Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

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Xzarian
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by Xzarian »

I just checked some older snes core releases as bootsector pointed out in the github issue. Just like bootsector, the last working version for me is SNES_20190204. Something happened between SNES_20190204 and SNES_20190225 to cause this I assume? As the atari forums are gone, so is the change log that Sorgelig maintained so I can't see what he posted. I took a look at the commits between those two versions and there are a lot of changes suffice to say.

Feb 4, 2019 (This commit happened after the release I think?)
- Reduce audio taps.

Feb 11, 2019
- Fix Vsync length

Feb 12, 2019
- Merge pull request #35 from paulb-nl/vsync

Feb 23, 2019
- Merge pull request #14 from MiSTer-devel/master

Feb 24, 2019
- Rewrite the muxer of chips.
- Minor update.
- sys: update scaler, scandoubler. User port definition. Remove VIP.
- Merge pull request #36 from srg320/master
- SA1 support

Hopefully this helps. I do have a new de-10 nano on the way so I'll report back my findings when it arrives.
"MiSTer is not a garbage can with random functions used by 1-2 people."
-Sorgelig
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bootsector
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by bootsector »

Xzarian wrote: Wed May 27, 2020 2:59 pm I just checked some older snes core releases as bootsector pointed out in the github issue. Just like bootsector, the last working version for me is SNES_20190204. Something happened between SNES_20190204 and SNES_20190225 to cause this I assume? As the atari forums are gone, so is the change log that Sorgelig maintained so I can't see what he posted. I took a look at the commits between those two versions and there are a lot of changes suffice to say.

Feb 4, 2019 (This commit happened after the release I think?)
- Reduce audio taps.

Feb 11, 2019
- Fix Vsync length

Feb 12, 2019
- Merge pull request #35 from paulb-nl/vsync

Feb 23, 2019
- Merge pull request #14 from MiSTer-devel/master

Feb 24, 2019
- Rewrite the muxer of chips.
- Minor update.
- sys: update scaler, scandoubler. User port definition. Remove VIP.
- Merge pull request #36 from srg320/master
- SA1 support

Hopefully this helps. I do have a new de-10 nano on the way so I'll report back my findings when it arrives.
I've already tested every commit in between the working and the non-working builds. You can see the results here:

https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/SNES_Mi ... -585208380
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Sorgelig
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by Sorgelig »

Those who have intro problem, please test this version:
SNES.zip
(1.8 MiB) Downloaded 262 times
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bootsector
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by bootsector »

That didn't fix for Secret of Mana at least. I will ask my friend to test with the other RAM module specifically on FF3 and I will report here.
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Xzarian
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by Xzarian »

Sorgelig wrote: Wed May 27, 2020 4:24 pm Those who have intro problem, please test this version:
SNES.zip
Unfortunately doesn't fix it for me.
"MiSTer is not a garbage can with random functions used by 1-2 people."
-Sorgelig
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wark91
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by wark91 »

For me I didn't have issue with FF3 but with this new build It fixed Secret mana on the first run after a hard reboot of the mister. If I reset the game the issue happens again so it is better for the first run.
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by mdd45 »

Also for me FF3 still has the problem.
nagus
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by nagus »

Xzarian wrote: Wed May 27, 2020 2:59 pm I just checked some older snes core releases as bootsector pointed out in the github issue. Just like bootsector, the last working version for me is SNES_20190204. Something happened between SNES_20190204 and SNES_20190225 to cause this I assume? As the atari forums are gone, so is the change log that Sorgelig maintained so I can't see what he posted. I took a look at the commits between those two versions and there are a lot of changes suffice to say.

Feb 4, 2019 (This commit happened after the release I think?)
- Reduce audio taps.

Feb 11, 2019
- Fix Vsync length

Feb 12, 2019
- Merge pull request #35 from paulb-nl/vsync

Feb 23, 2019
- Merge pull request #14 from MiSTer-devel/master

Feb 24, 2019
- Rewrite the muxer of chips.
- Minor update.
- sys: update scaler, scandoubler. User port definition. Remove VIP.
- Merge pull request #36 from srg320/master
- SA1 support

Hopefully this helps. I do have a new de-10 nano on the way so I'll report back my findings when it arrives.
Oh wow, those are old builds! Was 128MB SDRAM modules for MiSTer a thing back then? When I had issues with my SDRAM module, even though it passed memtest, it caused graphical glitches on Super Castlevania once I updated to SNES_20190719.rbf but the build I updated to previously worked fine, SNES_20190609.rbf. I'm guessing maybe the memory speed or area usage changed which brought out the wonkyness of the SDRAM module? Once I replaced the module, all was good. Though, my issue is probably not related to this issue since it affects much more users, figured I'd mention it to try. Not sure if this works for 128MB, because I was using 32MB at the time I think, but do you have issues with SNES_20190609.rbf ?
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Xzarian
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by Xzarian »

nagus wrote: Wed May 27, 2020 7:56 pm Oh wow, those are old builds! Was 128MB SDRAM modules for MiSTer a thing back then? When I had issues with my SDRAM module, even though it passed memtest, it caused graphical glitches on Super Castlevania once I updated to SNES_20190719.rbf but the build I updated to previously worked fine, SNES_20190609.rbf. I'm guessing maybe the memory speed or area usage changed which brought out the wonkyness of the SDRAM module? Once I replaced the module, all was good. Though, my issue is probably not related to this issue since it affects much more users, figured I'd mention it to try. Not sure if this works for 128MB, because I was using 32MB at the time I think, but do you have issues with SNES_20190609.rbf ?
Interesting. I'll try out SNES_20190609
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Xzarian
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by Xzarian »

SNES_20190609 doesn't work either for me.
"MiSTer is not a garbage can with random functions used by 1-2 people."
-Sorgelig
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by keith.f.kelly »

keith.f.kelly wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 3:24 pm The next thing I was thinking about trying was some kind of powered external HDMI signal booster. I figure it may act as a proper buffer between the MiSTer and the HDMI switch and cure the remaining signal sync annoyance.
I just received and tried out this little beauty, and I can confirm it solved all the aforementioned weird behaviors I was seeing regarding the DE-10 Nano’s poorly-buffered HDMI port:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PWYN3L4/
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by Coffea »

Sorgelig wrote: Wed May 27, 2020 4:24 pm Those who have intro problem, please test this version:
SNES.zip
Attract loop crashes out the second time around resulting in flickering garbage.
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by Sorgelig »

srg320 has problem in FFIII intro. So this is good news as he will be able to debug it.
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by bootsector »

Sorgelig wrote: Thu May 28, 2020 8:43 pm srg320 has problem in FFIII intro. So this is good news as he will be able to debug it.
This is great news, indeed! Thanks Sorg and srg320 for looking into this!
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by KneeTie »

Sorgelig wrote: Wed May 27, 2020 4:24 pm Those who have intro problem, please test this version:
SNES.zip
The dialog boxes were cut off for me. This version fixed that issue on some occasions but, not 100% of the time.
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by Sorgelig »

try this version:
SNES.zip
(1.8 MiB) Downloaded 273 times
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by bootsector »

Sorgelig wrote: Fri May 29, 2020 2:26 pm try this version:
SNES.zip
Holy Moly! This has fixed Secret of Mana!!!!! :o

I will ask my friend to test FF3 intro and report back!

Thank you Sorg and srg320!!!!
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by wark91 »

confirmed also on my side for Secret of Mana ! Thank you !
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by colonel panic »

keith.f.kelly wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 3:24 pm I think it’s not so much about power draw, but about poor electrical buffering on the DE-10 Nano’s HDMI port.
I can confirm that the HDMI port definitely has issues regarding 5v. I'm using a Moread HDMI to VGA adapter for direct_video output which includes a micro USB port for optionally powering it externally. I tried using it that way once and I think it sent all that 5v straight back to the DE-10 Nano because it lit up like I had powered it on (the board was not plugged into the wall yet, just the adapter). The board also gave out a high pitched whine like a CRT. Needless to say I unplugged it as soon as I could and never tried that again haha
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by Sorgelig »

Don't forget de10-nano is development board, not consumer. It doesn't provide enough protection against wrong use.
5V on HDMI is just direct connection from power input. So basically you can power DE10-nano through HDMI port. So be careful.
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by bootsector »

colonel panic wrote: Fri May 29, 2020 4:13 pm
keith.f.kelly wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 3:24 pm I think it’s not so much about power draw, but about poor electrical buffering on the DE-10 Nano’s HDMI port.
I can confirm that the HDMI port definitely has issues regarding 5v. I'm using a Moread HDMI to VGA adapter for direct_video output which includes a micro USB port for optionally powering it externally. I tried using it that way once and I think it sent all that 5v straight back to the DE-10 Nano because it lit up like I had powered it on (the board was not plugged into the wall yet, just the adapter). The board also gave out a high pitched whine like a CRT. Needless to say I unplugged it as soon as I could and never tried that again haha
:shock:

So just to confirm, whenever I wanna try those cheap HDMI to VGA adapters with MiSTer's direct video, I should NEVER use external 5V on those adapters, right? Still, are they going to work without external power?
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by Coffea »

Fixed the issues for me, attract loop looped like it should, was able to play. Excellent.

What was the change ?
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by colonel panic »

@bootsector
Correct. I have 3 different HDMI to VGA adapters for different projects and they all work perfectly fine with the MiSTer when plugged straight in without external power
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by bootsector »

@Coffea - I'm also super curious on what was changed.

@colonel panic - Thanks for the confirmation!
Raistlin77
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by Raistlin77 »

Sorgelig wrote: Fri May 29, 2020 2:26 pm try this version:
SNES.zip
Hot damn! I think you fixed it! My MiSTer ALWAYS crashes at the flaming text after the first cycle. It has made it through 3 now.
Raistlin77
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by Raistlin77 »

UPDATE: I've had it running for over an hour now, and it still hasn't crashed.

Fixed at last!
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by Xzarian »

Thank you Sorgelig and srg320!! Wow, so glad this is fixed. :D
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

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Works for me too! Thank you both for your efforts!
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by KneeTie »

Sorgelig wrote: Fri May 29, 2020 2:26 pm try this version:
SNES.zip

It worked every time for me. Thanks!
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Re: Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

Unread post by R9delta »

It works great now. No issues.
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