Re: Weird IIGS error code: EXPERT HELP wanted

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Jansen Robert <rjansen@vnet3.vub.ac.be> wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> After upgrading the ROM in an old ROM 00 GS to version 01
> and failing to boot System 6.0.1 from floppy,
> (Yes, I have an Apple IIGS MEMORY card installed with 1 meg)
> I started testing the IIGS with it's buildin self tests.
> 
> I got the error code 0C000003 which means the following:
>
> [Sound Test, Data register failed]

> So there is something wrong with the sound test, but my IIGS beeps 
> when the test is finished.

There are two different methods of generating sound in the IIgs.  The
simple method allows software to directly toggle the speaker to generate
a "square wave" sound.  This is the only method built into earlier Apple
II models.

The IIgs also has the Ensoniq Digital Oscillator Chip (DOC) which can
generate multi-voice sound from a waveform table.  The self test is
indicating that it cannot talk to the Ensoniq chip.

However, the audible sounds generated by the self test use the simple
speaker toggling method, which works even if there is problem with the
Ensoniq.

> Is it possible that by not upgrading the VGC chip to the ROM 01 version,
> I'm having these problems ?

No.  The only problem with the original VGC is cosmetic - the appearance
of monochrome double hi-res graphics mode (pink fringing or flickering)
and sometimes 80-column text mode is affected as well.  It doesn't
affect software in any way.

> Is this error code related in failing to install System 6.0.1 ?

Definitely not.  It sounds like you have a hardware fault in your IIgs.

There is one possible reason for this failure code being reported by the
self-test: do you have a ZIP GS accelerator in the machine?  The ZIP GS,
if enabled, causes the IIgs to fail some of its self-tests (only because
the tests are relying on the speed at which the processor normally
operates, and get confused because the CPU is running faster than
expected).  If this is the case, you must turn off the computer and
disable the ZIP GS by setting switch 1-6 OFF before you can run the
self-test properly.

If you do not have a ZIP GS, then there is probably a fault on the
motherboard.  This may or may not be the cause of System 6.0.1 failing
to boot.

Exactly what symptoms do you get when trying to boot System 6.0.1?  Does
it crash into the monitor, simply stop, display an error message, or
what?

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail Mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand