MESSIAH 2 v7: DVD-R NOT BOOTING [Update 17:30 GMT 14-Dec-02]

[charlie_ps2]

If you have installed Messiah 2 and it boots everything except DVD-R, would you please supply the following information into this thread or as much of it as possible in this priority order?

1. The Actel chip production batch (e.g: 0245)
2. The Messiah firmware revision (on the reverse, e.g. 1.08)
3. The PS2 version (e.g. v7 PAL; v4 NTSC)

Thanks - we need to properly bottom out the issues associated with this reported aberration.

UPDATE: 23:30 GMT 11-Dec-02 The problem has been isolated. Discussion will have to take place between hDL and Actel regarding this batch (0245) - but at this time it would appear that the chip is not able to operate within its specified voltage range.

The instant fix, for those who are able, is to put a further diode in series with the existing diode to lower the voltage further to enable the Actel chip (in this batch) to operate. This assumes that the track has been cut.

For those who might ask whether or not a lower voltage point can be found - well the answer is yes-ish. Unfortunately the 3.3v point peaks to 3.6v at boot up and that's exactly what's not wanted at that moment. The 2.6v point (if we disclosed it) would require the diode to be shorted and its reliability is also not known; this 2.6v fix also requires you to wait a few seconds when switching the PS2 off before switching it on again so that memory is properly flushed.

The alternative is to return your 0245 Actel based chip, if it doesn't boot DVD-Rs or if you haven't yet used it and can't fit the second diode in series and you will receive a working replacement. There will, of course, be a delay to your originl aspirations.

hDL are keen for their customers to understand that there is no bug on the Messiah 2 (the v6 thing isn't a bug). In this case, the Actel chip is apparently not working within the spec'd voltage range, cause to be determined in conjunction with Actel. The problem is not associated with any side effect from cutting the track.

Production is being ramped up again to deliver Messiah 2 without this voltage problem.


UPDATE: 23:00 GMT 12-Dec-02 hDL have investigated the PSX issue and report that on their test systems with the'fixed' 0245 pcb, PSX games CD-R & original boot 100%. It is likely that Keyscoob (who conducted the consumer test of this fix, reported the PSX issue and who has been consulted in the preparation of this report) may have had an additional problem unrelated to this fix.


UPDATE: 17:30 GMT 14-Dec-02 I have further information on the Actel 0245 batch.

1. It is now apparent that only a small proportion of the 0245 batch suffers from the voltage spec variance. These had specific "wafer IDs" orinted on the Actel chip underside.
   
2. It is further apparent that only PROs were programmed into chips from the suspect Actel wafer, amounting to between 1,200 and 2,900 devices.
   
3. These PROS from this Actel wafer will operate properly with the second diode fitted and some production will attract this feature until this wafer is exhausted.
   
4. Actel chips from 0245 batch that are NOT affected by the variance continue to be used in production with a single diode installed on the PCB.
   
5. hDL will test a sample from each tray, in a special rig, prior to programming, to ensure that the Actel chip is to data sheet spec.

The symptom associated with the Actel chip voltage variance is tha DVD-R doesn't boot. In actual fact, what is happening is that the Actel chip isn't initiating correctly during the sequence and so cannot properly recognise the DVD-R.

So whilst you may see Actel 0245 chips in the field, only PROs were affected and those in production now will work properly.

[necrolop]

God please not another problem. On that note:

Ive gotten multiple NTSC v7 PS2s botoing DVD-Rs fine, Messiah v1.08

What Actel batch? That's the important fact please

[keyscoob]

ALL MACHINES DETAILED BELOW ARE UK PAL

Chipped several v7 (GH-022) PS2's with modified (track cut) 0245 (v1.08) M2 PRO. Played PS2 CDR & PSX CDR 100%. PS2 DVDR resulted in the 'Red Screen of Death', ALL originals played 100%. Swapped the mod, for a known good 0243 (v1.07) M2 Pro, keeping ALL wires from the original install. PS2 DVDR's started to boot 100%. All other v7's modded today with the modified (track cut) 0245 mods showed similar, non-working, results. One even refused to boot PSX CDR and Import PSX Originals.

Chipped a v4 (gap bios) with modified (track cut) 0245 (v1.08) M2 Pro. Played PS2 CDR & PSX CDR 100%. PS2 DVDR resulted in the 'Red Screen of Death' or just electrons spinning, ALL original PS2 Games (in and out of region) played 100%. Swapped the chip, for a Messiah1, keeping ALL wires (except the now redundant CLK) from original install. PS2 DVDR's started to boot 100%.

Repairing the track break had no effect on the 0245 (v1.08) M2 Pro mods. Operation was as previously observed.

[EnTiTy]

not really a problem because i sorted it but on 3 v7s and 2 v5s pal i have seen this problem it red screens on dvdr but all others formats work ps2 cdr and ps2.

batch number 0245 firmware 1.07 ps2 v 5 and 7

it was caused by the clock point nothing else was removed on all 3 i headed straight for the clock point the clock point used were the alternate clock point on both v5 and 7 once thicker wire was used the problem went away the same symtom and solution solved the problem other than that i dont see it being a problem just installer error using wrong gauge wire hope.
EnTiTy

[keyscoob]

No, this is not the problem.

If you read my post above re the v7 machine, simply swapping the mod for a known good one (keeping ALL existing wiring even CLK) from an earlier batch cured the problem! NO changes to the wiring, CLK or otherwise, were made. Out of my last batch of M2 Pro over 100 installs went 100%.

In the interests of science I tried thicker wire on both the new AND old CLK points. No benifit was gained and problem still persists, but swapping the mod for a known good one from my earlier batch cures the problem.

...

[EnTiTy]

defo a fault with the mod then.
EnTiTy

[vietnamese]

The Actel chip production batch : 0241

The Messiah firmware revision: 1.08 (no cut track on any of them)

18 nstc ps2 v7

all work fine, everything loads up, never even got a red screen before, i did do a cut track on one of the chip and the chip end up dead i think, try it a few time but gave up, so not sure if the cut track thing works for me =X

[SOLID SNAKE]

So what are we suposed to do, the ones that are purchading the units on bulk?

What I´m asking is this:

Is this chip working propertly, or its not worth it to get it.

This is bad reputation for the chip, and magic 3 will get stronger because of this.

Thank you

PS: And the price its lower of magic 3, and with this error, magic 3 could be the winner. DAMN IT!!!

[Columbian Snow]

all mine are 0241

NO PROBLEMS!

guess i am lucky!

[oconbudget]

yea resellers are the ones who feel this problem the most. I recieved a few batch 0245 units and also have the dvd-r problem. This along with the V6 problem and pcb error has given me enough reason to stay away.