REVISED: NextStation Color Startup Test Error e2

Hi all,

I am sure this is a typical posting that you get every few months, "Hey, I just found a Next and want to get it running" etc, etc

Well, I did acquire a Nextstation color 33 Mhz with 32mb of RAM and 17" Color Monitor.  I think the part # on the slab bottom is N1200 but I am not near it now.  It has a 2 GB Seagate drive that is wiped cleaned.  It was one of the University of Kentucky's units.  Most everything seems OK (of course it won't boot from the Hard Drive as NextStep is not installed).

To make a long story short - Black Hole is setting me up with a drive / OS etc to get me started but I am concerned about the startup test failure code (and I cannot find a list of the codes anywhere).

The ROM boot goes through the test and returns a failure code of e2, but then goes about it's business (trying to boot the drive and all).

I figure I cannot fully test until I get the new drive with NextStep on it and all.

Any thoughts?  I am excited about getting her all fixed up and going...

Thanks in advance

Rob Catron

Hi Rob, welcome to the forums.  Here's a link to the error codes:

http://www.channelu.com/NeXT/NeXTStep/3.3/nsa/ApE_Errors.htmld/index.html

I think you can eliminate the error by entering the ROM and disabling the sound out tests.  Instructions for using the ROM monitor can be found here:

http://www.channelu.com/NeXT/NeXTStep/3.3/nsa/09_StartShut.htmld/index.html

Have fun with your new NeXT.  :)

Quote from: "Nitro"Hi Rob, welcome to the forums.  Here's a link to the error codes:

http://www.channelu.com/NeXT/NeXTStep/3.3/nsa/ApE_Errors.htmld/index.html

I think you can eliminate the error by entering the ROM and disabling the sound out tests.  Instructions for using the ROM monitor can be found here:

http://www.channelu.com/NeXT/NeXTStep/3.3/nsa/09_StartShut.htmld/index.html

Have fun with your new NeXT.  :)

Thank you for the info, Nitro.  DMA sound issue.  Do you think this will cause me issues (as in no sound)?

I guess I won't really know until I get my drive and get the OS running.

As far as my boot up hang - do you think it is because my drive does not have the OS on it?  Or that the drive is bad?

Rob at black hole told me a couple of things to try in the ROm Monitor.  I get the drive to boot up until the network notification comes up (says 10mb network type) then I can just hear the drive chatter about every 10 seconds and I have to unplug the slab to get it to turn off.  

Thanks again for your help!

Sincerely,
Rob

I don't think the sound out test error is anything to worry about, IIRC I have those tests disabled on my Slab.  It sounds to me like your hard drive might be bad.  You'll be able to test it once your new drive arrives.

Quote from: "Nitro"I don't think the sound out test error is anything to worry about, IIRC I have those tests disabled on my Slab.  It sounds to me like your hard drive might be bad.  You'll be able to test it once your new drive arrives.

Great - thanks much.  I actually mailed my drive to Black Hole as he told me he'd format it and see if it works - if it does, I have a spare.

I know I'll have some questions once I get the unit running.  I Have been studying on NeXTSTEP, and the NeXT in general, but still once I dig into it, I probably will have a few.

One thing before I get it back was whether or not to max the memory out.  It has 32MB and I could go to 128MB, but I just need to see if I like using the computer or not.  What do you recommend?

Thanks again
Rob

If you start to use your NeXT much at all, I'd go to at *least* 64mb. I run 128mb in mine and I'm usually using around 70-90mb all the time.

Quote from: "helf"If you start to use your NeXT much at all, I'd go to at *least* 64mb. I run 128mb in mine and I'm usually using around 70-90mb all the time.

Thanks - it looks like 128mb can be had for around $20-$25 -most ram that I find, though says 60ns and the specs I found for the Nexstation color I have is 70-100 - will that make a difference?  Any other things to watch for with memory in your experience?

Thanks again

Rob

I'm running matched 60ns edo sticks in my turbo color. I wouldn't suggest mixing speeds, but I'm not sure if it would matter much. Do *not* mix EDO and FPM sticks. It'll boot with it, but your performance will be terrible. I tried that in mine with some 32mb FPMs I had and some 16mb EDO sticks awhile back.

Quote from: "helf"I'm running matched 60ns edo sticks in my turbo color. I wouldn't suggest mixing speeds, but I'm not sure if it would matter much. Do *not* mix EDO and FPM sticks. It'll boot with it, but your performance will be terrible. I tried that in mine with some 32mb FPMs I had and some 16mb EDO sticks awhile back.

What about these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-128MB-4-32MB-EDO-SIMM-72-pin-Memory-RAM-72PIN-60ns_W0QQitemZ270401442273QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ef52e91e1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1205%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

or these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-128MB-4-32MB-EDO-SIMM-72-pin-Memory-RAM-72PIN-60ns_W0QQitemZ280346742369QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4145f7ce61&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1205%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

I think either should be ok, don't you?

Thanks much
Rob

either should work, but I would go with the matched set. Safer :)