[hatari-devel] Latest Hatari HG version gets stuck sometimes

[npomarede at corp.free.fr]

On Sat, 4 Jul 2009, Matthias Arndt wrote:

> Am Samstag, den 04.07.2009, 17:20 +0200 schrieb npomarede at corp.free.fr:
>> On Sat, 4 Jul 2009, Matthias Arndt wrote:
>>
>>> [...]
>>> I don't know if this is related to Nicolas's patch.
>>> I can reproduce thsi lockup witha  totally blank screen (and even F12
>>> not working anymore) with the freshly released "Just when" Demo by XIA
>>> (http://files.dhs.nu/party/sommarhack2009/justwhen.zip)
>>>
>>> HG version from about 10mins ago, STE+4MB TOS 1.62de
>>>
>>
>> Worked fine with me.
>>
>> Just to check, do you use the 'patch timer D' option (I don't) ? As I
>> think those problems are all related to something leaking in the internal
>> interrupt management.
>
> Hmm, Timer D patch was active, indeed! I will try without and report if
> that makes a difference.

This could help to create the context to trigger the bug, but of course 
this should not cause this problem.

>
> Is that option still needed for some cases? I remember it fixed some
> programs to run properly ;)

When timer D patch is active, it will prevent consuming too much cpu under 
TOS / GEM, because the tos is setting the timer parameters to values that 
will trigger timer D interrupt very often (although the TOS doesn't need 
it). But in that case, some programs could be confused if they try to use 
the timer D themselves. You can leave the patch if you mostly use GEM 
programs.

When patch is inactive, hatari behaves closely to what a real ST would do, 
but this could consume a little more CPU to handle those useless timer D 
interrupt. So for maximum compatibilty if you use games/demos, you should 
not use this patch option.

In my case, I definitly remove this option, as I want to be as close to 
real hardware as possible, and I don't see any noticeable speed change. 
Have a try to see if this slow down hatari in your case.

Nicolas