The collected works of ibmfiles

Due to multimedia being heavily phased out after AIX 4.3.3 and even more-so after AIX 5.3, there aren't many options when it comes to sound and particulalry applications for AIX, especially 7.1+. This is going to focus on AIX 5.3L since it's the last of the newest versions that received some attention as a 'desktop' oriented environment / and also the feature OS for the IntelliStation POWER 185 which I will be using as the machine to run AIX. If some of the UMS (Ultimedia Services) stuff fails, then I suppose a failover to OSS can be done and see how far that can go in its place.

The card that will be used for testing is the 8244 feature code, also known as 'IBM-4281', which is Crystal (Cirrus Logic) CS4281 implemented on a fairly basic PCB.

All of the capacitors are 10uF 25v generic 'canicon' branded--including on the outputs which is pretty low for decoupling (in fact usually you see 220uF or 470uF), this is common practice for OEMs to not pay attention to the spec sheets and just under-valued cheap parts to save money. So I pulled up the datasheet for the DAC (4299-JQZ) and guess what! Figure 18 on page 38 states 220uF is to be used for both stereo output decoupling capacitors. So basically IBM is 210uF short which will affect the filtering and gain of the output.



I've already determined the two main outputs on the FC8244 (C30, C31). These connect to the right and left channels of the output jack accordingly. The solder work was done prior to checking the spec sheet (and I knew 10uF was way too small), however I decided to use 10uF bipolar Nichicon 'BP' series which will at least help a bit, they have the bright green sleeves. The 4299-JQZ datasheet does show polarization for the output, but this is done to save costs / and even if it did show bipolar OEMs would still use polar anyways. C37 and C23 were left alone with the original capacitors since they're not as important, I did replace the three bus capacitors with Rubycon YXF to ensure unwanted noise doesn't get through. If this experiment comes to full fruition, then I shall fix the output with bipolar 220uF, really you could even do 470uF since this card has so little filtering as it is...

(I won't get into the theory why bipolar capacitors should be used in decoupling for audio, but feel free to research that separately / and "bipolar" electrolytics are actually two polarized capacitors in tandem attached by the cathode, Nichicon BP just consolidates that into a tidy neat package)

Time to install the card into le POWER 185 , there's a few tidbits to go over: the utmost top PCI slot is 3.3v, now... virtually all of the computers I own and dealt with sport 5v slots (and then if 3.3v compatibility needs to be maintained, they have two slots). In this case the CS4281 is 3.3v exclusive, as such all implementations of it are always 3.3v, AND to top it off the 185 has a real genuine 3.3v exclusive PCI slot.



The 185 mobo also (*cough choke gag* "planar") has a multimedia USB port thing for the two front USB ports to connect in. I don't think the pin arrangement that is in is standard, but it wouldn't be too hard to convert it to the 'regular' USB pinout and connect a front panel multibay with an SD reader and other goodies--ASSUMING AIX supports such deviltry. I added a green LED strip at the bottom to light up the insides green not that it will be seen much; usually light sneaks through the back



All of the guts put back together (which are quite quintessential IBM) & you'll notice the lightpath diagnostics are on the side of the HDD cage--where all of the U320 magick happens with mystical rainbow cables. The disk in there is a nice 10K cheetah, the same family used in the M Pro 6225s.
---

I started playing with the UMS services on AIX 4.2.1 Bonus CD #1, again. The services I've attempted to install are as follows (I'm not installing the 'ultimedia devices' because they are legacy chips on legacy busses--MCA and ISA).

I:UMS.H_32x 2.2.1.0
I:UMS.demo 2.2.1.0
I:UMS.html.en_US.prog_gd* 4.3.2.0
I:UMS.html.en_US.user_gd* 4.3.2.0
I:UMS.info.en_US.user_gd* 4.2.2.0
I:UMS.objects 2.2.1.0
I:UMS.samples 2.2.1.0
I:UMS.speech 2.2.1.0
I:UMS.video_ext 2.1.8.0

*asterisked stuff has no requisites

After attempting to SMIT them, I get the following list of requisites:

bos.info.en_US.nav 4.1.0.0
bos.rte v=4, r<3 (Base Operating System Runtime)
bos.som.comp 4.1.3.0 (SOM Compiler)
bos.som.rte 4.1.3.0 (SOM Run-time Kernel and Interface Repository Framework)
bos.som.util 4.1.3.0 (SOMobjects Utility Classes)

There's one thing that disturbs me, and that's "bos.rte v=4, r<3", is that referring to the runtime or requiring that version of the OS itself? (excuse my neophyte inquiries, it's still something I'm learning).
---

Onto OPL3, I couldn't try out the CS4281's broken FM due to having no 3.3v PCI x86 computers that could run DOS, so I was wondering if I could just play around with that on AIX itself. Adlibtracker II does have the source code available for download:
http://www.adlibtracker.net/downloads.php

Now Free Pascal does support compiling into AIX, so-- would it be possible to just compile that source code onto AIX?
http://wiki.freepascal.org/FPC_AIX_Port

Really all that's required is for the program to run and speak to the CS4281 over port 388h (of course the port can be changed to whatever we want, but it sniffs that out by default). There are a few things that I don't quite understand, however:
#1 how exactly do you configure GNU BinUtils with "./configure --target=powerpc-ibm-aix5.3 --with-sysroot"
#2 there doesn't seem to be an AIX .RPM package for Free Pascal, so is it installed in some other arcane fashion with the mentioned snapshots?

I'm going to assume that compiling this on AIX itself would be easier than cross-compiling on Windows, correct me if I'm wrong .

The Enterprise SUSE and Redhat distros are limited so I'd just avoid them.

This is difficult for me to know without owning the actual hardware. I could propose a theory though: since it's the SAS controller connected to the backplane; theoretically the firmware of the SAS controller is requesting special firmware from the disks.

Proposal: if you buy a GENERIC (like LSI / Adaptec) SAS controller and ensure it has the correct miniSAS connectors to connect to the backplane, in theory the firmware should give boot control to the generic SAS card and then boot from whatever disk you want. This is assuming of course the motherboard firmware will work with it, and isn't performing any additional checks.

EDIT: by 'backplane' I mean the PCB that the HDDs connect to / typically backplanes and controllers use MiniSAS.

Get either a mitsubishi or sony IBM PS/2 FDD and replace the SMT capacitors. Then away you go.
http://ibmfiles.com/pages/ps2capacitors.htm

DO NOT purchase an ALPS one, they have a catastrophic flaw of the read head becoming unglued and it's near impossible to realign correctly.

Raion-Fox wrote: Well I did get a DX7 recently as planned at a pawn shop for $270. The case is dented and the LCD needs to be replaced but otherwise it works great.

Woah Raion-Fox, so I'm curious; do most of you guys buy synthesizers and have this degree of familiarity with them? That's like taking all of the niche forums and topics (vogons, VCF, EEVBlog Forum, VSF, gearslutz, geekhack etc etc etc) and rolling it all into one with each member on here knowing all of these topics and switching between them nonchalantly on the fly. I've never in my life switched from discussing OS/400 to DX7s and JV-1080s, nor did I think it was possible.

[meanwhile at nekochan] "No big deal , we'll just talk about System i, Irix, OS/2, FreeBSD, obscure PowerPC PReP machines, SGI Granite ALPS keyboards, Oberheims, Yamaha FM synths"...

*brain explodes*

I bought a Yamaha FB-01 (got lucky @ $37 USD) even though it's a bit redundant as I own an "IMFC" which has the same chip. But this way it doesn't need to be inside a computer. I think the IMFC even needs the elusive -12V ISA rail, which I have no idea how it differs from "+12v" as they're both... 12v. I like that red screen, it's almost like it was deliberately chosen to be the opposite of the MT-32.

commodorejohn wrote: There's a surprising number of Nekochanners who are into synthesizers, actually. I have no idea why this should be the case, but there you are.

Hmmmm.... would it be possible to create a 'how did you get into synthesizers' thread?

commodorejohn wrote: Anyway, the FB-01 is a fun little box Nowhere near as flexible as their professional-level FM keyboards, but plenty flexible enough to play around with, plus it's pretty well exactly the same voice architecture as the OPN chip in the Sega Genesis. Good stuff!

OPM and OPN actually do share more differences than you'd expect (and the OPN implemented with TDM distortion on early Genesis cannot be replicated with anything else unless you use the same amplifier). That's not my forte though since I get most exposure from the OPL series (*drool* OPL2 *drool*), I'm reciting what my 'OPx' buddy always tells me.

I do happen to own an FS1R (even the box too!), so I won't have to be limited by the FB-01 in any way. A different friend who also owns an FS1R (and a polymoog 203a), said it was a challenge to turn off the extra reverb effects on the FS1R's stock sounds. I haven't dug that deep yet since the FS1R's interface is pretty terrible and adapted from their MU series... just need to get that MIDI mixer going... just a pain programming its interface. I didn't go with a USB MOTU because the one I was looking at dropped SYSEX data randomly and that's pretty important when you're editing synths remotely.

guardian452 wrote:

praetor242 wrote: Cuz Windows 10 sux.

Really? Because after using the mac since around 10.4 I got a windows machine last year and really like it.

Different strokes, I guess...

Well just because one doesn't like mac OS doesn't mean that makes Windows 10 any better. I use Windows for all of my main production software and equipment and have no desire to touch OS X / mac OS-- but that doesn't mean I'm jaded.

I'll tell you why Windows 10 is a HUGE problem and only getting worse:
#1 pushed advertisements and applications that cannot (truly) be disabled, and can only be deferred with insane acrobatics and editing of the OS
#2 constant 'chatter' to the internet and hijacking of your bandwidth with NO WAY to turn it off unless you block it from your firewall
#3 With the advent of the creator's update even more restrictions with the 'advertisement IDs' affixed to each PC and no way to turn off telemetry or CEIP as they're integrated into critical processes
#4 Locked-down interface options so you're stuck with a mismatched contrasted colour scheme (while I can make it workable, it's still stupid). Obviously the the new Microsoft generation forgotten what Brad Wardell told MS to do in XP with at least making the clown interface customizable .
#5 Bipolar interfaces that flip between "Metro" and Windows classic
#6 Forced automatic updates which often reset a lot of things and push out candy crush repeatedly
#7 No disclosure of ALL of the information Microsoft inhales through their "vortex" server and many others
#8 False interfaces that don't actually turn off what they claim (turning off CEIP under Windows 8, let alone Windows 10 DOES NOT turn it off!)

Windows 7 isn't totally excluded from the interface stupidity, apparently Windows 7 Aero is programmed as the only interface option to include V-Sync. If you disable the transparency or use classic you don't get V-Sync. Sure, not a huge problem--that is until you get tearing on a more complex display like a T221. And if you try to FORCE V-sync from your GPU's driver, Windows 7 ignores it.

Don't get me started on the fact Windows 7 (and Windows 10!) still don't have proper interface support for scaling interfaces. This is something that freaking OS/2 Warp had back in 1999 ! I'm not sure if Windows will ever have proper interface scaling due to the antiquated APIs that are needed to maintain compatibility. DESPITE THE FACT they created the Metro interface which COULD HAVE addressed that.

---
My problem with Windows 10 sentiment is that everyone who is in favour of it, deliberately ignores or WANTS to be oblivious to all of these problems (and more). Quoting Ed Bott articles (which are poorly written and the fact Ed Bott barely understands computing in general) or saying "this is where operating systems are going" is not a valid excuse.

Power users don't have time for that CRAP.

I'll tell you how Windows 10 could be fixed while retaining all of the "cloud" stuff:
Optional updates, optional CEIP, optional telemetry, optional "windows store / candy crush", optional advertisements (maybe with an extra premium "fee"), ALWAYS retain custom configured settings after updates, fully customizable interface like Windows 7 (but with V-Sync support on EVERYTHING), etc.

The problem is... Microsoft WANTS to force advertisements and gain customer data for purposes of profit. There is NO defense for that.

P.S. Oh yeah... and they could go back and borrow IBM's 1999 OS/2 codebase to fix their interface for high DPI scaling. But they won't.

foetz wrote: of course windows 10 is a joke for professional use. and i'm not even talking about things that involve sensitive data.

Professional or not, the world either runs on Windows or mac OS with a majority on Windows--choose your poison; and that's not about to change any time soon since people still use VGA and serial ports as a requirement; VGA predates me .

In the future I'll probably be installing Server 2016 as my "desktop" OS to bypass the crap that plagues Windows 10 and then either Linux or OS/2 on my satellite computers. I'm hoping to leverage more into OS/2 since it hits the nail on the head for a lot of things I like and runs high resolutions reasonably well.

Raion-Fox wrote: 8.1 Embedded Industry Pro with a handful of patches and hacks is relatively alright especially since FreeBSD is being retarded on my laptop for now.

8.1 loses ITS MIND on my server, I have no idea why (7 and 10 operate just fine). In particularly the driver service needs to manually be ran from CMD in order to install any drivers--and sometimes even when it's running it's not, so if I plug my iPhone in for instance it's not recognized but will resume operation like 60 minutes later. I just don't get it.

guardian452 wrote: Don't know what display ports have to do with operating system... are the (non win/mac) systems only supporting DP and HDMI nowadays? Ditto for serial port.

Because VGA has been in use since 1986 in businesses and continue to be highly common to this day. Which means it's hard to kill off stuff once it gets so integrated in an ecosystem, which brings us back to ultimately Windows will be hard to kill off in a business environment. In fact, Microsoft gets a lot of their cut now from businesses and no longer the consumer sector. They go after businesses out of compliance for MS Office very frequently. And it does pay off heartily...

Sure, I don't use VGA on any of my new systems (my monitor actually uses LFH60)--but virtually all HP, Dell and Lenovo stuff still has it. Heck, a client bought a brand new corei7 Dell with the "big three": PS/2 ports, serial and parallel! It has been awhile since I've seen parallel on a modern desktop. Yuck.

Shiunbird wrote: I'm always delighted when I see someone learning Portuguese. People only seem to be interested in learning Spanish...
Feel free to ask if you need help. I know both Brazilian and European Portuguese well (in terms of spelling differences, grammar usage and unique expressions), although my accent is 100% Brazilian.

I thought your accent was French actually. Oooops

Probably because it's fairly soft and your pronunciation of ð is the same. I pictured you as an Italian French guy with the latest in European fashion, lugging around various System i and mainframes. Monsieur Shiunoiseau.

Sorry, I have a fairly vivid imagination and it gets the best of me at times.

Shiunbird wrote: I was casually fooling around the Interwebs when somehow I ended up in the Linux Toolbox for AIX page and I noticed that it was refreshed (for the first time in years probably).

And... guess what? There's now YUM for AIX.
I'm sure that will eliminate 90% of my frustration operating AIX and could help a few of us here.

https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/comm ... 02751d30e2
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/comm ... erview.pdf
https://www-03.ibm.com/systems/power/so ... alpha.html
http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/power/software/aix/linux/

Enjoy!

Oh wow, now I can actually set up the ol' IntelliStation and try installing some stuff later. ASSUMING it'll work fine with AIX 5.3 (later versions are really appropriate for a PowerPC anyways).

Raion-Fox wrote: Eew redhat tools. I'd rather have a good pkgsrc.

IBM invests to redhat, and sends over code and stuff. So it's not a surprise they've got the "redhat" bias. Which I can't say I'm a fan of redhat (is anyone, really?)

Shiunbird wrote:

astouffer wrote: Finally. With rpm I had conflicts where X needed Y, so you try and install Y and it says it needs X... So the hell with it, force everything. You should have seen me trying to install ffmpeg. Nothing seems to compile cleanly with gcc either.

Exactly the problems I've been having.
Compiling things on gcc never seem to go well, or I'm too stoopid.

What happens to me is... when I need to get things done with the machine I end up booting Linux, and once every few months I gather some energy, spend 3-4 days with AIX, get frustrated and give up. But now I think I will do a 7.1 clean install and try my luck again.

The AIX running man probably has developed a hernia by the amount of times he has belly flopped on failed SMITs. IBM should just freaking develop something more for the OS... for instance like USB storage that doesn't have a chance of getting corrupted.