DayStar

Frequently Asked Questions about Genesis MP

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There is no BONG when powering up the Genesis MP.

  • Reseat the nPOWER card.
  • Reseat the video card.
  • Reseat the ROM SIMM (if present).
  • Reset the Cuda chip (Power down the Genesis MP and then press and hold the button for ten seconds).
  • Disconnect all SCSI devices.
  • Remove all PCI cards.

The Genesis MP starts up on a warm boot, but will not start up on a cold boot.

  • Remove all but one DIMM and cold boot the Genesis MP.
  • If Genesis MP boots cold, replace one DIMM at a time and cold boot to isolate the bad DIMM.

The Genesis MP will randomly crash and freeze.

  • Check the manufacturer of DIMMs in the Genesis MP. There are two types of Newer Technology 64 MB DIMMs. They both unfortunately have the same part number. If there is not a Newer Tech. name anywhere on the DIMM, they need to be replaced with the other style of Newer Technology 64 MB DIMM. The correct ones will have Newer Tech. printed on the upper center of the DIMM.

The system shuts down intermittently.

  • Ensure that all air vents are not obstructed.
  • Ensure both fans are operable.
  • If the problem is a possible thermal protection shut down, allow the system to cool for 30 minutes before continuing troubleshooting procedures.
  • Ensure the power cord is properly connected.
  • Reset the Cuda chip (power down the Genesis MP and then press and hold the button for ten seconds).

The system intermittently crashes or hangs.

  • Verify the Genesis MP is booting from System v7.5.5 or later.
  • Verify the INITs in your System Folder are compatible (contact the software manufacturer) Reboot with extensions off to determine if system extensions are cause of problem.
  • Remove Preferences Folder from the System Folder and reboot to determine if a corrupt preference is causing the problem.
  • Remove Fonts Folder from the System Folder and reboot to determine if a corrupt font is causing the problem.
  • Clear Parameter RAM (PRAM). Perform this task by simultaneously pressing (COMMAND) + (OPTION) + (P) + (R) during startup. Continue holding down the keys until the Genesis BONGS three times.
  • Perform a clean install of the System software. (refer to the User Guide).
  • Reset the Cuda chip (power down the Genesis MP and then press and hold the button for ten seconds).
  • Remove and test all DIMMs by replacing one at a time. Replace any defective DIMMs.
  • Ensure all processors are available by utilizing the Genesis MP Control.
  • Ensure all processors are functional by utilizing PowerFrax.
  • Remove any additional PCI cards to determine if a card is defective.

During startup, the following message appears: "This startup disk will not work on this Macintosh model..."

  • Verify the startup volume is working.
  • Verify that the System software is v7.5.5 or later
  • Perform a clean install of the system software (refer to the User Guide).

The system provides the correct startup sequence but no video is apparent on the display.

  • Reset the Cuda chip (power down the Genesis MP and then press and hold the button for ten seconds).
  • Remove and test all DIMMs by replacing one at a time. Replace any defective DIMMs.
  • Relocate DIMMs to a different location.
  • Reseat the video card.
  • Reseat the nPOWER card.
  • Reseat the ROM SIMM (if present).

The system provides the correct startup sequence but the video is continuously rolling.

  • Ensure that your monitor does not sync on green.
  • Reseat the video card.
  • Reseat the nPOWER card.
  • Reseat the ROM SIMM (if present).
  • Clear Parameter RAM (PRAM). Perform this task by simultaneously pressing (COMMAND) + (OPTION) + (P) + (R) during startup. Continue holding down the keys until the Genesis BONGS three times.
  • Check video card manual for startup synching options.

The internal floppy disk drive is inoperable.

  • Check the floppy disk drive with a known-good diskette.
  • Check to be sure the cable is plugged in at the floppy disk drive and the motherboard.
  • Replace the floppy drive cable
  • Replace the floppy disk drive.

A diskette ejects during system startup displaying a blinking floppy icon with an (X) or (?).

  • Ensure you have a known-good startup diskette.
  • A new Disk Tools diskette can be created from the Apple system CD if the machine is operational.

The floppy drive does not eject the floppy diskette.

  • Power off the computer. Hold down the mouse button while powering up.
  • Use a paper clip to manually eject the floppy diskette.

The floppy drive attempts to eject the diskette but cannot.

  • Ensure the front panel correctly aligns with the floppy drive.
  • Use a paper clip to manually eject the floppy diskette.
  • Ensure the the diskette is in good condition.
  • Replace the floppy disk drive.

The floppy drive runs continuously.

  • Check the floppy disk drive with a known-good diskette.
  • Replace the floppy disk drive.

The floppy drive will not format a High Density (HD) diskette.

  • Install the PowerMac Format Patch located on the DayStar 3.3 CD or on our Web Page.

The Internal hard drive doesn't spin.

  • Check with another power connector on the power cable assembly.
  • Check with a known-good hard drive.
  • Replace the internal hard drive.

The internal hard drive spins but will not boot.

  • Ensure no device on the SCSI chain is set for address number seven.
  • Verify that there are no duplicate SCSI device addresses.
  • Verify that only the last device in the SCSI chain is terminated.
  • Ensure SCSI devices are being recognized at the correct address by utilizing the Genesis MP Control.
  • Check with a known-good hard drive.
  • Replace the SCSI cable.
  • Replace the hard drive.

The hard drive doesn't appear on the desktop.

  • Verify there are no duplicate SCSI device addresses.
  • Mount the drive by utilizing the Genesis MP control.
  • Run Disk First Aid to verify the condition of the drive's directory structure.
  • Back up hard drive if needed.
  • Initialize the drive using the formatting software provided with the Genesis MP (refer to the User Guide for instruction).
  • Check with a known-good hard drive.
  • Replace the SCSI cable.
  • Replace the hard drive.

Cursor doesn't move.

  • Check the mouse and keyboard connections.
  • Inspect the inside of the mouse device for buildup of dirt or other contaminants.
  • Clean the mouse device.
  • If the mouse was connected to a keyboard, connect the mouse to another port.
  • If the problem is not resolved, connect the mouse directly to the computer.
  • Replace the keyboard cable.
  • If the mouse works, replace the keyboard.
  • If the mouse device doesn't work while directly connected to the computer, replace the mouse.

Cursor moves, but the mouse button doesn't have a clicking effect.

  • Boot from a floppy or bootable CD to eliminate possible system software corruption.
  • Check with a known-good mouse device.
  • Replace the mouse.

There is no response to any key pressed on the keyboard.

  • Check the keyboard connection to the ADB port.
  • Check with a known-good keyboard.
  • Replace the keyboard cable.
  • Replace the keyboard.

The Genesis MP doesn't display the CD-ROM icon once a CD has been inserted into the drive.

  • Check with a known-good compact disc.
  • Verify the CD-ROM software is installed (CD-ROM Toolkit).
  • Reinstall the CD-ROM software.
  • Replace the SCSI data cable.
  • Replace the CD-ROM drive.

The Genesis MP crashes with a Type 11 error.

  • Delete the preferences for the application that is crashing.
  • Reboot with extensions off to determine if system extensions are the cause of the problem.
  • Reinstall the system software.
  • If Type 11 errors continue, there is a hardware problem, if the errors do not continue, there is an INIT conflict.

The Genesis MP doesn't utilize multiprocessing in Photoshop.

  • Verify that the Genesis MP is running version 3.0.5 or greater.
  • Verify that there is only one 'Multiprocessor Accelerator' extension in the Photoshop Plug-ins folder (version 3.0.5), and that it is the most recent (1.0.2).
  • Verify that there is only one 'Multiprocessor Extension' extension in the Photoshop Plug-ins folder (version 4.0).
  • Verify that the path to the Plug-ins folder in Photoshop is set to the correct Plug-ins folder.
  • See related article 'Photoshop MP Troubleshooting'

The Genesis MP will not interleave DIMMs.

  • Verify that the DIMMs are of the same manufacturer, physically look the same, and they are the same speed and refresh rate (I.E. - 70ns, 2K refresh).

DIMM installation in the Genesis MP.

  • The preferred location of DIMM modules is to install the DIMMs in matched pairs from the largest size to the smallest size, and to start in slots A6-B6 and work your way down.

Long PCI cards will not fit in the Genesis MP.

  • The Genesis MP will need the newer style PCI card guide bracket. You can identify the newer style bracket by looking to see if the bracket has three holes in it.

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