NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #30/NN_1992_30.iso/spool/comp/sys/3b1/4080

Text File | 1992-12-21 | 1.9 KB | 38 lines

Newsgroups: comp.sys.3b1
Path: sparky!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!n8emr!colnet!res
From: [e-mail] (Rob Stampfli)
Subject: Re: Need help with a sick STARLAN card
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Organization: Little to None
References: <[e-mail]>
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 03:48:53 GMT
Lines: 26

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Dr. Albert Hybl (UMAB-BIOPHYS)) writes:
>Since my previous posting, I reseated the board several time and
>reran the diagnostics--results were essentially the same.  However,
>when I interchanged the 1/2 Mb memory expansion board with the STARLAN
>board and then ran the diagnostics--THE STARLAN BOARD PASSED ALL THE
>TESTS! The 1/2 Mb memory expansion board also passes the memory and
>parity test when I used the UNIX PC Diagnostic Disk.

I've dealt with numerous 3B1/7300 machines in the past five years.  I have
seen more than a few cases where a given board just did not work in a given
slot.  I've seen a few cases where only a memory board will work in a given
slot.  Sometimes, there is an obvious problem getting the connector on the
board to engage the backplane.  At other times, this doesn't appear to be a
problem.

I've come to suspect it has something to do with the alignment of the slots
and the backplane and the critical distance between the pins and the back of
the case.  The backplane adjustment on the 3B1 case seems to be critical.
Note that the half-meg board almost never causes problems, because it it
just inserted until the connectors mate -- there is no rear flange to stop
it from fully engaging the backplane.  My advice is that, if you can find a
combination where all the boards work, use it.  I'm glad you appear to have
found such a layout.
--
Rob Stampfli  [e-mail]      The neat thing about standards:
614-864-9377  HAM RADIO: [e-mail]  There are so many to choose from.