Pros & Cons HxC SD-Interface

[Gryzor]

Hello mate!

So glad to see you here, and thanks for the tool...

Since I'm a sad, sad individual and still haven't found the time to even test my emu, could you describe what this tool does? Is it a replacement for the hardware interface?

[Jeff_HxC2001]

Hello mate!

So glad to see you here, and thanks for the tool...

Since I'm a sad, sad individual and still haven't found the time to even test my emu, could you describe what this tool does? Is it a replacement for the hardware interface?

This a tool that allow you to choose the floppy images directly with the CPC.
Here a demo of this tool on Atari ST:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O74GgYcA3w

[Pentagon]

Hello,

i checked and tried the new tool, it's working fine. Thank you so much for that !!!

Kindly regards
Tom

[Gryzor]

[youtube=8O74GgYcA3w]ST vid[/youtube]


So many systems, so little time...

[Jeff_HxC2001]

New version available !:


http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_emulator/SDCard_HxC_Floppy_Emulator_Manager.zip

[archcosmo]

New version available !:


http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_emulator/SDCard_HxC_Floppy_Emulator_Manager.zip

Hi Jeff,

I've tried this new version... but I keep getting the error message after the prog mounts the SD card:

FAT_FS: Error could not load FAT details (-2)!


I'm using a freshly formatted FAT32 SD card (tested with 128MB and 2GB capacity cards, quick format and full format on WindowsXP) and using the supplied autoboot.hfe and hxcsdfe.cfg files as the first two files on the card on my CPC6128. Reformatting using the Panasonic SD Formatter only creates a FAT format SD card, and then HxC FE complains that it can't find the CFG file on the card - reformatting with WinXP clears this..

any tips to get it working?

[Jeff_HxC2001]

Pleasy tell me :

What is your computer ?

Did you have some   extensions connected to it ?

How is connected the HxC Floppy   Emulator (port / drive ID ...)

What is your firmware version ?

[CPCIak]

Can I use the new manager with SD interface as Drive B?

[Jeff_HxC2001]

Can I use the new manager with SD interface as Drive B?

Now you can      :

v1.3a:
support drive b.

http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_emu   ... anager.zip         



A video demo of this tool on CPC :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnyC5te6Mn0

         

[archcosmo]

Pleasy tell me :

What is your computer ?

Did you have some   extensions connected to it ?

How is connected the HxC Floppy   Emulator (port / drive ID ...)

What is your firmware version ?

Hi Jeff

using the HxC SD FE on a CPC6128 - without any extension hardware

It's connected via the external floppy connector, with the jumper block setting it as the A drive (I'm using a ABBA type mod to switch it to A, and the internal 3" as the B drive)

firmware version is v1.1.2.4 (updated from previous version 1.1.2.3)

please note: there's no problem using it as a floppy/DSK emulator to load DSK games via the buttons and LCD screen with the CFG file I generated for version 1.1.2.3

hope this helps

[Terje_Norway]

Hi,


I have downloaded the latest version of the "Floppy Emulator Manager" (v1.3a), and it is a big step forward in using the SD card. It became much easier to select an image, and I was able to use a directory structure on my cards. Excellent program  ! ! !


Yesterday I spent a few hours playing around with it, and I discovered a few "odd" things about it.


1.) About 10-20% of the times I did restart my computer and ran the HXC software, it wasn't able to find the interface. The error message I get on my CPC6128 is as following :
   - "Bad signature - HXC floppy emulator not found! (0)" 
The LED display says :
   - "Direct access : LBA 00000000"
I have tried several times to try to find a pattern and a reason for this to happen, so far without any luck ! ! ! 



2.) When it works (80-90% of the time) I'm able to use the software. Finding an image I want to use, I mounts it on drive B, and saves and restarts my CPC. Choosing drive B I only finds the HXC image. No other images is found when pushing the <Left> or <Right> button. Running HXC software, and browsing through the different slots, no software is found in any of the slots.  OK trying again, finding a few images, mounting them on drive B, saving and restarting. Same procedure, still no images on drive B besides the HXC software. 
After several more attempts, with the same result, I did a small discovery. I had by accident chosen the same image on BOTH drive A and B. After saving and restarting, the image turned up on drive B. Guess if I was surprised 
Doing a few more tests based on my new learned knowledge, I discovered that I had to mount the software on DRIVE A to be able to use it from DRIVE B. This sounds a bit ODD to me, and perhaps it is an bug in the software ? ? ?
 
Hopefully my experiences can be of any help to You Jeff.


Yours


Terje Grind
NORWAY


PS My setup is as following :
  - Amstrad CPC6128 (no additional hardware)
  - Disc drive lead, and SD power cable from Urban-retro
  - HxC SD-Interface with version 1.1.2.4
  - Interface jumpers set as drive B
SD-card :
  - 2GB SD SanDisk Ultra II Class 4
  - Formatted as FAT32
  - Files are copied to the blank card in the following order : 
   1.) (HXCFE_V1_1_2_4.UPD)
   2.) (Hxcsdfe.cfg)
   3.) (AUTOBOOT.hfe)
   4.) A lot of HFE files

[Cholo]

Im getting the same error as Terje (Bad signture) and the display says: "LBA:20004546".

Setup: 464 with DDI (DFO) and HxC (DF1). Normally no troubles with this setup.

Used all the latest files (firm 1.1.2.4, soft 1.3.11.0 and v1.3a).
Used soft 1.3.11.0 to turn off "bootselector" and saved it to SD card ( HXCSDFE ).
SD card: 512mb Lexar.

Running the software from B .. it loads up and the display says "direct access" but then quickly gets the error. Running the software from A and screen says "bad signature" but no "direct access" or "LBA" error at all (aka the board isnt reached .. but i guess its quite normal because there is no hcx on A drive).

[Jeff_HxC2001]

Firmware update !! :

Version 1.1.3.0 :
http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_emulator/SDCard_HxCFloppyEmulator_firmware.zip


This one should correct most issues reported here.

Thanks for yours feedback!

[Cholo]

Just tried the new 1.1.3.0 firmware, and still getting a "Bad signature" on screen, but the error message on the hxc display has changed to "LBA: 0000000000".

(464+DDI+HxC).

[Jeff_HxC2001]

Just tried the new 1.1.3.0 firmware, and still getting a "Bad signature" on screen, but the error message on the hxc display has changed to "LBA: 0000000000".

(464+DDI+HxC).

Probably a compatibility problem of the software with the 464.
What is the top mem address that a software can use on this computer ? (and with the DDI?).

[CPCIak]

Maybe this is helpful:
http://cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Mg_page26.jpg
http://cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amstrad_Micro_Guide

[Cholo]

Probably a compatibility problem of the software with the 464.
What is the top mem address that a software can use on this computer ? (and with the DDI?).

Indeed it could be a memory problem, but as the 6128 has even less space than the 464+DDI (that is why some old 464 programs wont run on a 6128 as they are too large), i think the must be the interface that does something different than a 6128. But its just a guess. The software seem to be loading and running alright so that might suggest that there is no memory troubles either. Also on every attempt there do seem to be access to the interface of some kind, so something is definately comunicating. Still, the 464 originally didnt support floppies and im guessing there is quite a difference in how the DDI accesses the drive than the 6128 does it.

[Ynot.zer0]

I cannot seem to run the 'Floppy Emulator Manager' software, it displays 'Loading' but never gets any further.


What am I doing wrong?


I have formatted a SD Card, copied the Upgrade and matching CFG file of the latest version v1.1.3.0 and this upgraded the firmware successfully.


I have the ID1 set to the top 2 pins (as an external drive B).  If I copy a .hfe file to the SDCard, I can select 'Drive B', select the file and upon typing '|b:cat', I can see the DSK image and can run the software.


I wanted to use the new 'Manager' software, so I formatted the SDCard, copied the autoboot and CFG file to the card and a single .hfe file.  The card boots up, I can type '|b' and 'run "hxc"', but I am then only shown the 'Loading' wording and the program never finishes loading.

I am using a CPC 6128 with no other attachments.


(I tried replacing the CFG file with the latest UPD version, but that fails also).


Any assistance greatly appreciated!


thanks

[Jeff_HxC2001]

I cannot seem to run the 'Floppy Emulator Manager' software, it displays 'Loading' but never gets any further.


What am I doing wrong?

[...]

I   have the ID1 set to the top 2 pins (as an external drive B).  If I copy   a .hfe file to the SDCard, I can select 'Drive B', select the file and   upon typing '|b:cat', I can see the DSK image and can run the software.

Use the lower pins not the top. If you emulate only one disk drive there are not point to use the second drive slot of the emulator! The   autoboot.hfe must be in the "drive A" slot of the emulator (but this drive slot can be mapped to the disk drive a or b of the CPC).

[Ynot.zer0]

Hi,


in the end I took a look at these 2 wiki articles:


http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Guide_on_how_to_connect_a_3.5


http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/HxC_SDCard_Internal


I noticed that in the first article, under 'The Cable' section it mentioned using an old PC floppy cable - I just happened to have one in my 'spare parts drawer'.  So, I set about making the SDCard the internal disc drive.  It is now the 'drive A' as I have the pins shorted on pin 11&12 (as shown in the picture http://pchan.250free.com/CableClose1.JPG )


When I now run "hxc", the software inits the SDCard properly and I can use the tool - excellent!!!  great stuff...
I'm now about to convert all my software to .hfe format.


thanks

[Jeff_HxC2001]

Great !

Note to all HxC Floppy Emulator users : if you like the product don't hesitate to spread the word about it ! 
Your support is important !

[jsa]

Finally had time to mess around with this 
Have to say that this is really good piece of HW to used with CPC's.
After doing some additional power adaptors for CPC6128+ actual emulator worked fine
Only problem was that at first SD card was formatted with FAT instead of FAT32. RTFM error so to say...

[robcfg]

I tried the emulator with a Dragon64 and it worked flawlessly.


I'm pretty glad I bought it 

[OCT]

Note to all HxC Floppy Emulator users : if you like the product don't hesitate to spread the word about it ! 
Your support is important !

We even go so far as to say you might take it to the next, i.e. mainstream-compatible "industrial" level: http://cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php/topic,1106.msg11342.html#msg11342 - and (travelling far from my CPC) I haven't even personally had one yet...

[Gryzor]

Jeff: as far as Greece goes, you can try posting at retromaniax.gr . This is a retro forum with a big computing section, and people will love to hear from you, even in english (lots of devs do it).

Btw: any hope there will be a solution, some day, that won't need those huge converted image files?