22

MCA BUS OPERATIONS

CONTENTS AT A GLANCE MCA Bus Configuration and Signals

MCA layout Knowing the MCA signals

General Bus Troubleshooting Further Study

Usenet newsgroup

PS/2 Reference and Diagnostic Disks

Clearing a 55SX password Dealing with PS/2 165 errors (.ADF files)

With the introduction and widespread use of 32-bit microprocessors, such as the Intel
80386 and 80486, the 16-bit ISA bus faced a serious data throughput bottleneck. Passing a 32-bit word across the expansion bus in two 16-bit halves presented a serious waste of valuable processing time. Not only was data and CPU speed an issue, but video and audio systems in PCs had also been improvingand demanding an increasing share of bus bandwidth. By early 1987, IBM concluded that it was time to lay the ISA bus to rest and unleash an entirely new bus structure, which it dubbed the MicroChannel Architecture (MCA). IBM incorporated the MCA bus into their PS/2 series of personal computers and also in their System/6000 workstations. This chapter shows you the layout and operations of the MCA bus.

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MCA Bus Configuration and Signals

All things considered, the MCA bus was a revolutionaryand superiordesign. One of the most substantial advantages is a reduction in electrical noise because of a radical rearrangement of bus signals. Unlike the ISA or EISA bus (which had only a few ground lines), the MCA bus provides an electrical ground every fourth pin. Superior grounding and the corresponding reduction in electrical interference also means that the MCA bus can operate at higher frequencies than XT or AT busses (10MHz, as opposed to the ISA/EISA 8.33MHz). The MCA bus also offers extended performance in data and addressing. You already know that an MCA bus can work with up to 32-bits of data. However, the bus also has an increased number of address lines (32 instead of 24). This increases the amount of directly addressable memory from 16MB to 4GB. The MCA also brings sound and video to the bus. A single analog audio channel is added to the 8-bit bus segment. The audio channel can handle voice and music, and is intended to be almost as good as FM radio (roughly about 50Hz to 10kHz). Because the audio channel is available to all expansion devices, the signal can be exchanged and processed among each device independently. A VGA video extension is also provided with the MCA bus. This allows expansion video boards to be installed and work in concert with the VGA circuitry already existing on the MCA motherboard. An 8-bit video data bus and all necessary synchronization signals are available to an expansion board. Typically, only one video extension connector is included on an MCA motherboard. Still more advances include such features as matched memory cycles, burst and streaming data modes, data multiplexing, and bus mastering. A matched memory cycle is supported with a small expansion connector. When a device is capable of sustaining matched memory transfers, the typical memory transfer cycle of 250 ns is increased 25% to only 187 ns. The burst data-transfer mode allows data to be transferred in blocks without the intervention of a CPU (unlike ordinary data transfers, which require multiple CPU cycles for each transfer). The streaming data-transfer mode allows even faster transfers during bus-mastering operation. Using a data multiplexing technique, the MCA bus can accomplish 64-bit data transfers by multiplexing the upper 32 data bits on the 32 idle address lines. Finally, the MCA bus supports bus masteringa technique that allows other devices besides the main CPU to take control of the system busses to accomplish their respective tasks. Although MCA offers many tangible enhancements over the ISA bus, computer users refused to abandon their hardware and software investment in order to scramble for limited MCA-compatible peripherals to fill their needs. As a result, the MCA bus has never become the new standard that IBM hoped it would be. Although the number of PS/2 systems still in service are dwindling rapidly, you might still encounter PS/2s in many home and school environments.

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MCA LAYOUT
The layout for an MCA bus slot is shown in Fig. 22-1. Notice that up to three segments are on the bus connector: an 8-bit portion, a 16-bit portion, and a 32-bit portion. Also, an auxiliary video extension connector is usually available on only one slot. The first thing

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Video extension 8-bit segment AV1 AV10 ac BV1 BV10 B1 B45 B48 A1 A45 A48

16-bit segment 32-bit segment A58 A59 A89

B58 B59

B89

FIGURE 22-1

The various elements of an MCA bus.

you should realize about the MCA bus is that it is physically much smaller than an ISA or EISA busas a result, it is totally incompatible with ISA or EISA expansion products. The pinout for a 16-bit MCA slot is shown in Table 22-1. This primary type of MCA connector combines video and audio signals in the expansion bus. The connection itself can be divided into three sections: the video section (pins xV00 to xV10), the 8-bit section (pins 1 through 45), and the 16-bit section (pins 48 to 58). Power, ground, and interrupt lines are easy to spot, but most other signals are new. The signal pinout for a 32-bit MCA slot is shown in Table 22-2. The 32-bit bus replaces the video section with a smaller matched memory control section (pins xM4 to xM1), but 8-bit and 16-bit sections remain the same. The 32-bit MCA slot also includes a 32-bit section (pins 59 to 89).

KNOWING THE MCA SIGNALS

Enable Synchronization (ESYNC) controls VGA signals (VSYNC, HSYNC, and BLANK) on the motherboard. When ESYNC is true, the Vertical Synchronization (VSYNC) pulses, Horizontal Synchronization (HSYNC), and Blanking (BLANK) signals control the display. An independent 8-bit video data bus (P0 to P7) support 256 colors on the VGA display. VGA timing signals are controlled by the Enable Data Clock (EDCLK) and Data Clock (DCLK) signals. The Enable Video (EVIDEO) signal switches control of the palette bus allowing an external video adapter to provide signals on P0 to P7. Audio (Audio) and Audio Signal Ground (Audio GROUND) allow the expansion board to send tone signals to the motherboard speaker. There are 32 address bits (Address bit 0 to Address bit 31), 11 interrupts, and 32 data bits (Data bit 0 to Data bit 31). The Address Latch (ADL) signal is true when a valid address exists on the address lines. A Channel Check (CHCK) signal flags the motherboard when an error is detected on the expansion board. When data on the data bus is valid, the Command (CMD) is true. The Channel Ready Return (CHRDYRTN) signal is sent to the motherboard when the addressed expansion board I/O channel is ready. A Channel Reset (CHRESET) signal can be used to reset all expansion boards. The Card Setup (CDSETUP) instructs an addressed board to perform a setup. The Memory Address Enable 24 (MADE24) line activates address line 24. The Channel Ready (CHRDY) line that the addressed board is idle after completing its access. When Burst (BURST) is true, the system bus will execute a burst cycle. The Data Size 16 Return (DS16RTN) and Data Size 32 Return (DS32RTN) tell the motherboard whether the board is running at a 16- or 32-bit bus width. The System Byte

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TABLE 22-1 MCA 16 BIT BUS PINOUT SIGNAL ESYNC Ground P5 P4 P3 Ground P2 P1 P0 Ground Key AUDIO Ground AUDIO Ground Oscillator (14.3MHz) Ground Address Bit 23 Address bit 22 Address bit 21 Ground Address bit 20 Address bit 19 Address bit 18 Ground Address bit 17 Address bit 16 Address bit 15 Ground Address bit 14 Address bit 13 Address bit 12 Ground - IRQ 9 - IRQ 3 - IRQ 4 Ground - IRQ 5 - IRQ 6 - IRQ 7 Ground Reserved Reserved PIN BV10 BV9 BV8 BV7 BV6 BV5 BV4 BV3 BV2 BV1 Key B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13 B14 B15 B16 B17 B18 B19 B20 B21 B22 B23 B24 B25 B26 B27 B28 B29 B30 B31 PIN AV10 AV9 AV8 AV7 AV6 AV5 AV4 AV3 AV2 AV1 Key A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A10 A11 A12 A13 A14 A15 A16 A17 A18 A19 A20 A21 A22 A23 A24 A25 A26 A27 A28 A29 A30 A31 SIGNAL VSYNC HSYNC BLANK Ground P6 EDCLK DCLK Ground P7 EVIDEO Key - CD setup MADE 24 Ground Address bit 11 Address bit 10 Address bit 9 +5 Vdc Address bit 8 Address bit 7 Address bit 6 +5 Vdc Address bit 5 Address bit 4 Address bit 3 +5 Vdc Address bit 2 Address bit 1 Address bit 0 +12 Vdc - ADL - Preempt - Burst -12 Vdc ARB 00 ARB 01 ARB 02 -12 Vdc ARB 03 ARB/ - GNT - TC +5 Vdc

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TABLE 22-1 MCA 16 BIT BUS PINOUT (CONTINUED) SIGNAL - CHCK Ground - CMD CHRDYRTN - CD SFDBK Ground Data bit 1 Data bit 3 Data bit 4 Ground CHRESET Reserved Reserved Ground Key Key Data bit 8 Data bit 9 Ground Data bit 12 Data bit 14 Data bit 15 Ground - IRQ 10 - IRQ 11 - IRQ 12 Ground Reserved Reserved PIN B32 B33 B34 B35 B36 B37 B38 B39 B40 B41 B42 B43 B44 B45 Key Key B48 B49 B50 B51 B52 B53 B54 B55 B56 B57 B58 B59 B60 PIN A32 A33 A34 A35 A36 A37 A38 A39 A40 A41 A42 A43 A44 A45 Key Key A48 A49 A50 A51 A52 A53 A54 A55 A56 A57 A58 A59 A60 SIGNAL - SO - S1 M/ - I/O +12 Vdc CD CHRDY Data bit 0 Data bit 2 +5 Vdc Data bit 5 Data bit 6 Data bit 7 Ground - DS 16 RTN - Refresh Key Key +5 Vdc Data bit 10 Data bit 11 Data bit 13 +12 Vdc Reserved - SBHE - CD DS 16 +5 Vdc - IRQ 14 - IRQ 15 Reserved Reserved

TABLE 22-2 MCA 32 BIT BUS PINOUT SIGNAL Ground Reserved - MMCR Reserved Audio ground Audio Ground Oscillator (14.3 MHz) PIN BM4 BM3 BM2 BM1 B1 B2 B3 B4 PIN AM4 AM3 AM2 AM1 A1 A2 A3 A4 SIGNAL Reserved - MMC CMD Ground - MMC -CD setup MADE 24 Ground Address bit 11

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TABLE 22-2 MCA 32 BIT BUS PINOUT (CONTINUED) SIGNAL Ground Address bit 23 Address bit 22 Address bit 21 Ground Address bit 20 Address bit 19 Address bit 18 Ground Address bit 17 Address bit 16 Address bit 15 Ground Address bit 14 Address bit 13 Address bit 12 Ground - IRQ 9 - IRQ 3 - IRQ 4 Ground - IRQ 5 - IRQ 6 - IRQ 7 Ground Reserved Reserved - CHCK Ground - CMD CHRDYRTN - CD SFDBK Ground Data bit 1 Data bit 3 Data bit 4 Ground CHRESET Reserved Reserved Ground Key PIN B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13 B14 B15 B16 B17 B18 B19 B20 B21 B22 B23 B24 B25 B26 B27 B28 B29 B30 B31 B32 B33 B34 B35 B36 B37 B38 B39 B40 B41 B42 B43 B44 B45 Key PIN A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A10 A11 A12 A13 A14 A15 A16 A17 A18 A19 A20 A21 A22 A23 A24 A25 A26 A27 A28 A29 A30 A31 A32 A33 A34 A35 A36 A37 A38 A39 A40 A41 A42 A43 A44 A45 Key SIGNAL Address bit 10 Address bit 9 +5 Vdc Address bit 8 Address bit 7 Address bit 6 +5 Vdc Address bit 5 Address bit 4 Address bit 3 +5 Vdc Address bit 2 Address bit 1 Address bit 0 +12 Vdc - ADL - Preempt - Burst -12 Vdc ARB 00 ARB 01 ARB 02 -12 Vdc ARB 03 ARB/ - GNT - TC +5 Vdc - SO - S1 M/ - I/O +12 Vdc CD CHRDY Data bit 0 Data bit 2 +5 Vdc Data bit 5 Data bit 6 Data bit 7 Ground - DS 16 RTN - Refresh Key

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MCA BUS OPERATIONS

TABLE 22-2 MCA 32 BIT BUS PINOUT (CONTINUED) SIGNAL Key Data bit 8 Data bit 9 Ground Data bit 12 Data bit 14 Data bit 15 Ground - IRQ 10 - IRQ 11 - IRQ 12 Ground Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Ground Data bit 16 Data bit 17 Data bit 18 Ground Data bit 22 Data bit 23 Reserved Ground Data bit 27 Data bit 28 Data bit 29 Ground - BE 0 - BE 1 - BE 2 Ground TR 32 Address bit 24 Address bit 25 Ground Address bit 29 Address bit 30 Address bit 31 Ground Reserved Reserved PIN Key B48 B49 B50 B51 B52 B53 B54 B55 B56 B57 B58 B59 B60 B61 B62 B63 B64 B65 B66 B67 B68 B69 B70 B71 B72 B73 B74 B75 B76 B77 B78 B79 B80 B81 B82 B83 B84 B85 B86 B87 B88 B89 PIN Key A48 A49 A50 A51 A52 A53 A54 A55 A56 A57 A58 A59 A60 A61 A62 A63 A64 A65 A66 A67 A68 A69 A70 A71 A72 A73 A74 A75 A76 A77 A78 A79 A80 A81 A82 A83 A84 A85 A86 A87 A88 A89 SIGNAL Key +5 Vdc Data bit 10 Data bit 11 Data bit 13 +12 Vdc Reserved - SBHE - CD DS 16 +5 Vdc - IRQ 14 - IRQ 15 Reserved Reserved Ground Reserved Reserved Reserved +12 Vdc Data bit 19 Data bit 20 Data bit 21 +5 Vdc Data bit 24 Data bit 25 Data bit 26 +5 Vdc Data bit 30 Data bit 31 Reserved +12 Vdc - BE 3 - DC 32 RTN - CD DS 32 +5 Vdc Address bit 26 Address bit 27 Address bit 28 +5 Vdc Reserved Reserved Reserved Ground

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High Enable (SBHE) signal is true when the upper 16 data bits are being used, but the Card Data Size 16 (CDDS16) signal is true when only 16 data bits are being used. If all 32 bits of data are being transferred, the Card Data Size 32 (CDDS32) signal is true. When the main memory is being refreshed, the Refresh (REF) line is true. This allows any dynamic memory on expansion boards to be refreshed as well. The Memory/ I/O (M/ I/O) signal defines whether the expansion board is accessing a memory or I/O location. Signals S0 and S1 carry the status of a MicroChannel bus. The -Preempt (-PREEMPT) signal is true when a bus arbitration cycle begins. Arbitration signals ARB00 to ARB03 indicate (in BCD) which of the 16 possible bus masters has won arbitration. The Arbitration/ Grant (ARB/ GNT) is high when the bus is in arbitration, and low when bus control has been granted. When a DMA transfer has finished, the Terminal Count (TC) signal is true. Byte Enable signals 0 to 3 (BE0 to BE3) indicate which four bytes of a 32-bit data bus are transferring data. When an external bus master is a 32-bit device, the Translate 32 (TR32) line is true. The MMCR, MMCCMD, and MMC lines are matched memory-control signals.

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PS/2 Reference and Diagnostic Disks

MicroChannel (PS/2) computers require the use of a reference (or startup) disk whenever configuring the system, or exchanging MCA cards in their bus slots. Each time you add, remove, or exchange an MCA card, youll need to run the reference disk. However, reference disks are often among the first items to be misplaced as a PC is sold or passed from owner to owner. When servicing a PS/2 system, you might easily find yourself without a reference disk. Fortunately, the reference disks for many PS/2 systems (along with a variety of diagnostic disks) can be downloaded from the IBM FTP site. Table 22-3 highlights the most popular FTP download addresses. Download the file to an empty directory on the hard drive, then decompress the file. This will usually result in several individual files, with specific instructions for creating a reference/startup disk.
For files with a .TG0 extension, you will also need to download Telegeta utility that extracts .TG0 files: ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/os2_fixes/tgsfx.com

CLEARING A 55SX PASSWORD

For PS/2 55sx systems, a password will prevent the reference disk from running. Youll need to clear the CMOS RAM (including the password). Ordinarily, you can remove the CMOS backup battery and allow the memory to clear. But for 55sx systems, you can use the speaker cable to clear the CMOS RAM:
s s s s s

Turn off your system. Unplug the speaker cable from the riser card and plug it in upside down. Turn it back on, wait for memory to count, and listen for the beep. Turn the system off, and plug the speaker cable right side up again. The password will be cleared when you power the system up again.

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TABLE 22-3 PS/2 REFERENCE AND DIAGNOSTIC DISK FTP ADDRESSES PS/2 25: PS/2 25 - 286: PS/2 30: PS/2 30 - 286: PS/2 35/40: PS/2 50/50z/60: PS/2 53: PS/2 53: PS/2 55sx/65sx: PS/2 56/57 - 386: PS/2 56/57 - 486: PS/2 P70 (portable): PS/2 70/80: PS/2 P75 (portable): PS/2 76/77: PS/2 76/77: PS/2 76/77 (I or S): PS/2 76/77 (I or S): PS/2 85 (9585): PS/2 85 (9585): PS/2 90/95 (type 1): PS/2 90/95 (type 2): PS/2 90/95 (type 3): PS/2 90/95 (type 4): PS/2 90/95 (all): ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/25start.tg0 ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/rs25286a.tg0 ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/30start.exe ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/mod30286.exe ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/3540st.exe ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/rf5060a.exe ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/rf9553a.exe (reference disk) ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/rd9553a.exe (diagnostic disk) ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/rf5565a.exe ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/rf855657.exe ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/rf955657.exe ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/rfp70a.exe ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/rf7080a.exe ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/rfp75a.exe ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/rf7677a.exe (reference disk) ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/rd7677a.exe (diagnostic disk) ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/7677ref.exe (reference disk) ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/7677diag.exe (diagnostic disk) ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/pc_servers/9585rf.exe (reference disk) ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/pc_servers/9585rd.exe (diagnostic disk) ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/pc_servers/rf90951a.exe ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/pc_servers/rf90952a.exe ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/pc_servers/rf90953a.exe ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/pc_servers/rf90954a.exe ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/pc_servers/rd9095a.exe (diagnostic disk)

DEALING WITH PS/2 165 ERRORS (.ADF FILES)

When running the PS/2 reference disk, youll need to have an .ADF file for each MCA board in the system. If you encounter a 165 error when running autoconfigure with the reference disk, chances are that the .ADF file for one or more MCA devices in the system is missing from the reference disk. Check with the driver software that came with the particular MCA card (its diskette might contain the needed .ADF file). If youve got IBM-brand MCA cards in the system, you can obtain current .ADFs (Adapter Description Files) directly from IBM. Download the ALLFILES.TXT file from: ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/allfiles.txt and locate the .ADF file for your particular device(s). You can then navigate the FTP site and obtain the .ADF file (usually somewhere under ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/). If youre using third-party MicroChannel cards, youll need to contact each particular manufacturer and download the current .ADF file from their tech support areas or FTP sites. One very good source for .ADF files for older, non-IBM MicroChannel cards is at NCRs Web site (http://www.ncr.com/support/pc/pcdesc/library/adfs.shtml). You should also check Peter H. Wendts Web site (http://members.aol.com/phwimage1/mcaindex.htm) for free software that will identify MicroChannel controllers and give you the ADF file name. The site also has a large library of .ADF files for download.

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General Bus Troubleshooting

In most cases, you will not be troubleshooting a busafter all, the bus is little more than a passive connector. However, the major signals that exist on an MCA bus can provide you with important clues about the systems operation. The most effective bus troubleshooting tool available to you is a POST board. Many POST boards are equipped with a number of LEDs that display power status, along with important timing and control signals. If one or more of those LEDs is missing, a fault has likely occurred somewhere on the motherboard. Although most POST boards are designed for ISA bus work, Micro2000 provides an MCA adapter for their POST-Probe. Another point to consider is that bus connectors are mechanical devicesas a result, they do not last forever. If you or your customer are in the habit of removing and inserting boards frequently, it is likely that the metal fingers providing contact will wear and result in unreliable connections. Similarly, inserting a board improperly (or with excessive force) can break the connector. In extreme cases, even the motherboard can be damaged. The first rule of board replacement is: always try removing and re-inserting the suspect board. It is not uncommon for oxides to develop on board and slot contacts that might eventually degrade signal quality. By removing the board and re-inserting it, you can wipe off any oxides or dust and possible improve the connections. The second rule of board replacement is: always try a board in another expansion slot before replacing it. This way, a faulty bus slot can be ruled out before suffering the expense of a new board. If a bus slot is defective, a technician can do little, except:
1 Block the slot and inform the customer that it is damaged and should not be used. 2 Replace the damaged bus slot connector (a tedious and time-consuming task) and pass

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SYSTEM DATA AND TROUBLESHOOTING

the labor expense on to the customer.

3 Replace the motherboard outright (also a rather expensive option).

Further Study
Thats it for Chapter 22. Be sure to review the glossary and chapter questions on the accompanying CD. If you have access to the Internet, take a look at some of these MCA (or PS/2) resources (in addition to the FTP references in Table 22-3): General Technics: http://gtweb.net/mi151.html (MicroChannel Sound Card) IBM PS/2 Reference Disks: ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/refdisks/ Indelible Blue: http://www.indelible-blue.com/ (MicroChannel add-on boards) PS/2 Parts: http://www.can.ibm.com/parts/catalogue/indexes/ps2indx.htm Vintage PCs: http://www.can.ibm.com/helpware/vintage.html

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