Quadram Silver 01-9006-R2 _Gameport Recognision Problem

[MauriceH]

Have Quadram Silver 01-9006-R2.
Posted here before some issues with this card but that is all solved by now.

It is a card with 384k Mem , 2x serial, 1x Parallel, 2x game (1x 15pin).
After a deep debug on the hardware I manage to construct the 2 serial ports and the game port (the DIL connection).

I also manage to configure the card so it recognise the mem correct and the ports. (MBoard 256k+384k makes 640k works perfect)
That all working now.

BUT, still no function of the game port at all.
Also games will not recognise a installed game port.
It's a IBM 5160 with a 1982 BIOS, and checked with an other gameport card if the bios will work.
That is the case.
With that card in a simple DOS quest game the crtl-j will function. BOX come up to adjust the joy-stick.
But on the Quadram Silver card Crtl-J it will not function at all and no box appear even.

The manuals Quadram on the I-net will not compare with my card.
I figured out all sw-settings till game port, I have to guess.
Can witch on-off the com ports ans LPT.
Also there is a jumper, that will have no effect.
Tried several swtch settings but the game port will not activate.

QUESTION.
There are 4 1-time adjustable block, cut-out ones.
What could they mean?
On the I-net I find 1 picture of similar card and seems to be the same configuration of those 4 cut-out blocks.
1 1 0 0
0 0 1 1
0 0 1 1
1 1 0 0

My card and details of sw and blocks.



And this I found on the Internet, Blocks seems to be same cut-outs


and a second picture found

 

[modem7]

QUESTION.
There are 4 1-time adjustable block, cut-out ones.
What could they mean?

Shunt blocks. I think they may be associated with the serial/parallel/game ports. For example, as shown at [here], IBM's 'Serial/Parallel Adapter' had two, one for the serial port and one for the parallel port, changing the I/O address range and interrupt that the port used.

They are reoriented like what is shown for Shunt Block U131 at [here].

 

[MauriceH]

I'v rotated 180 deg. Indeed f..i 2nd one from left has something to do with com 2.
If i turn it I lost that com 2 port.
The 3th with LPT. Also lost in the Check-it program
So last must be Game-port, but that will cause not proceed full the boot , that is it hangs in Autoexec.bat
Think on the mouse driver (com 2)

Typical I can not get that game-port to activate.
Should be simple though that switch setting, just on-off, but no luck.
Even checked the continuity
of the switches.

It must not be a problem if or not the joy stick is attached or not.
Sticks are only containing a potmeter and some switches, so full analog.
If I mis wired a pin It only can be faulty up-down or a wrong switch.

Off course it is not a big issue but it bothers me.

I'll go find an other PC to test that card.

 

[modem7]

I'v rotated 180 deg. Indeed f..i 2nd one from left has something to do with com 2.
If i turn it I lost that com 2 port.

For the shunt blocks associated with the two serial ports, I expect that the two settings are:

Setting #1: I/O base address 3F8 and interrupt 4.
Setting #2: I/O base address 2F8 and interrupt 3.

If that is the case, then you have to change both shunt blocks at the same time, not just one, or you would end up with a conflict (same I/O ports and same interrupt).

The serial port diagnostic at [here] will identify the I/O base address and interrupt.

Be aware that certain software like CheckIt and MSD make assumptions. For example, if they see a serial port at I/O base address 3F8, they simply assume that the interrupt configured is 4 (they do not check to see).

 

[modem7]

I expect that removing a shunt block will disable the associated port.
That behaviour together with the external loopback tests of SERTEST should enable you to link a particular shunt block to a particular serial connector.

The serial port diagnostic at [here] will identify the I/O base address and interrupt.

I located the parallel port version of that, and placed it at [here]. For 'standard' parallel ports only, such as what you have on your card - does nothing at all in regard to later functionality (ECP, etc.)

 

[MauriceH]

Ah good idea.
Just take it completely out.

Thanks