Re: Apple //gs and Zip Chips not getting on well.

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

In article <46b8ee$3sa@tardis.tardis.ed.ac.uk>,
Calum Wilkie <caw@tardis.ed.ac.uk> wrote:
>   I am having trouble with my newly bought Zip Chip

I hope it is a ZIP GS, not a ZIP CHIP.  The former is a card with a
cable running to the processor socket, and only works in the IIgs.  The
latter is a tallish chip that plugs into the CPU socket, and only
works in the ][/][+/IIe/IIc.

:-)

Is the card brand new or second-hand?  What is its configuration
(cache size and speed) and DIP switch settings?

> It doesn't seem to like anything and will cause programs to crash
> shortly after power-on.  I have tried running without the cover on,
> hoping it to be simply a heat problem to no avail!

Not likely if it is crashing shortly after powerup.  Heat problems
usually take a reasonable amount of time (e.g. half an hour) to start.

> I only have one other clue to the problem:  when running a self-test
> I get a system bad, with report 0B030000, however I do not understand
> what this means. 

It doesn't mean anything.  With a ZIP installed and enabled, the IIgs
nearly always fails this test (or 0Cxxxxxx).  These tests are
dependent on the CPU speed, and if it is running faster than expected,
the test will fail.  Test 05xxxxxx will also fail unless SW1/4 on the
ZIP is set to the OFF position.  None of these failures tell you
anything useful.

All of these test failures are documented in the manual.

> The card performs properly with the Zip disabled.

The IIgs should also be able to pass all self tests with the ZIP disabled.

>   I will try to contact Zip, but do not have a valid phone number and
> the time difference may make this difficult for me; unti then does
> anyone have any suggestions?

ZIP is now called MCTA.  Their number is (310)568-2002.
-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand