ULIfAC:Usb Mass storage,WiFi, 512KB Ram/32XROM Board/256K Ram+16X Rom Board!

[crabfists]

Hello. I received a Ulifac II v5 last December. It has the resistor fix applied but I cannot get it to boot unfortunately.

I am trying to use it with a late revision 464. At first, the CPC was booting normally and not showing the board's boot message. After doing OUT &FBD2,5 the CPC gets stuck after the (C)1985 copyright message.

I've cleaned the edge connector thoroughly but that didn't help.

I don't have another CPC to test it on, or another expansion card I can test.

Any help would be gratefully received. 
Thanks

[crabfists]

Hello. I received a Ulifac II v5 last December. It has the resistor fix applied but I cannot get it to boot unfortunately.

I am trying to use it with a late revision 464. At first, the CPC was booting normally and not showing the board's boot message. After doing OUT &FBD2,5 the CPC gets stuck after the (C)1985 copyright message.

I've cleaned the edge connector thoroughly but that didn't help.

I don't have another CPC to test it on, or another expansion card I can test.

Any help would be gratefully received. 
Thanks

I'm so sorry.  I have realised this is the wrong thread. Will put a post in the technical support thread instead.

[ikonsgr]

I've also a problem with the ULIfAC V4 board. SymbOS 4.0 is starting and you can see the "starting screen" but when it should load the desktop the loading stops and you have a black screen.
In the V3 manual of the ULIfAC I found this section about the 464/6128 switch:
Although the above method seems to work fine in most cases (e.g. mostly games),some applications like SYMBOS and Future OS don't seem to "like" this trick, and will not load on a CPC 464. Also C3 mode is currently not supported, so CPM PLUS can‟t be loaded on CPC464 either.
I've also tried a CPC6128 which is working without a problem with ULIfAC and SymbOS 4.0

Did you use the CPC6128 mode of operation? Symbos runs only in dual ram/rom mode with all 3 cpc6128 roms. So, after cold boot you should give |6128 to reset in cpc6128 mode, and then try to load symbos.

[Jungsi]

Did you use the CPC6128 mode of operation? Symbos runs only in dual ram/rom mode with all 3 cpc6128 roms. So, after cold boot you should give |6128 to reset in cpc6128 mode, and then try to load symbos.

Yes, I've tried this - it's not working - after the "loading screen" of SymbOS the screen is swichting to black and no more happens.

[GUNHED]

Well, I'm sure @Prodatron can help. He told me in another thread that this expansion is "extremely simple" to program ... see:

https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/m4-and-ulifac-together/msg247693/#msg247693

He can help you with one keystroke I'm sure. 

[ikonsgr]

Yes, I've tried this - it's not working - after the "loading screen" of SymbOS the screen is swichting to black and no more happens.

Ok,i suppose you use the latest symbos 4.0 found here: https://www.symbos.org/download.htm
(download cpc package and then you can add "Mass Storage Completion package", to have all available software for symbos)
Mind also that you have to extract files in root dir of usb stick in order to work right.

Btw, you can try to format usb stick with this utlity: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wh6fzc4m4rzmtwf05w5kv/PartManFree-Setup.zip?rlkey=azfist635nq6j2w2k655yomqh&e=1&dl=0
I've fount out that windows formatting can cause access problems with some usb sticks, but when i used the utility above, all usb sticks worked like a charm

[Jungsi]

Ok,i suppose you use the latest symbos 4.0 found here: https://www.symbos.org/download.htm
(download cpc package and then you can add "Mass Storage Completion package", to have all available software for symbos)
Mind also that you have to extract files in root dir of usb stick in order to work right.

Btw, you can try to format usb stick with this utlity: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wh6fzc4m4rzmtwf05w5kv/PartManFree-Setup.zip?rlkey=azfist635nq6j2w2k655yomqh&e=1&dl=0
I've fount out that windows formatting can cause access problems with some usb sticks, but when i used the utility above, all usb sticks worked like a charm

Yes, I've used SymbOS 4.0 with the correct files on my Schneider CPC464.
I've also used the utility you've mentioned with different USB-Sticks. I've also used the same stick I use on my CPC6128 with which SymbOS is working without problems. The same stick is not working loading SymbOS in my 464.
I switch the 464 on - type: |6128 and type |run"sym  - before loading the desktop it shows only a black screen 

[ikonsgr]

Yes, I've used SymbOS 4.0 with the correct files on my Schneider CPC464.
I've also used the utility you've mentioned with different USB-Sticks. I've also used the same stick I use on my CPC6128 with which SymbOS is working without problems. The same stick is not working loading SymbOS in my 464.
I switch the 464 on - type: |6128 and type |run"sym  - before loading the desktop it shows only a black screen

Ok, apart from symbos, does everything else works ok? Load roms, run games directly, access dsk images, or CP/M plus? Also try |DIA and check if everything is ok too (especially in CPC6128 dual ram/rom mode).

[GUNHED]

Yes, I've used SymbOS 4.0 with the correct files on my Schneider CPC464.
I've also used the utility you've mentioned with different USB-Sticks. I've also used the same stick I use on my CPC6128 with which SymbOS is working without problems. The same stick is not working loading SymbOS in my 464.
I switch the 464 on - type: |6128 and type |run"sym  - before loading the desktop it shows only a black screen

Ok, apart from symbos, does everything else works ok? Load roms, run games directly, access dsk images, or CP/M plus? Also try |DIA and check if everything is ok too (especially in CPC6128 dual ram/rom mode).

Yes! It's fantastic!!! 

[ikonsgr]

Yes! It's fantastic!!! 

Do you refer to @Jungsi problem? If yes, then since all work ok on CPC 6128, i'm afraid something is wrong with the specific CPC464 (that is, if you are 100% sure that expansion edge connector is REALLY cleaned, as such weird behaviors almost always caused by oxidation/corrosion on Amstrad's edge connector ... )
Btw, did you try using symbos dsk images instead of the mass storage version? Maybe this way will load...

[vasilisk]

In the 5v external supply how many Amps are needed

[d_kef]

In the 5v external supply how many Amps are needed

Get a 3A one and you can hook up anything you like. 


d_kef

[vasilisk]

In the 5v external supply how many Amps are needed

Get a 3A one and you can hook up anything you like.


d_kef

I didnt clarify it, but I was referring in the Ulifac's extermal power supply. Since we are in the ulifac topic 

[d_kef]

In the 5v external supply how many Amps are needed

Get a 3A one and you can hook up anything you like.


d_kef

I didnt clarify it, but I was referring in the Ulifac's extermal power supply. Since we are in the ulifac topic 

I get it, but owning a 3A PSU means that you can use it with Ulifac as well as what ever other interface you want. 
If you want to power only the Ulifac then a 1A PSU should be more than adequate.

d_kef

[GUNHED]

Yes! It's fantastic!!! 

Do you refer to @Jungsi problem? If yes, then since all work ok on CPC 6128, i'm afraid something is wrong with the specific CPC464 (that is, if you are 100% sure that expansion edge connector is REALLY cleaned, as such weird behaviors almost always caused by oxidation/corrosion on Amstrad's edge connector ... )
Btw, did you try using symbos dsk images instead of the mass storage version? Maybe this way will load...

No. Obviously I quoted your post. And I write what I think.
And I'm not using symbos btw. So I can't tell you about that.
I have no problems with the native OS and CPC6128. 

[ikonsgr]

One request: In order NOT to fill (again...) this thread with irrelevant posts,if you have any problems, PLEASE COMMENT AT THIS THREAD:
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/hardware-related/usifac-ii-technical-problems-support/

[harzretro]

Ok,i suppose you use the latest symbos 4.0 found here: https://www.symbos.org/download.htm
(download cpc package and then you can add "Mass Storage Completion package", to have all available software for symbos)
Mind also that you have to extract files in root dir of usb stick in order to work right.

Btw, you can try to format usb stick with this utlity: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wh6fzc4m4rzmtwf05w5kv/PartManFree-Setup.zip?rlkey=azfist635nq6j2w2k655yomqh&e=1&dl=0
I've fount out that windows formatting can cause access problems with some usb sticks, but when i used the utility above, all usb sticks worked like a charm

Yes, I've used SymbOS 4.0 with the correct files on my Schneider CPC464.
I've also used the utility you've mentioned with different USB-Sticks. I've also used the same stick I use on my CPC6128 with which SymbOS is working without problems. The same stick is not working loading SymbOS in my 464.
I switch the 464 on - type: |6128 and type |run"sym  - before loading the desktop it shows only a black screen

Hello,

ii had this problem, too.
You have tio set |sm,2
And after |6128
Symbos is running with the 464.
But it don't habe enough free RAM here for most things ...
It uses 256kib, but most is filed ...


More at the symbos thread - i'll write there, soon.

Axel

[ikonsgr]

Recently, our local retro computers club acquired a 3D printer, so for anyone interested, a ULIfAC 3D Case will be available. Price: 10euros+ shipping
Anyone interested, please contact at: ikonsgr745@hotmail.com

[vasilisk]

Recently, our local retro computers club acquired a 3D printer, so for anyone interested, a ULIfAC 3D Case will be available. Price: 10euros+ shipping
Anyone interested, please contact at: ikonsgr745@hotmail.com

only in red? 

[ikonsgr]

only in red? 

currently , only in black