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 Emulator I

  

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Created by
 Western Graphics
Last modified
 13 March, 2004
 

Emulator I : Diagnostics

Overview The Emulator I has such a small amount of RAM (128 kbytes) that the diagnostics have to be loaded separately to the main program. The following diagnostic programs and PROM's were available from E-mu Systems.

  • Calibration Diskette         $10
  • Disk Exerciser                 $10
  • Disk Compatibility Tester  $10
  • GALPAT Diskette            $10
  • Memory Check PROM    $25

All the diskettes were included with the $100 Service Manual.

Calibration Diskette
The Emulator has 4 trimmers to be calibrated. The pitch wheel centre can be done with a DVM. The other three need the Calibration diskette to be booted up first. These trimmers control input offset, lower and upper frequencies. The panel LED's are used to display the trim.

Disk Exerciser This diskette tests the read and write capability of the Emulator floppy subsystem. It was designed to be used in burn-in, to locate all hard and soft errors. The program is once again booted from a special diskette, and then the drive is exercised 100 times a minute and the panel LED's display numbers of errors.

Disk Compatibility
This is a factory written diskette which is used at burn-in to check the drive will read stock diskettes. The program is booted from the diskette, it then reads the diskette and reports errors on the front panel LED's.

GALPAT Test  This is a RAM exerciser, called a galloping pattern (hence GALPAT). Once again boot from this diskette, the program will then test out the complete memory. The OVERLOAD LED comes on if it finds an error. The address is displayed on the other LED's. The exact chip that has failed can be identified.

Memory Check PROM If the RAM fails to a large degree then it may not be able to run a GALPAT test. In this case insert this handy test PROM into the Boot PROM location and power on. A memory test will take place, and the panel LED's will show where the failure is.

Channel Disable
In OS 3.5 and above E-mu Systems implemented a disable channel feature. This should be used if a voice fails or distorts. It only works between power on and off. To disable a channel:

  • Press and hold SAMPLE and press GET UPPER
  • Now press a key on the keyboard
  • Low "C" disables channel 0, "C#" channel 1, etc.
  • Press the same key to re-enable the voice