Re: System error 0911 on IIgs

[Paul Schultz <pschultz@med.wayne.edu>]

On Mon, 30 Nov 1998, Glenn Fisher wrote:

> Sometime when I power on my IIgs, I get a
> "System Startup error 0911"
> Can anyone tell me what this means or point me to a URL where I
> might find out what it means.  I do not have a IIgs manual.
> Thanks for any replys.

Glenn,

The 911 error is well known to IIgs users. It is caused by your ADB
controller chip which in certain machines is flakey about what temp
it will run at. Some users state that you need to have the ADB chip
warmed up before your system will run stably. Others will tell you
that you need to run your system 'cooler' so the ADB chip won't 
overheat. From my years of reading this newsgroup most people have
found that keeping your system cool will help alleviate the 911
errors (or at least reduce the occurence). There is the chance that
the ADB chip is on its last legs and you won't be able to do any
of the suggestions below to eliminate the 911 error. However, it
is my experience that one of the methods outlined below will
usually solve your problems.

To keep your system from overheating you can:

1 -- run it with the top off; 
2 -- buy a used System Saver IIgs which is the bestcooling fan option;
3 -- buy an internal fan for the IIgs -- less optimal than the SS IIgs.
4 -- You can also try to reduce the number of expansion cards in your
     case to the few essential cards.
5 -- If you are running a heavily loaded system you may want to
     consider a new heavy duty power supply.

There are HD supplies which physically replace the stock supply or you
could opt for a 'Buggie' Power supply (a PC supply with appropriate
connectors to use with a IIgs -- the supply physically sits outside
the IIgs case thus eliminating the chief source of heat within the
CPU case). Steve Buggie advertises these supplies periodically on
csa2.marketplace.

The csa2 FAQ should describe all this in more detail and provide you
with vendor lists for anything you may want to purchase.

FWIW, I just alleviated a persistent 911 error with my IIgs by 
purchasing a used System Saver IIgs.

Good luck,

Paul.

pschultz@med.wayne.edu
Paul Schultz