040/060 EXCEL Accelerator Card and 060 Troubles

[hyperneogeo]

Gonna explain a little back story. After tracking down drivers for the card itself, I tried to do the next thing: upgrade the 040 to the 060 model . A few months ago I tracked down the creator of the 040/060EXCEL and talked to him about his creation. However, he explained that years ago all of his x68000 stuff was thrown out by his family, so he couldn't be of any help. So I went to the Japanese web and tracked down one owner with the 060 version on Mixi (possibly one of only a handful with the EXCEL card anyway) and he explained how to upgrade it. He also gave me the X68000 060 BIOS roms to be installed in the CZ-6be2a (note it was only used for the bios functions, the ram portion did not matter at all), and after a few weeks he was able to download the 060 JED code for the MACH4 on the code off his card using a ISPDownload cable. I did the same thing with mine so at least I would have a backup in case the 060 upgrade did not work. The upgrade to the card consisted of adding a 3.3V regulator to the card and uploading the new JED code to the MACH4. Before I move on, let me explain how the card works:

On the 040 model an LED on the light turns on indicating the processor is in 040 mode. However when you flip the switch that you installed and hit reset, the light goes off and it goes into 68000 mode.

Now the problem is I did all of this and everything was correct. However after doing the installation, nothing worked. The LED would stay lit no matter what I did and the card would refuse to boot in 060 or 68000 mode. This leads me to believe that there is something wrong with the code itself. I re-uploaded the 040 code to the card, undid all of the changes and my card worked again in 040 mode/68000 mode.  So obviously the problem lies with the code.  I'm thinking the code on the 060 version may have been secured for some reason, while the 040 wasn't? I honestly don't know and the creator of the card forgot.

Seeing how there are only a few of these cards in existence..getting any sort of help with it is next to impossible..not to mention many of the Japanese places where I would be able to get information are completely gone.  After talking to a few people, the only way to get this card working in 060 mode is to rewrite the 060 JED code for the mach4 itself which I of course can't do. Unfortunately unless someone wants to step up and either do this or make reproductions of the card so this card doesn't fade into obscurity, this card will probably just be lost to time.

*Before any of you ask "Why not just use the 040 mode?" The reason is quite simple and it's 2 fold. The chips gets  annoyingly hot after a few seconds and while few, the 2 060 games out there don't support the 040 in any way...the games only support a 030 mode and the performance is quite laughable.

[famiac]

This is really interesting!

I wish i could help, but currently the situation seems to be out of my league. I hope you find someone who can help.

[caius]

Hi,
could you please share all your informations on this upgrade as well as code?About the .JED, is the dumper sure that the device was not secured (with security bit fuse blown)?

P.S.
Is the card you are referring always this:

http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=5869.0

I can't see any programmable logic device from pictures.Which is the package of this PLD?

[hyperneogeo]

Here is the 060 code that I don't believe is working:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cb470u8ytx77nd4/060Excel.jed?dl=0

Yes I am referring to that picture. The device is a MACH4 M4LV-192/96-7VI (that big chip). The dumper did not give any warning that it was secured, but honestly with these chips I don't know.

[caius]

Ah,OK, it's a complex programmable logic device.Can you post the one for the 040 too?How did you upload to the card?Via software, I guess.

[hyperneogeo]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/br69rl18ooeala5/040Excel.jed?dl=0 It was uploaded via a ISPDownload cable with Lattice Diamond Programmer software

[caius]

OK.So, you can both upload and read  the code to/from the Mach 4 CPLD yourself.
Are there other source for the 060 code (since you said it has been dumped from a contact of your).Comparing the two , it seems the 060 code is good ( I mean not secured)

[hyperneogeo]

The only other source of the 060 code is from a guy on twitter who does not respond to me (or months at a time for that matter).

[caius]

OK.Not to say the obvious but the issue can depend from hardware or software.From what you said hardware modification is really simple so I'd exclude this.Regarding the BIOS to be installed in the RAM expansion card, is this strictly needed only if you want to use this card?

[hyperneogeo]

The 060 bios fills the 2 27c010 slots in the memory expansion card...they are like those slots on the motherboard of a super,expert, etc. It is needed for the card to work in the operating system..not to boot up though.

[caius]

Did the dumper of the 060 JED code verify his reading?He could try to program the Mach 4 CPLD with the dump he sent you.

[hyperneogeo]

I don't want him to risk bricking his heh.