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General Category => Applications (CPC and CPC-related) => Topic started by: 00WReX on 14:02, 31 October 11

Title: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: 00WReX on 14:02, 31 October 11
Hi all,
Just wondering if there is a software application that will do test's on the CPC components and report the result.
Eg, Test the AY Sound Chip, The D8255AC-5, FDC, etc, etc.
I have a 6128 with a strange sound issue that I suspect is the AY-3-8912 sound chip..so would be interested if there is a test program.
FYI...The issue is that the sound appears to lose a channel, and is only noticable with certain game music & sounds. It also appears heat related as the sound is fine for the first minute or so and then one channel (if that is the correct term) fades out...so you are only getting part of the sound (it is not breaking up, but just like you are only getting 2/3 of what the tune is supposed to be, for example...best I can describe it).

Cheers,
Shane
Title: Re: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: Bryce on 14:19, 31 October 11
A simple basic program can be used to test that.

Bryce.
Title: Re: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: 00WReX on 23:17, 31 October 11
Yeh, true, and did try a few sound commands, but all worked OK.

I was more wondering if there was some official Amstrad App that they may have used when a CPC went in for repair ???
Something that would give the whole system a basic test.

Maybe not.

Cheers,
Shane
Title: Re: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: Bryce on 00:19, 01 November 11
Not that I know of. I used to fix them back in my college days for a small TV repair company and we definitely didn't have anything like that. There was a device (Test cartridge) for the C64, but I don't remember having anything for the CPC.

Bryce.
Title: Re: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: AMSDOS on 00:41, 01 November 11
The Amstrad User (TAU) Issue 64 there is a program which will do a whole test on the Amstrad's monitor (9 components are tested through the monitor) as well as a Sound Check which I can scan and attach for you to type-in. Unfortunately I haven't typed it in on the Emulator cause I didn't quite see the need!  :(
Title: Re: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: 00WReX on 04:54, 01 November 11

Thanks guys,

Quote from: CP/M User on 00:41, 01 November 11
The Amstrad User (TAU) Issue 64 there is a program which will do a whole test on the Amstrad's monitor (9 components are tested through the monitor) as well as a Sound Check which I can scan and attach for you to type-in. Unfortunately I haven't typed it in on the Emulator cause I didn't quite see the need!  :(

Thanks for the offer, if you get a moment, I would be interested. But only if it's not too much trouble...no rush.

Cheers,
Shane
Title: Re: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: AMSDOS on 07:04, 01 November 11
Quote from: 00WReX on 04:54, 01 November 11
Thanks guys,

Thanks for the offer, if you get a moment, I would be interested. But only if it's not too much trouble...no rush.

Cheers,
Shane

No trouble, I had a moment and there was no rush!  :laugh:

Title: Re: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: CanonMan on 10:35, 01 November 11
I wrote a memory test program recently, to help me with repairing some faulty CPC6128s.

The test routine was 'borrowed' from the CPC+ diagnostic cartridge, by Cliff Lawson, but modified heavily.
Title: Re: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: 00WReX on 10:56, 01 November 11
Quote from: CP/M User on 07:04, 01 November 11

No trouble, I had a moment and there was no rush!  :laugh: 
 

Cheers mate, that was quick...Usually don't get that good a service even when I'm paying (or is the bill in the mail)  ;D

Quote from: CanonMan on 10:35, 01 November 11
I wrote a memory test program recently, to help me with repairing some faulty CPC6128s.

The test routine was 'borrowed' from the CPC+ diagnostic cartridge, by Cliff Lawson, but modified heavily.
I've used the one made by SyX in the following thread...interested to look at yours if you have it available...

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?topic=2852.0 (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?topic=2852.0)

Cheers,
Shane
Title: Re: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: SyX on 13:51, 01 November 11
Quote from: 00WReX on 10:56, 01 November 11
Cheers mate, that was quick...Usually don't get that good a service even when I'm paying (or is the bill in the mail)  ;D
I've used the one made by SyX in the following thread...interested to look at yours if you have it available...
Hi :) Remember that it only test for expansion RAM banks, but if you need a test for the first 64KBs of internal ram, i can hack one for you ;)
Title: Re: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: CanonMan on 14:43, 01 November 11
Quote from: 00WReX on 10:56, 01 November 11
interested to look at yours if you have it available...

Here you go!

Enter the number of passes required from 1 to 255, then press 'S' to start.

Just like the RP11 diagnostic cart, it only detects 64K or 128K of RAM, which was good enough for testing my repaired 6128s with.

I may release another version that can detect and test above 128K, if I can find the time to do it  :laugh:
Title: Re: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: 00WReX on 00:16, 02 November 11
Quote from: SyX on 13:51, 01 November 11
Hi :) Remember that it only test for expansion RAM banks, but if you need a test for the first 64KBs of internal ram, i can hack one for you ;)


Thanks for the offer, have used your program on a real 6128 and works well...

Quote from: CanonMan on 14:43, 01 November 11

Here you go!

Enter the number of passes required from 1 to 255, then press 'S' to start.

Just like the RP11 diagnostic cart, it only detects 64K or 128K of RAM, which was good enough for testing my repaired 6128s with.

I may release another version that can detect and test above 128K, if I can find the time to do it  :laugh:



Cheers mate...just tested it on a real 6128 and it went well.
One question, what is the screen thing that happens when block &C3 is tested ?

Thanks guys, all good stuff.

Cheers,
Shane
Title: Re: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: AMSDOS on 09:46, 02 November 11
Quote from: 00WReX on 10:56, 01 November 11
Cheers mate, that was quick...Usually don't get that good a service even when I'm paying (or is the bill in the mail)  ;D

Yep I've billed out your Suburbian town (I have friends in Aussie post....not!)  :laugh:
Title: Re: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: CanonMan on 10:03, 02 November 11
Quote from: 00WReX on 00:16, 02 November 11
Cheers mate...just tested it on a real 6128 and it went well.
One question, what is the screen thing that happens when block &C3 is tested ?

Block &C3 is the screen memory, between &C0000 and &FFFF. That should explain the fancy patterns  :laugh:
Title: Re: Software to test hardware ??
Post by: 00WReX on 22:10, 02 November 11
Quote from: CanonMan on 10:03, 02 November 11

Block &C3 is the screen memory, between &C0000 and &FFFF. That should explain the fancy patterns  :laugh:


Ahh, cool...thanks.


Cheers,
Shane
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