20 yeas now

 

[just.in.time]

That is good to know.  Since I don't have an accelerator I think i'm going to stick with System 7.1.  It seems to start up and operate a noticeable bit faster than 7.5.5.  The only feature I have yet to add to 7.1 from 7.5.5 is the nested folders on the Apple menu. I think there is an extension for that, but can't recall what it was.

Rambling aside;

Did you have a chance to run 7.1 with the ROM-inator on the SE/30?  Any major bugs that stood out?  Did you ever try a IIsi or IIfx ROM?  If so, do they experience similar issues?

Thanks.

 

[SoundChances]

I had to do a reinstall of 7.1 but everything seemed fine with it and 7.5 as well though it requires a resedit to work.

I haven't used a IIsi or IIfx but would assume that they have the same issues as the ROM-inator is based on one of those

 

[just.in.time]

Cool, thanks for the info.

 

[carguyty]

Just a note on the Rominator, I have one and found it fixes some issues and causes others.

32 Bit clean is nice and the rom disk is a killer feature, but I had issues running 24 bit software and system 6.

I went back to the stock rom and the problems I've known how to work around for ~20 yeas now

So... Does that mean you have a Rominator II for sale?