Setting up an IDE HDD on the +3e help
Hello,
Just installed a HDD in my +3e (ROM ver. 1.11).
When turning on it takes a few seconds longer but then shows 2 IDE (available)
as well as 1 floppy and then ABM drives at the bottom.
Just starting out with the +3 so don't know that much about +3DOS, etc...
I've tried this command:
FORMAT TO unit,maxpartition
but it's not working (red blinking cursor block)
Is there a command to get into +3DOS for those additional commands?
Here's a screen shot (from my capture card)
Just installed a HDD in my +3e (ROM ver. 1.11).
When turning on it takes a few seconds longer but then shows 2 IDE (available)
as well as 1 floppy and then ABM drives at the bottom.
Just starting out with the +3 so don't know that much about +3DOS, etc...
I've tried this command:
FORMAT TO unit,maxpartition
but it's not working (red blinking cursor block)
Is there a command to get into +3DOS for those additional commands?
Here's a screen shot (from my capture card)
Post edited by thomas3120 on
Comments
Lets see if I can help.
Firstly lets work with the basics, disconnect IDE unit 1 (SLAVE) device so that you only have one IDE device as the Master.
From here lets boot the Spectrum (it should see 1 floppy, 1 IDE)
Now go to +3 BASIC
Type the following
This should list the IDE device(s), CHS (Cylinders / Heads / Sectors) from here you should be able to format and create partitions. If you cannot or the CAT TAB command hangs the system, you should power off the Spectrum, swap the IDE devices over - and try again. If you are still experiencing problems, take a picture of the hardware set-up so we can have a look.
To help with the DOS commands I created a simple manual / guide on installing IDE on the Spectrum +2/3e systems, at the back it also includes DOS syntax for common disk operations and how to use them
(click here to download the Z80 UIDE Manual)
Just a quick question are you using 8bit IDE adapter or a 16bit IDE?
The simplified FORMAT TO command syntax was introduced in v1.28. Prior to that you had to enter the drive geometry manually. Alas I can't remember the old syntax.
v1.38?
The ROM on my 8bit IDE equipped spectrum is v1.36. Would the +3e ROM v1.38 be for the DivIDE ?
All the ROMs have the same version number. The most recent version is v1.38 from July 2009...
That reminds me, Fuse needs its ROM images updating.
With 1.1 ROM, the FORMAT TO command has this syntax:
FORMAT TO unit, cylinders, heads,sects,#maxpart
Example
FORMAT TO 0,658,16,38,15
Unit 0
658 cylinders
16 heads
38 sectors
15 partitions
If you don't know the parameters of your HD /CF, you will have to connect it to PC and
take the parameters
Bye
Jos? Leandro
Yeah, running the older ROM version 1.11. I plan on getting an EPROM burner (a few other projects I want to try with the burner as well).
(Also made the simple internal 8-bit interface).
*I guess while on the subject of EPROM burners, I found this one on ebay for a reasonable amount:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PCB5-0E-Universal-EPROM-EEPROM-Programmer-PIC-flash-BIOS-mpu-Chip-/370774971987?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5653e91653
I was wondering if this is a decent one to get. It seems to support the type of EPROM for the +3 as well as many others.
Going back on topic....
The HDD I was using was a 2.5" laptop IDE HDD and for some reason it kept showing up as 2 IDE drives in the +3 menu screen.
I tried an old Maxtor 3.5" HDD 20Gb and seems to work :)
Shows up as 1 IDE drive in +3 menu. Also, entering the HDD info (cyl, heads,etc..) I'm able to format it.
Also able to add 'new partitions' using the NEW DATA command ", e.g. NEW DATA "0>Games",16
I can't seem to map a drive letter (C:) to the HDD though :/ I've tried a few commands but with no luck. Always says Drives ABM at the bottom.
Also, for now with +3e ROM ver. 1.11, how would I add snapshot files from games to the HDD?
p.s. I made a RS232 cable for the +3 RS232 Aux port. Could I hook this up to a COM port on my computer?
Thomas
My Arcade Cabinetl
Have a read of this thread over at www.AmiBay.com - created by fellow AmiBayer mjnurney
As you are using the 8bit IDE interface - the simplest way is to get data onto the device, assuming you are using a windows platform is as follows -
0. Setup the drive on the Target Machine - i.e. Partitions
To make a resident partition you need to use the ASN command
These will remain power and reset resident until you remove them
Lets continue....
1. Download and install DrvImg
2. Connect IDE Device to PC (USB/IDE etc) and Load DrvImg
3. Select IDE Device (in DrvImg), select HDF 256 mode (click the radial button)
4. Select Read from Drive and choose a location for the HDF file
5. Download and install 3estrowsaw
6. Select the newly created HDF file and it will initialize and list the partitions available on the system.
You can then use the menu to add items, with and without +3DOS header files. You can add TAP files - this will de-construct the TAP file into basic, code and screen data blocks. Take some time with this thread as there are other alternatives to this method
Once you have put data onto the HDF file you can then use DrvImg to write this HDF file back to the IDE Device.
I have also put up a how-to convert very simple TAP games to +3 DOS (click here)
That should get you going.
Appreciate all the info and links.
Will try it out hopefully this evening and report back.
On the other subject about the RS232 connector/cable I made.
I was looking at the 128k+ ROM cart page on Fruitcake.plus:
http://www.fruitcake.plus.com/Sinclair/Interface2/Cartridges/Interface2_RC_Cartridge_Creator.htm
He's using the RS232 port and COM port along with his ZX Cartridge Creator utility software. Looks pretty interesting.
Would something similar be possible with the +3's RS232 interface/port?
My Arcade Cabinetl
There are various bits of software for doing transfers over serial, I found a terminal emulator that was quite good but I don't seem to have the file any more and I can't remember the name.
I never did get the binary file transfers to work properly though :(
Yeah, found a couple of similar utilities here on WOS. I'm beginning to see the complexity of it though :/
I even found a thread on the Arduino forums on just this...kind of going nowhere. Toward the end the poster was thinking somehow maybe interfacing into the cassette port (at a higher baud rate?)
@ Zetr0:
Almost have it....I found another 2.5" laptop drive that formats OK
Hey, I saw your Youtube video...helped out a lot on the +3 side :) and I subbed to you.
After I get my files loaded in drvImg and then I write back the HDF file, correct?
Do I need to 'Initialize' the HDD after that?...or create an 'Image'?
Ahh, btw, that 2.5" HDD is 60Gb but after formating, etc... I think it's capacity on the +3 is 2.xxGb...? Is this normal?
Thanks again for all the help.
t
My Arcade Cabinetl
I also studied a lot the possibility of use zfst and rs232 for transferring data between spectrum and PC.
There was very frustration. The transfer depend of many things
At the end, In basic, I could pass letter from spectrum to PC ( easy) but PC to spectrum was more complicated. Using zfst, I discover that the spectrum had a different conduct using +3E rom that original rom ( ? ) and only a few times I can pass code from PC to spectrum.
I left this possibility.
Bye
Jos? Leandro
Do 3estrowsaw finally works with 8-bits interfaces? I follow this project (like others in the past) but always see that It can only use with 16 bits interfaces.
Bye
Jos? Leandro
I am really pleased the Youtube vid helps! thanks for the subscription!
Hard Disk Size
With the new Firmware - under the CHS restrictions the maximum size of Hard Disk Device is just under 128GB. I would say that anything more than 4GB (2GB in 8bit mode) is a complete waste of space and time, in regards to creating hard-disk files (it will take ages and longer to write them back).
The Sold State Option
I would humbly suggest using a 512MB CF card and IDE adapter if you can - these are very cheap on eBay and you should easily be able to get these for under $10 - I would suggest that you stick with SanDisk and IOMega as these CF cards are known to work (here atleast) as well as DaneElec. Some Kingston branded media have issues and its a bit pot-luck on non-branded media.
PNY, Transcend, Bush, Lexar generally wont work (the latter being VERY hit and miss!).
The CF II Microdrives
Alternatively you could look at the IBM/Hitachi/SeaCrate Microdrive you can get these in various sizes quite cheaply (upto 4/6GB) and they have a CF type II connection (handy for plugging into a USB reader)
I should mention to check the microdrives power requirements - some are specifically 3.3volt (not 5volt) plugging one of these upto a 5v supply will kill it.
In my +3e I have one of these
CF to IDE (3.3v / 5v) $1.60
This wouldn't work in a +2 as the cassette mechanism will get in the way.
Here is the method I used for the +2e
For the +3 an alternate method was this
I hope that ramble helps. Now, if you want I can send you the latest +3e ROM set programmed for the total of ?6.50 (including shipping to the US) -
For legal purposes I would like to say that these ROM's are blank and at cost - I am providing a free programming service
Just hit me up in PM with your details ;)
The files all show up in my games partition on the +3e but they all have a .1, .2, .3, .5 ...etc extension
I have some DSK files on there but typing "game123.dsk" doesn't work.
I think I may have forgotten something in drvImg or the +3copy programs?
t
My Arcade Cabinetl
The extensions of +3DOS are pretty arbitrary, thats to say it really doesn't matter what the suffix is to the system.
When you convert the TAP file you will get extensions with .1, .2 etc (have a look at this thread for more detail)
Unfortunately there is no software to open virtual disk images - although I think there is some software to actually write them back to CF2 disk.
You can also use SNAPSHOTS, both Z80 and SNA snap-shot types - put these on the disk then to run them type
for example
You can use FUSE or any emulator to make the snapshot.
I like the pictures of the Universal * Bit adapter Rev3.1D as in the picture where you upgraded the +3 to the +3e. Is that board commercially available, or is the PCB layout available for reproduction? I have a +3 which I would like to upgrade to a +3e and that look the best for me in comparison that I found so far on the net.
Pierre
I formated the HDD, set partitions for the system, games, utilities...
Ran DrvImg and read the HDF file.
Using Spin, I took TZX and TAP files and converted them to SNA.
Added them into 3estrowsaw.
Went back to DrvImg and wrote the HDF file to the disk.
Hooked everything back up on the +3, tried a Game using: Also variations of it and:
The game looks like it's going to start, then resets to 48k mode OR I get a game screen but with a bit of garbled colors(and locked up).
May go back over the help files/readme files on 3estrowsaw.
May also try Spectaculator and use SCR? as the extension?
Menu screen:
Loads garbled screen, then resets to 48k mode:
Garbled and locked up:
t
My Arcade Cabinetl
This ensures all memory vectors (and pages) are correct. Amstrad improved a lot with the +2 (Black) and +3, however they inadvertently broke compatibility when they changed the memory contention model.
Memory contention model is the organization of contended memory - contended memory means where the CPU and ULA have access at explicit times.
The 128k Spectrum memory is modelled as 8 pages of 16k (128K total) depending on if you have an earlier or later spectrum will determine what memory pages are contended. Now some software is clever and can ascertain what memory model the software is running on and will use that accordingly - however most are not.
Sadly some games are not directly +2AB / +3 compatible - however most can be made to be.
Now what this means for you is a little more work - which may seem like a pain, but its worth it as you will eventually get to learn more about the spectrum and whom could pass up that fun!? =)
the easiest way for the moment is to find 128k (+2AB/+3) compatible version of the game or 48k versions (please note you may need some more work with 48k games that hit the 48k ROM)
From here set up an emulator to emulate the target environment - i.e. Spectrum +3e - load the tap file - then take a snap shot - if this worked on the emulator it should work on the target machine.
Hola mi amigo!
Sadly as you know 3eStrowsaw cannot connect to 8bit formatted devices directly. However 3estrowsaw GUI will work with HDF files made from an 8bit +3DOS formatted device.
You use DrvImg to copy a 256 HDF file from a device - this could be set-up on the target or even set-up under emulation - you can then load this HDF into 3estrowsaw GUI and it will work fine.
Once you have done with adding data to the 8bit (half sector) HDF file you then use DrvImg to write it back to the device.
I hope that helps - (here is a link on AmiBay showing more detail)
Thinking back when I made the snapshot files, I think I did make them all under the 128k+ (heatsink model) in the emulator...could be why.
I found it a bit odd that all the games listed in CAT were the same size (128k & 48k games).
I can't believe how cheap the CF IDE 40 is :)
Are the CF cards still reasonable as well?...I know they're not using them (as much).
Btw, really nice (& neatly done) work on your +2e and +3e!
Been looking around for a decent EPROM burner. I'd like to get get more familiar with the whole process of EPROM programming and have a few things I'd like to try.
For now though, your +3e burned EPROMs would be awesome.
Sending you a pm.
t
My Arcade Cabinetl
Went ahead and got the EPROM burner (was around $40 USD). Works very well and easy using the parallel port. Was able to burn the newest +3e ROMs 1.38 (A&B) onto a couple of 27C256 EPROMs.
I went ahead and used the pe8en A and B ROMs. Are there any major differences between those and the sm8en A and B ROMs?
Also got the CF-IDE 40 adapter but haven't wired it up yet.
Looking foward to getting it set up this weekend :)
btw, the CF card in the pic is a newer? CF card. Wondering if I'll encounter any problems using that one?
thomas
My Arcade Cabinetl
I have not used the +3e pe8en ROM, I am unsure if the IDE A0,A1 and A2 addresses are set up differently that the SM8EN - I do believe that they are - if so you will likely need to change the solder jumpers on the 8bit IDE adaptor. I would suggest in this instance to use the SM8EN ROM to avoid this.
in regards to the 8GB SanDisk - I am confident it will work, I have not had a SanDisk fail. I will say that its kinda overkill.... by 6GB! =)
this may take you some time getting data to and fro from the PC - it might be an idea you use the larger one like this a permanent disk and have a smaller say <= 256MB for PC transfer - of course you may need to get a new IDE / CF adapter - in fact you can get ones like you have above - but with dual CF adapters.
Thanks for the reply Zetr0.
I'll check out the info a bit more on both. I bought a few extra EPROMs just in case.
I know one of them you have to add additional lines to the Z80 to get the full capacity of the HDD or CF.
Yeah..I could've gone online and got a smaller size CF card. The local stores had them for a decent price, the lowest size being 6Gb, which they were out of.
The newer CF cards like the one I have in the pic is 5V or 3.3V? (just wanted to make sure). Guess I could do some googling and find the voltage.
Thanks again for all the help. I'll try and post back Sunday with my results...hopefully all goes well.
t
My Arcade Cabinetl
No worries, glad I can help - try the SM8EN rom first to see how you get.
Now Pera's PCF8 ROM requires a modification to the CF Card adaptor to put the CF card into 8bit mode - this now means you can use the full capacity of the CF card.
heave a read here to see what modifications you require
The beauty of this system means that you can plumb this into the PC and using 3estrowsaw directly on the device to copy data to.
To get full capacity on a standard hard-disk requires very different adaptor, that can take take a 16bit value from the drive and present it as two 8bit values that are then amalgamated as one value.
This gives the benefit of being able to use any atapi (16bit) IDE compatible device - even a CDROM if it could be pre-prepared and formatted - but outside that one could also use ZIP / LS120 devices as well as standard Hard Disks.
I believe that SanDisk CF cards are both 3.3v and 5v compatible - but just check. I use 5v on all the one I have here and they work flawlessly.
Good luck with your tests I look forward to seeing them =)
I've never understood why some IDE-CF adapters have an optional 3.3v regulator since parallel ATA uses TTL compatible voltages. :???:
I think it comes down to signal tolerance - I have here a few CF type II Microdrives that require 3.3v power - but are 5v signal tolerant.
If it wont run off 5v then it's not a CompactFlash device.
I had a few questions regarding the simple 8 bit adapter I was using and the updated one that uses the full capacity.
**(original setup)Simple 8 bit schematic:
**Updated schematic for full capacity:
http://piters.tripod.com/zxcf.htm
Do I omit the PNP transistor and resistor in the original setup? In the updated full capacity schematics there seems to be no passive components/transistors, only the 74LS10 IC (and one ceramic cap).
Also, in the original schematics, the M1 line goes to pin 11 on the 74LS10 IC, but on the updated schematics the M1 line goes to pin 10 of 74LS10. Is this still correct?
t
My Arcade Cabinetl