Bruno, this is why we all have a love/hate relationship with 486s now. The hardware is so old that our options are like running junkyard cars around a racetrack. Can't wait to see where you take the rust bucket next!
Yeah, cleaned the slot, cleaned the contacts on the module. A couple more things to try, like differente memory modules. Next week when I'm covid free.
Are you using FPM or EDO memory? I found out that when I enabled my cache with EDO I got all kind of lock ups and random crashes that get sorted out when using a pair of FPM modules, I finally tested all my 72PIN memory modules and found a pair of EDO that worked perfectly but the system was actually slower.
Fantastic video Bruno! I am sorry to hear that the M919's cache module is giving you so much trouble. PCChips really had a legacy of selling and distributing weird things like this, and it's a shame because their boards are cumbersome sometimes; that's not to say that they're not good boards--some are really excellent, and the M919 is awesome. That being said, I find the issue of it booting at low speed to be interesting; I am not certain how the M919 handles de-turboing, but my Predator I board seems to do so by disabling the internal cache. I thought of something that might be worth trying; perhaps jumpering the CPU to operate with its L1 cache in Write Through mode might make a differnece. I am not sure what difference, if any, this would make, but the fact that the module works, albeit when the CPU is set to have its cache disabled, makes me curious as to whether it's the module's inability to cope with the CPU in L1 WB mode, or whether it's something else. I'd find it hard to believe, but it could be possible, as, for example, some SCSI VLB controllers act wonky when the CPU L1 cache is set to Write Back. Either way, another awesome video man! I loved it and hope that you're able to get this sorted. Whatever I can do to help, I'll be around! Hopefully, we can all figure this out together!
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Great to hear from an old friend ;D Oh don't worry, I'm sure that at some point I'll into another of these modules, or even a configuration that makes it work. Pc Chips is really somethings... I mean they were around for a long time and they put out mostly cheap stuff, the M919 has it's merrits but yeah, not the best with this cache thing. Disabling the internal cache is a good suggestion, I'll see if that does anything, I didn't know the Writing method was configures by a Jumper, you sure about that? There area options in the bios. I did try setting it on the bios to both configurations, I guess I can try again and be more analitical to see if it has any effect. Again, thank you for the support always and no worries there are always fun things to do. Have a wonderful weekend, Will.
No problem we're all trying to make old things work all the time anyway, aren't we? Yeah, it's connected but it's not enough haha. CPU read 20 MHz on post one of the times it booted, so that's what, a 5 MHz FSB? lol Hope you have a wonderful weekend, thanks for the support.
The M919 cache sticks will not work with EDO you have to use FPM RAM, also look on the cache's silk screen for 1S3 for 3.3 V CPU or 2S5 for 5V CPU. I have a M919 with 1S3 and 5x86 133 3.3V and tried a reproduction 2S5 with evergreen 5x86 133 at 5V which was way slower than the 3V setup.
Hey, thanks for your input! This was quite a while ago, I managed to get it working on the current setup. The evergreen is interesting, also I believe there is a cyrix that is also quite fast and I'd like to try out. Have a great weekend!
Yeah, thank you as well Ian, didn't mention you but you also advised me and I'm thankful. She talked to me on Rik's Discord server. Either way it appears these chips should take either 3 or 5 volts. So I think the module is really faulty.
@@SUCRA anytime if there is something that you need or want shot me an email and I will see what I can do. I know it is hard to find some of this stuff in your area. Anything that I can help you with feel free to contact me.
Oh what a bummer! I still have my M919+Cache+133ADW in storage. Hope I can test it soon, all kinds of crazy things like putting a V1 and V2, overclock the CPU to 160mhz if possible, etc. I'll let you know if this happens to me too! Edit: what's up with those bots down below haha!
That's ok, sometimes we get lucky, sometimes we don't. I know you're going to have a blast with that system, and yeah, keep me posted. About the bots... sometimes I get automated visitors on all platforms, what can I do, I'm a bot magnet lol. Have a great weekend.
PCCHIPS brings some memories, bad ones, as usually when dealing with PCCHIPS. But still now days it would be nice find. And LGR mentioned there are some fake L2 caches, there is video on LGR Blerbs
Hey, yeah, my PCchips memories are more recent than the m919. I have put together many sempron systems with PCchips motherboards and they were bad. But yeah, the m919 is good by itself, when you have to account for this external cache thing, it becomes an issue. I'm aware of the fake cache chips, they are pretty infamous.
@@SUCRA PCChips + sempron my oh my that is truly stuff from horrors. My frend had one of that combination and for some reason every time the system started the AGP drivers need to be reinstalled.
@@RaPtOr9600 oh, Jesus. That's terrible. Yeah, my boss at the time had a thing for selling cheap computers and I was the one that built them. But it was a nightmare, it was a part swap fest until a combination worked.
@@SUCRA Dark ages. No cable management, razer sharp cheap cases, cheap motherboards, 64 bit cards, power supply that weights like feathers, AC97 audio, HD integrated graphic, or worst even SiS, bosses that just said make it works.... Yeah memories like avalanche, are coming back. People are lucky with RGB stuff and plug and play systems, and somehow there are still people who screw up their build.
Haha for sure, yeah you know what I'm talking about. Hands were constantly cut from sharp edges. But it was a good time to watch the evolution of things, it was moving pretty fast.
i think you got a 5v cache stick, that is for CPUs like 486 SX/DX/SX2/DX2 CPUs. I have a M919 with a 486 DX2, no matter why mine is working flawlessly with a cache stick. sorry that you are having more trouble than me, i don't have any 3.3v CPUs unlike you.
Could be. Nonetheless it didn't work in 5 volts either. Thanks for the reminder though. I'll try other things as well, right now I don't have a natively 5v CPU. Hopefully one shows up. Have a great weekend.
Bruno, this is why we all have a love/hate relationship with 486s now. The hardware is so old that our options are like running junkyard cars around a racetrack.
Can't wait to see where you take the rust bucket next!
You're right, Mike. I love the way you put it with the junkyard cars. I guess the lab is a mini junkyard, haha. Thanks, have a great weekend, buddy.
Sounds like a good episode of you know what blows my Caps 😂
Nice one Sucra! Did you clean out the slot and the edge connector, I expect you did. Oh well, good luck in your quest!
Yeah, cleaned the slot, cleaned the contacts on the module. A couple more things to try, like differente memory modules. Next week when I'm covid free.
Great video as always, don't give up, some day you will have 486 with working cache.
Thanks, Andrew, I wont. I'll find another one at some point. Have a great weekend.
Are you using FPM or EDO memory? I found out that when I enabled my cache with EDO I got all kind of lock ups and random crashes that get sorted out when using a pair of FPM modules, I finally tested all my 72PIN memory modules and found a pair of EDO that worked perfectly but the system was actually slower.
Thanks, that's a good suggestion. I'll round up my memory modules and see if it works with any of them.
Yeyy 486QuakeRace!
Another day in the race haha.
LGR put up a video on the Blerbs channel last month dealing with a M919 and L2 Cache. There was an issue with using EDO memory.
Thanks Andrew, I plan to test some other memory modules next week, hopefully that is the issue.
Fantastic video Bruno! I am sorry to hear that the M919's cache module is giving you so much trouble. PCChips really had a legacy of selling and distributing weird things like this, and it's a shame because their boards are cumbersome sometimes; that's not to say that they're not good boards--some are really excellent, and the M919 is awesome.
That being said, I find the issue of it booting at low speed to be interesting; I am not certain how the M919 handles de-turboing, but my Predator I board seems to do so by disabling the internal cache. I thought of something that might be worth trying; perhaps jumpering the CPU to operate with its L1 cache in Write Through mode might make a differnece. I am not sure what difference, if any, this would make, but the fact that the module works, albeit when the CPU is set to have its cache disabled, makes me curious as to whether it's the module's inability to cope with the CPU in L1 WB mode, or whether it's something else. I'd find it hard to believe, but it could be possible, as, for example, some SCSI VLB controllers act wonky when the CPU L1 cache is set to Write Back.
Either way, another awesome video man! I loved it and hope that you're able to get this sorted. Whatever I can do to help, I'll be around! Hopefully, we can all figure this out together!
Its "awesome" except in the sucky way they run their crap cache? Yeah... 😂
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Great to hear from an old friend ;D Oh don't worry, I'm sure that at some point I'll into another of these modules, or even a configuration that makes it work. Pc Chips is really somethings... I mean they were around for a long time and they put out mostly cheap stuff, the M919 has it's merrits but yeah, not the best with this cache thing.
Disabling the internal cache is a good suggestion, I'll see if that does anything, I didn't know the Writing method was configures by a Jumper, you sure about that? There area options in the bios. I did try setting it on the bios to both configurations, I guess I can try again and be more analitical to see if it has any effect.
Again, thank you for the support always and no worries there are always fun things to do. Have a wonderful weekend, Will.
Hey Sucra! Sorry it didn't work out :(
Is your Turbo button connected? What happens if you boot on "Low" speed and then toggle the Turbo?
No problem we're all trying to make old things work all the time anyway, aren't we? Yeah, it's connected but it's not enough haha. CPU read 20 MHz on post one of the times it booted, so that's what, a 5 MHz FSB? lol Hope you have a wonderful weekend, thanks for the support.
The M919 cache sticks will not work with EDO you have to use FPM RAM, also look on the cache's silk screen for 1S3 for 3.3 V CPU or 2S5 for 5V CPU.
I have a M919 with 1S3 and 5x86 133 3.3V and tried a reproduction 2S5 with evergreen 5x86 133 at 5V which was way slower than the 3V setup.
Hey, thanks for your input! This was quite a while ago, I managed to get it working on the current setup. The evergreen is interesting, also I believe there is a cyrix that is also quite fast and I'd like to try out. Have a great weekend!
Did Tech Ambrosia *also* send you to that page on Vogons? :)
Yeah, thank you as well Ian, didn't mention you but you also advised me and I'm thankful. She talked to me on Rik's Discord server. Either way it appears these chips should take either 3 or 5 volts. So I think the module is really faulty.
I was looking around to see if I had an extra cache stick and I haven't found one yet. I will keep my eyes open just incase. Nice video
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. That's nice of you to keep an eye out. Thanks a lot!!!
@@SUCRA anytime if there is something that you need or want shot me an email and I will see what I can do. I know it is hard to find some of this stuff in your area. Anything that I can help you with feel free to contact me.
@@OCROldComputerRebuilds thanks man, goes both ways, if I can do anything from around here, let me know.
@@SUCRA Thank you
Oh what a bummer! I still have my M919+Cache+133ADW in storage. Hope I can test it soon, all kinds of crazy things like putting a V1 and V2, overclock the CPU to 160mhz if possible, etc. I'll let you know if this happens to me too!
Edit: what's up with those bots down below haha!
That's ok, sometimes we get lucky, sometimes we don't. I know you're going to have a blast with that system, and yeah, keep me posted. About the bots... sometimes I get automated visitors on all platforms, what can I do, I'm a bot magnet lol. Have a great weekend.
PCCHIPS brings some memories, bad ones, as usually when dealing with PCCHIPS.
But still now days it would be nice find.
And LGR mentioned there are some fake L2 caches, there is video on LGR Blerbs
Hey, yeah, my PCchips memories are more recent than the m919. I have put together many sempron systems with PCchips motherboards and they were bad. But yeah, the m919 is good by itself, when you have to account for this external cache thing, it becomes an issue. I'm aware of the fake cache chips, they are pretty infamous.
@@SUCRA
PCChips + sempron my oh my that is truly stuff from horrors.
My frend had one of that combination and for some reason every time the system started the AGP drivers need to be reinstalled.
@@RaPtOr9600 oh, Jesus. That's terrible. Yeah, my boss at the time had a thing for selling cheap computers and I was the one that built them. But it was a nightmare, it was a part swap fest until a combination worked.
@@SUCRA
Dark ages.
No cable management, razer sharp cheap cases, cheap motherboards, 64 bit cards, power supply that weights like feathers, AC97 audio, HD integrated graphic, or worst even SiS, bosses that just said make it works....
Yeah memories like avalanche, are coming back.
People are lucky with RGB stuff and plug and play systems, and somehow there are still people who screw up their build.
Haha for sure, yeah you know what I'm talking about. Hands were constantly cut from sharp edges. But it was a good time to watch the evolution of things, it was moving pretty fast.
Use FPM memory they are almost always more compatible and faster on 486 boards.
Thanks, I'll try to get some!
i think you got a 5v cache stick, that is for CPUs like 486 SX/DX/SX2/DX2 CPUs. I have a M919 with a 486 DX2, no matter why mine is working flawlessly with a cache stick. sorry that you are having more trouble than me, i don't have any 3.3v CPUs unlike you.
Could be. Nonetheless it didn't work in 5 volts either. Thanks for the reminder though. I'll try other things as well, right now I don't have a natively 5v CPU. Hopefully one shows up. Have a great weekend.
@@SUCRA there are plenty of 486 DX2 66s on ebay, you can snatch one and set the jumpers up and test it with the cache stick. see if that works.
@@pentiummmx2294 I did jump it to 5v and got it to boot without the cache module. I can get the 486 locally, I'll try it for sure, thanks again.
😭😭😭
Heeey, it's all good! 💜😀