Works but has limited compatibility on faster PS/2s (56SLC2)
For MCA Micro Channel Sound Blaster replica
I've ordered this card for an IBM PS/2 Model 56SLC2 (486 at 50MHz) knowing that it could have some issues like "Snark Barker MCA" which card is inspired on (check it's compatibility notes at: https://github.com/schlae/snark-barker-mca?tab=readme-ov-file#compatibility).
Also the physical installation in this PS/2 Model 56SLC2 can cause some headaches due to the position and length of output volume knob, which obligates the card to be slotted in with MCA riser card out of case (and disconnected from the planar board) specially if installed in the bottom slot.
The software installation is easier because with Creative's drivers for Sound Blaster MCV (and reading all included notes) it properly outputs sound in DOS and Windows 3.1/3.11 without problems.
In Windows it also works fine on sound recording from MIC input (using a stereo 3.5 jack microphone from an old cellphone) but only when the card is configured in computer's system configuration to use "Microphone Voltage Bias" other than "Disabled".
Apart from knowing it's compatibility issues with PS/2 Model 56SLC2, DOS gaming titles works fine with common sound blaster environment variables (A220 I5 D1 T3) having almost no background noise even when redirecting output sound to internal speaker.
Game port also works fine using 2-axis analog joystick namely when paired with Microsoft's Flight Simulator 4.
In this regard it is important that IRQ setting for LPT port should be "Disabled" or at least in "Shared Interrupt X" in computer's system configuration to avoid strange conflict related issues.
Detailing issues found in this MCA system combination I can enumerate some of them:
- "Broderbund's Stunts" for example have missing out of order playing notes on music and sometimes causes distortion sound effects samples.
- "Papyrus Nascar Racing" also denotes missing notes when playing music.
- "Papyrus Indianapolis 500" music and sound effects are have instruments playing randomly and some times no sound effects for engine.
- "Supaplex" After selecting “Sound Blaster” as sound configuration for "FX" it plays a sound but immediately freezes game's interaction, i.e. no input control. But music and cursor animation continues.
All this seems to be related to MCA bus timmings on a faster system as this one.
So that in games like "Microsoft Flicht Simulator 4" or "Papyrus Nascar Racing" after playing exit music a resulting system halt occurs, showing also an error code of "00011310".
This error is related and referenced as:
"0001 12XX / 0001 13XX / Possible MC-timeout error / Often caused by a card with defective MCA bus interface or too slow responding card (old!)."
(taken from "Ardent Tool of Capitalism": https://www.ardent-tool.com/trouble/error_01.html)
This card may behave better on a slower MCA bus system like the IBM PS/2 Model 55SX.