AmigaOne-XE/G4 - VGA:ERROR [solved]

Many weeks ago the keyboard and mouse froze on my AmigaOne, upon reboot - nothing, no U-BOOT.

The CPU and two SIMM's are known to be working (thanks Bill) and the GFX card is known to be working also (my PC has the exact same card and I have swapped them over). As can be seen from the serial output below, there is a VGA: ERROR and hence no video output.

I've changed the battery and checked its voltage (3.3v) and done all the usual stuff.

Any help with this would be VERY much appreciated.



U-Boot 1.1.1 (Mar 3 2005 - 16:42:53), Build: 03/03/05

CPU: MPC7455 v2.1 @ 800 MHz
Board: AmigaOne
DRAM:
Information for SIMM bank 0:
Number of banks: 1
Number of row addresses: 13
Number of coumns addresses: 11
SIMM is registered
Supported burst lenghts: 8 4 2 1 PAGE
Supported CAS latencies: CAS 3 CAS 2
RAS to CAS latency: 3
Precharge latency: 3
SDRAM highest CAS latency: 750
SDRAM 2nd highest CAS latency: 1000
SDRAM data width: 4
Auto Refresh supported
Refresh time: 1042 clocks
Bank 0 size: 512 MB


Information for SIMM bank 1:
Number of banks: 1
Number of row addresses: 13
Number of coumns addresses: 11
SIMM is registered
Supported burst lenghts: 8 4 2 1 PAGE
Supported CAS latencies: CAS 3 CAS 2
RAS to CAS latency: 3
Precharge latency: 3
SDRAM highest CAS latency: 750
SDRAM 2nd highest CAS latency: 1000
SDRAM data width: 4
Auto Refresh supported
Refresh time: 1042 clocks
Bank 0 size: 512 MB

DIMM0_B0_SCR0 = 0x00ff9f00
DIMM0_B1_SCR0 = 0x007f9f00
DIMM0_B2_SCR0 = 0x00ff9f00
DIMM0_B3_SCR0 = 0x007f9f00
Using CAS 3 (slow)
Using CAS 3 (slow)
DRAM_GCR0 = 0x00550800
Refresh set to 2083 clocks, auto refresh on
DRAM_REFRESH0 = 0x00019823
Mode bank 0: 0x00008032
Mode bank 2: 0x00008032
1024 MB
FLASH: 0 kB
*** Warning - bad CRC, using default environment

VGA: ERROR

In: serial
Out: serial
Err: serial
SCSI: Error SCSI Controller (1000,000F) not found
Net: 3Com 3c920c#0
AT Keyboard initialized!
USB: scanning bus for devices... 1 USB Devices found
No Catweasel controller (0xe1594, 0x0001) attached
Bus 0: ............................................................**
Timeout **
Press any key to interrupt autoboot: 0

@Lemen

Have you changed something in the meantime harware-wise?
(i.e. the amount of RAM?)

Have you double chekced that the card is firmly in place?
I don't know *which* card you are using, but have you checked if it has external power (if needed) plugged in?

Have you tried booting with only one DIMM in place?

Have you tried ripping everything else out and boot a bare bone system?
(NO drives, NO PCI cards)

@Raziel

No, nothing has changed to the hardware configuration.
The GFX card (Radeon 9250) is definitely fully home in its socket.
If I switch on with just one Memory module installed (in either slot), the serial output stops much sooner than with both modules installed, ie;

U-Boot 1.1.1 (Mar 3 2005 - 16:42:53), Build: 03/03/05

CPU: MPC7455 v2.1 @ 800 MHz
Board: AmigaOne
DRAM:
Information for SIMM bank 0:
Number of banks: 1
Number of row addresses: 13
Number of coumns addresses: 11
SIMM is registered
Supported burst lenghts: 8 4 2 1 PAGE
Supported CAS latencies: CAS 3 CAS 2
RAS to CAS latency: 3
Precharge latency: 3
SDRAM highest CAS latency: 750
SDRAM 2nd highest CAS latency: 1000
SDRAM data width: 4
Auto Refresh supported
Refresh time: 1042 clocks
Bank 0 size: 512 MB


Yes this is a stripped down machine, there are no PCI cards attached, and nothing on the onboard IDE or floppy connectors. The only connector from the PSU that is connected is the one to the motherboard.

All that is attached is the CPU, memory and GFX card. If I switch-on without the GFX card installed it gives the line;

VGA: NOT PRESENT

BUMP.

Someone please answer Lemen's question about getting his A1 running again.

I am without my beta tester ATM



Bill.

@BillE

Well where are all the AmigaOne experts when you need them eh?

The way my AmigaOne failed - the system freezing but the display remained OK, leads me to think that this may not be a hardware issue. If the display had gone blank whilst in use, then yes, hardware.

My hunch is that the eeprom that holds the U-BOOT code and settings could have become corrupted and is not switching the display. Computers do strange things and I could well be way off here (and probably am). But of course it's my hope that the problem is software related rather than hardware.

Another possibility is the PSU. I've checked the various voltages at the motherboard connector and all seem OK, but what about current. Could a faulty PSU possibly give the problem I'm seeing?

I'm really rather desperate for some help with this please?

Hi @BillE
Someone please answer Lemen's question about getting his A1 running again.

The only thing I can think of is the UBoot GFx setting to PCI or AGP. When I got OS4.1 and the 9250 PCI gfx card I wondered about switching from the ATI 7000 AGP to PCI. There is a switch setting for it!

@Lemen

Quote:
Try saving the settings in Uboot (command "save").

@Elwood

I have no access to U-BOOT as there is no display.

@Lemen

Quote:

Actually, you do have access. Your serial log says that it is outputting UBoot to the serial port, and your keyboard is initialized. Once your keyboard is initialized, input switches from the serial port to the keyboard. Even if your keyboard weren't found, you'd still be able to enter u-boot commands via the terminal program that you're using to capture the serial log.

Just try pushing enter, and see if your terminal program displays the U-boot prompt. If it does then you can enter commands, and might even be able to enter the menu (by typing the command "menu").

I have never had an issue like this with my machine, so I don't have any idea how to fix it. I assume that you've already tried reseating the graphics card, and checking that the contacts are clean.

Hans

@Hans

Ahh now then, thanks for your help.

Yes there is a cursor in HyperTerminal and I'd thought that perhaps I ought to be able to enter commands, but no, it's not possible to make any input. Perhaps I need to use a differnt Terminal utility?

Thanks again for your help, I'll try some experimentation on your suggestions.

@Lemen

Quote:

Hyperterminal should do it okay, but PuTTY is much better. However, given that your PS2 keyboard gets initialized, it should have switched to using that as an input. My key point was that your serial port is used as the "display" in the absence of a VGA card. I guess that I buried this under all of the other stuff in my last post.

Anyway, let us know how things go.

Hans

@Lemen

> Well where are all the AmigaOne experts when you need them eh?


Yes, you would have thought someone with UBOOT expertise like the Friedens would answer.


Just a thought, I noticed the other day when my UBOOT had been set back to zero and I had to set it up again. There is an option to use the Gfx card from a PCI slot rather than the AGP. Maybe somehow the output is set to go to the PCI now instead pf the AGP ? Goodness knows how as I am sure that AGP was the default anyway.

Maybe all you need to is change that setting - rather diffcult if you can't actually see it I know.

At least you have the option to use serial output if anything goes wrong, neither my Mac Mini nor the wife's crappy PC laptop have serial connectors that I could use !

Hope you get your A1 up and running soon, having to use a PC must be a right PITA


Bill.

@Hans

@Hans

I don't seem able to input anything into HyperTerminal. So I installed PuTTY and set baud to 115200 8N1. With both HyperTerminal AND PuTTY running I switched on the AmigaONE again. Amazingly the serial output in HT had changed from VGA: ERROR to VGA: 0 ..

So with a sharp (hopeful) intake of breath I switched the KVM to the A1 and I was elated to see a display. I managed to access U-BOOT menu and make the necessary settings, SII0680 etc and saved. Switched off and connected in the SII card and switched on again. With a bit more fiddling my A1 booted into WB!

It was up for about 15 mins before I went out. I'd left it running, but when I got back the screen was black with no video again.

Back to HyperTerminal and sure enough it was VGA: ERROR again

I've played around plenty, cleaning and checking, but nothing I've done has returned the VGA: 0 ..

So there is life, but it looks as though it could be hardware afterall.

Not sure where to go from here.

@BillE

No disrespect to anyone else who might offer help and suggestions, but yes, it would be nice to have heard from the Frieden's.

AGP does seem to be the default, I didn't have to change that.

I'd certainly be completely lost without being able to see the serial output on the PC, and yes, the PC is driving me nuts.

My A1 is in bits again to check it some more

@Lemen
#13
It was up for about 15 mins before I went out. I'd left it running, but when I got back the screen was black with no video again.

Well, it was hybernating; DPMS mode or something like that. Usually moving the mouse or SpaceBar brings it back. This sounds like maybe your problem - switching out of hybernation or boots up in this mode? Did you change anything in Prefs/Screen Blanker lately?

@Lemen


1)
Replace the backup battery whit a new one,

2)
Check that the graphic card is plugged in correctly inn.

3)
Next login like you have done whit , but this time type ?menu? and press enter.

4)
Select factory defaults, and then save the settings.

Use a PC2 keyboard when you configure UBOOT.

@Lemen

I'd go for the PSU, that sounds like a voltage shortage

@Snuffy

Quote:

But that wouldn't result in vga error after reset.
The card doesn't care if the display is there or not.
I would start with LiveForIt's and Raziel's hints.
And checking/cleaning the dust inside the agp clot wouldn't harm.
Even cleaning the contacts with alcohol or other appropriate substance (while the power chord is disconnected).

@Raziel
@Jack

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a new PSU on the way. I'd found a few PC users in forums having similar issues and a new PSU did appear to cure it for some of them.

Yes I've checked all the sockets with a high powered magnifier lens and cleaned the contacts etc. Everything "looks" fine. I won't do any more now until I've tried powering it with the new PSU.

@Lemen

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a new PSU on the way. I'd found a few PC users...
Huh, it's an AmigaOne?
It's not a PSU. it's a connection - " trust me! " :)
=:o
When it happened to me, I had talked to JJ at Amiga Repair Center. The Uboot Rom was checked and was OK. What's left to change before putting it all back together? If the battery is key to all successful bootups, then there's only one thing greater than the battery--the battery holder! I went out the way to replace it with the AmigaKit battery holder.
When it was put back together, it worked fine again.

@Jack
But that wouldn't result in vga error after reset.
The card doesn't care if the display is there or not.
Is it a voltage thing to DPMS yes ?