Hi, I have some problems booting up my alpha1 tower. First the hardware is complete, and boot up correctly. On startup i can enter the bios. After booting i got blackscreen. I know this from my ps1 dev tower, where i can switch the resolution with booting win98 in safemode. But with the alpha1 i dont have any chance to switch the resolution/freq :shrug:??? I try it over vga on my tv and my old tft, also over the svhs port. Anyone knows the resolution and freq i need to run??? Musst be a way... regards Chris
Should be standard 480i through the svideo, or 640x480 for the VGA if its like my Alpha. With mine, you need to switch the video output mode in the XDK settings though I believe, so it may only work on one or the other. I believe mine output 60hz, don't remember if there is a PAL50 option in there.
I figured, but basically youre going to have to try and find a device that WILL display everything. Are you positive that you are running the correct firmware on the graphics card, and that the unit hasnt been converted to run Windows?
I search more for an solution to switch the resolution. I have no idea what rev the "geforce" run. But im sure there is no windows installed. And correct, when i use the svhs port my tv show 480i, but after bios = blackscreen. :banghead:
It should tell you what firmware is on the graphics card as it boots up. It will likely be an engineering firmware. Was the unit working before you bought it? And do you know if the XDK is even installed?
I will have an look tomorrow. Yes the Unit is working perfect. I dont know the XDK Version. Thats the point why i try it first with configurations. I really think its resolution problem, like with my psx dev tower before. But there is windows installed where i can boot in safemode for switching res. But here ... :shrug:
Windows boot disk Just get any old Windows PE boot disc and boot the tower. That will rule out hardware issues or display issues. Are you booting off the hard disk or a XDK install disc? Oh this is a big one how much memory do you have installed? If it's more than 128 Megs it will not boot and do the black screen thing. You need two 64 Meg sticks of RAMBUS memory to boot it. any other config and it stays black. Make sure it is a real Alpha I and not an upgraded one. My Alpha I case has the Alpha II bits inside it.
And even if the hardware physically works, there are modifications done on the software to make it actually do anything. Thats why Im asking if it booted to the XDK prior to you buying it.
Here the boot screen from the geforce: I think about using a recovery cd? But i dont have one, and im not sure what version i have to use. :shrug: The Tower has 2x 128MB Ram running over bios in ECC mode. But the ram check is valid. After that, my tv tells me the resolution is not supported.
Before you go hunting for a recovery disc (which it would be advisable to get your hands on) I would try replacing the memory with two 64 meg sticks. When I got my Alpha I it had the more than 128 megs of memory and it would just go to a black screen. The XDK software would check the hardware and if it didn't match it would just halt. Luckily for me the person I purchased it from included the original memory with the machine. The bad news is if someone upgraded the memory they were probably using it for something other than a devkit. That means you will probably need a xdk recovery disc. If you don't have access to Rambus memory let me know I literally have two crates full of the stuff.
I check the ram again, its a 128MB Kingston on first slot. Second slot is a dummy ram. I really think the hard/software setup is ok. I try some other screens... OH:
Read what the other people said. You need two 64 Meg sticks of RAMBUS memory to boot it. any other config and it stays black.Assumably you cant use 1x 128 instead. I'd consider contact ALTRN8 like he mentioned
I do, but thats not the Problem. As i think, resolution problems... I plugged in 2x 64MB same as 1x 128MB + dummy. The Unit is untouched. Image also. You can use 128MB with an dummy.
Far more commonly known as a "terminator". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RDRAM#Continuity_modules I've just never seen them sold as a "dummy" stick before.
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220751794436 But an resolution problem will not fix with RAM. I think about reflash my tft with the res the alpha kit needs, need some running resolutions.
