#Bridgeboard Problem
19 messages in this thread
I am having problems with my keyboard and my A2386SX-25 Bridgeboard. After
heavy keyboard use the keyboard locks up. The Amiga still reponds as I am
still able to flip flop mouse control (Left A + P). The only way to get the
keyboard back is to "Small Size Window" and doouble click on PCRESET or reboot
my Amiga (CTRL + ALT + DEL doesn't work).
BTW I have an A4000 (10 megs), 1084, A2386SX-25 (5 megs).
Help! Thanks in advance.
Les,
Is the keyboard usable on the Amiga side other than the LeftA=P key to
flip the mouse?
Don
Yes, well 90% of the time.
Sometimes the PC window can't be resized so as to access to the Amiga side
to even try the keyboard there but when I can gain access it works fine.
Normally though I'm interested in getting back to the PC to find out where
I last saved (and then cry when I get there).
Also I've tried changing the Bridgeboard settings (color, priority,
etc…) but nothing seems to make it better (or worse).
Thanks.
-LES
Les from Bayonne via Auto Pilot
-TTFN
Les,
Darn…I've had my Amiga packed away for a few months while I am at at
temporary residence…so I'll have to do this from memory.
Try removing the settings file. Unfortunately, without my Amiga here,
I can't tell you which file it is…it's in the sys:pc directory (or a
sub-directory under it)…but I forget the name (it's a bit odd). Then go back
in on the PC side and save your settings both in the color (and if you ever use
it…the mono) modes. (after resetting to your preferences of course).
My memory tells me that used to cure a lot of 'strange lockup'
problems.
Don
Don,
I'll change the settings and see if I can recreate the problem. Thanks.
I'll get back to you on how this works.
Les from Bayonne, NJ via Auto Pilot
-TTFN
Hi Les, I missed the beginning of this thread, so I don't know what your actual
problem is, but the settings file is called SIDECARSETTINGS.TABLE, and it's in
the SYS:PC/SYSTEM directory.
Marion Deland
CROSSINGS – Newsletter for Amiga/PC/Mac compatibility
Hi Les,
I too have this problem with my A2386SX-25. It's as if someone unplugs the
keyboard from only the PC side, as it still works on the Amiga side, and the PC
itself has not crashed. Although, without keyboard input, you have to reboot.
I simply do a pcreset, I don't see why you have to small size the window first.
I posted this problem on here about two years ago, and I was told I was the
only person with this error. So.. I have no solution. The problem seems to
occur when I type too fast, or hold down a key for repeating.
I don't think the problem is specific to your machine, since I have a 2000 with
16megs. It would be nice to find out how to get rid of this problem, as it's a
pain in te neck when typing documents and you lose your keyboard before being
able to save it.
James,
Wow, same problem.
The reason I "Small Size Window" is because I turn off the window borders
and no gadgets are visible to switch to the Amiga.
GOOD PART:
I almost glad to see that I'm not the only one with this problem.
I thought it was me (either with operating or installing more Bridgeboard
RAM-5 Megs).
BAD PART:
We both still have this problem and no fix.
It's amazing how used to it I've gotten. I save very often (which is
good, I guess ?).
I'm running MagicMenu. I wonder if it causes any problems with the PC
side.
Thanks for the info James. I hope we see a reply with a fix.
Les from Bayonne via Auto Pilot
-TTFN
Les, Left-Amiga plus M or N will switch you from the Bridgeboard screen (or any
other custom screen) to the Workbench screen. Oops, now that I read the rest of
this thread, I see your problem has to do with keyboard lockup. Sorry…
Marion Deland
CROSSINGS – Newsletter for Amiga/PC/Mac compatibility
LES,
What Amiga programs did you run before using the A2386 bridgeboard (BB)?
I have it in an Amiga 2000HD with a GVP G-Force 030 accelerator. When I run
LIVEWIRE from GEnie with the Helmbrowser, the Amouse gets disconnected for
some reason, and I have to reboot to get it back. It may be that some Amiga
programs don't respect the common memory area between the Amiga and the BB.
Sincerely, 26-Jan-95 at 10:21p
(Mr.) Gayle Lee Fairless
Perfessor Fearless from the Rocket City!
Mr. Fairless,
Most of the time I'll start up the Bridgeboard and use the "PC side"
without running any Amiga programs. In my startup I beleive it's just
MagicMenu.
BTW I forgot to mention that I removed "BINDDRIVERS" from my
startup-sequence. I start the A2386SX-25 with an Icon (ICONX script) that
reads as follows:
Binddrivers
wait 20 secs
run >nil: SYS:PC/LPT1
run >nil: FLIPPER AUTO WINDOW=100,100
run >nil: SYS:PC/PCWINDOW COLOR
I haven't experienced any BB mouse problems, just the keyboard problem.
Thanks.
Les from Bayonne via Auto Pilot
-TTFN
>> In my startup I beleive it's just MagicMenu. BTW I forgot to
>> mention that I removed "BINDDRIVERS" from my startup-sequence.
LES,
I believe I saw Steve Ahlstrom [76703,2006] (or AForums [7530,1641])
comment over in section 9 of AmigaVendor that MagicMenu may not comply with all
of the suggested programming practices in Commodore's documentation. (Ask him
for confirmation.) You may wish to try booting without it.
As for the Startup-Sequence, it is better to leave it alone and put your
customization into user-startup. Now I am running AmigaOS 3.1 and the latest
Janus software. Since you are running FLIPPER, you must at least have the
latest Janus software.
>> I removed "BINDDRIVERS" from my startup-sequence.
My Amiga DOS manual for 3.1 states on page 6-93 that the "BINDDRIVERS
command must appear in the Startup-sequence file to configure the hardware when
the system is booted."
Have you always had this loss of keyboard function?
Sincerely, 28-Jan-95 at 11:01p
(Mr.) Gayle Lee Fairless
Perfessor Fearless from the Rocket City!
Hi Gayle,
I just got an A2000 with a bridgboard in it and as I'm ordering WB 3.1
next week would like to join you in running the latest Janus software
too.. <g> ..do you have a version number?
Steve
>> running the latest Janus software too.. <g> ..do you have a
>> version number?
Steve,
Let me check.
Well, the short answer is that it is version 2 or thereabouts. It's the
one that came with the 386 bridgeboard, and I need to find the diskettes that
came with it. I do HOPE your bridgeboard is the A2386!
I'm including a list of my PC directory and EXPANSION directory that
should give you enough detail either to satisfy or to confuse you.
6.System2.0:PC> list
LPT1X .info 485 —-rw-d 03-Sep-94 23:12:18
LPT1X 4592 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:44:45
Flipper 16180 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:44:47
PCReset .info 861 —-rw-d 03-Sep-94 23:12:17
pcwindow 81512 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:44:57
Services Dir —-rwed 03-Sep-94 22:42:34
System Dir —-rwed 27-Jul-94 20:09:12
PCPrefs .info 861 —-rw-d 03-Sep-94 23:12:17
PCPrefs 13196 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:45:23
LPT1 .info 484 —-rw-d 03-Sep-94 23:12:18
LPT1 2352 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:45:25
PCReset 2012 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:45:26
System.info 632 —-rw-d 03-Sep-94 23:12:17
Services.info 632 —-rw-d 03-Sep-94 23:12:17
PC Mono.info 876 —-rw-d 03-Sep-94 23:12:17
PC Color.info 876 —-rw-d 03-Sep-94 23:12:17
Flipper .info 828 —-rw-d 03-Sep-94 23:12:17
15 files – 2 directories – 271 blocks used
6.System2.0:PC> version flipper
flipper 36.92
6.System2.0:PC> version pcwindow
PCWindow 2.411
6.System2.0:PC> version lpt1
lpt1 36.26
6.System2.0:PC> version pcreset
pcreset 36.7
6.System2.0:PC>
6.System2.0:PC> SERVICES
6.System2.0:PC/Services> LIST
DOSServ.info 483 —-rw-d 03-Sep-94 22:42:33
MouseServ.info 485 —-rw-d 03-Sep-94 22:42:33
TimeServ.info 484 —-rw-d 03-Sep-94 22:42:34
MouseServ 10020 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:45:03
AutoLoad 5220 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:45:05
TimeServ 6256 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:45:06
DOSServ 7860 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:45:08
7 files – 70 blocks used
6.System2.0:PC/Services> version MouseServ
mouseserv 36.11
6.System2.0:PC/Services> version AutoLoad
autoload 36.21
6.System2.0:PC/Services> version TimeServ
timeserv 36.28
6.System2.0:PC/Services> version DOSServ
dosserv 36.105
6.System2.0:PC/Services> cd /
6.System2.0:PC>
6.System2.0:PC/System> LIST
pc.boot.2386sx 16384 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:44:12
SidecarSettings.Table 132 —-rwed 24-Oct-93 17:50:55
aboot.ctrl 21 —-rw-d 04-Mar-92 17:45:14
2500prefs 2 —-rwed 27-Jul-94 20:09:12
pc.boot 12288 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:45:16
ScanCode.table 4310 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:45:17
sidecarkeys.table 3741 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:45:18
7 files – 85 blocks used
6.System2.0:PC/System>
6.System2.0:> EXPANSION
6.System2.0:Expansion> LIST
Janus.Library 10888 —-rwed 04-Mar-92 17:43:34
Janus.Library.info 496 —-rw-d 03-Sep-94 22:42:55
gvpscsi 14804 —-rw-d 02-May-93 14:57:30
gvpscsi.info 535 —-rw-d 03-Sep-94 22:42:55
4 files – 58 blocks used
6.System2.0:Expansion> VERSION Janus.Library
janus.library 36.83
6.System2.0:Expansion>
==================================
I put this together by snapping listings and version results off a CLI
into an ED window. You should definitely have a Flipper program with Janus.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Sincerely, 29-Jan-95 at 6:55p
(Mr.) Gayle Lee Fairless
Perfessor Fearless from the Rocket City!
Wow!
Well I guess I asked didn't I.. <g> I was just wondering if you'd managed
to get an update I wasn't aware of, my Janus software is from the disks
supplied with the BB too…
Yes, I do have an A2386, and yes I do have the flipper program, I'm new to
all of this Bridgeboard stuff so I'm not the expert but a friend of mine
who has been using one for years says he wouldn't use flipper if it was
the last software on earth.. he's installed a 1.4meg floppy drive onto my
bridgeboard instead.
Thanks Gayle
Steve
Steve,
FWIW, I've used Flipper for almost 2 years now, first in my 2000 and then in my
3000 and I've never had any trouble with it.
-Marty
FYI .. When I upgraded my 2000 from 1.3 to 3.1, I wasn't sure that the
original Janus software for my 386 board would continue to work, so I ordered
Janus 2.1 from Kasara Microsystems (S.C.) last October. That has been placed
on back order, and I haven't seen it since…
… but the existing 386 Janus does indeed work OK. I had to reinstall it
(trying to be clever with libraries and such did not work), but it behaves as
before.
–Jim
Thanks Jim,
So there -is- an update available.. If you say yours works then I'll
probably not bother seeking it out, I'm having enough trouble getting 3.1,
…I'm having to order mine from Germany.. went to my local Amiga dealer
on Saturday to buy Emplant, and surprize, it's now my local IBM dealer..
Steve
I also had the same problem about 2 years ago. I had an A2000 (stock) then
switched and got an A4000 and the problem still persisted. 2 years ago nobody
had an answer (and seems no one does today either) but a couple of theories.
1. It's not the keyboard that locks, it is the Window Color/Mono
that freezes.
2. The AMOUSE memory area gets corrupted which causes the whole
Janus setup/software to misbehave, hence you have reboot or run
PC Reset.
You might also experience not being able to save the PC Color Window color
scheme. This bug however, only happen when I was working with the A4000. In
my setup, it didn't matter how many times I deleted the setup file on the Amiga
side and recreated it. The PC/Janus just didn't read the setup file for the
color scheme. What corrected all these problems (it seemed) was to get a
separate Video card. Once I installed it, the keyboard never froze again. And
to save as many slots as I could, I got a SVGA/CD ROM/Soundblaster combo card.
Hope this helps, Catcha later,