Firmware Selector issue (1.3TEST1).

[javidoom]

Hi!

I'm having trouble making the Firmware Selector 1.3TES1 to work properly.
I purchased a new GAL's few days ago, and installed them as stated in the user manual.

I've updated as stated in the User Manual the new firmware selector, and it flashes ok. Created a TMP folder in the root of the CF card too.

Turn off and on again, and the firmware selector appears, everything until here correct.

I select FATWARE and spectrum boots showing FATWARE splash screen, and works as usual.

BUT, when I RESET the machine, it shows for a brief moment the firmware selector, and boots automatically to... a black screen.

Same with esxDOS.

So:

If I boot the spectrum with key "1" pressed, shows the firm. sel. and selecting a firmware, it works. BUT, if I reset (or turn off/on) the machine (without pressing "1" key) it tries to load the previous selected firmware, but hangs on a black screen.

Here is a video showing the problem: http://youtu.be/3yX8v79mqOk

Things I've tried with no luck:

- replaced the old battery for a new one
- reinstall the firm. sel.
- install residos from supplied tap for divide plus
- pressing "SPACE" when boot the firmware

Thing I've not tried:

- uninstall firm. sel. with supplied TAP, and reinstall the firm. sel. again (as I'm afraid it may not work again and get a bricked divide... )

Thanks for any help!
Kind regards.

[RWAP]

That is very odd behaviour and not one I have seen before...

It may be that your edge connector on the Spectrum is dirty - that is the first thing I would check.

You have changed the battery (did you remember to reinstall residos and the firmware selector after changing the battery - as they both rely on the battery backed memory).

Try using the uninstaller provided and ensure the DivIDE Plus is working as normal. Then try re-installing it again.

As a last resort, I can supply a spare flash EPROM (in case it is an issue with that).

[javidoom]

Hi.

Thanks for the help. But no luck...

I've cleaned the conector, reinstalled menu sel. and residos right now, but same issue.

I've unistalled the menu sel., and without it, the Divide Plus works ok, using Fatware only.
Reset the machine, and boots Fatware without a problem. The Divide is working OK with ONLY Fatware firmware installed.

After that, I've reinstalled the menu sel. again, and Residos too. But then, I get the same issue... only works if I press the "1" to select firmware.

Any help appreciated.

Kind regards.

[RWAP]

I have emailed Tygrys who writes the firmware selector to see if he has any ideas...

It does seem odd.

[javidoom]

Hi.

Thanks, please keep me informed if he says anything.

Kind regards.

[javidoom]

Hi!

Just an update:

If I revert to Firmware Selector 1.2 it works ok. (I don't have esxDOS , but works)

So the problem I think has to be with the new Firm. Sel. (and not the new gal's installed)...

Thanks.
Kind regards.

[RWAP]

Hmm - that is interesting - there are quite a few people using v1.3 of the Firmware selector, but no-one else has spotted this problem.

Can you pm me your email address and I will check you have the latest v1.3

Rich

[javidoom]

Hi!

Thanks to the help of RWAP, if managed to make it work

Now, it's solved. How I solved it?.... Well... I don't know exactly, but it worked right after I made this:

Let me put here EXACTLY what I've done right now, to see if you can get any conclusion from it:

(After a few tests in my Spectrum 48k rubber keys)... I though it could be an issue with something related to the 128kb mode, as in the Spectrum 48k it does boot (leaving apart CF problems)... so:

1.- I installed divplus in my +2 machine, I reflashed again v1.3a, and tried to boot FATWARE in "48k mode". Ok, it works. Made a reset, WORKS! No hangs!! Reset again, working ok! Well....

2.- Reset with "1" pressed and selected FATWARE in "128k mode", boots ok. Reset... and WORKS!! No hangs, and no strange behaviour!

3.- Tried esxDOS too. WORKS. Reset, and it's working ok.

Now, the Firmware Selector is working perfectly. As it should.

Any idea what could it be? Maybe anything is modified when "48k mode" is selected, and this let the "128k mode" to work?
It had to boot first in 48k mode to "enable" anything and make it work?

As I said, now even after 5 min. powered off, everything is working!

Really, really odd. But maybe you can get information in what I have done, and get some conclusions...

Many thanks for the help!! I would love to get the "technical answer" if you can find it.
Kind regards.

[merlinkv]

I had similar results with my tests.

I use +3eDOS, Fatware, EsxDOS & ResiDOS on my new DivIDE+ and all are working fine.

Just one issue (?) with the Firmware Selector 1.31TEST.

- Only work fine after five or six reinstallations.

- I need to boot the ZX +3e with the key "1" pressed to enter the menu. If not, the system boots directly with the last firmware used.

The power supply is good & enough (I use a cable to connect the ZX to an ATX PSU) and battery is new.

Thanks in advance & Kind Regards

[RWAP]

The firmware selector is designed to remember the last firmware selected in order to make it easier - not many people need to change the firmware every time they start up the Spectrum, so that is why you only get the start up screen if you hold down 1.

It is peculiar that you had to keep re-installing it - that suggests you may need to clean the edge connector more on your Spectrum to ensure a high enough signal to flash the EPROM. Presumably it now works fine..