RE: Debugging the linuxBIOS code

[Colin Hall]

Adam,
> > My understanding is that the Micro-2000 POST-Probe [5] is
>
> the only one
> > that can be powered from 3v3.
> > [5] "POST-Probe ", Micro2000,
>
> http://micro2000.com/postprobe/index.php
>
> call me stupid, but where does it say it is an 3.3V?

It doesn't, and this is an important point that I am trying to clarify with
their engineers who claim that it will work from 3v3. As I said, if anyone
can recommend something better I would love to hear about it.

Regards,
Colin.

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Debugging the linuxBIOS code

[Adam Sulmicki]

> > > My understanding is that the Micro-2000 POST-Probe [5] is
> >
> > the only one
> > > that can be powered from 3v3.
> > > [5] "POST-Probe ", Micro2000,
> >
> > http://micro2000.com/postprobe/index.php
> It doesn't, and this is an important point that I am trying to clarify with
> their engineers who claim that it will work from 3v3.

Allright. As far as I can tell it is 5V card.

The red PCI book
    Chapter 15 : MECHANICAL SPECIFICATION
    CONNECTOR PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION PG 471

[..] The same physical connector is used for the 32-bit signaling
    environment voltages. In one orientation the keys accept 5 volt
    boards. Rotated 180 degress, the connector accepts 3.3 volt
    signaling boards. The pin numbering of the connector changes (!)
    for the different signaling environemtns to maintain the same
    relative position of signals on the connector.

For what it is worth, if anyone needs MiniPCI Port-80 boards:

http://www.pctestpro.com/post/pcipost.htm (all the way at bottom)

http://www.costronic.com/Ev014mp.htm

http://siliconkit.dnsalias.com/cart/tpcim.html

Debugging the linuxBIOS code

[ron minnich]

On Wed, 23 Apr 2003, Adam Sulmicki wrote:
> Allright. As far as I can tell it is 5V card.

and there are now motherboards that won't power on with a 5V post card in 
ANY PCI slot.

ron

Debugging the linuxBIOS code

[Bari Ari]

Adam Sulmicki wrote:
> For what it is worth, if anyone needs MiniPCI Port-80 boards:
>
> http://www.pctestpro.com/post/pcipost.htm (all the way at bottom)
>
> http://www.costronic.com/Ev014mp.htm
>
> http://siliconkit.dnsalias.com/cart/tpcim.html

Another option is to use a miniPCI to PCI adapter which you can plug 
your regular 3.3V PCI POST card into.

http://www.interfacemasters.com/products/pci_tools/mini_pci_to_pci/index.htm...

--Bari

Debugging the linuxBIOS code

[Adam Sulmicki]

> > For what it is worth, if anyone needs MiniPCI Port-80 boards:
> >    http://www.pctestpro.com/post/pcipost.htm (all the way at bottom)
> >    http://www.costronic.com/Ev014mp.htm
> >    http://siliconkit.dnsalias.com/cart/tpcim.html
> Another option is to use a miniPCI to PCI adapter which you can plug
> your regular 3.3V PCI POST card into.
>
> http://www.interfacemasters.com/products/pci_tools/mini_pci_to_pci/index.htm...

yeah, with the $65'000 question being where do I find such 3.3V POST card.

Debugging the linuxBIOS code

[Bari Ari]

Adam Sulmicki wrote:
> yeah, with the $65'000 question being where do I find such 3.3V POST card.

We build lots of our tools.

Check with NSC. They have a PCIWatcher Debug Card that has a LCD display 
and has buffers to pass the data to a RS-232 serial port. It captures 
not only port 80/84 but all PCI I/O, memory, cinfig, INTacks, etc.

--Bari

Debugging the linuxBIOS code

[Adam Sulmicki]

> > For what it is worth, if anyone needs MiniPCI Port-80 boards:
> >    http://www.pctestpro.com/post/pcipost.htm (all the way at bottom)
> >    http://www.costronic.com/Ev014mp.htm
> >    http://siliconkit.dnsalias.com/cart/tpcim.html
>
> Another option is to use a miniPCI to PCI adapter which you can plug
> your regular 3.3V PCI POST card into.
>
> http://www.interfacemasters.com/products/pci_tools/mini_pci_to_pci/index.htm...

Yeah, but the trick is to find an 3.3V PCI POST card.

I finally got it from

http://www.postcodemaster.com/products2.htm

It is

PCI Version Part #PCIPCM-11

The one listed on their web page is an 5V, but if you ask they can modify
it for you so that it works with 3.3V PCI.

In fact I just got it today and I was able to use it to get POST codes
from IBM ThinkPad T23 which has 3.3V MiniPCI slot (I would use here IM300
MiniPCI->PCI adapter), and which would not work with my old 5V post card.

Also they have an MiniPCI POST card (#MINIPCM-10) which could be used
directly without adapter, but I have not tested this one.