Fairlight-CMI

>
> Hi Aaron,
> 
> good call mate, I'm pretty sure when I had my rev 9, the Turbo SCSI card was out of an MFX2. I later upgraded to Rev 11.39 MFX2 and the card was still compatible. Im pretty sure Peter Weilk could make it work, and its always handy to have these cards for swaps etc. Silly price when all considered. heh heh. Glad you got it.
> 
> 
> 
> cheers Tony
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "arroncx" [aclague@...]
> Date: 02/18/2011 04:58 AM
> To: Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Fairlight-CMI] Re: CMI III boot problems : getting closer :)
> 
> Note: Original message sent as attachment
> Hi All, 
> 
> linear226.excite : yeah : that might work : had a quick look at the KMI site, and it kind of seems it might work with a 9.34 system : Ive grabbed it quick as its quite inexpensive, and if it isnt going to work, I can always put it back on on ebay. The boot loader on my system certainly does try to detect a Turbo SCSI card at boot, so thats a promising sign :)
> 
> Really appreciate the heads up : 
> 
> Arron
> 
> Really appreciate the heads up.
> 
> --- In Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com, "linear226.excite" <linear226@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi ,
> > 
> > I have no answers on the 28 card, other than Peter Weilk will be the man, on a seperate note I spotted this on eBay, Turbo SCSI Rev 4.1 MFX card, this with a bit of modifiying 'may' work in an a Rev 9 Wavesuper. Just a thought..
> > 
> > http://cgi.ebay.com/Fairlight-ESP-P-L-Turbo-SCSI-Rev-4-1-Card-/320552911482?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa271427a
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: "arroncx" [aclague@]
> > Date: 02/17/2011 04:39 PM
> > To: Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [Fairlight-CMI] Re: CMI III boot problems : getting closer :)
> > 
> > Note: Original message sent as attachment
> > Hi All,
> > 
> > Just an update : I tried everything you suggested : 
> > 
> > I carefully reseated all the socketed chips on 28 : no change
> > Checked that q777 was correctly seated : it was.
> > Checked keys in place and other cards seated correctly : looks fine.
> > Tried again in KMONDIAG with just a D to run DMA diagnostics.
> > 
> > This resulted in the system displaying PASS 0_ and hanging.
> > 
> > I found if you type H in KMONDIAG, you get a extended help, and the correct usage of the D command should have parameters for range, and destination. I dont know what to put here !
> > 
> > So Im all out of Ideas at the moment, and have emailed Peter Wielk to see if he has a spare CM28 card for me. 
> > 
> > Lets hope so :) 
> > 
> > Cheers for all your help, though :)
> > 
> > I looked in the troubleshooting and diagnostic section of the service manual, and it refers to a diagnostic disk with a load of os9 command to check subsystems. I dont have this floppy : does anyone else here ?
> > 
> > Best wishes : 
> > 
> > Arron
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > --- In Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com, "arroncx" <aclague@> wrote:
> > >
> > > The machine is a 9.34 CMI : I bought the VGA card later from Peter Wielk, and installed it without issue when the machine was still working.
> > > 
> > > The fuse is a tiny surface mounted thing on the Main on the main ESP-CG3 card. I blew it because I kicked the VGA plug out by accident while it was running, causing a bit of a spark.
> > > 
> > > As far as I can tell, the missing pin on the CMI ribbon port is unused (from the series III service manual), so Im ignoring this for the moment.
> > > 
> > > "And you said it would "see" the channel cards, I'm assuming you mean the startup kmon screen where it does a check of what's installed in the system?" yes exactly.
> > > 
> > > In fact the mptask error still existed at the point the CMI32 was faulty : I assumed that the replacement of the CMI32 card might clear this, but it turns out this is an additional issue.
> > > 
> > > I have checked the cards location both against the notes I made as I was disassembling it, and the KMI site, and seems to be OK.
> > > 
> > > I will read the q777 in detail later.
> > > 
> > > If peter has some wfm32 cards left I will for sure buy one &#61514;
> > > 
> > > Again, much appreciated &#61514;
> > > 
> > > 
> > > --- In Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com, Joe Sleator <joe.sleator@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > OK, so when you say VGA video card, you must mean the little board that has
> > > > the VGA plug on it? The RGB01? Mine doesn't have a fuse. Strange.
> > > > 
> > > > So you have a colour system? An MFX1 or MFX2?
> > > > 
> > > > It's certainly at least rev 6 as you've got a wave super.
> > > > 
> > > > Then this pin on the CMI 28 got broke....but you could leave that alone and
> > > > the CMI would still boot up and go, it just wouldn't do midi or normal
> > > > keyboard notes. But you could play sequences and stuff.
> > > > 
> > > > So you fixed that and now the CMI28 apparently has some other problem.
> > > > 
> > > > And you said it would "see" the channel cards, I'm assuming you mean the
> > > > startup kmon screen where it does a check of what's installed in the system?
> > > > 
> > > > Maybe a silly question, but maybe its a good time to just audit what's in
> > > > which slot in the machine. Are you quite sure everything's back the way it
> > > > was supposed to be? If it boots, even part-way, I daresay _some_ of the
> > > > cards must be right. Also, if you're running a WFM32 I'd put it all the way
> > > > over to the far end of the WRAM sockets. If you're not running a WFM32, go
> > > > get one from Peter Wielk.
> > > > 
> > > > BTW, in future, cleaning an old computer system that isn't broken, may cause
> > > > it to start playing up, whether by static damage due to disassembly, or due
> > > > to incorrect reassembly, or just brittleness. I tend only to clean a CMI if
> > > > the dirt is so bad it's obstructing the airflow. Just flicking a
> > > > feather-duster or synthetic cloth across a board can be enough to statically
> > > > charge and damage it, especially in winter or desert conditions with dry
> > > > air. Sounds obsessive, but it's true.
> > > > 
> > > > Humidity is your friend, unless you're a chip that will be wave-soldered!
> > > > 
> > > > > I will check the q777 is always the in : I suspect it is fine as the
> > > > system is booting from SCSI disk.
> > > > 
> > > > Erm, there's a bit more to it than that in the wave super system. You'll
> > > > want to make sure the SCSI cable is plugged into the wave super, rather than
> > > > the Q777, but that Q777 is in the right-most slot, to the right of the
> > > > floppy board. For a good primer on why the 777 still needs to be there, read
> > > > KMI's site, under CMI hardware, where it talks about DMA on a series III.
> > > > 
> > > > Anyway, I think you'll get there.
> > > > 
> > > > Best of luck,
> > > > Joe
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > On Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 12:04 AM, arroncx <aclague@>wrote:
> > > > 
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Hi Joe :
> > > > >
> > > > > OK : so the history in summery is that the machine was working, and then it
> > > > > was in storage for a couple of years while I was moving about and working
> > > > > out of the country.
> > > > >
> > > > > When I got it back out of storage, the VGA video card blew a fuse, which I
> > > > > replaced, I was not detecting any voice cards installed, and one of the pins
> > > > > had snapped off the CMI28 ribbon connector. I should none that the first
> > > > > thing that I did when I got it out of storage was disassemble the whole
> > > > > system, partly to check it, but also because I needed to carry the mainframe
> > > > > up three flights of steep stairs, and wanted it to be lighter.
> > > > >
> > > > > Since then, I have replaced the CMI 32 card, and I can now see all the
> > > > > voice cards.
> > > > >
> > > > > Yes I typed DI : I don't have any reference for the diagnostic commands so
> > > > > I was just guessing in the dark that the process found in this thread on the
> > > > > fairlight boards would be something worth trying :
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > http://www.fairlightau.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?p=451&sid=e7792b9128e6d693314edccf7cd362ea
> > > > >
> > > > > I will check the q777 is always the in : I suspect it is fine as the system
> > > > > is booting from SCSI disk.
> > > > >
> > > > > I really appreciate the suggestions : tonight I will try the following :
> > > > >
> > > > > 1) Reseat all socketed chips on CMI 28
> > > > > 2) Repet diagnostics with escape D only
> > > > > 3) Check the Card keys are present and the pins are lined up correctly (I
> > > > > have the top off the system and so can confirm visually)
> > > > > 4) Check the Q777 is seated OK.
> > > > >
> > > > > Again : I really appreciate the suggestions &#61514;
> > > > >
> > > > > Best wishes : Arron
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > --- In Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com, Joe Sleator <joe.sleator@> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hey Arron
> > > > > >
> > > > > > So, that's Chris Alfred's "new" diagnostics screen for the Waveform
> > > > > Super,
> > > > > > CMI41. The address error that occurred is happening in the other 68K
> > > > > board,
> > > > > > the Wave Super, CMI41.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > That screen has little to do with the CMI28, AFAIK
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Are you saying you typed "DI" at the prompt? Are you sure it's not just
> > > > > "D"?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I'm guessing the D command was diagnostics, and the I command told it to
> > > > > do
> > > > > > something else, which caused the address error, unless my own memory's
> > > > > > faulty.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I think that since you said it booted from disk, up to getting mptask
> > > > > > running, that's a fair way in, and if CMI41 can do that, it's probably
> > > > > > working ok.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Another possible issue might be the DMA configuration of your machine. Is
> > > > > > the Q777 plugged in all the way at the right, or is there another card
> > > > > > there?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > And can I ask, from when this machine did work, what all has changed? Did
> > > > > it
> > > > > > work recently? Have you exchanged any cards already?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Without unpacking my Series III (still packed after recent move) I can't
> > > > > > remember what the various diag menu options are, but I'll need to set it
> > > > > up
> > > > > > soon enough for other requirements.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > But not long ago, we made some more WFM32s, and I seem to recall there
> > > > > being
> > > > > > a memory test for CMI41. Maybe just "M".
> > > > > >
> > > > > > If you do find the right key for the memory test, and I'm pretty sure
> > > > > it's
> > > > > > just one letter for each thing, you may as well verify the memory for the
> > > > > > CMI41, even though I don't think that's your problem.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Where did you get your diagnostic key code info? Maybe double-check?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Another thing to look for whenever you have cards out, is there should be
> > > > > a
> > > > > > key near the bottom of every backplane slot, that goes in the notches in
> > > > > the
> > > > > > boards. When those are missing, all sorts of random things go wrong, as
> > > > > the
> > > > > > pins don't line up!
> > > > > >
> > > > > > What happens if you just type escape and D?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Good luck,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Joe
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 10:21 PM, arroncx <aclague@>wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Hi there : Ive posted the error screen i get from the diagnostics in
> > > > > the
> > > > > > > group photos page if anyone can shed any light on what it means :)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Maybe one day there will be an upgrade where you can get a PC on a
> > > > > > > fairlight sized card, and a Crystal Core board in the same format, and
> > > > > then
> > > > > > > just take all the old cards out of your fairlight, and wire up the old
> > > > > music
> > > > > > > keyboard via midi , and the outputs round the back as straight thru
> > > > > sockets.
> > > > > > > :)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Photo at :
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Fairlight-CMI/photos/album/1576007894/pic/66577237/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Cheers,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Arron
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > --- In Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com, James Thomson <jamesthomson9@>
> > > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Hi Joe,
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I would think that CMI-3 board repair could be a fairly lucrative
> > > > > > > sideline to compliment someone's main job. There are many of us who
> > > > > would
> > > > > > > pay a good price to have a board repaired as it is imperative to
> > > > > keeping the
> > > > > > > system running. I would pay £ 100.00 - £ 150.00 to have a faulty CMI-28
> > > > > > > board repaired. This board seems to fail a lot and I think I have about
> > > > > 3
> > > > > > > faulty CMI-28 boards ( rev 5.1 I believe ). The CMI 2X's will last
> > > > > forever I
> > > > > > > am sure but the CMI series 3 is a different matter. There is a market
> > > > > there.
> > > > > > > Jo Britt recently produced a run of CMI-2X USB boxes so that you can
> > > > > use a
> > > > > > > USB mouse and TFT screen instead of the lightpen and old green screen
> > > > > > > monitor. They sold out immediately and there is demand for more. The
> > > > > speed
> > > > > > > improvement using a USB mouse as compared with the lightpen is
> > > > > brilliant.
> > > > > > > Using the whole CMI 2X is so much fluid now. The lightpen looks great
> > > > > and
> > > > > > > this can still be used as well as the USB mouse. Perhaps the recently
> > > > > > > established Fairlight Instruments could provide a CMI-3 board repair
> > > > > service
> > > > > > > alongside their i-Pad and CMI-30A products ?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Cheers,
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > James
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Magic Audio Co
> > > > > > > > Any Sound in Theory and in Practice
> > > > > > > > Studio 26
> > > > > > > > The Coach House
> > > > > > > > 2 Upper York Street
> > > > > > > > Bristol BS2 8QN
> > > > > > > > U.K.
> > > > > > > > studio direct line: +44 (0)117 370 5810
> > > > > > > > mobile: +44 (0)7711 031 615
> > > > > > > > email: jamesthomson@
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > On 17 Feb 2011, at 09:45, Joe Sleator wrote:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > I haven't found anyone who can repair the series 3 cards.
> > > > > > > > > > It's really a shame that these amazing instruments are not
> > > > > supported.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > OK, let's assume they were supported, and very well, better than
> > > > > even a
> > > > > > > 2 year old Nokia phone, or a 69 MG Midget, or that old Russian space
> > > > > suit I
> > > > > > > can't get parts for any longer. :-D
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Lets say you could fedex the card to a company, and they would
> > > > > either
> > > > > > > repair or replace the card, to good as new, with 90 day warranty, or
> > > > > return
> > > > > > > it to you and refund your shipping if it could not be repaired or
> > > > > replaced
> > > > > > > for whatever reason. Zero risk to you. And that company would even pay
> > > > > you
> > > > > > > for your broken boards if you decided not to get them shipped back.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > What would that be worth, lets say, for a CMI28? Go on and quote me
> > > > > a
> > > > > > > price in any currency you'd care to. And how many paid Series III board
> > > > > > > repairs do you reckon would come in per year? Not the sum-total of
> > > > > broken
> > > > > > > CMI boards, mind you, but just the ones people wanted repaired enough
> > > > > to
> > > > > > > pay.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Joe
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 7:52 AM, Gmail <jamesthomson9@> wrote:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Hi Arron,
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > This error message that you are getting is caused by a faulty
> > > > > CMI-28
> > > > > > > card. I had the exact same error but was fortunate to have a spare
> > > > > card. It
> > > > > > > would be great if there was someone with the series 3 knowledge to
> > > > > repair
> > > > > > > these cards. There are people who can repair the CMI-2X cards but I
> > > > > haven't
> > > > > > > found anyone who can repair the series 3 cards. It's really a shame
> > > > > that
> > > > > > > these amazing instruments are not supported.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Cheers,
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > James
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > On 16 Feb 2011, at 20:12, Joe Sleator wrote:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> Hi, Arron
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> First guess is it's falling over where it asks if the Midi
> > > > > Processor
> > > > > > > (CMI28) is present, by poking and reading from its peripheral address,
> > > > > and
> > > > > > > the midi processor either does not reply, or says something stoopid.
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> Whilst the IIx would boot happily in this configuration, i.e with
> > > > > no
> > > > > > > CMI28, all the III software releases I'm aware of are fairly tightly
> > > > > bound
> > > > > > > to the CMI28, as it does most of the work triggering the sounds via the
> > > > > > > channel cards. See if you can get your hands on a spare CMI28 would be
> > > > > my
> > > > > > > next goal. You might just be able to re-seat the ROMS and RAMS and the
> > > > > 68K
> > > > > > > in their sockets, being careful of the pins. Usually it's enough to pop
> > > > > a
> > > > > > > tiny screwdriver under one end, lift the chip slightly, and then squish
> > > > > it
> > > > > > > back down. There must be someone else in your neck of the woods with
> > > > > either
> > > > > > > a IIx or a series III.
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> IF YOU TAKE CMI28 OUT BE SURE YOU ARE EARTHED ESPECIALLY IF IT's
> > > > > > > WINTERTIME AND THE HEAT IS ON IN YOUR PLACE BEFORE TOUCHING THE CHIPS
> > > > > > > DIRECTLY. I can't stress this enough, many times boards are degraded or
> > > > > die
> > > > > > > outright from miniscule ~5KV or less, static discharges and it's
> > > > > totally
> > > > > > > avoidable.
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> If the ROMS have suffered bit-rot (you can tell by reading them
> > > > > out
> > > > > > > and comparing to known good roms) they can fairly easily be replaced,
> > > > > or
> > > > > > > erased and re-programmed.
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> The other way to tell is to slot roms from a working CMI28 into
> > > > > the
> > > > > > > suss board and re-try.
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> The roms, rams, and 68K chip are all socketed. A resourceful soul
> > > > > can
> > > > > > > find replacements for all these chips by poking around. Virtually all
> > > > > the
> > > > > > > other chips on the CMI28 are common TTL or early motorola LSI, so also
> > > > > > > should be obtainable, however finding what's gone bad is the challenge.
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> Since the Series III diagnostics do virtually the same thing as
> > > > > > > mptask, I don't think they'd shed much more light, but probably worth a
> > > > > try.
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> Good luck.
> > > > > > > > >> Joe
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 5:14 AM, arroncx <aclague@> wrote:
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> Hi all,
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> Thanks for all you assistance so far. Just thought Id report back
> > > > > :)
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> So : I got a replacement CMI32 card from the ever helpful Peter
> > > > > Wielk
> > > > > > > and great now when I boot, i can see all my channel cards, memory etc.
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> The system runs right the way though its boot-up sequence, but
> > > > > just as
> > > > > > > its about to start, the system exits to the command prompt with
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> mptask handshake timeout : aborting process.
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> does anyone know where I could start looking next to get a bit
> > > > > further
> > > > > > > ?
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> I looked on the KMI website, and it says that mptask controls all
> > > > > the
> > > > > > > realtime events in the CMI. (if Im understanding it right)
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> Also : when I boot up : the status display says that no sync card
> > > > > is
> > > > > > > present : what does this refer to, and is this part of my my problem ?
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> Any hints or clues appreciated as normal :)
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> Best wishes : Arron
> > > > > > > > >>
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> > > > >  
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> > >
> >
>

>
> Hi All ! 
> 
> Well, my new CM28 card arrived : I didnt have much time today, so I did install it, but it dosnt quite solve my problem, but there are still a few things i need to try, like stripping the fairlight back to a minimum config etc.
> 
> However, i was thinking that maybe if I had the series 3 diagnostics programs, I would be in a better position.
> 
> I dont know if anyone has ever run these, but I currently dont have them.
> 
> There are images on the net here : 
> 
> http://cmi.fairlightus.com/fairlight_floppies/III_disks/
> 
> My question would be : how do get them onto the CMI ? 
> 
> I looked at the instructions for connecting an 8 inch drive to a PC, and it looks pretty complex (for me :) )
> 
> so I was thinking if the following is possible : 
> 
> 1) take the hardrive out of the fairlight (its not the original, it the more modern IBM type instaled by horizontal productions).
> 2) Put in a new comptable drive, and format it in the fairlight from my os 9.14 boot disks.
> 3) take it out again, and use the  CMIOS9 from sorceforge (thanks KMI!)  utilities to transfer the above image onto it.
> 4) use the diagnostics to work out what is wrong with CMI (hopefully)
> 5) when fixed, put the old hardrive back in.
> 
> Any pointers, or comments to the viability of this plan would be most welcome ! 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Arron
> 
> Any advice as to the viability of this plan would be appreciated, 
> 
> --- In Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com, "linear226.excite" <linear226@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Aaron,
> > 
> > good call mate, I'm pretty sure when I had my rev 9, the Turbo SCSI card was out of an MFX2. I later upgraded to Rev 11.39 MFX2 and the card was still compatible. Im pretty sure Peter Weilk could make it work, and its always handy to have these cards for swaps etc. Silly price when all considered. heh heh. Glad you got it.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > cheers Tony
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: "arroncx" [aclague@]
> > Date: 02/18/2011 04:58 AM
> > To: Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [Fairlight-CMI] Re: CMI III boot problems : getting closer :)
> > 
> > Note: Original message sent as attachment
> > Hi All, 
> > 
> > linear226.excite : yeah : that might work : had a quick look at the KMI site, and it kind of seems it might work with a 9.34 system : Ive grabbed it quick as its quite inexpensive, and if it isnt going to work, I can always put it back on on ebay. The boot loader on my system certainly does try to detect a Turbo SCSI card at boot, so thats a promising sign :)
> > 
> > Really appreciate the heads up : 
> > 
> > Arron
> > 
> > Really appreciate the heads up.
> > 
> > --- In Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com, "linear226.excite" <linear226@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi ,
> > > 
> > > I have no answers on the 28 card, other than Peter Weilk will be the man, on a seperate note I spotted this on eBay, Turbo SCSI Rev 4.1 MFX card, this with a bit of modifiying 'may' work in an a Rev 9 Wavesuper. Just a thought..
> > > 
> > > http://cgi.ebay.com/Fairlight-ESP-P-L-Turbo-SCSI-Rev-4-1-Card-/320552911482?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa271427a
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: "arroncx" [aclague@]
> > > Date: 02/17/2011 04:39 PM
> > > To: Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com
> > > Subject: [Fairlight-CMI] Re: CMI III boot problems : getting closer :)
> > > 
> > > Note: Original message sent as attachment
> > > Hi All,
> > > 
> > > Just an update : I tried everything you suggested : 
> > > 
> > > I carefully reseated all the socketed chips on 28 : no change
> > > Checked that q777 was correctly seated : it was.
> > > Checked keys in place and other cards seated correctly : looks fine.
> > > Tried again in KMONDIAG with just a D to run DMA diagnostics.
> > > 
> > > This resulted in the system displaying PASS 0_ and hanging.
> > > 
> > > I found if you type H in KMONDIAG, you get a extended help, and the correct usage of the D command should have parameters for range, and destination. I dont know what to put here !
> > > 
> > > So Im all out of Ideas at the moment, and have emailed Peter Wielk to see if he has a spare CM28 card for me. 
> > > 
> > > Lets hope so :) 
> > > 
> > > Cheers for all your help, though :)
> > > 
> > > I looked in the troubleshooting and diagnostic section of the service manual, and it refers to a diagnostic disk with a load of os9 command to check subsystems. I dont have this floppy : does anyone else here ?
> > > 
> > > Best wishes : 
> > > 
> > > Arron
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > --- In Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com, "arroncx" <aclague@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > The machine is a 9.34 CMI : I bought the VGA card later from Peter Wielk, and installed it without issue when the machine was still working.
> > > > 
> > > > The fuse is a tiny surface mounted thing on the Main on the main ESP-CG3 card. I blew it because I kicked the VGA plug out by accident while it was running, causing a bit of a spark.
> > > > 
> > > > As far as I can tell, the missing pin on the CMI ribbon port is unused (from the series III service manual), so Im ignoring this for the moment.
> > > > 
> > > > "And you said it would "see" the channel cards, I'm assuming you mean the startup kmon screen where it does a check of what's installed in the system?" yes exactly.
> > > > 
> > > > In fact the mptask error still existed at the point the CMI32 was faulty : I assumed that the replacement of the CMI32 card might clear this, but it turns out this is an additional issue.
> > > > 
> > > > I have checked the cards location both against the notes I made as I was disassembling it, and the KMI site, and seems to be OK.
> > > > 
> > > > I will read the q777 in detail later.
> > > > 
> > > > If peter has some wfm32 cards left I will for sure buy one &#61514;
> > > > 
> > > > Again, much appreciated &#61514;
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > --- In Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com, Joe Sleator <joe.sleator@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > OK, so when you say VGA video card, you must mean the little board that has
> > > > > the VGA plug on it? The RGB01? Mine doesn't have a fuse. Strange.
> > > > > 
> > > > > So you have a colour system? An MFX1 or MFX2?
> > > > > 
> > > > > It's certainly at least rev 6 as you've got a wave super.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Then this pin on the CMI 28 got broke....but you could leave that alone and
> > > > > the CMI would still boot up and go, it just wouldn't do midi or normal
> > > > > keyboard notes. But you could play sequences and stuff.
> > > > > 
> > > > > So you fixed that and now the CMI28 apparently has some other problem.
> > > > > 
> > > > > And you said it would "see" the channel cards, I'm assuming you mean the
> > > > > startup kmon screen where it does a check of what's installed in the system?
> > > > > 
> > > > > Maybe a silly question, but maybe its a good time to just audit what's in
> > > > > which slot in the machine. Are you quite sure everything's back the way it
> > > > > was supposed to be? If it boots, even part-way, I daresay _some_ of the
> > > > > cards must be right. Also, if you're running a WFM32 I'd put it all the way
> > > > > over to the far end of the WRAM sockets. If you're not running a WFM32, go
> > > > > get one from Peter Wielk.
> > > > > 
> > > > > BTW, in future, cleaning an old computer system that isn't broken, may cause
> > > > > it to start playing up, whether by static damage due to disassembly, or due
> > > > > to incorrect reassembly, or just brittleness. I tend only to clean a CMI if
> > > > > the dirt is so bad it's obstructing the airflow. Just flicking a
> > > > > feather-duster or synthetic cloth across a board can be enough to statically
> > > > > charge and damage it, especially in winter or desert conditions with dry
> > > > > air. Sounds obsessive, but it's true.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Humidity is your friend, unless you're a chip that will be wave-soldered!
> > > > > 
> > > > > > I will check the q777 is always the in : I suspect it is fine as the
> > > > > system is booting from SCSI disk.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Erm, there's a bit more to it than that in the wave super system. You'll
> > > > > want to make sure the SCSI cable is plugged into the wave super, rather than
> > > > > the Q777, but that Q777 is in the right-most slot, to the right of the
> > > > > floppy board. For a good primer on why the 777 still needs to be there, read
> > > > > KMI's site, under CMI hardware, where it talks about DMA on a series III.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Anyway, I think you'll get there.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Best of luck,
> > > > > Joe
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > On Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 12:04 AM, arroncx <aclague@>wrote:
> > > > > 
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hi Joe :
> > > > > >
> > > > > > OK : so the history in summery is that the machine was working, and then it
> > > > > > was in storage for a couple of years while I was moving about and working
> > > > > > out of the country.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > When I got it back out of storage, the VGA video card blew a fuse, which I
> > > > > > replaced, I was not detecting any voice cards installed, and one of the pins
> > > > > > had snapped off the CMI28 ribbon connector. I should none that the first
> > > > > > thing that I did when I got it out of storage was disassemble the whole
> > > > > > system, partly to check it, but also because I needed to carry the mainframe
> > > > > > up three flights of steep stairs, and wanted it to be lighter.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Since then, I have replaced the CMI 32 card, and I can now see all the
> > > > > > voice cards.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Yes I typed DI : I don't have any reference for the diagnostic commands so
> > > > > > I was just guessing in the dark that the process found in this thread on the
> > > > > > fairlight boards would be something worth trying :
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > http://www.fairlightau.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?p=451&sid=e7792b9128e6d693314edccf7cd362ea
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I will check the q777 is always the in : I suspect it is fine as the system
> > > > > > is booting from SCSI disk.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I really appreciate the suggestions : tonight I will try the following :
> > > > > >
> > > > > > 1) Reseat all socketed chips on CMI 28
> > > > > > 2) Repet diagnostics with escape D only
> > > > > > 3) Check the Card keys are present and the pins are lined up correctly (I
> > > > > > have the top off the system and so can confirm visually)
> > > > > > 4) Check the Q777 is seated OK.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Again : I really appreciate the suggestions &#61514;
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Best wishes : Arron
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --- In Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com, Joe Sleator <joe.sleator@> wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Hey Arron
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > So, that's Chris Alfred's "new" diagnostics screen for the Waveform
> > > > > > Super,
> > > > > > > CMI41. The address error that occurred is happening in the other 68K
> > > > > > board,
> > > > > > > the Wave Super, CMI41.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > That screen has little to do with the CMI28, AFAIK
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Are you saying you typed "DI" at the prompt? Are you sure it's not just
> > > > > > "D"?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I'm guessing the D command was diagnostics, and the I command told it to
> > > > > > do
> > > > > > > something else, which caused the address error, unless my own memory's
> > > > > > > faulty.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I think that since you said it booted from disk, up to getting mptask
> > > > > > > running, that's a fair way in, and if CMI41 can do that, it's probably
> > > > > > > working ok.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Another possible issue might be the DMA configuration of your machine. Is
> > > > > > > the Q777 plugged in all the way at the right, or is there another card
> > > > > > > there?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > And can I ask, from when this machine did work, what all has changed? Did
> > > > > > it
> > > > > > > work recently? Have you exchanged any cards already?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Without unpacking my Series III (still packed after recent move) I can't
> > > > > > > remember what the various diag menu options are, but I'll need to set it
> > > > > > up
> > > > > > > soon enough for other requirements.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > But not long ago, we made some more WFM32s, and I seem to recall there
> > > > > > being
> > > > > > > a memory test for CMI41. Maybe just "M".
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > If you do find the right key for the memory test, and I'm pretty sure
> > > > > > it's
> > > > > > > just one letter for each thing, you may as well verify the memory for the
> > > > > > > CMI41, even though I don't think that's your problem.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Where did you get your diagnostic key code info? Maybe double-check?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Another thing to look for whenever you have cards out, is there should be
> > > > > > a
> > > > > > > key near the bottom of every backplane slot, that goes in the notches in
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > boards. When those are missing, all sorts of random things go wrong, as
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > pins don't line up!
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > What happens if you just type escape and D?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Good luck,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Joe
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 10:21 PM, arroncx <aclague@>wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Hi there : Ive posted the error screen i get from the diagnostics in
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > group photos page if anyone can shed any light on what it means :)
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Maybe one day there will be an upgrade where you can get a PC on a
> > > > > > > > fairlight sized card, and a Crystal Core board in the same format, and
> > > > > > then
> > > > > > > > just take all the old cards out of your fairlight, and wire up the old
> > > > > > music
> > > > > > > > keyboard via midi , and the outputs round the back as straight thru
> > > > > > sockets.
> > > > > > > > :)
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Photo at :
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Fairlight-CMI/photos/album/1576007894/pic/66577237/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Cheers,
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Arron
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > --- In Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com, James Thomson <jamesthomson9@>
> > > > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Hi Joe,
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > I would think that CMI-3 board repair could be a fairly lucrative
> > > > > > > > sideline to compliment someone's main job. There are many of us who
> > > > > > would
> > > > > > > > pay a good price to have a board repaired as it is imperative to
> > > > > > keeping the
> > > > > > > > system running. I would pay £ 100.00 - £ 150.00 to have a faulty CMI-28
> > > > > > > > board repaired. This board seems to fail a lot and I think I have about
> > > > > > 3
> > > > > > > > faulty CMI-28 boards ( rev 5.1 I believe ). The CMI 2X's will last
> > > > > > forever I
> > > > > > > > am sure but the CMI series 3 is a different matter. There is a market
> > > > > > there.
> > > > > > > > Jo Britt recently produced a run of CMI-2X USB boxes so that you can
> > > > > > use a
> > > > > > > > USB mouse and TFT screen instead of the lightpen and old green screen
> > > > > > > > monitor. They sold out immediately and there is demand for more. The
> > > > > > speed
> > > > > > > > improvement using a USB mouse as compared with the lightpen is
> > > > > > brilliant.
> > > > > > > > Using the whole CMI 2X is so much fluid now. The lightpen looks great
> > > > > > and
> > > > > > > > this can still be used as well as the USB mouse. Perhaps the recently
> > > > > > > > established Fairlight Instruments could provide a CMI-3 board repair
> > > > > > service
> > > > > > > > alongside their i-Pad and CMI-30A products ?
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Cheers,
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > James
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Magic Audio Co
> > > > > > > > > Any Sound in Theory and in Practice
> > > > > > > > > Studio 26
> > > > > > > > > The Coach House
> > > > > > > > > 2 Upper York Street
> > > > > > > > > Bristol BS2 8QN
> > > > > > > > > U.K.
> > > > > > > > > studio direct line: +44 (0)117 370 5810
> > > > > > > > > mobile: +44 (0)7711 031 615
> > > > > > > > > email: jamesthomson@
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > On 17 Feb 2011, at 09:45, Joe Sleator wrote:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > I haven't found anyone who can repair the series 3 cards.
> > > > > > > > > > > It's really a shame that these amazing instruments are not
> > > > > > supported.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > OK, let's assume they were supported, and very well, better than
> > > > > > even a
> > > > > > > > 2 year old Nokia phone, or a 69 MG Midget, or that old Russian space
> > > > > > suit I
> > > > > > > > can't get parts for any longer. :-D
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Lets say you could fedex the card to a company, and they would
> > > > > > either
> > > > > > > > repair or replace the card, to good as new, with 90 day warranty, or
> > > > > > return
> > > > > > > > it to you and refund your shipping if it could not be repaired or
> > > > > > replaced
> > > > > > > > for whatever reason. Zero risk to you. And that company would even pay
> > > > > > you
> > > > > > > > for your broken boards if you decided not to get them shipped back.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > What would that be worth, lets say, for a CMI28? Go on and quote me
> > > > > > a
> > > > > > > > price in any currency you'd care to. And how many paid Series III board
> > > > > > > > repairs do you reckon would come in per year? Not the sum-total of
> > > > > > broken
> > > > > > > > CMI boards, mind you, but just the ones people wanted repaired enough
> > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > pay.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Joe
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 7:52 AM, Gmail <jamesthomson9@> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Hi Arron,
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > This error message that you are getting is caused by a faulty
> > > > > > CMI-28
> > > > > > > > card. I had the exact same error but was fortunate to have a spare
> > > > > > card. It
> > > > > > > > would be great if there was someone with the series 3 knowledge to
> > > > > > repair
> > > > > > > > these cards. There are people who can repair the CMI-2X cards but I
> > > > > > haven't
> > > > > > > > found anyone who can repair the series 3 cards. It's really a shame
> > > > > > that
> > > > > > > > these amazing instruments are not supported.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Cheers,
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > James
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > On 16 Feb 2011, at 20:12, Joe Sleator wrote:
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> Hi, Arron
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> First guess is it's falling over where it asks if the Midi
> > > > > > Processor
> > > > > > > > (CMI28) is present, by poking and reading from its peripheral address,
> > > > > > and
> > > > > > > > the midi processor either does not reply, or says something stoopid.
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> Whilst the IIx would boot happily in this configuration, i.e with
> > > > > > no
> > > > > > > > CMI28, all the III software releases I'm aware of are fairly tightly
> > > > > > bound
> > > > > > > > to the CMI28, as it does most of the work triggering the sounds via the
> > > > > > > > channel cards. See if you can get your hands on a spare CMI28 would be
> > > > > > my
> > > > > > > > next goal. You might just be able to re-seat the ROMS and RAMS and the
> > > > > > 68K
> > > > > > > > in their sockets, being careful of the pins. Usually it's enough to pop
> > > > > > a
> > > > > > > > tiny screwdriver under one end, lift the chip slightly, and then squish
> > > > > > it
> > > > > > > > back down. There must be someone else in your neck of the woods with
> > > > > > either
> > > > > > > > a IIx or a series III.
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> IF YOU TAKE CMI28 OUT BE SURE YOU ARE EARTHED ESPECIALLY IF IT's
> > > > > > > > WINTERTIME AND THE HEAT IS ON IN YOUR PLACE BEFORE TOUCHING THE CHIPS
> > > > > > > > DIRECTLY. I can't stress this enough, many times boards are degraded or
> > > > > > die
> > > > > > > > outright from miniscule ~5KV or less, static discharges and it's
> > > > > > totally
> > > > > > > > avoidable.
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> If the ROMS have suffered bit-rot (you can tell by reading them
> > > > > > out
> > > > > > > > and comparing to known good roms) they can fairly easily be replaced,
> > > > > > or
> > > > > > > > erased and re-programmed.
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> The other way to tell is to slot roms from a working CMI28 into
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > suss board and re-try.
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> The roms, rams, and 68K chip are all socketed. A resourceful soul
> > > > > > can
> > > > > > > > find replacements for all these chips by poking around. Virtually all
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > other chips on the CMI28 are common TTL or early motorola LSI, so also
> > > > > > > > should be obtainable, however finding what's gone bad is the challenge.
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> Since the Series III diagnostics do virtually the same thing as
> > > > > > > > mptask, I don't think they'd shed much more light, but probably worth a
> > > > > > try.
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> Good luck.
> > > > > > > > > >> Joe
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 5:14 AM, arroncx <aclague@> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> Hi all,
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> Thanks for all you assistance so far. Just thought Id report back
> > > > > > :)
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> So : I got a replacement CMI32 card from the ever helpful Peter
> > > > > > Wielk
> > > > > > > > and great now when I boot, i can see all my channel cards, memory etc.
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> The system runs right the way though its boot-up sequence, but
> > > > > > just as
> > > > > > > > its about to start, the system exits to the command prompt with
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> mptask handshake timeout : aborting process.
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> does anyone know where I could start looking next to get a bit
> > > > > > further
> > > > > > > > ?
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> I looked on the KMI website, and it says that mptask controls all
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > realtime events in the CMI. (if Im understanding it right)
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> Also : when I boot up : the status display says that no sync card
> > > > > > is
> > > > > > > > present : what does this refer to, and is this part of my my problem ?
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> Any hints or clues appreciated as normal :)
> > > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > > >> Best wishes : Arron
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