The Centurbo II version B or (CT2B)

phantomm_1

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Feb 20, 2010, 4:29:27 PM2/20/10

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Greetings,

Are there any CT2B users out there anywhere?

I was wondering if there have been any modifications,
software or info for better performance or bug fixes if
any have been found over the past 2years or so.

Also, of the Flashes, which version is the best to use?

And are there any known problems with any of the Flashes?

I'm a CT2B owner myself.

phan...@suddenlink.net

Mark Bedingfield

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Feb 21, 2010, 12:36:11 AM2/21/10

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I have one. I use the latest flash (forget which one as it would be more
than a couple of years old) it has the misfortune on my early CT2B of
restricting it to 32meg. Its a trade off, latest flash or more ram and
as 46 meg of ram appears to be enough for me, I'm not that worried.

I only have a stock Falcon setup atm tho, which remind's me I need to
repair my screenblaster.

Mark

phantomm_1

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Feb 21, 2010, 3:06:16 AM2/21/10

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"Mark Bedingfield" <atar...@nomorespampleaseoptusnet.com.au> wrote in
message news:4b80c640$0$5422$afc3...@news.optusnet.com.au...

I didn't know that any of the Flashes had a effect of the size of FastRam!?

Like to know which one, and the side effect, crashes?

Barry
phan...@suddenlink.net

Mark Bedingfield

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Feb 22, 2010, 4:40:01 AM2/22/10

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Its not the flash that effects the ram size, its the chipset. Because it
has an early chipset there are issues with its memory addressing. I
wouldn't be worried about it if I were you.

As for stability, I've struggled to keep the CT2 stable, its VERY fussy
about what it will and won't run. I'm not sure the reasoning behind that
but suspect its more mainboard related. I have a TT and another 14 meg
Falcon so I have plenty to experiment on ;-)

Mark

Ekkehard Flessa

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Feb 21, 2010, 12:19:00 AM2/21/10

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P1>Are there any CT2B users out there anywhere?

I've got a CT2A.

P1>I was wondering if there have been any modifications, software or info
P1>for better performance or bug fixes if any have been found over the
P1>past 2years or so.

I don't know any at all. Mine hasn't been updated since it was installed.

mit freundlichem Gru� aus Ahornberg
Ekkehard

phantomm_1

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Feb 22, 2010, 3:23:24 PM2/22/10

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"Mark Bedingfield" <atar...@nomorespampleaseoptusnet.com.au> wrote in

message news:4b8250e5$0$10808$afc3...@news.optusnet.com.au...

ok, I have 2 CT2Bs, and one is more stable than the other.
Actually, it's almost as stable as a stock falcon. I can run just
about anything on it.

They other one is not as stable. However, the software setup is
different. I need to change the main bootup manager to XBOOT III,
which I have (original package) and do some sorting of Auto and ACCs.
Some need to be removed as I've found that some are just about the same
thing, just in another look. I'm suprised that it is as stable as it is, as
I
had that one loaded down with all kinds of ACCs, Auto programs and then
the stuff related to the desktop. However, I had the best software I could
get at that time. It needs the software streamlined and maybe a few
heatsinks
and a few wire connections checked.

But I have found the IDE upgrade on both to be rock solid and alot faster
than
stock. Also, the videomodification if done right, allows solid TC
resolutions above
640x480. The software for that modification needs installed correctly too.
I found that on one, it worked but wasn't setup correctly. And there are 2
or 3
versions and only one needs to be used.

Having programs installed that do the same thing but may have a few
different
features can cause problems on a CT2B imo.
I've found that just about anything will work, but keeping it streamlined is
part
of the answer to a stable CT2B system. Also, the wire connections need to be
secured. I've used a HotGlue Gun on some connections for stability and
insulation.

I also have a almost stock Falcon setup and a couple of motherboards to
tinker on.

You mentioned a different chipset. I know there was a Centurbo I or(
A )version,
that had the expansion ports.

If there were different chipsets on the B version, I'd like to know which
ones,
as I have 2, and there is a difference between the heatsink and Fan on the
boards.

Also, anything about Dolmen you can tell me, or anyone?

For me the CT2B is just what I needed on my Falcon for extra speed over all.
I think it was the right way to go, because compatibility is really good, at
least on
mine. But there are improvements that could be done.

The Blitter thing was/is annoying. I never fully understood why it had to be
disabled,
And it's one of the main causes for crashes.

However, when getting it all setup correctly, it's a real nice speedy way to
fly.
It's not the Fastest, but being able to use Apex and some other software
with
extra speed and memory is nice.

If anyone, knows of any modifications, software or hardware for better
performance
and stability of the Centurbo II version B, or earlier versions, then I'd be
very
interested to read or see them.

Barry
phan...@suddelink.net

Rodolphe Czuba

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Feb 25, 2010, 6:13:14 PM2/25/10

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Don't confuse CT2 A & CT2 B please...

Your CT2 is A, not B.

A = 32 MB max with early chip (from National Semiconductors).
B = 128 MB max with my designed chip (CPLD)

The letter is on the PCB after CT2...

Regards

Mark Bedingfield

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Feb 26, 2010, 2:41:12 AM2/26/10

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On 26/02/2010 10:13 AM, Rodolphe Czuba wrote:
> Don't confuse CT2 A& CT2 B please...

>
> Your CT2 is A, not B.
>
> A = 32 MB max with early chip (from National Semiconductors).
> B = 128 MB max with my designed chip (CPLD)
>
> The letter is on the PCB after CT2...

Mines a CT2B Rudolph, with early flash it pulls up the full 64MB chip,
later flash only 32mB is available. Still a good card tho. ;-)

Mark

Rodolphe Czuba

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Feb 27, 2010, 5:23:50 AM2/27/10

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Not normal thing because ALL CT2 B have the same code and ship !
And the EDO ship is decoding and managing 128 MB.

What do you mean by 'flash' ? the software inside flash ship or CPLD ???

Mark Bedingfield

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Mar 2, 2010, 5:18:44 AM3/2/10

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Sorry for the delay Rudolphe, I haven't used it a lot lately as the
battery has given up in the dallas. Will have to sort it out as I'm
rearranging my den ;-)

With a 64mb EDO installed it registers as 32mb with the most current
version of the bios (software inside the flash) yet with older versions
it pulls up the full 64mb. I will get it up and running again in the
next week and let you know how I go.

Cheers

Mark

Rodolphe Czuba

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Mar 12, 2010, 4:15:43 AM3/12/10

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So, you should use the previos version of the flash to have 64 MB.
AFAIR, the lastest version was release after I leaved the company... and it
is possible it is buggy !
Give me the date of the version I will tell you if it is good or not.

Mark Bedingfield

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Mar 12, 2010, 6:38:50 AM3/12/10

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Cheers Rudolph, jut plugged the old girl in. I'd forgotten how fast and
how much fun it is ;-)

According to putflash, the current version is 1.39. I can't recall the
earlier version that allowed for 64mb. Do you happen to have an archive?
I could sit down and figure it out that way. I do seem to recall it was
quite an old version tho.

Thanks again.

Mark

Mark Bedingfield

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Mar 12, 2010, 7:45:47 AM3/12/10

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Got an answer for you. 1.32 or earlier pulls up as 64 meg, 1.33 or later
pulls up as 32 meg. Now to replace that pesky clock chip.....

Thanks Rudolph

Mark

Rodolphe Czuba

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Mar 14, 2010, 5:08:29 PM3/14/10

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Yes, 1.32 is the good one.

There is an archive on my pages for CT2.

http://rodolphe.czuba.free.fr/CT2/english/welcome.htm

Mark Bedingfield

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Mar 15, 2010, 4:28:55 AM3/15/10

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On 15/03/2010 8:08 AM, Rodolphe Czuba wrote:
> Yes, 1.32 is the good one.
>
> There is an archive on my pages for CT2.
>
> http://rodolphe.czuba.free.fr/CT2/english/welcome.htm
>

Cheers Rudolphe. Been so long since I've used this thing I will have to
relearn its quirks. Got it sitting next to my TT030 atm, ;-)

1.32 it is.

Thanks again

Mark