Re: Transwarp speed and SYSTEM BAD problems.

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

d a r r e n  j o h n s o n <rocketusa@delphi.com> wrote:

>I've had an early-model Transwarp GS for about a year now
>and have been having increasing freezes -- even in Proterm.
>It got to the point where the border of the screen went red and
>self tests came back with SYSTEM BAD and numbers like:
>0801FCFC or 07000000.
>I went inside the computer, switched its slot, and everything is okay
>physically. It wasn't nearly as hot as the Focus card, for example.
>The little green light goes on. All chips were in. Still, SYSTEM BAD.
>Changing the speed of the TWGS from "Transwarp" to "Normal" has resulted
>in SYSTEM GOOD over and over.
>Any ideas as to what I can do to get full speed back, or will the system
>get worse and worse until even "normal" speed doesn't work?

Well since you can run in NORMAL mode fine, that suggests
the problem is not with the TWGS cable.  Be careful.  Do not
move the TWGS around more than necessary because that
cable is fragile and if you do this too many times, you might
need to replace it.

First question: do you have a fan?  A TWGS generates heat
and a GS system with it should REALLY have a fan.  Your
crashing may be due to overheating.  Try running the system
in Transwarp speed with the IIGS cover off.  If it remains
stable (you might also try a room fan blowing at it) you know
the problem is overheating.

The third possibility is a failing CPU chip.  If so, Alltech
Electronics http://www.allelec.com/ will provide you with
a new 14Mhz 65C816.  It is cheaper to go directly to
Western Design Center (do a web search for address) to
buy the chip if you are a student or educator.

A side benefit of a new CPU:  if you also get an oscillator
(a part that costs less than $1), you can make the TWGS
go at least 10Mhz, probably 12.5Mhz, perhaps 15Mhz or
16Mhz!