SGI: Hardware

kubatyszko wrote: ...with adapter board, or stuck somewhere else and wired to the CPU module's 8-pin location.

Deadbugged; glue the IC to the board upside down with 30 gage wires soldered to the pins and run them down to the CPU module's pin pads. Trick I learned in 'Nam... (Just kidding, everyone deadbugs that way, it's da COOLest!)

If you were "flashing" it from software it is most definitely a FLASH and not a PROM.
The xilinx chip on the CPU module is for setting the CPU timing only and does not have any boot software; that's why it is a write-once device, since only the factory needs to write into it.

Well, not to be picky, but there's a binary in IRIX ( http://nixdoc.net/man-pages/IRIX/flash.1.html ) called flash that flashes the PROM, blame SGI for naming not me
And yes, the EPROM needs to be programmed only once, but with modifications to the CPU modules and experiments that I have in mind - being able to easily reprogram it, would make a huge difference.

vishnu wrote: Deadbugged; glue the IC to the board upside down with 30 gage wires soldered to the pins and run them down to the CPU module's pin pads. Trick I learned in 'Nam... (Just kidding, everyone deadbugs that way, it's da COOLest!)

Yes, but if you want to get those extra JTAG pins, they need some kind of header, so a breakout board is in order (but indeed the board itself could be deadbugged, albeit not as cool as upside-down chip).

MrWeedster wrote: And the base 300 Mhz cpus and board you can purchase here .

Must it be a 300-MHz R5200, for the upgrade?

(Also, does this thread mean that O2 owners can now enjoy more 600-MHz upgrades? If so, I'd also definitely be interested.)

khalidschofield wrote: Right won the PMC-Sierra cpu's. Next need the PROM from Xilinx (XC1765ELS08C) plus the programmer for the PROM. Where do we get the PROM code to download? Does anyone have a number of RM5200 boards to upgrade? I've three in machines.

I have 3 spares and would like to get a few chips from you as well. PM sent

MrWeedster wrote: Because i bought one of the new O2+ from israel, i was in the search of 600 mhz o2 cpus, too.

I found one german that said on his site that he has some left, altough the entry is ten years old, so i contactet him.
He meant that he moves around and the cpus/eproms/etc lays somewhere and he takes a look when he finds time.

Its some time now, i think i contact him and see....

And the base 300 Mhz cpus and board you can purchase here .

'edefault' was the last to create a batch of these upgrades as far as I recall - doesn't look like he's logged in for a couple of years though.

I've bought the 89 cpu chips and also a few R5200 cpu's. Does someone want to assist with the PROM flashing and soldering? Who's in the UK?

I have the 600MHz cpu chips now and a few R5200 cpu boards to upgrade. Who wants one? I need to get programmed PROM chips for these CPU's also. Anyone lend a hand?

Does it have to be an RM5200 CPU or can the 200MHz R5000s also do this?

TeamBlackFox wrote: Does it have to be an RM5200 CPU or can the 200MHz R5000s also do this?

Has to be 300 or 350. It's a different board.

Damnit. I don't have one of those. Oh well I'll keep my eyes peeled on eBay.

All boards are 300MHz which I have. Missing the prom which I couldn't find also need assistance programming them

Would this mean, if you get this ‘figured out’ (so to speak), you'd be willing to perform modifications for people?

yes thats the idea. I'll do a load of mods and offer them here. I need the programed proms though

I'm interested, don't have time to solder for anyone but myself. Can't program PROMS either

I'll just have to check that I have the right boards, I have a few spares. If they are the right kind I'd be willing to sell at a good price.

I've got an RM5200 stashed in the closet somewhere. I'd be interested in one of these to see how well Linux plays with it. I assume this RM7k chip wouldn't have any L3 cache available, right? I know on the 350MHz RM7k, the L3 cache is externally mounted on the CPU board.

Kumba wrote: I've got an RM5200 stashed in the closet somewhere. I'd be interested in one of these to see how well Linux plays with it. I assume this RM7k chip wouldn't have any L3 cache available, right? I know on the 350MHz RM7k, the L3 cache is externally mounted on the CPU board.

On the RM7k, L1 and L2 are on-die, and L3 is the external cache. When you upgrade an RM5200 O2 with an RM7k, the RM5200 1MB external L2 becomes the RM7k 1MB external L3.

Wasn't there a way to solder more or replace the 1mb with more memory? I vaugly recall that from somewhere

I want to do a batch of upgrades soon. Anyone going to assist with the prom issue?

Still wanting to find someone to handle the upgrade for me. Anyone want to do this for some money? I have the CPU modules to upgrade and new 600mhz processors. Lacking the prom and resistors plus time to do the work.