Ardent Tool of Capitalism

Type 3 Processor Complex

rf90953a.exe Reference Disk Type 3 Processor Complex v1.11 (zipped image)
rd9095a.exe Diagnostic Disk Type 1 - 4 Processor Complex v2.33 (zipped image)
42g2119.zip Reference Disk Type 3 Processor Complex v1.10 (zipped image only) [!]
   Old version! Supports Model 90 XP 486 & 95 XP 486 with Type 3 Processor Complex.

192-101 IBM PS/2 Enhanced 486/50 Processor Upgrade

Upgrading the Type 3 Complex

Specifications
   Memory
   Features
"M" / Enhanced 486DX 50 MHz
   Base Board
   Daughtercard
   Daughtercard Rework
Diagnostic LEDs
Block Diagram
Enhanced Memory Parts
Why Double Deck?
Incompatibility with Network Streamers
System Firmware
   ROM Images
   Support for >1 GB Disks as IML Drive
   BIOS ROM Burning
Unsuccessful 50 MHz Processor Installation (H097075)
False ARTIC Diag Error
5x86 Interposer

Specifications

Memory

RAM

• 1 and 2 MB 85 ns parity SIMMs
• 2, 4 and 8 MB 70/80 ns parity SIMMs
• 4 and 8 MB 70 ns ECC SIMMs
• The memory SIMMs must be installed in matched pairs (speed, size and type).
• Mixing Parity and ECC is not allowed, not even if the pairs are matched.

Cache

• L1: 8 KB (486DX)
• L2: 256 KB write-through (standard)

Features

• 40 MB/s streaming data transfer
• Error Checking and Correcting (ECC) memory controller
• 20 MHz 32-bit DMA (can address all memory directly), SCB support
• Faster bus arbitration (than Base 1) for busmaster performance
• Enhanced Dual Path Memory
• Subsystem Control Block (SCB) enabled
• Vital Product Data (VPD) support
• Synchronous Channel Check support
• Data bus parity support
• Logging facility (for ECC or system errors)

Note: The M complex has the functional equivalence of the SynchroStream Controller, but in discrete chips and it doesn't operate quite as fast as the single-chip solution.

"M" / Enhanced 486DX 50 MHz 82G2484 or 57F1597, FCC ID ANOIBM486B50

Base Board sticker 71G6207 or 61G9343

U25,33 Memory controller & Bus Interface Unit (MCA BIU). It's currently unknown which is which.
U27 BIOS ROM Mitsubishi 27C201 (256Kx8)
J1 Unpopulated 2x13 header with one pin missing. Possibly an earlier implementation of the SDL interface? (the T3 POST outputs early diag. codes but in different format compared to the T4 platform) Might include JTAG as well.
J2 Connector between Base and Daughter cards. 10x11 pins on left, 10x13 pins on right, 240 total.

Base Board Back

U21 LM339 Voltage comparator

To remove the daughtercard you have to first loosen the SCREW on the back side of the high speed connector J2 (see above). Then unlatch the standoff 1 from the front side of the daughtercard (see below). You may also have to push through the other smaller standoff 2. With all this done you should be able to separate the two boards without any trouble.

Daughtercard sticker 71G6190

SP1 Empty or 71G6205 (mine says 71G6206) PAL accompanied by a PCB rework

Daughtercard Back

J1 Base Board connector
U21 LM393M Voltage comparator
U22 LM385BM1.2 Voltage ref. diode (1.2 V)

Daughtercard Rework

I have seen one card with the older BIOS 41G9251 ('92) that has NO rework. The three DX50 I have with the new BIOS 52G9619 ('93) all have the rework. Why? Haven't a clue.

Ed. The bodge wires are associated with the additional PAL that was added to the SP1 position on some boards. It connects the array to the rest of the logic.

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Diagnostic LEDs

The 50 MHz Type 3 complex in a 90/95, has two LEDs; CR1 and CR2. During POST, CR1 comes on momentarily and CR2 stays off. If the LEDs work any other way, suspect that the processor board is defective.

Use the LEDs to help differentiate between a processor board or a system board failure. If you are instructed to replace one of the boards, and the problem still exists, replace the other board (also reinstall the first board). (Ed. Reports coming in make me wonder about any of this. If the board passes diagnostics, and works normally, do you really care about the LEDs?)

Block Diagram

A greatly simplified block diagram of the "M" complex:

A more detailed version can be found in the following patents:
   US5381538, US5644729, and US5761533.

Enhanced Memory Parts

Enhanced dual path memory design (Dual Bus Interleave). Although Base 1 allows both the processor and busmasters to access memory concurrently through two paths, the Base 3 and 4 has buffers at both paths to provide better performance. Also the buffer on the adapter side (I/O buffer) uses packet data transfers for writes. This means 16 bytes are collected and this packet is written in one cycle to memory as opposed to writing for every 4 bytes received (as with unbuffered systems).

Why Double Deck?

The "M" is the only "double-decker" complex (if we don't count the Type 1 L2 cache daughtercards).

With this complex IBM introduced a set of new features, so the architecture was quite complex compared to the earlier processor board designs. With the technological processes used it clearly wasn't possible to fit all the required logic to a single board. IBM therefore split the design in half, used the base board for the interface, memory and DMA logic, and moved the CPU subsystem to a daughtercard.

Incompatibility with Network Streamers

The downlevel processor card FRU 57F1597 is identified by the lack of a module in position SP1. This card may cause data loss or undetected change in the:

• LANStreamer MC 16 P/N 58G8999
• LANStreamer MC 32 P/N 92F8941
• EtherStreamer MC 32 P/N 59G9081

The upgraded FRU with SP1 is FRU 82G2484 and should be used with these cards.

System Firmware (POST & BIOS)

Simplified firmware stored in EPROM. IML image required for the system to operate.

ROM Images

41G9251 - Unknown
52G9619 - 18 Mar 1992, rev. 0, Mitsubishi M5M27C201 or compat. (position U27, PLCC-32) *
   * the same 128K image stored twice or chip incorrectly identified

Support for >1 GB Disks as IML Drive

The M complex supports >1GB drives as the IML source. No complex BIOS upgrade is needed (or available). However, the SCSI controller needs the enhanced SCSI BIOS of 92F2244 / 92F2245 to IML properly.

More information HERE.

BIOS ROM Burning

Rick Ekblaw plays deep safety:
   The M5M27C201JK is a 2 Megabit part, organized as 256K x 8, with a 12V programming voltage. Logically, it's equivalent to other 2 Megabit EPROMs in the 27-class, such as the Intel/TI/AMD/Atmel 27C020 or the Fujitsu/NEC/SGS/ST 27C2001 (see HERE, for example). However, the DIP form factor was still in common use in this time frame, and some of the PLCC varieties did not offer a windowed part (One-Time Programming only).

So, the good news is that you could use almost any 2Mb PLCC32 EPROM or PROM that you can find to act as a replacement for the M5M27C201JK as the BIOS chip in your M complex (where it is only being read by the system). For programming the EPROM/PROM, you have to choose a part for which you have appropriate algorithms in your programmer, because they vary.

Unsuccessful 50 MHz Processor Installation (H097075)

Interesting challenge on VCF, the OP was unable to boot with an M on a single serial / single parallel planar. I personally have never had such an issue, but for the love of God...

Display showed CP80, and I9990021, I9990011 the IML codes were related to the wrong IML on the SCSI HD and the wrong refdisk... OP had the correct refdisk, the HD was an 0662-S12 [1,004MB, below 1,024MB], three can Spock [44/45 SCSI BIOS], and of course, the M [comes stock with enhanced complex BIOS]. System complaining about the wrong IML code...

"AH-HA! IT LIVES AT LAST! Swapping the position of jumper J16 solved the issue and got it to finally read from the RefDisk! It only took close to eighteen months to reach this point but man, does it feel good. Thanks for your help with this last hiccup, I never would have guessed I'd need to swap a jumper after installing an M complex."

The RETAIN tip says:
   The installation instructions for the 50 MHz processor board, FRU P/N 92F0048, used in the 8590 and 8595 are incomplete.

Remove the existing complex, then move the override jumper, [8590 - J10, 8595 - J16], so that it connects the center pin and the pin on the opposite end of the connector. Leave the jumper in this position. [It does not matter if you change the complex before or after moving the jumper].

Note: The system detects any change in the Override Jumper position from the last power on, and if it detects a change, it FORCES it to read the Ref Disk on the next boot -ONLY-. It is a one-shot wonder.

The system will detect this change and read the Initial Machine Load (IML) image from the new reference diskette.

False ARTIC Diag Error

Symptom: When running diagnostics on the ARTIC Portmaster Adapter/A in an 8590 or 8595 with the 486/50MHz processor card installed, a false 14220, E0DE error may occur.

Problem Isolation Aids: Check the date of the Portmaster Adapter/A diagnostic file (DEV141.DGS) on the system reference diskette. Files dated 1-31-90 or earlier will exhibit the symptom.

Fix: Download updated Portmaster Adapter/A option diskette (self-extracting exe, zipped image).

5x86 Interposer

I was all set to install a Trinity PowerStacker 5x86 133 MHz on my DX 50 in the 9595-OMT. I for some reason decided to RTFM while having a cuppa. They say the PowerStacker will not work with DX 50. What CPU can I use to juice up the DX 50?

Jim Shorney:
   Pay no attention to the manual. Set the multiplier to x3, the cache jumper (if present) to write-through, and plug it in. It will probably work fine.