Loading ROM's on an M4

[chinnyhill10]

Been kindly sent a Lamdaspeak 3 for review. All been running fine from floppy but I've got to the stage of wanting to use TFM's new ROM. The logical thing to do seemed to be to load the ROM image into a slot on my M4 card and off I should go.


Except what's happening is the CPC is freezing on startup just after the ROM status appears on the startup screen.It will only get past this point if I unplug the Lamdaspeak 3.


I've tried a variety of slots on the M4, nothing makes a difference. I've even been sent new firmware for the Lamdaspeak 3 from California where it's working just fine on an M4, but alas it's not working for me.


Anyone have any idea? It's a CPC 6128 with M4 card and the (new) Lamdaspeak 3 trying to load TFM's ROM. Is there a setting I am missing on the M4? Is my memory incorrect about which slot to use? IIRC 1 to 6 are fine. Many years since I had a rombox let alone a virtual one!


Lamdamikel and I have been back and forth. It works for him but not for me. Short of sending my M4 to the USA, does anyone have any suggestions? Because I'm clean out of ideas!


Thanks.

[XeNoMoRPH]

Hi chinnyhill10 !!!
I have lambdaspeak 3,with several more expansions and it works well for me, before I had it connected in a normal CPC6128, now I have it connected in a CPC 6128 Plus. I have an MX4 board and all the expansions are connected there, with external power.

the M4 board that you have power externally?

[LambdaMikel]

The best person to comment on this would be @GUNHED - I guess the ROM is waiting for LS3 to indicate that it is "ready"? Now, what if that signal never comes because of a defect cable or so. Just to make sure, ChinnyVision:can you check the BASIC programs on the LS300.DSK and see if these are running fine?

https://github.com/lambdamikel/LambdaSpeak3/blob/master/cpc/lambda/LS300.dsk
Also, it would be great if you could try the following - see screenshot attached. Just let it run for a while. It should not print anything. If it prints anything to the screen, then there is a cable problem or similar.

What does it do for you? You should hear "Running Echo Test Program" and then no output on the screen.

I can second what @XeNoMoRPH just said - the @GUNHED RSX ROM worked fine on my M4 as well. Until it got destroyed yesterday by the SID CHIP OF DEATH. Don't have a working M4 currently anymore.

[XeNoMoRPH]

yes, i have updated the last ROM-RSX from Gunhed for LambaSpeak 3 

[LambdaMikel]

Hi chinnyhill10 !!!
the M4 board that you have power externally?

That is something you can try, @chinnyhill10
Try using the optional LS3 power socket on board to plug in a 5 V  Center = + Polarity (SAME AS CPC PSU!!!) regulated PSU extra. Something like


https://www.amazon.com/ZOZO-Regulated-Switching-Replacement-Electronics/dp/B015PXUHYA/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=universal+stabelized+power+supply&qid=1572019462&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzVkdBQlNLUUdNUE9LJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjMxMTM1MUZJVjk1Vzg4MDg4MyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTgzMzI4UzVKSktQWURONTFYJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==




And see if it makes a difference. I don't think it will.

[chinnyhill10]

And see if it makes a difference. I don't think it will.

Thanks guys. I will check the ROM revision and will try the PSU. May also try another CPC just to be sure. As ever its just finding the time! Sitting in my office 11pm on a Saturday night doing work stuff!


Thank.

[GUNHED]

Been kindly sent a Lamdaspeak 3 for review. All been running fine from floppy but I've got to the stage of wanting to use TFM's new ROM. The logical thing to do seemed to be to load the ROM image into a slot on my M4 card and off I should go.

That never ever happened before. Maybe your ROM image is broken. Please do an new upload, see my signature. PM me on problems, I should have time to check in here every couple days.


I assume that your CPC doesn't get enough power. Please use a PSU with 2 A or more. Do not use a green monitor, it will not provide enough power for CPC + LS3 + M4. A color monitor should work, if not, then it needs new caps (after 35 years).

[LambdaMikel]

That never ever happened before. Maybe your ROM image is broken. Please do an new upload, see my signature. PM me on problems, I should have time to check in here every couple days.


I assume that your CPC doesn't get enough power. Please use a PSU with 2 A or more. Do not use a green monitor, it will not provide enough power for CPC + LS3 + M4. A color monitor should work, if not, then it needs new caps (after 35 years).

In that case, it might make sense to first try powering the M4 with USB (see jumper). Then the CPC only has to power LS3, and that should be no problem, even with green monitor.


For me, 464 + green monitor, DDI3, LS3, and M4 together on a LambdaBoard worked without extra PSU.

[GUNHED]

Well, with one CPC and an old GT65 it makes problems not to have a strong PSU, but it may be just the old GT65 in this special case.
To do a "cable test" with the echo program is of course a good idea.

[LambdaMikel]

Well, with one CPC and an old GT65 it makes problems not to have a strong PSU, but it may be just the old GT65 in this special case.
To do a "cable test" with the echo program is of course a good idea.

Right, our CPC stuff is old by now, lots of things can happen... so please try powering the M4 via USB first, that is the easist thing to try before invoking any other means of extra PSU.