#ver11 crash/circles
3 messages in this thread
Kevin,
I'm not using a software fix (errata17.exe)to the B-1 step problem.
I used the Ironwood chip to fix my Intel chip. See following excerpt from
my reply to message #30583: (…We had major problems moving into Release
11 because of "B step" 80386 chips in our vintage (1987) Acer Model 1100
16mH machines. All software fixes/patches were for nought. Got no help
from Acer for a long while – in part because the motherboard on these early
machines were of proprietary design. (I was told they couldn't give me
just any Intel chip – we had to wait until Acer/Intel worked out some
agreement.) ….. Found a way out – some of you may have noticed that in
early documentation for Release 11/c1 the discussion of the B-step problem
refered to hardware fixes and mentioned a company called Ironwood. The
referenced was deleted from the presumably more up to date readme file, and
is not in 11/c2 documentation.
In my opinion it should not have been. I contacted Ironwood
Electronics, POB 21151, St. Paul, MN 55121 (612-431-7025) and had an item
called FIX-80386 shipped overnight letter for only $164. This chip fits
between the 80386 and the motherboard and has made it possible for me to
run Release 11 on my old machines….)
Also, I'm using Release 11c2, not Release 10…
I'm beginning to wonder if I picked up a !VIRUS! that affects
either ACAD or the 80387 chip. (I figure circles may require more floating
point calcs than other stuff, but then what do I know?)
Does anyone know of any reports of ACAD specific or related viruses?
Charles,
Regarding your B-1 step problem, I do not know enough to help you out. I
am curious about you comments that suggest Intell made a special version
chip for Acer. I would consider a call to Intel to verify that, and if in
fact the 80386 chip in your PC is not special, your best route might be to
replace the chip with a new intel 80386. The cost should not be too much
higher than what you paid for the Ironwood chip.
Regarding the virus possibility, your choice there would be to reinstall
ACAD, perhaps to a new directory and try it out. OR… more drastic, to
reformat the hard disk, and reload from factory disks, your software. I am
not aware of viruses that can alter 80386 or 80387 chips. They are not
EEPROMs. At least I have never read of such an ocurrance.
Kevin
Thanks for your help and comments. I didn't realize the Ironwood FIX386
handled only the Errata21 problem. Errata17 is incredibly erratic :-),
obviously — by following instructions for the software patch (I load
errata17.exe from my ACAD.ADS file) I seem to have solved my problems.
Again, thanks to all who listened to my increasingly paranoid lament.