Risc PC - PC Card

Risc PC - PC Card - Types

TI 40Mhz 486 (?Gemini I - Unknown?) RISC PC - PC Card - Texas Instruments 486 PC Card with 128kb

Cyrix 100Mhz 586 (Gemini II) RISC PC - PC Card - Cyrix 586 PC Card with 128kb

Risc PC - PC Card - 586 Cache Size

When running PC Pro you should either select a cache size of 128 Kb (the default) or 512 Kb if you have it. This page explains how

Discovering your Cache Size

The amount of cache on a PC Card for a Risc PC can be discovered by looking at the card.

Gemini I = 128 Kb
Gemini II = 128 Kb or 512 Kb.

For Gemini II card if the Cache chips on the card fill all the avaliable pads then it is 512 Kb otherwise it has 128 Kb of Cache. (See Image)

Comparison of how a 128 Kb card would compare with a 512 Kb Card. RISC PC - PC Card - Comparision of 128Kb vs 512Kb.

RISC PC - PC Card - Comparision of 128Kb vs 512Kb.

Selecting the Cache Size in PC Pro

Find out the amount of Cache as described
Load Up !PCConfig
Click Advanced
Select the amount of Cache you have
Scroll down to the end and select save
Close !PCConfig
Run PC Pro!

Risc PC - PC Card - Installing Network Links

The zip file containing PC Pro should also contain Network Links.

Extract Network Links File
Hold Shift and Double Click on !PCPro (to Open its directory)
Browse into ...
Drop Network Links into this folder
Run PC Pro Config (Network Links Icon should be active)
Click Setup Network Links and select the required protocols
Close !PCConfig
Run !PCPro

If an error occurs when loading !PCPro see item "I Cubed Network Card" below.

Using the Network card in Windows 98

The easiest method I have found is to install Windows 98 with the network card enabled.

Install Network Links
Load !PCConfig
Double Click Advanced
Remember Network Card IRQ
Close !PCConfig
Run !PCPro and ensure no errors occur on load
Install Windows 98
Enter Network Card IRQ when required

Risc PC - PC Card - Setting up i cubed network card

To use an I Cubed network card with PC Pro Virtual mode must be enabled to use the card in both RISC and PC Pro. RISC PC - I Cubed Network Card

Enabling Virtual Mode

Load Task Window (Right Click on Risc Icon)
Run "*Configure EHVirtual On"
Load Up !PCConfig
Double Click Advanced
For Esgkd -deh1
Scroll down to the end and select save
Run !PCPro

Troubleshooting

If an error occurs on running PCPro it usually indicates EHVirtual is not active.

Load Configure (Usually done by Double Clicking on !Boot)
Double Click on Network
Ensure two devices are present
If not try setting EHVirtual again.

Risc PC - PC Card - Random Freezing / Lockups

Several combinations of PC Cards and Risc PC motherboards are incompatible and cause random lockups. I experienced this and initially believed my PC Card was at fault but found that the problem was with the Risc PC motherboard.

The following items might help:

Remove VRAM
Install non-StrongArm CPU
Try another motherboard
Turning off read and write cache (!PCConfig->Advanced)
Use a 486 PC Card (These seem to have better support although problem can still occur)

Modifications can be performed to fix the incompatibility but these seem quite complex.
PC Card Timing Modification
Alternative Version