> I had the same problem with mine, the Metabox upgrade blocks the iX Rez video
> card from going into one of the lower two pci slots. In the Starmax only the
> lower two slots will support a video card due to the pci riser design.
>
> I fixed it by getting a different (shorter) ATI video card and putting it
> in slot 1. No more random freezes.
>
> Carroll
>
>
It had to happen! All StarMaxers that bent their iX Rez video card to
fit with the Metabox upgrade will eventually have the same problem.
Bending the card imposes a lot of stress to the solder connections and
the weakest ones will fail first as a function of time. The failure mode
is, initially high resistance, then an intermittent condition then an
open when the cracked solder joint relieves the stress by separating.
This is a known failure mode in electronics for solder joints subjected
to stress, especially on boards without plated thru holes. It first was
documented during the Lunar Lander (LM) program when NASA required all
electrical test failures to be investigated and the cause determined. A
pattern evolved that intermittent failures in test were found to be a
result of stress to the solder joints from various sources. Prior to
this, usually the component was thought to be bad and when replaced
would start the clock again unless the source of the stress was removed.
I know because as a Quality engineer at the time working for RCA, I was
involved with the scientists that identified and fixed the problem.
Carroll did the right thing by changing video cards and eliminating the
stress. That was the number one solution that came out of the
investigations. The other alternative was to make the solder joint
stronger than the stress. It still would ultimately fail but long after
the mission was completed. I sent my Metabox card back and used a Newer
G3 upgrade card instead.
John W
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