Sporniket's installation

IDE/FlashROM/RTC/RAM expansion boards for 260/520/1040ST(FM), MegaST and 520/1040STE
sporniket
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Re: Sporniket's installation

Post by sporniket »

As planned, I have tested the RTC, and it works.

Before doing anything, I have gently rubbed the coin battery with a HB drawing pen, where the "ON-OFF" marking is. Without that, it's almost impossible to see it. Then I have switched on the battery holder.
2023-11-25--01-make-markings-visible.jpg
Then I prepared a disk image with XCONTROL.ACC, and booted the computer with it, setup the time and date ; switched off for a few seconds ; switched on again : the time and date are restored.
sporniket
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Re: Sporniket's installation

Post by sporniket »

The compact flash card is on its way, I will do my tests next week-end.
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Re: Sporniket's installation

Post by sporniket »

Hello, I finally could advance with regards to IDE drive. In summary, I loaded my CF card with hdd driver demo IDE image, and I worked (in my happyness, I did not test writing into the C: drive, will do that later)

But first, I tested with an old image with Peter Putnik driver, most likely not adapted for IDE. Nevermind, I tested the intcheck program
Administrator wrote:
19 Nov 2023 20:07
Had some time today and programmed a little tool that will check if the DMA-INT line is connected properly. An IDE device must be connected (HDD type, CF-Card, SD-Card, DOM,... not CD-ROM, DVD-ROM) as the Master device. The tool will try to read sector 0 of the storage device. On success the IDE device will assert its INT which will be inverted by SmartBoard (IDE INT is active high while MFP interrupts are active low) and the software checks for a low-level on that particular MFP pin.
So, this is the result WITHOUT the CF card in :
2023-11-09--01--intcheck-without-cf-card.jpg
This is the result WITH the CF card in :
2023-11-09--02--intcheck-cf-card-present.jpg
So, I decided to try HDD Driver. The demo page provide provide a ready to use image for IDE drives, that is what I downloaded. Then I loaded this image onto my flashcard. Then I put my CF card on the IDE module plugged on the SmartBoard. Switch on and...
2023-11-09--03--cf-card-with-hdd-driver-demo-image.jpg
Success \o/
sporniket
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Re: Sporniket's installation

Post by sporniket »

Opening drice C:\
2023-11-09--04--looking-at-c.jpg
Anyway, time to buy the complete version and building a C:\ partition little by little.
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Re: Sporniket's installation

Post by Administrator »

Good to see you made progress.
I did not translate that page to check its features, but maybe Cécile http://centek.online.fr/atari/softs/s_cecile.htm works for you?

Edit: just tried CC_TOOLS.APP under TOS 1.62 and 2.06. It throws 3 bombs when executing it. Might it be it is designed for Falcon only? :(
sporniket
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Re: Sporniket's installation

Post by sporniket »

I could give it a try before buying HDD Driver.

I've just did some write test, by saving the desktop, and copying some files (Xcontrol, coldstart,...), it seems to work.

BUT I have noticed that HDD Driver freezes with the patched TOS 1.06 and TOS 1.62, it display the 3 first lines of HDD Driver (2 lines of greetings, one line displaying the detected IDE disk) but hangs there (does not display the detection of ACSI drives and the following), is it because it is TOS 1.x instead of TOS 2.x ?

Another thing, I did a little bit of cable management so that the wires stay away from the RAM sticks. The "X" you could see in the picture with the memory test is no more. (I also had to fix my cable management so that the floppy disk power lines are not stuck with the other wires too, otherwise the floppy drive was not happy : lots of bombs and reset when opening drive A:). Anyway the wires should be less mobile, that will also help to keep them soldered, I had to re-solder the INTDMA wire and the two green wires. Because I move my STe a lot (shelving, unshelving, remove the top casing, closing the case, rinse and repeat).

At one point before the end of this year, I plan to use the flashing utility to replace the patched TOS 1.06 with a vanilla TOS 1.62, I will provide feedback at that time.
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Re: Sporniket's installation

Post by Administrator »

sporniket wrote:
09 Dec 2023 19:05
I could give it a try before buying HDD Driver.
Check my post above - maybe you are luckier than me.
sporniket wrote:
09 Dec 2023 19:05
BUT I have noticed that HDD Driver freezes with the patched TOS 1.06 and TOS 1.62
Checked with HDDriver 10.13 and yes, you are right. I always use SCSI-Tools/Hushi for single IDE channel systems and that boots as expected. I will have a look into that issue.
sporniket wrote:
09 Dec 2023 19:05
I had to re-solder the INTDMA wire and the two green wires. Because I move my STe a lot (shelving, unshelving, remove the top casing, closing the case, rinse and repeat).
Maybe it's time to use the zip-ties I sent you? My solder joints don't look nearly as good as yours, but none ripped off by now. And I move one STE around almost daily (which is without keyboard/top cover right now), while the other is completely enclosed.
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Re: Sporniket's installation

Post by sporniket »

Administrator wrote:
09 Dec 2023 19:16
sporniket wrote:
09 Dec 2023 19:05
I could give it a try before buying HDD Driver.
Check my post above - maybe you are luckier than me.
Ha, cross-posting, I did not see the edit.
Administrator wrote:
09 Dec 2023 19:16
sporniket wrote:
09 Dec 2023 19:05
BUT I have noticed that HDD Driver freezes with the patched TOS 1.06 and TOS 1.62
Checked with HDDriver 10.13 and yes, you are right. I always use SCSI-Tools/Hushi for single IDE channel systems and that boots as expected. I will have a look into that issue.
ok
Administrator wrote:
09 Dec 2023 19:16
sporniket wrote:
09 Dec 2023 19:05
I had to re-solder the INTDMA wire and the two green wires. Because I move my STe a lot (shelving, unshelving, remove the top casing, closing the case, rinse and repeat).
Maybe it's time to use the zip-ties I sent you? My solder joints don't look nearly as good as yours, but none ripped off by now. And I move one STE around almost daily (which is without keyboard/top cover right now), while the other is completely enclosed.
Ha, that's what it was for. I used kapton tape here and there.
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