TF530 Build Woes

TF530 - 63030 + RAM Board

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GadgetUK164
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Re: TF530 Build Woes

Post by GadgetUK164 »

The idea was to build it, because it was sat here lol! I've got a 536 already, and a 534, 330, 328 etc.

I think I've worked it out. It's either a "mistake" from Dirty PCBs - there are all the corner address lines on all 4 RAM chips where the pins are just N/C - these are address lines, so would be floating. Even joining up those floating address lines hasn't resolved the issues with the Fast RAM, but having seen this I am convinced without an understanding of why it has these address lines N/C, it must be a proto or bad board.

Going to order a rev 3 and transplant everything onto that board.
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terriblefire
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Re: TF530 Build Woes

Post by terriblefire »

The TF530 uses AS7C4096A-12TCN ram and its not pin compatible with the ram from the TF534.

The TF534 uses As6c8008. The chips are the same size and package but pinout completely different.
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Re: TF530 Build Woes

Post by GadgetUK164 »

terriblefire wrote: Tue Mar 09, 2021 4:44 pm The TF530 uses AS7C4096A-12TCN ram and its not pin compatible with the ram from the TF534.

The TF534 uses As6c8008. The chips are the same size and package but pinout completely different.
#facepalm

Spent god know how long faffing with this lol!

Right, ordering the correct RAM now...

Makes perfect sense why it was behaving so strangely now lol! I may as well have soldered a cow onto the board!
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Re: TF530 Build Woes

Post by GadgetUK164 »

Fitted the correct RAM and it works! =D Not sure if this is the latest / best firmware (running at 50Mhz) -

tf530r2_bus_top 18/02/2019
tf530r2_ram_top 18/02/2019

Tested with the LIV2 GottaGoFastRAM board and that seems to coexist too, giving me 6MB.

With or without the additional 4MB provided by LIV2's board, it seems the IDE is a bit hit and miss at times. I might have to try reducing to 40Mhz perhaps, or try different sized resistor packs, or maybe another CF card. Got 10K packs on there atm, but ordered some 3K3. I could re-try the 1K ones now it's running I guess, I might do that tomorrow, but 1K seems quite strong. I think Stephen said 2K should be OK, can't find any atm but might order some from Digikey or Farnell with my next order.

Thanks for all the help, and special thanks to Stephen for helping with this via IM - sorry if I've bugged you too much lol
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terriblefire
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Re: TF530 Build Woes

Post by terriblefire »

GadgetUK164 wrote: Sat Mar 13, 2021 7:12 pm Thanks for all the help, and special thanks to Stephen for helping with this via IM - sorry if I've bugged you too much lol
Haha not at all.
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Re: TF530 Build Woes

Post by GadgetUK164 »

Does anyone remember if these were the last stable firmwares (at 50Mhz) -
tf530r2_bus_top 18/02/2019
tf530r2_ram_top 18/02/2019

If I drop the crystal to 40Mhz will that "just work" or do I need a specific firmware? Whilst its working for me using those files above, I am finding when its cold it struggles to boot (pauses with solid IDE LED at some point during boot), and as it warms up it gets further each reboot until desktop works.

From that point it still bombs and resets on IDE actions - eg. navigating to a game, running a game etc. After an hour of warming up it seems mostly stable. So unsure if its that firmware, or perhaps the clock speed.
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adam
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Re: TF530 Build Woes

Post by adam »

GadgetUK164 wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:03 pm Does anyone remember if these were the last stable firmwares (at 50Mhz) -
tf530r2_bus_top 18/02/2019
tf530r2_ram_top 18/02/2019
Will try to find the firmware I have used for my builds. I'm almost certain it was not rc2.
I have built 3 rock stable TF530 50MHz, with various cpus: plastic EC 40MHz, ceramic full 33MHz and also ceramic 50MHz. I think I had crashes only with plastic full 33MHz.

Edit: Just saw your photos, seems youre testing with plastic 33MHz cpu, have you got ceramic one?
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Re: TF530 Build Woes

Post by GadgetUK164 »

Thanks! I will try a different CPU (one without MMU). But this CPU does run at 50Mhz on a TF536 without issue!
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adam
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Re: TF530 Build Woes

Post by adam »

GadgetUK164 wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:33 pm Thanks! I will try a different CPU (one without MMU). But this CPU does run at 50Mhz on a TF536 without issue!
I would still try a different CPU.
Sent you firmware I have built from sources on PM.
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Re: TF530 Build Woes

Post by GadgetUK164 »

Thanks, will try that firmware! Swapped CPUs for totally different ones, always the same. I've narrowed down it seems tied into resistor pack sizes as far as I can see. I went back from 1K to 3K3 and found it wouldnt see the CF card at all until warmed up for 10 mins. I am going to go slightly smaller than 1K and see what differencee that makes, after trying that other firmware.
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