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krowmagnum
User

Posts: 948

Re:PowerMac 9600/monitor problem - 2008/01/15 11:41 If that's not confusing enough for ya.......

I found another board in my pile of Mac stuff with the same footprint as the 9500 board I mentioned and has 12 RAM slots and 6 PCI slots, but the PSU connector points up instead of out to the edge of the board. The part No is 820-0865-A

My guess is this is a 9600 board and I'll check to make sure. Check your boards part No and let me know and maybe we can find a solution. Unfortunately Apple did not label the model number on most boards. The 9500 board is labeled "9500 PowerMac" but not this one. Either way I don't think the direction of the power plug will make much difference and I can make either board work in a 9600. (if they are functional)

I've had these so long I can't remember where they came from ;-)

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triplec
User

Posts: 13

Re:PowerMac 9600/monitor problem - 2008/01/19 21:33 Well I decided to just pay Autobahn for their testing ($40) and picked up both machines (9600 & 8600) and bring them home to rethink the whole venture. I've subsequently tried different variations on the installed RAM including just using the original sticks that came in the machine when I first received it (2 X 32 MB's which I placed in slots A4 and B4) and NO restart problems! And when I then added one of my new 128MB sticks-still no problem. However, when I go beyond two of the 128MB sticks (trying different slots, different sticks etc.) the problem of restarting manifests itself. My testing is still inconclusive but I'm thinking that the problem is NOT with the machine but with the RAM. I've had other problems on two other machines with RAM from RamDirect in Calif.
So for now I am just going to use the 9600 with the 192MB I have installed (32MB, 32MB, 128MB) and see how it goes. I'll probably try some other better name vendors in the future and read up on all of this some more.
The identification that I've found on the 9600's logic board is:
Q1
NI9749

Apple Computer, Inc. 1997
820-0929-A

KD7495LMACSA
K6S 9600

Thank you,
Carl

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krowmagnum
User

Posts: 948

Re:PowerMac 9600/monitor problem - 2008/01/19 22:43 That's good news, sort of.

I think you found the problem. I had a similar but opposite problem with my 9500 clone where it would not show video from a cold boot without a restart. The restart bypasses the boot up RAM test. I don't know why that would cause the problem you are having though.

I've never heard anything bad about RAMDirect and I think have bought some 128MB DIMMs from them in the past. I would see if they will replace the RAM that seems to cause the problem.

I have always had very good luck with 128MB 5v DIMMs from OtherWorld Computing and their RAM is guaranteed to work in your Mac.

I can't remember if you have run any RAM tests on it ?

If not, try GuagePro or TechTool Pro and let the test run for a few hours. Either of these apps should pin down what RAM is bad.

DIMMFirstAid is another app you could try if you have it.

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triplec
User

Posts: 13

Re:PowerMac 9600/monitor problem - 2008/01/21 12:53 I tried the 128MB sticks in my 8600 and they cause the same restart problem in it!
Four of the RAM slots were occupied by two 32MB sticks, one 64MB stick and one 128MB stick. To this I added four of my RamDiect 128MB sticks (filling all eight slots) and could not get the machine to restart. I then removed two of them, then one more leaving one remaining and got it to restart just once out of three attempts. Only after removing all four of the "new" 128MB sticks will the machine restart consistently.
The 9600 seems OK leaving just one "new" 128MB stick with the original two 32MB sticks (total: 192MB). I am guessing that in the 8600 with the one original 128MB stick it is "too much" with even one more "new" 128MB to be added?
The 8600/300 and the 9600/350 have in common the Mach V logic board but I'm thinking the problem must be with the larger 128MB RAM itself.
I may try the same size sticks from another supplier or 64MB RAM instead. I read at MacGurus that although the machine will accomodate 12 X 128MB sticks it can only utilize 768MB and that 12 X 64MB is more efficient (faster) anyway.
At least my PowerMac 9600 is usable now!

Carl

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krowmagnum
User

Posts: 948

Re:PowerMac 9600/monitor problem - 2008/01/21 18:07 I doubt that the problem is the Mac, but more the specific 128MB sticks of RAM you have. I have a 9500 clone PowerTower Pro and it's full of 128MB sticks from OWC.

I've never heard of the 768MB limit and have 1024MB in my clone. I think I had 1024MB in a 9600/200 a few years ago too. The guys at MacGurus are usually pretty knowledgeable but I'm not sure about the 768MB limit on a 9600 unless it's a specific issue only with the Mach V boards.

You shouldn't have any problems with OWC RAM. OWC is the only place I would buy 5v DIMMs. The problem I had with RAM was from another manufacturer (unknown) and since then I have not used anything but OWC RAM in my clone.

I would call OWC and see what they say about loading it up with 128MB sticks. They woudl know for sure what limits, if any your Mac has for RAM. They would know exactly what your limits would be on the Mach V board. I've never had a PPC with the Mach V board so I can't say, but the 768MB limit sounds very questionable.

RAM performance is only relevant to what RAM is used, and depends on the RAM speed, whether it's EDO or FPM, and if it's 2K or 4K refresh.

Either way you were not over the 768MB "limit" anyway so that would not affect your situation.

At least it's working correctly now.

Post edited by: krowmagnum, at: 2008/01/22 00:20

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triplec
User

Posts: 13

Re:PowerMac 9600/monitor problem - 2008/01/31 06:55 Good Morning krowmagnum

I didn't call OWC but just went ahead and ordered four sticks of 128MB from them for the 9600. And guess what...NO restart problems. Obviously the problem is not with the machine. It must be the RAM that I had got from RamDirect and since I had tried different combinations of that RAM it could not have been just one or two of those but something common to that entire batch that was the source of the problem.
I am running Mac OS 7.6.1 on the 9600 and on a PowerBook 3400c 240MHz and am exploring System 7 Today and just having a great time!
Next I want to install a Sonnet Crescendo/PCI G3 500MHz/1MB I just purchased new for $49. Also, a new ATI Radeon 7000 64MB video card I just bought from mac geniuses on eBay for $38 plus shipping. The card might be a bit problematical with OS 7.6 but I want to try. I can always put it in my wife's PowerMac 867 Dual MDD.

Thank you for all your help and I'm sure I'll have more questions for you in the future!

Carl

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