TranswarpGS Diagnostics

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April 2, 2020 - 9:12pm
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Timelord
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TranswarpGS Diagnostics
AttachmentSize
Image icon TranswarpGS Fault 1/21.54 MB
Image icon TranswarpGS Fault 2/21.33 MB

If anyone here is familiar with diagnosing issues on the TranswarpGS:

 

I installed my TWGS card in two different GS systems, a Rom 0, and a ROM 1. Both present me with the same issue.

 

I'm attaching photos of what I see on the display. Please advise if you may know how to determine the cause of the fault. 

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April 9, 2020 - 3:46am
reactivecomputers
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Joined: Jun 29 2005 - 18:52
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I have a little experience

I have a little experience with repairs.

First I'd ask if you have fully rebuilt or replaced your PSUs? There's a chance that could be the issue. If you need a PSU for testing here's a link. Get a Universal PSU Kit and update or just get a whole new Ultimate Universal Power Supply. You could also send in your PSU for upgrade with our Power Supply Rebuild service if you're not very handy. https://www.reactivemicro.com/product-category/power_supply/

Next, is the CPU Cable original? Then that could be the issue. Those original cables were made to be broken. Very low quality. Get a new one for main use and retire the old cable. Here's a link: https://www.reactivemicro.com/product-category/apple2/iigs/transwarp-gs/

Assuming however it's not those two things, reseat the Oscillator and Cache Card. Power on a few times to check. If that doesn't do anything then try to 'twist' the card slightly, and while applying pressure turn on the IIgs. Hold pressure when on. See if it helps or if anything changes. If not, twist the other way and repeat.

If all else fails, reseat the GALs. If you have an IC Programmer you could reprogram the ICs just to see if that helps. It's rare but sometimes a GAL does fail or suffer from bitrot.

After that it might be a lost cause. I can take a look at the board locally, but repairing a stubborn board can cost as much as a new one. I could however have a look and at least let you know if it's worth the repair. With some luck I might be able to fix it within an hour or two and keep it under $100. If not I'd recommend just retiring the board and get a new one for years of trouble free service. Here's a link:
https://www.reactivemicro.com/product/transwarp-gs/

Hope that helps

Henry
reactivemicro.com

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April 9, 2020 - 4:53am
Timelord
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Joined: Mar 31 2020 - 19:55
Posts: 848
reactivecomputers wrote: I
reactivecomputers wrote: I have a little experience with repairs. First I'd ask if you have fully rebuilt or replaced your PSUs? There's a chance that could be the issue. If you need a PSU for testing here's a link. Get a Universal PSU Kit and update or just get a whole new Ultimate Universal Power Supply. You could also send in your PSU for upgrade with our Power Supply Rebuild service if you're not very handy. https://www.reactivemicro.com/product-category/power_supply/ Next, is the CPU Cable original? Then that could be the issue. Those original cables were made to be broken. Very low quality. Get a new one for main use and retire the old cable. Here's a link: https://www.reactivemicro.com/product-category/apple2/iigs/transwarp-gs/ Assuming however it's not those two things, reseat the Oscillator and Cache Card. Power on a few times to check. If that doesn't do anything then try to 'twist' the card slightly, and while applying pressure turn on the IIgs. Hold pressure when on. See if it helps or if anything changes. If not, twist the other way and repeat. If all else fails, reseat the GALs. If you have an IC Programmer you could reprogram the ICs just to see if that helps. It's rare but sometimes a GAL does fail or suffer from bitrot. After that it might be a lost cause. I can take a look at the board locally, but repairing a stubborn board can cost as much as a new one. I could however have a look and at least let you know if it's worth the repair. With some luck I might be able to fix it within an hour or two and keep it under $100. If not I'd recommend just retiring the board and get a new one for years of trouble free service. Here's a link: https://www.reactivemicro.com/product/transwarp-gs/ Hope that helps Henry reactivemicro.com
Hello Henry, I do not mind sending the card in to have you look it over. If the card itself is good, then replacing every one of the major components, including the GALs, the cable, the CPU and the cache card is fine with me. I'd rather have it be as stable as possible. What kind of time window would this be for you, to go over it, and see what it needs? The CPU cable is indeed original. The only component that I have replace is the oscillator, with one that I ordered from you. The card has been in storage for two decades, and the Xtal was not on the board when I pulled it from storage. I was powering it with a Vulcan PSU, but I could test others; however I would suspect a logic fault, not a current fault, given that every other device works perfectly. It isn't something that I mind replacing or rebuilding, however the Vulcan internal HDD is not something that I immediately wish to surrender. Once my CF alternative arrives, and I prove it viable, then, certainly. In the interim, I suppose I could give it a go with another cable, but I feel that the Xtal that I ordered will ultimately be too fast for the card. I should have tried a stock Xtal at 28Mhz first, but I wasn't aware of the instability issues using a 56Mhz Xtal until after I started down this rabbit hole. Do you have any of the slow, stock sped Xtals in stock? if so, I'd like to include one with a CPU cable, so that I can test the card in a stock configuration.
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April 13, 2020 - 11:00pm
Timelord
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WIth a new cable and a 32K

WIth a new cable and a 32K cache card from Creative Micro, as well as a 28MHz Xtal that Henry supplied, my old Transwarp card lives anew. 

 

Thank you Henry!

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