Feasibility experiment upgrading OASYS to Intel Core 2 Duo

[elvisjohndowson]

Hi,
I tried updating the motherboard on the OASYS to an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and found that it's technically possible, but I need to update the linux kernel to get it to work. The linux sources are there on the CDROM, but I don't have the appropriate make files and compiler settings to rebuild the kernel. Dan, do you think you would be able to help me complete this experiment?

In terms of specs for the motherboard, the OASYS needs one with

a. microATX form factor

b. two COM ports (one external COM for the touchpanel interface and another internally use by some other subsystem)

c. two IDE channels. However, most of the motherboards on the market now only support one IDE channel with 4 SATA channels, so one way is to take a long IDE cable and connect both the internal IDE hard disk and the IDE cdrom to the same cable. It will automatically select the HDD as the master and the cdrom as the slave.

d. integrated VGA graphics

e. 20pin to 24pin ATX power cable converter, so that you can re-use the OASYS 20pin power supply to drive the new motherboard

Here's a link to the Gigabyte GA-945GCM-S2 (rev. 3.9) motherboard that I narrowed down and fitted into the OASYS : http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Mot ... -945GCM-S2

For the processor, I used an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz with an 800MHz front side bus. I couldn't locate a microATX motherboard with 1333Mhz FSB and 2 serial ports. The motherboard that I chose supports 800Mhz and 1066MHz FSB and the 1066MHz CPUs were not available readily, so I went for an 800MHz FSB one.

I removed the original CPU fan and used just the fan heatsink with the original OASYS cooling solution. The CPU runs exteremely cool between 15 - 16 degrees in an A/C environment.

The OASYS boots up but, midway, it gets stuck and displays a screen requiring me to re-authorize the OASYS. The Public ID is the same as even after replacing the motherboard. The Public ID is stored on the PCI card, which is a really sensible design, 'cos this way, you can change the motherboard and still retain you original Public ID and all the plug-ins that you bought earlier.

I tried running my re-authorization cd, but it can't seem to complete the process. I also tried using the original install CDROMs (OS1.1.0) but setup didn't progress much. I guess this could be fixed by updating the driver support for the linux kernel.

Elvis Dowson

[elvisjohndowson]

Here are some pics : http://www.karma-lab.com/forum/showthre ... #post56833

[MarkF786]

Kudos for being the first to try this! Good luck getting any cooperation from Korg

I do think you'll run into problems with drivers unless you mod the OS. How good are you with Linux? Also, if my memory serves me correct, there are references to specific hardware in the Oasys executables themselves, but I think they are only for the Delta1010 sound card and the Amtel crypto memory, both of which I believe are on the PCI card. It's been a while since I looked at the software, so my memory is a bit foggy.

BTW, how hard/easy was it to access the motherboard? I'm pretty good at disassembling/assembling devices (heck, I did it for a living for a few years) but I haven't felt adventurous enough yet with my Oasys. If you have any specific steps, it would be appreciated.

Mark

[danatkorg]

Dan, do you think you would be able to help me complete this experiment?

No, sorry.

- Dan

[elvisjohndowson]

Disassembling the OASYS and getting to the motherboard was not difficult.

Here are the steps:

1. Open up the two screws on the LH and RH side of the OASYS, lift the LCD display up and open up the motherboard, as outlined in the memory upgrade procedure. Remove the memory cover plate.

2. Remove the cover plate just in front of the OASYS keyboard. (7 screws).

3. Now you will have to disconnect 16 connectors from the RH side of the OASYS, so that you can safely detach the top part of the OASYS (i.e. the LCD and the entire control surface panel).

4. Now remove the two connectors from the RH side of the OASYS.

5. After you have disconnected the connectors from both the LH and RH side, linking the top panel to the rest of the OASYS, close the top part on it's hinges and then remove the 5 screws on the rear of the OASYS.

6. Remove the side panels on the OASYS (4 screws on each side). The side panels provide support and re-inforcement to the top panel, which is why you would want to remove this last.

7. Once you have removed all the screws, lift the OASYS top panel. It comes off easily enough.

8. Remove the motherboard cover plate to access the motherboard. Disconnect the power supply cable, the 12V motherboard power supply cable, the two IDE cables, the front USB cable and the COMB cable.

9. Remove the back plate on the OASYS and remove the screws that connect the touch panel to the VGA and the external serial port. Remove these two external connectors.

10. Carefully lift the motherboard out, at an angle.

[MarkF786]

I see no reason why Korg would be motivated to assist in an effort like this. There's no benefit to them, and it could potentially encroach on their intellectual property.

For the Oasys owner, if it were possible to get the Oasys to run on a different motherboard, it could benefit them in the future when Korg no longer supports the product and the original motherboard is no longer available.

From the point of view of a geek, the primary benefit is just having some fun, seeing how things tick and what's possible.

[MarkF786]

Wow, thanks for the detailed instructions!

[elvisjohndowson]

The total cost of the upgrade was USD$330. This includes the:
a. Gigabyte motherboard
b. Intel E4500 2.2GHz 800MHz FSB Core 2 Duo processor
3. Kingston 1GB DDR2 667MHz x 2 for a total of 2GB. I could have gone with an 800MHz DDR2 DIMM, but that would have been more expensive for this experiment. Also, the microATX motherboard that supported 4GB RAM was slightly longer, so I had to settle for one with just 2GB and 2 memory slots.

Atleast this goes to show that a motherboard upgrade kit is technically feasible, if Korg decides to do it at some point.

However, I noticed that even this configuration is so dated, since there aren't that many motherboards being manufactured with two serial ports and in a microATX configuration. Maybe a serial port daughter card or a touchscreen with a USB interface could improve the situation. During my search, I came across an ultra microATX motherboard with support for Quad Core 2 Duo processors, but it had only one external serial interface.

Elvis Dowson

[tritex4]

That was very sporting and professional of Dan to reply to this madness!!:shock:

I just hate it, that you picked a 7000.00 investment to experiment on!!
Ouch!!
Good luck!!!:)

[Synergy]

elvisjohndowson, I shall call you Obiwan from now on.

[Unknown Sound]

Good on ya for giving it a go!

_US.

[milkojnr]

elvisjohndowson, I shall call you Obiwan from now on.

I can think if other names i would call him!!!

[sebbytriton]

Remember that performance are limited by software (example the increased polyphony of STR-1 on 1.2 OS update).
The number of voice are fixed by software and the total percentage of effects usage is also limited by software with benchmark done with the actual MOBO (you can see the ressource usage on effect routing tab).
I'm not sure the actual software can take into account the extra power given by this new Processor/MOBO except for the boot and the loading of sample.

[billysynth1]

Wow Elvis, that was very brave of you. Hey why dont you get a job at Korg and show them how its done hahaha - sorry Maybe you should go in as a secret agent, get the info you need and continue with your experiment - dont forget to change your surname to Presley lol, that way nobody will recognise you.

You must have a high technical background to take such a punt? There was one chap, in the early days of the Oasys release, who loaded Windows XP on the O - he posted picts? and info over at Karma Labs.

Just out of curiousity does anybody know what type of processing power would be possible with Quad Core in the O - polyphony, insert effects other etc

Billy

[MarkF786]

Remember that performance are limited by software...

I don't think Korg every confirmed or denied this. It's just speculation at this point.

Mark