USIfAC II:Convert a PC or USB stick to Amstrad HDD,access dsk's,and many more!

[ikonsgr]

What is the order of swapping disk images?

I've just noticed that on my USIFAC II, the disks swap backward e.g. 1->3->2->1.

Has it always done this?

Disk swap button increases slot number by one, unless no image is mounted in a slot,then this slot is ommited automatically.
Sometimes, depending on how you press the button, you might not get a dsk swap or swap 2 slots. In anycase, most multi image games give you some kind of video signal (usually moving bars in border) to let you know that it waits for the proper image to be mounted, so if you press button and you still get the signal, just press it again until loading moves on...

[ikonsgr]

@ikonsgr

could i request a USIfAC II please.

Please contact at: ikonsgr745@hotmail.com

[Mark_wllms]

What is the order of swapping disk images?

I've just noticed that on my USIFAC II, the disks swap backward e.g. 1->3->2->1.

Has it always done this?

Disk swap button increases slot number by one, unless no image is mounted in a slot,then this slot is ommited automatically.
Sometimes, depending on how you press the button, you might not get a dsk swap or swap 2 slots. In anycase, most multi image games give you some kind of video signal (usually moving bars in border) to let you know that it waits for the proper image to be mounted, so if you press button and you still get the signal, just press it again until loading moves on...

Well it wasn't working, and was also showing garbage in some disk slots.

I've upgraded to 7.0c and it's working now, so maybe something got corrupted.

[ikonsgr]

Well it wasn't working, and was also showing garbage in some disk slots.
I've upgraded to 7.0c and it's working now, so maybe something got corrupted.

Well,i was referring to the newest firmware of the board, it's very likely that this was a bug with previous firmwares, that was fixed 

[Mark_wllms]

No, it's started again! Very weird.

[ikonsgr]

FIRMWARE UPDATE (rev.7d):

New Rsx Command:

-|FMG,"filename": Creates an empty Data format disk image. Using extra argument: |FMG,1/2 creates a system/ibm format disk image. Image creation takes ~8-15seconds depending on usb stick used.

Updated RSX commands:

-|EXT,"filename",1: Inserts a file from USB storage device to a dsk image. This extended the previous function of |EXT,"filename" (extract a file from a dsk image to USB storage device). I've also revised the code routine, possibly reducing incompatible files  (usually of more than 42kb).

- |WF,1: This replaced the |WIFI command used to configure and connect a WiFi module. Now you will be asked directly to give WiFi settings (Access point ssid, password, Host ip/name, port) and these settings can be saved to board's eeprom. From then, you will be able to connect WiFi module instantly (after cold boot or in case of a hang-up) by giving a simple:|WF command!
Notes:- Don't forget to disable "Auto usb" before using WiFi module, by giving: OUT &FBD1,93
           -Communication speed with WiFi module is now fixed at 921600bps
           -Saving configuration of WiFi module will overwrite any saved code you might had on eeprom (using the |WROM, |LROM commands)

- |HELP: Update the rsx list, which can be viewed directly, by giving: |HELP,2  |HELP,3

Bug fixes:

- Major update of windows utility program, mostly for WiFi connection. TCP server now behaves much more stable (mostly in "direct mode", where practically program/tcp server never hangs up anymore), and automatically disconnects/reconnects WiFi module. Also, support for read/write ASCII files was added, when use WIiFi modules.
For USIfAC II with rev.7d or newer firmware, this version is mandatory.
You can find the new version here (program will be labeled as: Amstrad CPC Serial Communication Utility II (rev.2) )

New Firmware can be found here for update with bootloader and serial cable, or here for updating using a PICKIT programmer.


 

[Mark_wllms]

I have just realised that there is now a diode but no longer the pull-up resistor. Should I remove the resistor and add the diode? Or does it depend on the firmware, which modification is required? The comments on the previous page are a bit confusing, and I would prefer to have the right modification applied before doing further tests.
Maybe a suggestion: hardware modifications could be documented in the first post, like the firmware updates.

If you have a new firmware (6c,6d) you should use only the diode, in order for the dsk swap button to function correctly. With Boards with older firmware, diode have no effect, but you can try to place the pull up resistor if you have booting problems with USIfAC.

My white board is also missing both the diode and the resistor. Is this likely to cause problems with the disk swap button when running recent firmware?

[Mark_wllms]

Well it wasn't working, and was also showing garbage in some disk slots.
I've upgraded to 7.0c and it's working now, so maybe something got corrupted.

Well,i was referring to the newest firmware of the board, it's very likely that this was a bug with previous firmwares, that was fixed 

After further investigation I have realised that the problem only manifests when the USIFAC is in a case. I suspect the button is getting partially held down and this is causing confusion. Naked, the problem goes away.

[Devlin]

necroposting go!

@ikonsgr Could we please have the source for revision 7d of the usifac2 firmware? I want to have a mess around with it and I can only find the rev7 source in

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/hezemyny7yrlqk76xsjsk/AIoHf_twfWr5nF9kLWZAwH4?rlkey=hhopqkwqktoy1ib0suep6x3xz this dropbox link

[ikonsgr]

necroposting go!

@ikonsgr Could we please have the source for revision 7d of the usifac2 firmware? I want to have a mess around with it and I can only find the rev7 source in

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/hezemyny7yrlqk76xsjsk/AIoHf_twfWr5nF9kLWZAwH4?rlkey=hhopqkwqktoy1ib0suep6x3xz this dropbox link

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/hezemyny7yrlqk76xsjsk/h?rlkey=52ion5qebc9caezkfozndx3sn&st=z1yr4si3&dl=0
Here you can find all available firmwares. _7d is for updating with serial cable _7d_bootloader for PICKIT programmer.

[Devlin]

The source code isn't there for version 7d though? the gcb files?

[ikonsgr]

FIRMWARE UPDATE (rev.7e):
A minor update which includes:

- Activate "Weak pullup" of MCU port connected to Amstrad's Data Bus, this might help with the few CPC 's having the "freezing upon booting" problem, and avoid soldering an external pullup resistor network on Data Bus.

- Update initialization routine of usb device, to improve usb stick compatibility upon cold booting. As there are many different usb sticks and quite a few have a rather slow activation upon power on (i have one 32gb usb stick that needs ~5seconds to boot after plugging to a usb port!), these "slow start" usb sticks failed to be activated upon cold booting, when "auto usb" mode is enabled , as previous firmware tried to connect for ~1 second. Now, usb booting process upon cold boot, will try to connect to a usb device for up to ~7seconds (note: this does NOT mean that you will have to wait 7seconds, it means that the MAXIMUM time for connection will be 7 seconds, in most cases ,you will not notice any difference, as usb activation is usually done in ~1 second) , and then give a "No USB device found" error message.

As usual, you can find the firwmares here for updating with PICKIT programmer and here for updating with usb2serial cable.

[eto]

It's a WIP version but should work ok on an existing installation. I wonder if you get it running with more than 128K.

sym-usifac2.zip

One question... when I start SymbOS I can't run any programs. I always get a disc error message. How would I start any programs on a USIFAC?

(btw: is that the latest version of Symbos for the USIFaC?)

[Prodatron]

@eto, I know, I have to check the UsifacII driver again. It's now 2 years ago (phew!) and I have to see, if something changed and has to be corrected. It should be fixed before the 4.0 release, which is scheduled for this month.

[ikonsgr]

It's a WIP version but should work ok on an existing installation. I wonder if you get it running with more than 128K.

sym-usifac2.zip

One question... when I start SymbOS I can't run any programs. I always get a disc error message. How would I start any programs on a USIFAC?

(btw: is that the latest version of Symbos for the USIFaC?)

Go to Start->Run->Browse and select the "IDE device" (just bellow the floppy drive letters A: and B:), this should give you direct access to files in the usb stick and be able to load any symbos program.

[ikonsgr]

A small User's Guide update:

- Add CH340 link for usb2serial adapters (along with CP2102) for updating firmware with windows 10/11 in "Updating the Firmware of USIfAC II" section.

- Add a new tip in "Hints & Tips - Troubleshooting" section: If you are having issues with a usb stick you are using, try to format usb stick using this free 3rd party partition software

[Prodatron]

It's a WIP version but should work ok on an existing installation. I wonder if you get it running with more than 128K.

sym-usifac2.zip

One question... when I start SymbOS I can't run any programs. I always get a disc error message. How would I start any programs on a USIFAC?

(btw: is that the latest version of Symbos for the USIFaC?)

Hope this is fixed now, maybe you can test it again (see PM).

[tomii]

we make case like this