Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[ray gordon]

hey, josh,

let me know if you want startup capital, I'm happy to help there. I know of at 
least 2 other people on list who would probably add to the startup fund.

ray




From: M100 <m100-boun...@lists.bitchin100.com> on behalf of Josh Malone 
<josh.mal...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2017 7:44 PM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

I've posted the board to eBay.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/142599524344
[http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/142599524344-0-1/s-l1000.jpg]<https://www.ebay.com/itm/142599524344>

REX - flexible option ROM for Tandy 100/102 portable computer, 1MB flash | 
eBay<https://www.ebay.com/itm/142599524344>
www.ebay.com
You can have multiple ROM images available in your Tandy and switch images 
without powering off, resetting, or opening up your computer. REX is a flexible 
option ROM module for Tandy model 100 or 102 portable computer. | eBay!




It will be packed well and shipped USPS priority mail. Only US
shipping at this time.

I'm investigating options for contract assembled REX boards right now.
I might hand-build a small run later to fund such a run, or I might
consider some kind of crowd-funding or pre-order. Not sure.

-Josh

On Thu, Nov 23, 2017 at 9:49 AM, Stephen Adolph <twospru...@gmail.com> wrote:
> congrats, see it can be done.  there is a learning curve and while there are
> lots of ways to get it assembled, each approach will have it's pitfalls.
> I've gotten comfortable with "my way" but it was definitely trial and error.
> Steve
>
> On Thu, Nov 23, 2017 at 9:38 AM, Josh Malone <josh.mal...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> And it seems to work! I guess my moral here is "clean the board really
>> well before and after", and "don't use too much flux"
>>
>> So I take back everything I said about parts, suppliers, boards, etc.
>> Turns out, it's all issues with the assembler :)
>>
>> Happy Thanksgiving to all!
>>
>> -Josh
>>
>> On Nov 22, 2017 9:33 PM, "Josh Malone" <josh.mal...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> So, I finally got around to re-working my last failed REX. I removed
>>> the flash chip and cleaned that side of the board really well. There
>>> was a LOT of flux under that flash chip. I think my choice of flux is
>>> very wrong for this project -- I plan to get a liquid flux pen for
>>> future work. Anyway, with the flash chip removed, the CPLD programmed
>>> with no problems. I re-populated the flash chip again but haven't had
>>> time to try REX programming. This is the third time this flash chip
>>> has been soldered so I hope it lives to tell the tale! If it does
>>> work, I'll probably sell it on fleaBay since I only have a single
>>> Tandy and don't plan on getting another Model T anytime soon.
>>>
>>> Thanks for all the support!
>>>
>>> -Josh
>
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Jim Anderson]

> -Original Message-
> 
> I've posted the board to eBay.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/142599524344

Geez, that didn't take long.  :)







jim

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Josh Malone]

I've posted the board to eBay.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/142599524344

It will be packed well and shipped USPS priority mail. Only US
shipping at this time.

I'm investigating options for contract assembled REX boards right now.
I might hand-build a small run later to fund such a run, or I might
consider some kind of crowd-funding or pre-order. Not sure.

-Josh

On Thu, Nov 23, 2017 at 9:49 AM, Stephen Adolph  wrote:
> congrats, see it can be done.  there is a learning curve and while there are
> lots of ways to get it assembled, each approach will have it's pitfalls.
> I've gotten comfortable with "my way" but it was definitely trial and error.
> Steve
>
> On Thu, Nov 23, 2017 at 9:38 AM, Josh Malone  wrote:
>>
>> And it seems to work! I guess my moral here is "clean the board really
>> well before and after", and "don't use too much flux"
>>
>> So I take back everything I said about parts, suppliers, boards, etc.
>> Turns out, it's all issues with the assembler :)
>>
>> Happy Thanksgiving to all!
>>
>> -Josh
>>
>> On Nov 22, 2017 9:33 PM, "Josh Malone"  wrote:
>>>
>>> So, I finally got around to re-working my last failed REX. I removed
>>> the flash chip and cleaned that side of the board really well. There
>>> was a LOT of flux under that flash chip. I think my choice of flux is
>>> very wrong for this project -- I plan to get a liquid flux pen for
>>> future work. Anyway, with the flash chip removed, the CPLD programmed
>>> with no problems. I re-populated the flash chip again but haven't had
>>> time to try REX programming. This is the third time this flash chip
>>> has been soldered so I hope it lives to tell the tale! If it does
>>> work, I'll probably sell it on fleaBay since I only have a single
>>> Tandy and don't plan on getting another Model T anytime soon.
>>>
>>> Thanks for all the support!
>>>
>>> -Josh
>
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Stephen Adolph]

congrats, see it can be done.  there is a learning curve and while there
are lots of ways to get it assembled, each approach will have it's
pitfalls.
I've gotten comfortable with "my way" but it was definitely trial and error.
Steve

On Thu, Nov 23, 2017 at 9:38 AM, Josh Malone  wrote:

> And it seems to work! I guess my moral here is "clean the board really
> well before and after", and "don't use too much flux"
>
> So I take back everything I said about parts, suppliers, boards, etc.
> Turns out, it's all issues with the assembler :)
>
> Happy Thanksgiving to all!
>
> -Josh
>
> On Nov 22, 2017 9:33 PM, "Josh Malone"  wrote:
>
>> So, I finally got around to re-working my last failed REX. I removed
>> the flash chip and cleaned that side of the board really well. There
>> was a LOT of flux under that flash chip. I think my choice of flux is
>> very wrong for this project -- I plan to get a liquid flux pen for
>> future work. Anyway, with the flash chip removed, the CPLD programmed
>> with no problems. I re-populated the flash chip again but haven't had
>> time to try REX programming. This is the third time this flash chip
>> has been soldered so I hope it lives to tell the tale! If it does
>> work, I'll probably sell it on fleaBay since I only have a single
>> Tandy and don't plan on getting another Model T anytime soon.
>>
>> Thanks for all the support!
>>
>> -Josh
>>
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Josh Malone]

And it seems to work! I guess my moral here is "clean the board really well
before and after", and "don't use too much flux"

So I take back everything I said about parts, suppliers, boards, etc. Turns
out, it's all issues with the assembler :)

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

-Josh

On Nov 22, 2017 9:33 PM, "Josh Malone"  wrote:

> So, I finally got around to re-working my last failed REX. I removed
> the flash chip and cleaned that side of the board really well. There
> was a LOT of flux under that flash chip. I think my choice of flux is
> very wrong for this project -- I plan to get a liquid flux pen for
> future work. Anyway, with the flash chip removed, the CPLD programmed
> with no problems. I re-populated the flash chip again but haven't had
> time to try REX programming. This is the third time this flash chip
> has been soldered so I hope it lives to tell the tale! If it does
> work, I'll probably sell it on fleaBay since I only have a single
> Tandy and don't plan on getting another Model T anytime soon.
>
> Thanks for all the support!
>
> -Josh
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Josh Malone]

So, I finally got around to re-working my last failed REX. I removed
the flash chip and cleaned that side of the board really well. There
was a LOT of flux under that flash chip. I think my choice of flux is
very wrong for this project -- I plan to get a liquid flux pen for
future work. Anyway, with the flash chip removed, the CPLD programmed
with no problems. I re-populated the flash chip again but haven't had
time to try REX programming. This is the third time this flash chip
has been soldered so I hope it lives to tell the tale! If it does
work, I'll probably sell it on fleaBay since I only have a single
Tandy and don't plan on getting another Model T anytime soon.

Thanks for all the support!

-Josh

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Brian Brindle]

Hang in there Josh,

I had this with one of mine. Turned out to be "solder balls" that formed
from the solder paste I was using under the CPLD. I couldn't see them till
I pulled the chip. I'd recommend visually inspecting everything with high
magnification - use your phone or digital camera if nothing else - and then
test each neighboring pin with a meter for bridges. If that's all clear
test the programming headers back to the appropriate CPLD pins for
continuity.

As a good friend always reminds me - "success lies on the far side of
failure" so fail quickly and fail often if you want to get ahead.

Brian



On Sun, Oct 22, 2017 at 5:01 PM, Josh Malone  wrote:

> Built my first functional REX on the castellated PCB. Programs and tests
> okay.
>
> But, I've also built me second non-functional REX, too. So far I'm
> 3-out-of-5 for successful builds. Not sure I'm really up to this. :(
>
> Maybe I can figure out what's wrong w/ this board. Impact says it
> finds lots of unknown devices on the chain and barfs. Reflowed the
> CPLD pins but it didn't help. Bugger.
>
> At least I have one functional REX for my 102, so, yay!
>
> -Josh
>
> On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 10:05 PM, Brian White  wrote:
> > That would be awesome of course!
> >
> > On Oct 20, 2017 12:35 PM, "Stephen Adolph"  wrote:
> >>
> >> good to hear the castellated board is working.
> >> I revised the REX PCB design to (1) remove unneeded parts (2) use ground
> >> and power planes and (3) provide a pad to bridge 3.3V onto PORT_EN with
> a
> >> solder bridge.  I don't myself plan to test the board but I can post it
> for
> >> others to test.
> >> Steve
> >>
> >> On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 12:23 PM, Josh Malone 
> >> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> My parts should arrive tomorrow. How to take a stab at try two soon.
> >>> thanks to everyone for all the help.
> >>>
> >>> On Oct 20, 2017 11:38 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
> 
>  Reflow of the board seemed to fix it. Guess I need to play around with
>  my methods a little. Working as expected right now.
> 
>  On Oct 20, 2017 8:31 AM, "Brian White"  wrote:
> >
> > Yeah that looks good.
> >
> > On Oct 20, 2017 6:32 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
> >>
> >> I'm using some AM29F800BB-90EF I had. Waiting on the AM29F800BB-7EK
> >> from China still. Should be here today.
> >>
> >>
> >> On Oct 19, 2017 8:47 PM, "Brian White"  wrote:
> >>>
> >>> What exact flash part number do you have?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle  >
> >>> wrote:
> 
>  I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues
>  getting the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just
> fine but hangs
>  when re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..
> 
>  I'll report back when I have more info.
> 
>  Brian
> 
> 
>  On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph
>   wrote:
> >
> > Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
> > I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.
> >
> > ..Steve
> 
> 
> >>>
> >>
> >
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Fugu ME100]

The multi-device issue could be due to a bad JTAG connection the clock and
data might do not have good connections so they read phantom devices - at
least that is my previous experience with JTAG.  A couple of things to
look at:

1) Make sure the connector to the board from the programmer is good.
2) The CPLD prog pin needs a good connection to put the device into
programming mode.  The CPLD has shared JTAG/User Pins so needs to be in
prog mode.
3) Check the connections from the programmer to the board make sure they
are solid and not loose. No broken wires etc.  Sometimes wires can break
just when plugging/unplugging headers etc.
4) The other one is to check there are no shorts on the JTAG pins.



On 22/10/17, 2:01 PM, "M100 on behalf of Josh Malone"

wrote:

>Built my first functional REX on the castellated PCB. Programs and tests
>okay.
>
>But, I've also built me second non-functional REX, too. So far I'm
>3-out-of-5 for successful builds. Not sure I'm really up to this. :(
>
>Maybe I can figure out what's wrong w/ this board. Impact says it
>finds lots of unknown devices on the chain and barfs. Reflowed the
>CPLD pins but it didn't help. Bugger.
>
>At least I have one functional REX for my 102, so, yay!
>
>-Josh
>
>On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 10:05 PM, Brian White  wrote:
>> That would be awesome of course!
>>
>> On Oct 20, 2017 12:35 PM, "Stephen Adolph"  wrote:
>>>
>>> good to hear the castellated board is working.
>>> I revised the REX PCB design to (1) remove unneeded parts (2) use
>>>ground
>>> and power planes and (3) provide a pad to bridge 3.3V onto PORT_EN
>>>with a
>>> solder bridge.  I don't myself plan to test the board but I can post
>>>it for
>>> others to test.
>>> Steve
>>>
>>> On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 12:23 PM, Josh Malone 
>>> wrote:

 My parts should arrive tomorrow. How to take a stab at try two soon.
 thanks to everyone for all the help.

 On Oct 20, 2017 11:38 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
>
> Reflow of the board seemed to fix it. Guess I need to play around
>with
> my methods a little. Working as expected right now.
>
> On Oct 20, 2017 8:31 AM, "Brian White"  wrote:
>>
>> Yeah that looks good.
>>
>> On Oct 20, 2017 6:32 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
>>>
>>> I'm using some AM29F800BB-90EF I had. Waiting on the AM29F800BB-7EK
>>> from China still. Should be here today.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Oct 19, 2017 8:47 PM, "Brian White"  wrote:

 What exact flash part number do you have?


 On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle

 wrote:
>
> I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having
>issues
> getting the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just
>fine but hangs
> when re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the
>flash..
>
> I'll report back when I have more info.
>
> Brian
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph
>  wrote:
>>
>> Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
>> I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.
>>
>> ..Steve
>
>

>>>
>>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Josh Malone]

Yeah, thanks. I can take solace in the memory that I think the VIC20 had
initial yield rates even lower than mine. :)

On Oct 22, 2017 6:00 PM, "Ken Pettit"  wrote:

> HI Josh,
>
> Welcome to the world of manufacturing.  I have about 45 fully assembled,
> non-functional NADSBox PCBs that can never be sold.  For the first run, the
> Chinese manufacturer glued the SD card to the PCB and the glue squeezed up
> into the connector, obstructing the SD card from full insertion.  They
> reworked as many as they could, but many were simply trash.  Plus I have a
> whole run of 75 bare PCBs still in the vaccum shrink packaging because I
> submitted the wrong (old) REV of Gerbers for the final run.  Yield fall-out
> and improvement is something that huants all manufacturers in this industry.
>
> Ken
>
> On 10/22/17 2:01 PM, Josh Malone wrote:
>
>> Built my first functional REX on the castellated PCB. Programs and tests
>> okay.
>>
>> But, I've also built me second non-functional REX, too. So far I'm
>> 3-out-of-5 for successful builds. Not sure I'm really up to this. :(
>>
>> Maybe I can figure out what's wrong w/ this board. Impact says it
>> finds lots of unknown devices on the chain and barfs. Reflowed the
>> CPLD pins but it didn't help. Bugger.
>>
>> At least I have one functional REX for my 102, so, yay!
>>
>> -Josh
>>
>> On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 10:05 PM, Brian White  wrote:
>>
>>> That would be awesome of course!
>>>
>>> On Oct 20, 2017 12:35 PM, "Stephen Adolph"  wrote:
>>>
 good to hear the castellated board is working.
 I revised the REX PCB design to (1) remove unneeded parts (2) use ground
 and power planes and (3) provide a pad to bridge 3.3V onto PORT_EN with
 a
 solder bridge.  I don't myself plan to test the board but I can post it
 for
 others to test.
 Steve

 On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 12:23 PM, Josh Malone 
 wrote:

> My parts should arrive tomorrow. How to take a stab at try two soon.
> thanks to everyone for all the help.
>
> On Oct 20, 2017 11:38 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
>
>> Reflow of the board seemed to fix it. Guess I need to play around with
>> my methods a little. Working as expected right now.
>>
>> On Oct 20, 2017 8:31 AM, "Brian White"  wrote:
>>
>>> Yeah that looks good.
>>>
>>> On Oct 20, 2017 6:32 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
>>>
 I'm using some AM29F800BB-90EF I had. Waiting on the AM29F800BB-7EK
 from China still. Should be here today.


 On Oct 19, 2017 8:47 PM, "Brian White"  wrote:

> What exact flash part number do you have?
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle  >
> wrote:
>
>> I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues
>> getting the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just
>> fine but hangs
>> when re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..
>>
>> I'll report back when I have more info.
>>
>> Brian
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph
>>  wrote:
>>
>>> Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
>>> I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.
>>>
>>> ..Steve
>>>
>>
>>
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Ken Pettit]

HI Josh,

Welcome to the world of manufacturing.  I have about 45 fully assembled, 
non-functional NADSBox PCBs that can never be sold.  For the first run, 
the Chinese manufacturer glued the SD card to the PCB and the glue 
squeezed up into the connector, obstructing the SD card from full 
insertion.  They reworked as many as they could, but many were simply 
trash.  Plus I have a whole run of 75 bare PCBs still in the vaccum 
shrink packaging because I submitted the wrong (old) REV of Gerbers for 
the final run.  Yield fall-out and improvement is something that huants 
all manufacturers in this industry.


Ken

On 10/22/17 2:01 PM, Josh Malone wrote:

Built my first functional REX on the castellated PCB. Programs and tests okay.

But, I've also built me second non-functional REX, too. So far I'm
3-out-of-5 for successful builds. Not sure I'm really up to this. :(

Maybe I can figure out what's wrong w/ this board. Impact says it
finds lots of unknown devices on the chain and barfs. Reflowed the
CPLD pins but it didn't help. Bugger.

At least I have one functional REX for my 102, so, yay!

-Josh

On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 10:05 PM, Brian White  wrote:

That would be awesome of course!

On Oct 20, 2017 12:35 PM, "Stephen Adolph"  wrote:

good to hear the castellated board is working.
I revised the REX PCB design to (1) remove unneeded parts (2) use ground
and power planes and (3) provide a pad to bridge 3.3V onto PORT_EN with a
solder bridge.  I don't myself plan to test the board but I can post it for
others to test.
Steve

On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 12:23 PM, Josh Malone 
wrote:

My parts should arrive tomorrow. How to take a stab at try two soon.
thanks to everyone for all the help.

On Oct 20, 2017 11:38 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:

Reflow of the board seemed to fix it. Guess I need to play around with
my methods a little. Working as expected right now.

On Oct 20, 2017 8:31 AM, "Brian White"  wrote:

Yeah that looks good.

On Oct 20, 2017 6:32 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:

I'm using some AM29F800BB-90EF I had. Waiting on the AM29F800BB-7EK
from China still. Should be here today.


On Oct 19, 2017 8:47 PM, "Brian White"  wrote:

What exact flash part number do you have?


On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle 
wrote:

I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues
getting the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just fine but hangs
when re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..

I'll report back when I have more info.

Brian


On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph
 wrote:

Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.

..Steve

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Josh Malone]

Built my first functional REX on the castellated PCB. Programs and tests okay.

But, I've also built me second non-functional REX, too. So far I'm
3-out-of-5 for successful builds. Not sure I'm really up to this. :(

Maybe I can figure out what's wrong w/ this board. Impact says it
finds lots of unknown devices on the chain and barfs. Reflowed the
CPLD pins but it didn't help. Bugger.

At least I have one functional REX for my 102, so, yay!

-Josh

On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 10:05 PM, Brian White  wrote:
> That would be awesome of course!
>
> On Oct 20, 2017 12:35 PM, "Stephen Adolph"  wrote:
>>
>> good to hear the castellated board is working.
>> I revised the REX PCB design to (1) remove unneeded parts (2) use ground
>> and power planes and (3) provide a pad to bridge 3.3V onto PORT_EN with a
>> solder bridge.  I don't myself plan to test the board but I can post it for
>> others to test.
>> Steve
>>
>> On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 12:23 PM, Josh Malone 
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> My parts should arrive tomorrow. How to take a stab at try two soon.
>>> thanks to everyone for all the help.
>>>
>>> On Oct 20, 2017 11:38 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:

 Reflow of the board seemed to fix it. Guess I need to play around with
 my methods a little. Working as expected right now.

 On Oct 20, 2017 8:31 AM, "Brian White"  wrote:
>
> Yeah that looks good.
>
> On Oct 20, 2017 6:32 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
>>
>> I'm using some AM29F800BB-90EF I had. Waiting on the AM29F800BB-7EK
>> from China still. Should be here today.
>>
>>
>> On Oct 19, 2017 8:47 PM, "Brian White"  wrote:
>>>
>>> What exact flash part number do you have?
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle 
>>> wrote:

 I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues
 getting the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just fine but 
 hangs
 when re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..

 I'll report back when I have more info.

 Brian


 On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph
  wrote:
>
> Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
> I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.
>
> ..Steve


>>>
>>
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Brian White]

That would be awesome of course!

On Oct 20, 2017 12:35 PM, "Stephen Adolph"  wrote:

> good to hear the castellated board is working.
> I revised the REX PCB design to (1) remove unneeded parts (2) use ground
> and power planes and (3) provide a pad to bridge 3.3V onto PORT_EN with a
> solder bridge.  I don't myself plan to test the board but I can post it for
> others to test.
> Steve
>
> On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 12:23 PM, Josh Malone 
> wrote:
>
>> My parts should arrive tomorrow. How to take a stab at try two soon.
>> thanks to everyone for all the help.
>>
>> On Oct 20, 2017 11:38 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
>>
>>> Reflow of the board seemed to fix it. Guess I need to play around with
>>> my methods a little. Working as expected right now.
>>>
>>> On Oct 20, 2017 8:31 AM, "Brian White"  wrote:
>>>
 Yeah that looks good.

 On Oct 20, 2017 6:32 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:

> I'm using some AM29F800BB-90EF I had. Waiting on the AM29F800BB-7EK
> from China still. Should be here today.
>
>
> On Oct 19, 2017 8:47 PM, "Brian White"  wrote:
>
>> What exact flash part number do you have?
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues
>>> getting the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just fine but
>>> hangs when re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..
>>>
>>> I'll report back when I have more info.
>>>
>>> Brian
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph <
>>> twospru...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
 Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
 I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.

 ..Steve

>>>
>>>
>>
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Stephen Adolph]

162.  236 has worse bugs ;)  some fixes, and then some new bugs.  when you
find bugs identify them on the wiki. that would be helpful.

On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 4:27 PM, Jim Anderson  wrote:

> > -Original Message-
> >
> > no problem.  need to find the time and energy to fix the software
> > one of these days.
>
> Thank you very much for all your work!
>
> Quick question while you're around: your notes mentioned there are bugs in
> release 236, but there are also bug fixes (related to T200 and NEC I think
> you said), so:
>
> Would you recommend using 162 or 236 for the M100/T102 right now?
>
> Would you recommend using 162 or 236 for the T200 right now?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> jim
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Jim Anderson]

> -Original Message-
> 
> no problem.  need to find the time and energy to fix the software
> one of these days.

Thank you very much for all your work!

Quick question while you're around: your notes mentioned there are bugs in 
release 236, but there are also bug fixes (related to T200 and NEC I think you 
said), so:

Would you recommend using 162 or 236 for the M100/T102 right now?

Would you recommend using 162 or 236 for the T200 right now?







jim

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Stephen Adolph]

no problem.  need to find the time and energy to fix the software one
of these days.

On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 2:04 PM, Brian Brindle  wrote:

> Thanks Stephen for all of this. Been a fun project. Running my new Rex
> through it's paces now. Loaded everything from backup and it's doing great.
>
>
>
> On Oct 20, 2017 12:35 PM, "Stephen Adolph"  wrote:
>
> good to hear the castellated board is working.
> I revised the REX PCB design to (1) remove unneeded parts (2) use ground
> and power planes and (3) provide a pad to bridge 3.3V onto PORT_EN with a
> solder bridge.  I don't myself plan to test the board but I can post it for
> others to test.
> Steve
>
> On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 12:23 PM, Josh Malone 
> wrote:
>
>> My parts should arrive tomorrow. How to take a stab at try two soon.
>> thanks to everyone for all the help.
>>
>> On Oct 20, 2017 11:38 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
>>
>>> Reflow of the board seemed to fix it. Guess I need to play around with
>>> my methods a little. Working as expected right now.
>>>
>>> On Oct 20, 2017 8:31 AM, "Brian White"  wrote:
>>>
 Yeah that looks good.

 On Oct 20, 2017 6:32 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:

> I'm using some AM29F800BB-90EF I had. Waiting on the AM29F800BB-7EK
> from China still. Should be here today.
>
>
> On Oct 19, 2017 8:47 PM, "Brian White"  wrote:
>
>> What exact flash part number do you have?
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues
>>> getting the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just fine but
>>> hangs when re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..
>>>
>>> I'll report back when I have more info.
>>>
>>> Brian
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph <
>>> twospru...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
 Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
 I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.

 ..Steve

>>>
>>>
>>
>
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Brian Brindle]

Thanks Stephen for all of this. Been a fun project. Running my new Rex
through it's paces now. Loaded everything from backup and it's doing great.



On Oct 20, 2017 12:35 PM, "Stephen Adolph"  wrote:

good to hear the castellated board is working.
I revised the REX PCB design to (1) remove unneeded parts (2) use ground
and power planes and (3) provide a pad to bridge 3.3V onto PORT_EN with a
solder bridge.  I don't myself plan to test the board but I can post it for
others to test.
Steve

On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 12:23 PM, Josh Malone  wrote:

> My parts should arrive tomorrow. How to take a stab at try two soon.
> thanks to everyone for all the help.
>
> On Oct 20, 2017 11:38 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
>
>> Reflow of the board seemed to fix it. Guess I need to play around with my
>> methods a little. Working as expected right now.
>>
>> On Oct 20, 2017 8:31 AM, "Brian White"  wrote:
>>
>>> Yeah that looks good.
>>>
>>> On Oct 20, 2017 6:32 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
>>>
 I'm using some AM29F800BB-90EF I had. Waiting on the AM29F800BB-7EK
 from China still. Should be here today.


 On Oct 19, 2017 8:47 PM, "Brian White"  wrote:

> What exact flash part number do you have?
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle 
> wrote:
>
>> I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues
>> getting the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just fine but
>> hangs when re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..
>>
>> I'll report back when I have more info.
>>
>> Brian
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph > > wrote:
>>
>>> Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
>>> I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.
>>>
>>> ..Steve
>>>
>>
>>
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Stephen Adolph]

good to hear the castellated board is working.
I revised the REX PCB design to (1) remove unneeded parts (2) use ground
and power planes and (3) provide a pad to bridge 3.3V onto PORT_EN with a
solder bridge.  I don't myself plan to test the board but I can post it for
others to test.
Steve

On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 12:23 PM, Josh Malone  wrote:

> My parts should arrive tomorrow. How to take a stab at try two soon.
> thanks to everyone for all the help.
>
> On Oct 20, 2017 11:38 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
>
>> Reflow of the board seemed to fix it. Guess I need to play around with my
>> methods a little. Working as expected right now.
>>
>> On Oct 20, 2017 8:31 AM, "Brian White"  wrote:
>>
>>> Yeah that looks good.
>>>
>>> On Oct 20, 2017 6:32 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
>>>
 I'm using some AM29F800BB-90EF I had. Waiting on the AM29F800BB-7EK
 from China still. Should be here today.


 On Oct 19, 2017 8:47 PM, "Brian White"  wrote:

> What exact flash part number do you have?
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle 
> wrote:
>
>> I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues
>> getting the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just fine but
>> hangs when re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..
>>
>> I'll report back when I have more info.
>>
>> Brian
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph > > wrote:
>>
>>> Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
>>> I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.
>>>
>>> ..Steve
>>>
>>
>>
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Josh Malone]

My parts should arrive tomorrow. How to take a stab at try two soon. thanks
to everyone for all the help.

On Oct 20, 2017 11:38 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:

> Reflow of the board seemed to fix it. Guess I need to play around with my
> methods a little. Working as expected right now.
>
> On Oct 20, 2017 8:31 AM, "Brian White"  wrote:
>
>> Yeah that looks good.
>>
>> On Oct 20, 2017 6:32 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
>>
>>> I'm using some AM29F800BB-90EF I had. Waiting on the AM29F800BB-7EK from
>>> China still. Should be here today.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Oct 19, 2017 8:47 PM, "Brian White"  wrote:
>>>
 What exact flash part number do you have?


 On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle 
 wrote:

> I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues
> getting the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just fine but
> hangs when re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..
>
> I'll report back when I have more info.
>
> Brian
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
>> I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.
>>
>> ..Steve
>>
>
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Brian Brindle]

Reflow of the board seemed to fix it. Guess I need to play around with my
methods a little. Working as expected right now.

On Oct 20, 2017 8:31 AM, "Brian White"  wrote:

> Yeah that looks good.
>
> On Oct 20, 2017 6:32 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:
>
>> I'm using some AM29F800BB-90EF I had. Waiting on the AM29F800BB-7EK from
>> China still. Should be here today.
>>
>>
>> On Oct 19, 2017 8:47 PM, "Brian White"  wrote:
>>
>>> What exact flash part number do you have?
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues
 getting the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just fine but
 hangs when re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..

 I'll report back when I have more info.

 Brian


 On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph 
 wrote:

> Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
> I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.
>
> ..Steve
>


>>>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Brian White]

Yeah that looks good.

On Oct 20, 2017 6:32 AM, "Brian Brindle"  wrote:

> I'm using some AM29F800BB-90EF I had. Waiting on the AM29F800BB-7EK from
> China still. Should be here today.
>
>
> On Oct 19, 2017 8:47 PM, "Brian White"  wrote:
>
>> What exact flash part number do you have?
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues
>>> getting the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just fine but
>>> hangs when re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..
>>>
>>> I'll report back when I have more info.
>>>
>>> Brian
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
 I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.

 ..Steve

>>>
>>>
>>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Brian Brindle]

I'm using some AM29F800BB-90EF I had. Waiting on the AM29F800BB-7EK from
China still. Should be here today.


On Oct 19, 2017 8:47 PM, "Brian White"  wrote:

> What exact flash part number do you have?
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle  wrote:
>
>> I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues
>> getting the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just fine but
>> hangs when re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..
>>
>> I'll report back when I have more info.
>>
>> Brian
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
>>> I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.
>>>
>>> ..Steve
>>>
>>
>>
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Brian White]

What exact flash part number do you have?


On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle  wrote:

> I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues getting
> the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just fine but hangs when
> re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..
>
> I'll report back when I have more info.
>
> Brian
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
>> I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.
>>
>> ..Steve
>>
>
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Fugu ME100]

When I built an original REX I had a similar problem turned out there was a bad 
solder joint on the CPLD.  The soldering looked fine from a visual inspection 
but when I used my dental pick to check each joint one of the pins moved.  
Fixed the bad joint and the board worked fine.   Might be worth a quick check 
to eliminate that possibility.

Another issue I had was poor contact in the OPT ROM socket.  I had done a bad 
job on the grinding stage and left a slight angle on the edge which meant it 
worked if I pushed it into the socket but would not work when released.   Turns 
out the contact with the socket was not very good.  Did a slight regrind and it 
worked without my thumb for support.


From: M100 
<m100-boun...@lists.bitchin100.com<mailto:m100-boun...@lists.bitchin100.com>> 
on behalf of Brian Brindle <bbrin...@gmail.com<mailto:bbrin...@gmail.com>>
Reply-To: <m...@bitchin100.com<mailto:m...@bitchin100.com>>
Date: Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 10:22 AM
To: <m...@bitchin100.com<mailto:m...@bitchin100.com>>
Cc: Model 100 Discussion 
<m100@lists.bitchin100.com<mailto:m100@lists.bitchin100.com>>
Subject: Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues getting the 
REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just fine but hangs when 
re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..

I'll report back when I have more info.

Brian


On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph 
<twospru...@gmail.com<mailto:twospru...@gmail.com>> wrote:
Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.

..Steve

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Stephen Adolph]

check your solder joints. if you try to program to a block that is already
programmed... the flash never recovers.

On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Brian Brindle  wrote:

> I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues getting
> the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just fine but hangs when
> re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..
>
> I'll report back when I have more info.
>
> Brian
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
>> I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.
>>
>> ..Steve
>>
>
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Brian Brindle]

I have one put together that programmed up OK but am having issues getting
the REX software on it. It erases all the blocks just fine but hangs when
re-loading to block 0. Probably something up with the flash..

I'll report back when I have more info.

Brian


On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 7:25 AM, Stephen Adolph 
wrote:

> Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
> I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.
>
> ..Steve
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Josh Malone]

I have parts on order to try again. Will be >= week.

On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 12:11 PM, Brian White  wrote:
> I ordered a set only a couple days ago, so it'll be a week or so for me.
>
> On Oct 19, 2017 7:25 AM, "Stephen Adolph"  wrote:
>
> Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
> I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.
>
> ..Steve
>
>

Re: [M100] REX Castellated board

[Brian White]

I ordered a set only a couple days ago, so it'll be a week or so for me.

On Oct 19, 2017 7:25 AM, "Stephen Adolph"  wrote:

Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.

..Steve

[M100] REX Castellated board

[Stephen Adolph]

Has anyone made a REX successfully with that modified PCB yet?
I would like to know if that artwork is good or bad.

..Steve