Final Fantasy III - 128MB SDRAM Issue

[wark91]

For me I didn't have issue with FF3 but with this new build It fixed Secret mana on the first run after a hard reboot of the mister. If I reset the game the issue happens again so it is better for the first run.

[mdd45]

Also for me FF3 still has the problem.

[nagus]

I just checked some older snes core releases as bootsector pointed out in the github issue. Just like bootsector, the last working version for me is SNES_20190204. Something happened between SNES_20190204 and SNES_20190225 to cause this I assume? As the atari forums are gone, so is the change log that Sorgelig maintained so I can't see what he posted. I took a look at the commits between those two versions and there are a lot of changes suffice to say.

Feb 4, 2019 (This commit happened after the release I think?)
- Reduce audio taps.

Feb 11, 2019
- Fix Vsync length

Feb 12, 2019
- Merge pull request #35 from paulb-nl/vsync

Feb 23, 2019
- Merge pull request #14 from MiSTer-devel/master

Feb 24, 2019
- Rewrite the muxer of chips.
- Minor update.
- sys: update scaler, scandoubler. User port definition. Remove VIP.
- Merge pull request #36 from srg320/master
- SA1 support

Hopefully this helps. I do have a new de-10 nano on the way so I'll report back my findings when it arrives.

Oh wow, those are old builds! Was 128MB SDRAM modules for MiSTer a thing back then? When I had issues with my SDRAM module, even though it passed memtest, it caused graphical glitches on Super Castlevania once I updated to SNES_20190719.rbf but the build I updated to previously worked fine, SNES_20190609.rbf. I'm guessing maybe the memory speed or area usage changed which brought out the wonkyness of the SDRAM module? Once I replaced the module, all was good. Though, my issue is probably not related to this issue since it affects much more users, figured I'd mention it to try. Not sure if this works for 128MB, because I was using 32MB at the time I think, but do you have issues with SNES_20190609.rbf ?

[Xzarian]

Oh wow, those are old builds! Was 128MB SDRAM modules for MiSTer a thing back then? When I had issues with my SDRAM module, even though it passed memtest, it caused graphical glitches on Super Castlevania once I updated to SNES_20190719.rbf but the build I updated to previously worked fine, SNES_20190609.rbf. I'm guessing maybe the memory speed or area usage changed which brought out the wonkyness of the SDRAM module? Once I replaced the module, all was good. Though, my issue is probably not related to this issue since it affects much more users, figured I'd mention it to try. Not sure if this works for 128MB, because I was using 32MB at the time I think, but do you have issues with SNES_20190609.rbf ?

Interesting. I'll try out SNES_20190609

[Xzarian]

SNES_20190609 doesn't work either for me.

[keith.f.kelly]

The next thing I was thinking about trying was some kind of powered external HDMI signal booster. I figure it may act as a proper buffer between the MiSTer and the HDMI switch and cure the remaining signal sync annoyance.

I just received and tried out this little beauty, and I can confirm it solved all the aforementioned weird behaviors I was seeing regarding the DE-10 Nano’s poorly-buffered HDMI port:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PWYN3L4/

[Coffea]

Those who have intro problem, please test this version:
SNES.zip

Attract loop crashes out the second time around resulting in flickering garbage.

[Sorgelig]

srg320 has problem in FFIII intro. So this is good news as he will be able to debug it.

[bootsector]

srg320 has problem in FFIII intro. So this is good news as he will be able to debug it.

This is great news, indeed! Thanks Sorg and srg320 for looking into this!

[KneeTie]

Those who have intro problem, please test this version:
SNES.zip

The dialog boxes were cut off for me. This version fixed that issue on some occasions but, not 100% of the time.

[Sorgelig]

try this version:

SNES.zip

(1.8 MiB) Downloaded 327 times

[bootsector]

try this version:
SNES.zip

Holy Moly! This has fixed Secret of Mana!!!!!

I will ask my friend to test FF3 intro and report back!

Thank you Sorg and srg320!!!!

[wark91]

confirmed also on my side for Secret of Mana ! Thank you !

[colonel panic]

I think it’s not so much about power draw, but about poor electrical buffering on the DE-10 Nano’s HDMI port.

I can confirm that the HDMI port definitely has issues regarding 5v. I'm using a Moread HDMI to VGA adapter for direct_video output which includes a micro USB port for optionally powering it externally. I tried using it that way once and I think it sent all that 5v straight back to the DE-10 Nano because it lit up like I had powered it on (the board was not plugged into the wall yet, just the adapter). The board also gave out a high pitched whine like a CRT. Needless to say I unplugged it as soon as I could and never tried that again haha

[Sorgelig]

Don't forget de10-nano is development board, not consumer. It doesn't provide enough protection against wrong use.
5V on HDMI is just direct connection from power input. So basically you can power DE10-nano through HDMI port. So be careful.

[bootsector]

I think it’s not so much about power draw, but about poor electrical buffering on the DE-10 Nano’s HDMI port.

I can confirm that the HDMI port definitely has issues regarding 5v. I'm using a Moread HDMI to VGA adapter for direct_video output which includes a micro USB port for optionally powering it externally. I tried using it that way once and I think it sent all that 5v straight back to the DE-10 Nano because it lit up like I had powered it on (the board was not plugged into the wall yet, just the adapter). The board also gave out a high pitched whine like a CRT. Needless to say I unplugged it as soon as I could and never tried that again haha

So just to confirm, whenever I wanna try those cheap HDMI to VGA adapters with MiSTer's direct video, I should NEVER use external 5V on those adapters, right? Still, are they going to work without external power?

[Coffea]

Fixed the issues for me, attract loop looped like it should, was able to play. Excellent.

What was the change ?

[colonel panic]

@bootsector
Correct. I have 3 different HDMI to VGA adapters for different projects and they all work perfectly fine with the MiSTer when plugged straight in without external power

[bootsector]

@Coffea - I'm also super curious on what was changed.

@colonel panic - Thanks for the confirmation!

[Raistlin77]

try this version:
SNES.zip

Hot damn! I think you fixed it! My MiSTer ALWAYS crashes at the flaming text after the first cycle. It has made it through 3 now.

[Raistlin77]

UPDATE: I've had it running for over an hour now, and it still hasn't crashed.

Fixed at last!

[Xzarian]

Thank you Sorgelig and srg320!! Wow, so glad this is fixed.

[mdd45]

Works for me too! Thank you both for your efforts!

[KneeTie]

try this version:
SNES.zip

It worked every time for me. Thanks!

[R9delta]

It works great now. No issues.

[mr-box]

works for me too on the 2nd loop i no longer see corrupt graphics but need to test more just to be sure

[zypheratus]

Wow that's amazing news, I remember this situation was reported a while ago but seemed pretty hard to catch the error. For some reason I never had any problems with FF3 at the intro.

[Moondandy]

Wow, great this was finally able to be debugged and fixed! What was the actual issue and how was it fixed?

[MottZilla]

Wow, great this was finally able to be debugged and fixed! What was the actual issue and how was it fixed?

According to the changelog:
- Fix SDRAM refresh (fix FinalFantasy III intro, Secret of Mana).

[Moondandy]

Hmm, it's weird as there is similar issue on Super NT for FF3 if I recall, maybe it is also ram related.