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MTX512 reports only 32K RAM

Posted: 23 Jan 2017 20:29
by stephen_usher
OK, now I have a working MTX512 but I discovered that it only thinks that it has 32K RAM after plugging in a CFX board.

This is a surprise given that all the links on the circuit board are correct for a 64K machine.

PRINT PEEK(64122) returns 0, so the machine certainly thinks that it's an MTX500.

Could the machine somehow have the wrong PAL fitted, or can some other fault make it think that it only has 32K RAM?

Re: MTX512 reports only 32K RAM

Posted: 23 Jan 2017 21:10
by Dave
Has it definitely 64k of RAM fitted ?

Many "MTX512s" have only 32k on the system board and needed the other 32k to be on a RAM card.

The RAMs should be OKI 3764's for 64k

regards
Dave

Re: MTX512 reports only 32K RAM

Posted: 23 Jan 2017 21:21
by stephen_usher
Bother! Only 3732s. :-(

Re: MTX512 reports only 32K RAM

Posted: 27 Jan 2017 12:24
by lezanderson
There's a section on Dave's Website on how to upgrade an MTX500 to 64K ...?

http://www.primrosebank.net/computers/m ... epairs.htm

Re: MTX512 reports only 32K RAM

Posted: 29 Jan 2017 11:55
by stephen_usher
I've read that... scary amount of desoldering involved. (I've been talking to Dave via e-mail after buying the CFX from him.)

Re: MTX512 reports only 32K RAM

Posted: 29 Jan 2017 12:09
by 1024MAK
It's a must to visit Dave's site ;)
Andy may be able to sell you one of his modern RAM expansion boards (fully built), this uses a modern SRAM chip and plugs into the edge connector, so no soldering needed. If you need links, shout out.

If you do want to upgrade the on board RAM, because of the amount of desoldering, it's best to use a desoldering iron, or hot air. Some "DIY" electric paint stripper hot air "guns" work as well (it's what I use :D, if you want more details, ask).

Mark

Re: MTX512 reports only 32K RAM

Posted: 29 Jan 2017 16:36
by stephen_usher
Dave's offered to get and modify one of Andy's boards to pass through the ROM select lines and add DIN 41612 connectors to daisy-chain the memory and CFX boards together so that they can both fit internally (with the CF card to IDE device will be external, on the end of a ribbon cable).

I've taken him up on his offer. It looks like a very neat solution to the problem.

Re: MTX512 reports only 32K RAM

Posted: 29 Jan 2017 22:28
by 1024MAK
Pictures once it's all fitted please ;)

Mark

Re: MTX512 reports only 32K RAM

Posted: 16 Mar 2017 00:38
by stephen_usher
Well Dave's parcel arrived today, and...

Image

Thank-you Dave and Andy!

Here's Dave's page about this with more pictures: http://primrosebank.net/computers/mtx/p ... pecial.htm

Re: MTX512 reports only 32K RAM

Posted: 16 Mar 2017 01:07
by Dave
And I'll be adding that picture to the page too . . . .

"I just love it when a plan comes together" :D