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CPC Dandanator Mini 1.3 - WIP

Started by XeNoMoRPH, 20:58, 17 March 18

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Audronic

Quote from: Dandare on 17:21, 13 January 19
Good news,
Thanks to mad3001 and overCLK, we've now been able to reprogram the Dandanator CPLD using only an arduino nano (€2.0 aprox.) hardware.
We've used a lot of info and resources from different Internet pages in the process, and adapted them a bit.
In the following days/weeks, we'll be integrating this upgrade into the Romset Generator, so you would just need to plugin your Arduino nano, connect it to the CPC Dandanator Board and press a button. Then your cartridge CPLD will be upgraded.
I'll keep you posted.. 


Hi Dan


YES thats what I call SUPPORT/SERVICE.


Thanks.  Ray
Procrastinators Unite,
If it Ain't Broke PLEASE Don't Fix it.
I keep telling you I am Not Pedantic.
As I Live " Down Under " I Take my Gravity Tablets and Wear my Magnetic Boots to Keep me from Falling off.

Audronic

@Dandare

Is this the Arduino Nano to purchase
It takes a while from china.
Thanks.  Ray
Procrastinators Unite,
If it Ain't Broke PLEASE Don't Fix it.
I keep telling you I am Not Pedantic.
As I Live " Down Under " I Take my Gravity Tablets and Wear my Magnetic Boots to Keep me from Falling off.

LambdaMikel

Quote from: Dandare on 17:21, 13 January 19
Good news,


Thanks to mad3001 and overCLK, we've now been able to reprogram the Dandanator CPLD using only an arduino nano (€2.0 aprox.) hardware.
We've used a lot of info and resources from different Internet pages in the process, and adapted them a bit.


In the following days/weeks, we'll be integrating this upgrade into the Romset Generator, so you would just need to plugin your Arduino nano, connect it to the CPC Dandanator Board and press a button. Then your cartridge CPLD will be upgraded.


I'll keep you posted..
Excellent, it takes courage and character to own that there is a bug!
Some hardware developers just stay silent when a bug gets discovered... (not mentioning any names)

Great that there is such an easy solution to it - everone should own an Arduino anyhow  :)


Dandare

#128
Quote from: Audronic on 02:56, 15 January 19
@Dandare

Is this the Arduino Nano to purchase
It takes a while from china.
Thanks.  Ray


That one is ok. An arduino Uno will also work.

In any case take two things into account:
1) make sure it has a bootloader already installed from factory. Otherwise you will have a hard time programming the arduino itself. The ones I bought clearly state that.
2) if you don't have any means to solder the pins, either buy it with the pins soldered or get some male-male DuPont cables. At the end of the day, you'll need to "plug" the arduino into the CPC Dandanator JTAG connector.  Getting those super cheap cables is always a good idea (three combinations, MM, MF, FF)

Audronic

@Dandare


Ok I will wait.
Do you have a link to the one you purchased Please.


I will order some leads (3 types)


Thanks.   Ray
Procrastinators Unite,
If it Ain't Broke PLEASE Don't Fix it.
I keep telling you I am Not Pedantic.
As I Live " Down Under " I Take my Gravity Tablets and Wear my Magnetic Boots to Keep me from Falling off.

Dandare

These are the ones I've bought. They haven't arrived yet though, so I can't be sure the seller's claim about the bootloader is true.
https://es.aliexpress.com/item/Freeshipping-10PCS-LOT-Nano-3-0-controller-compatible-with-arduino-nano-NO-CABLE/1950565375.html
(do not mind the title "10PCS Lot...", they are sold in units.)


Here is another option if you'd rather have an Arduino Uno. You need to choose the blue one. I also purchased one but hasn't arrived yet either. It will also work with our solution. (no explicit mention to the bootloader, but I hope it comes preloaded with it)
https://es.aliexpress.com/item/Un-negro-azul-rojo-UNO-R3-CH340G-MEGA328P-Chip-16-MHz-UNO-R3-para-arduino/32831857482.html


And this is one option for Dupont cables. Choose the whole lot (M-M, M-F, F-F) so you are served.
https://es.aliexpress.com/store/product/Free-shipping-Dupont-line-120pcs-10cm-male-to-male-male-to-female-and-female-to-female/318950_2041500641.html

Dandare

#131
Well, all java code is ready and tested. In one button press, the Arduino gets programmed and the Dandanator updated. Nothing else to do but plug the arduino to the PC and to the Dandanator.


overCLK is integrating the code into the main Romset creator and I'll also write an step-by-step manual for Nano and Uno, including purchase links for arduinos.


And this is how it looks. Just press "Programar"









13 people from the forum have ordered a total of 15 CPC Dandanators


Only 5 are affected (total 6 CPC Dandanators) (Please, read the end of the message)
- Audronics (2)
- Asertus
- Gryzor
- Gunhed
- ComSoft6128


The other 8 people (9 CPC Dandanators) will receive the cartridge with the correct JED loaded. So you guys just forget all this :) .
- remax
- villain
- zhulien (2)
- LambdaMikel
- gros_minet
- rennert
- Jungsi
- Fedeo




Since this is MY FAULT and mine only, and you are too far away for getting together in a retro event, I'm willing to pay for the arduinos nano you need to correct it.  So, for those of you in the first list, just drop me a PM with your PayPal account and I'll send you 2€ for the Nano. I'm sorry for the hassle, but I believe we are making the upgrade process quite painless.


I hope the manual will be online by the end of January.

Audronic

@Dandare


NO Payment required, Thanks anyway.


Ray
Procrastinators Unite,
If it Ain't Broke PLEASE Don't Fix it.
I keep telling you I am Not Pedantic.
As I Live " Down Under " I Take my Gravity Tablets and Wear my Magnetic Boots to Keep me from Falling off.

ComSoft6128

#133
As my primary use of the Dandanator will be with a 6128+ (Parados on cartridge) I don't anticipate that this will be a problem.

And thanks - for the product support.

Cheers,

Peter

asertus

No payment required for me.., actually, I own a 464 and a plus, none having the problem. But I will try to test the "reprogramming"... I think I can borrow an Arduino...

Dandare

And overCLK shared a video of the updated process.
He is using a patched 1.2 dandanator board to become a 1.3 so don't mind the PCB mods.



https://youtu.be/Cs28mSGc6f8

GUNHED

One question please: If I press the button, and the Dandanator is off, I do see the usual sign-on message, yellow on blue. Like usual. But... the AMSDOS is not there. How can I get Amsdos back?  :)
http://futureos.de --> Get the revolutionary FutureOS (Update: 2023.11.30)
http://futureos.cpc-live.com/files/LambdaSpeak_RSX_by_TFM.zip --> Get the RSX-ROM for LambdaSpeak :-) (Updated: 2021.12.26)

Dandare

Quote from: GUNHED on 00:05, 19 January 19
One question please: If I press the button, and the Dandanator is off, I do see the usual sign-on message, yellow on blue. Like usual. But... the AMSDOS is not there. How can I get Amsdos back?  :)


This is actually the bug we are trying to correct with the arduino update.

GUNHED

Quote from: Dandare on 20:53, 15 January 19
... and I'll also write an step-by-step manual for Nano and Uno, including purchase links for arduinos.


Thank's that's a great idea!  :)  Probably there is no way to perform the update using the CPC??

http://futureos.de --> Get the revolutionary FutureOS (Update: 2023.11.30)
http://futureos.cpc-live.com/files/LambdaSpeak_RSX_by_TFM.zip --> Get the RSX-ROM for LambdaSpeak :-) (Updated: 2021.12.26)

Dandare

Quote from: GUNHED on 15:21, 20 January 19

Thank's that's a great idea!  :)  Probably there is no way to perform the update using the CPC??


I'm afraid not

Dandare

#140
Romset creator V2.0 launched with the following new features:

       
  • CPLD reprogramming using Arduino Uno or Arduino nano. No messing around, connect cables and press one button.
  • Romset transfer speed upgraded up to 115.200bps. Previously a romset took 2:42 to be transferred, now just 1:49.
  • Option to force compatibility of 464 games with 6128/664 Amstrad CPCs. Now you can play oh-mummy in your 6128, or any SNA/CDT for 464.
  • Vastly improved CDT load. Not perfect yet, but we're still at it.
  • New emergency tool to recover a corrupt or new flash memory. You can type a code of 39 datas, launch an audio from the PC, create a CDT or a DSK.
  • Imported 6128 games of 64k size are now allowed to be launched from a 464 or 664.
  • Some improvements in DSK import. We will continue to look into this.
  • Change the logo screen by importing a RGAS image or a Multipaint dump.
  • CPC464 Mode for 6128/664. Press "B" on the menu and boot to a 464 firmware/basic
  • Many many internal improvements and preparations for new features to come.
you can get the new romset creator at the project webpage, look at the end of the downloads section.


also check the google-translated manual for instructions and arduino purchase links

GUNHED

http://futureos.de --> Get the revolutionary FutureOS (Update: 2023.11.30)
http://futureos.cpc-live.com/files/LambdaSpeak_RSX_by_TFM.zip --> Get the RSX-ROM for LambdaSpeak :-) (Updated: 2021.12.26)

Dandare

#142
mad3001 has produced a set of videos with step by step English instructions to disassemble, update CPLD and reassemble the CPC Dandanator.


Here are the links:


Disassembly:



https://youtu.be/PxddTntf7W0



]Update CPLD with Arduino Uno:




https://youtu.be/GQoJ0uGtEuA



Update CPLD with Arduino Nano:



https://youtu.be/ZN1jN9j9ThI



Reassembly:


https://youtu.be/_POoohPNYtM



I hope you find them useful


Dandare

#143
A lot of units have already been updated using arduinos.
Any feedback from the users of this forum?

Audronic

HI Dan


Still waiting for parts from China


Ray
Procrastinators Unite,
If it Ain't Broke PLEASE Don't Fix it.
I keep telling you I am Not Pedantic.
As I Live " Down Under " I Take my Gravity Tablets and Wear my Magnetic Boots to Keep me from Falling off.

robcfg

#145
Mine was successfully programmed with a Nano.


I'll be telling more as soon as I can test it...


[edit] corrected arduino model. Nano instead of Uno.

Audronic

#146
Hi Dan


The NANO arrived today, (BUT).  NO But,  it programmed the Dandanator.



This is as far as I get ??
The Detected light just flashes. ??


AND IF RAY WAITS FOR 1 MINUTE it then goes and programs the Dandanator .

Thanks.   Ray
Procrastinators Unite,
If it Ain't Broke PLEASE Don't Fix it.
I keep telling you I am Not Pedantic.
As I Live " Down Under " I Take my Gravity Tablets and Wear my Magnetic Boots to Keep me from Falling off.

Audronic

Hi Dan

Sorry for the garbled messages above.

The first Dandanator that was updated Took about a Minute to go from Detected to Validated, and then straight to Programmed.
It then took about 1 Minute to do the Job

The second Dandanator took about 2 Seconds to go from Detected to Validated and then straight to Programmed.

Thanks Now are both Updated.

Ray
Procrastinators Unite,
If it Ain't Broke PLEASE Don't Fix it.
I keep telling you I am Not Pedantic.
As I Live " Down Under " I Take my Gravity Tablets and Wear my Magnetic Boots to Keep me from Falling off.

Dandare

Quote from: Audronic on 08:36, 05 February 19
Hi Dan

Sorry for the garbled messages above.

The first Dandanator that was updated Took about a Minute to go from Detected to Validated, and then straight to Programmed.
It then took about 1 Minute to do the Job

The second Dandanator took about 2 Seconds to go from Detected to Validated and then straight to Programmed.

Thanks Now are both Updated.

Ray


I'm glad it worked.
The culprit of the delay is the mess around Arduino bootloaders... there are tons of variations with different speeds and conditions. Instead of making you guys use a tool to program the Arduino, we implemented a kind of jack-of-all-trades stk protocol (the boot loader protocol) and tuned it here and there.
Of course it's not optimised, so with certain bootloaders or hw configurations, it may take a while to detect the Arduino.


In your specific case, the first dandanator took a bit more because we only program the Arduino if it is not already programmed with the CPLD software, so your Arduino was only flashed once, the first time.


Audronic

Hi Dan


Thanks.
It was the first time I have used a NANO so was sure of what was to happen (The Video was fine).
Please thank all the people who got this flasher up and running.
and thanks for the Support that you (and your team) provide,




Ray
Procrastinators Unite,
If it Ain't Broke PLEASE Don't Fix it.
I keep telling you I am Not Pedantic.
As I Live " Down Under " I Take my Gravity Tablets and Wear my Magnetic Boots to Keep me from Falling off.

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