Zip GSX Crashing

[fnet@hoare.cba.csuohio.edu (Greg Boh)]

	Hi all. I recently had a problem with my old 8/16K Zip and sent it
back to Zip Tech. Their solution to the problem, was to send me a brand
spanking new Zip 8/16K card. I was glancing over the card and noticed that the
processor on the card was rated at 10 Mhz instead of 8. So, I whipped out the
handy dandy soldering iron and replaced the 32 Mhz Oscillator with a 40 mhz
TTL. 

	Now, understand that this unit STILL has the 70 Ns, 6 Mil SRAMS in it.
I took a chance that it MIGHT be able to function at 10 Mhz and tried it. What
I have found is that the system will NOT function if the dip switches are set
to anything larger than 8K of cache memory. However, GS/OS and EVERY ProDos
program (Except METAL) works just fine with the Zip blown out with everything
set at default options.

	Dhrystone 1.1 under GNO averages 735 Dhrystones and the system boots
with a full GS/OS system in less than 12 seconds with a RamFast Rev C 3.00l
Roms. 

The Problem:
------------

	METAL will ocassionally crash when it access the C/Dx00 banks of Ram
with the Zip wide open. (I.E. Caching banks C/D). However, if I disable the
bank C/D caching, the system cranks a long fine, albeit a LOT slower. I
suspect that it is because the Ram on the Zip is to slow, but I can't be sure.

	And it seems that this problem ONLY occurs when the Zip is in MY
computer, which is VERY odd. If I plop it into 1 of Space Kadet's GS's with
his RF (Rev C - 2.00 Roms) and my Hard Drives, the system works fine.
(Compiles 2 Megs in a little over 2 minutes.) It's not the RF, cause that is
basically 'brand new' as it just came back from CV-Tech, where they did the
Rom 3.00 tune up and checked the board over. (Great company. I sent the RF in
and got it back inside of a week! Went in on Monday, got it on Thursday!)

My Questions:
-------------

1. Is it my GS? It pases all self tests.
2. Is it due to the 70 Ns Rams?
3. Is it a possible DMA conflict with the RF?

And the biggie...

4. I noticed that the Zip is socketed for 3 mil dips for the Cache Ram. I want
to eventually take the Zip up to about 12.5 Mhz and KNOW that if I go that
far, I might as well get a full Cache in the 3 mil package. Are the sockets on
the board actually DIFFERENT? Can I just use the 3 mil to 6 mil converters
instead of resocketing the board? Is there anyone that has succsesfully done
this? 

I guess I want to know if I should just give in and buy the 3 mil sockets and
solder the board or avoid it, pay a little extra for the converters and stick
in 20 ns Srams. Any information on this would be appreciated. I am almost 100%
confident that the problem detailed above will go away with faster Srams. I'd
like to get ahold of some 35ns 6 mil rams and TEST this theory, but I am not
about to spend the money on them. And I am assuming that 35ns is not fast
enough for the eventual 12.5 Mhz speed that I want to push the board to.