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Amiga computer related discussion => General chat about Amiga topics => Topic started by: RGB_gamer on February 26, 2010, 05:25:00 AM

Title: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: RGB_gamer on February 26, 2010, 05:25:00 AM
I have a Compact Flash card, which is 4gb, and a compatible CF to IDE card. I am going to use it with my CD32 with SX32 MK II. The card is currently formatted for FAT32, so how do I format it to work on my system?
I have had a lot of trouble doing it with WinUAE, and I have read many threads about it (they all seem to hard drives needing to be RDB partitioned, but obviously this thing isn't. I want to install workbench 3.1 on it.

Perhaps there is a way to format/partition it with some sort of special CD?

Thanks for the help!
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: Thomas on February 26, 2010, 07:17:52 AM
It's difficult to help if you don't say which tutorial you followed and at which step you stumbled.

You need to create an RDB and a bootable partition first, otherwise it will not work in your CD32. Use HDToolbox (from the Tools directory of an installed WB 3.1 or on the Install3.1 floppy disk) or HDInstTool (from Aminet) to do this. Once the partition exists, it's just a matter of copying the OS files to it. This can be done with the install script from the Install3.1 floppy disk or manually.
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: RGB_gamer on February 26, 2010, 07:19:33 AM
Quote from: Thomas;545187
It's difficult to help if you don't say which tutorial you followed and at which step you stumbled.

You need to create an RDB and a bootable partition first, otherwise it will not work in your CD32. Use HDToolbox (from the Tools directory of an installed WB 3.1 or on the Install3.1 floppy disk) or HDInstTool (from Aminet) to do this. Once the partition exists, it's just a matter of copying the OS files to it. This can be done with the install script from the Install3.1 floppy disk or manually.


do you know of a tutorial? I have been looking for hours on how to do this. I finally got to the point in HDToolbox where I can partition and I am wondering what to do next...My 4gb CF card is currently formatted for FAT. Do I need to partition it in a different tool before trying it in HDToolbox?
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: Thomas on February 26, 2010, 09:09:01 AM
Run HDToolbox, go to Install Drive, Define New, Read Configuration, Ok, Ok, Partition Drive, change partitions as desired, make sure that at least one has the "bootable" box checked, ok, Save Changes to Drive, Exit, reboot. Now the new partition(s) should appear on the desktop as unformatted. Select one at a time and choose "Format drive" from the icon menu, enter a name and click on "Quick". Now the partition is ready to store files. To avoid problems with negative numbers you should make partitions not bigger than 2GB.

If HDToolbox does not show the HDD, select its icon, choose "Information" from the icon menu and check the tooltypes. There should be one reading DEVICE=scsi.device without brackets around it. Make sure that the name (scsi.device) matches the name of the driver of your HDD controller. For most Amiga models it's scsi.device. For WinUAE's built-in controller it's uaehf.device. I don't know which name the SX32 uses. Change the tooltype accordingly, save the icon and run HDToolbox again.
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: RGB_gamer on February 26, 2010, 09:24:23 AM
Quote from: Thomas;545199
Run HDToolbox, go to Install Drive, Define New, Read Configuration, Ok, Ok, Partition Drive, change partitions as desired, make sure that at least one has the "bootable" box checked, ok, Save Changes to Drive, Exit, reboot. Now the new partition(s) should appear on the desktop as unformatted. Select one at a time and choose "Format drive" from the icon menu, enter a name and click on "Quick". Now the partition is ready to store files. To avoid problems with negative numbers you should make partitions not bigger than 2GB.

For some reason, HDToolbox lists two drives. SCSI ID 1 is the only one that I can work with. SCSI ID 0 give me an error which says, "Drive does not support the SCSI inquiry command" if I Read Configuration. I have a 4gb CF drive and this will be going into my CD32 with SX32, which as I understand, is an A1200.
I did all that you said, and when I go to save the changes, it doesn't work. Also, when I go to Define a New Drive Type, I go to Read Configuration, and the capacity is negative.

[/QUOTE]
If HDToolbox does not show the HDD, select its icon, choose "Information" from the icon menu and check the tooltypes. There should be one reading DEVICE=scsi.device without brackets around it. Make sure that the name (scsi.device) matches the name of the driver of your HDD controller. For most Amiga models it's scsi.device. For WinUAE's built-in controller it's uaehf.device. I don't know which name the SX32 uses. Change the tooltype accordingly, save the icon and run HDToolbox again.[/QUOTE]


I don't know what the SX32 uses either, but I am trying to set this drive up in WinUAE. I am using a .hdf file that a guy gave me. Should I try just using a generic workbench .hdf with .adf file? I have been at this for like 6 hours and nothing works.
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: Thomas on February 26, 2010, 09:43:00 AM
Quote
SCSI ID 0 give me an error which says, "Drive does not support the SCSI inquiry command" if I Read Configuration.


This is the HDF. You shouldn't touch it if you want to continue using it.

Quote
the capacity is negative.


HDToolbox cannot display numbers bigger than 2GB correctly. But it's only a cosmetic problem, don't worry about it.


Quote
I did all that you said, and when I go to save the changes, it doesn't work.


What happens ? Error message ?
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: RGB_gamer on February 26, 2010, 09:53:53 AM
When I go to select my CF card before starting WinUAE, what settings do I choose? I always choose read/write, and UAE for HD Controller.
As far as  when I try to partition or make any changes to the CF card, I choose to save changes to drive, but then status goes to Not Changed.
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: Thomas on February 26, 2010, 11:26:13 AM
Quote
then status goes to Not Changed


That's how it should be. It means there are no changes since you saved last time. Now click on Exit. It might or might not ask you to reboot. Reboot anyway.
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: amiga1260 on February 26, 2010, 12:43:07 PM
I found a link of a manual to install Workbench on a CF card.

http://www.amigascene.nl/download/Amiga1200CF-v0_8.pdf
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: RGB_gamer on February 26, 2010, 08:08:23 PM
Quote from: Thomas;545213
That's how it should be. It means there are no changes since you saved last time. Now click on Exit. It might or might not ask you to reboot. Reboot anyway.

tried all that already. Still not working.

I have Include removeable drives and automount removeable drives checked before starting winuae. Is there some sort of step by step tutorial for setting up compact flash drives larger than 2gb (in my case 4gb) that aren't amiga formatted? Most of the time when I right click on HDtoolbox and go to icons->information, there is nothing in the Tool Types area. I am using the latest version of WinUAE
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: Thomas on February 28, 2010, 10:15:57 AM
Please stop saying "not working" without anything else. I am sick of asking for details. Describe what you did, what you expected to happen and what happened instead.

If you are using Vista or Windows7, Windows will not write to the CF card if there are PC partitions mounted on it. Open a DOS prompt and enter diskpart.  In DiskPart enter list disk. Identify the CF card and enter select disk n. Replace n by the number of the CF card. Enter list disk again and check that the right disk is marked with a '*'. Enter clean and then list disk once more. It should now show the entire capacity as empty. Leave DiskPart with exit. Remove the USB drive safely and plug it back in. If Windows asks you to format the empty CF, do *not* do it. Now try WinUAE again.
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: RGB_gamer on February 28, 2010, 10:38:17 AM
Quote from: Thomas;545482
Please stop saying "not working" without anything else. I am sick of asking for details. Describe what you did, what you expected to happen and what happened instead.

If you are using Vista or Windows7, Windows will not write to the CF card if there are PC partitions mounted on it. Open a DOS prompt and enter diskpart.  In DiskPart enter list disk. Identify the CF card and enter select disk n. Replace n by the number of the CF card. Enter list disk again and check that the right disk is marked with a '*'. Enter clean and then list disk once more. It should now show the entire capacity as empty. Leave DiskPart with exit. Remove the USB drive safely and plug it back in. If Windows asks you to format the empty CF, do *not* do it. Now try WinUAE again.


Thanks for the tip. Now, what do I need to do to partition/format and ultimately install Workbench 3.1 on my CF card now that it's empty? Can I somehow transfer the contents from the HDF file to it? Or do I need to choose a bunch of ADF Workbench 3.1 from the WinUAE options and start up WinUAE?
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: Thomas on February 28, 2010, 11:53:36 AM
Quote
Now, what do I need to do to partition/format and ultimately install Workbench 3.1 on my CF card now that it's empty?


What I said above: HDToolbox, install, partition, save, reboot, format. Once you have a bootable Amiga partition, you can copy whichever system files you want to it. ClassicWB, AmigaSys, Workbench from ADFs, whatever you like and runs on your Amiga.

Quote
Can I somehow transfer the contents from the HDF file to it?


To copy all files from one partition to another open an AmigaDOS Shell window and enter

copy xxx:#? yyy: all clone

replace xxx by the name of the source drive and yyy by the destination drive.

Quote
Or do I need to choose a bunch of ADF Workbench 3.1 from the WinUAE options and start up WinUAE?


You can do this if you want a clean basic 3.1 installation, but you don't need to. You can as well copy a working configuration from another partition, be it a HDF or whatever.
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: RGB_gamer on February 28, 2010, 12:03:50 PM
I am using the Workbench 3.1 install .adf disk, and when I go to HDToolbox, it doesn't see my CF card at all.
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: Thomas on February 28, 2010, 01:20:18 PM
Follow the second paragraph of this post: http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?p=545199#post545199
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: Homer on February 28, 2010, 05:27:46 PM
Hi RGB gamer,

Please note that you are getting advice from a guy that really can answer your questions. He can not help you if you don't answer his questions though :hammer: !
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: RGB_gamer on March 01, 2010, 05:11:31 AM
Ok, I ran Winuae without the -disableharddrivesafetycheck option an loaded it up using the workbench install floppy. I then ran HDToolbox and made sure it said SCSI_DEVICE_NAME=uaehf.device

I was FINALLY able to get it to see my CF card. I was able to partition the disk drive, but even though it sees the full 4gb, I made two 250mb partitions (one for the workbench install which is DH0, the other for programs which is DH1), and then a 1900mb partition (DH2) and another with the rest DH3. I then rebooted workbench, and was able to see all the partitions except for DH3.

What is the largest size for a partition?
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: rkauer on March 01, 2010, 05:32:28 AM
Largest size is the size of the HD. But then you'll run into some problems:

 - If accidentally you turn the Amiga off during a writing cycle (or if the computer freeze when writing something) you'll experience a validating period in the next boot. Expect to wait around 10 hours or more waiting for the Workbench shows up;:furious:

 - Some programs count the available space, and they can't understand numbers over 2Gb in size (for those programs the value will become negative), so they crashes, or quit without warning;:furious:

 - Even Workbench programs who mess with the HD will have those problems.:furious:

 So the best answer is: keep partitions under 2Gb. 1.9Gb is perfect!
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: RGB_gamer on March 01, 2010, 05:37:58 AM
When I was partitioning the 4gb drive, like I stated before, d0 is 250mb, dh1 is 250mb, dh2 is 1900mb, and dh3 is the rest. After the partitioning was done, I rebooted workbench, and after that, dh3 didn't show up at all. So I ultimately just set up a 3gb+ partition as dh2.

Quote from: Thomas;545495

To copy all files from one partition to another open an AmigaDOS Shell window and enter

copy xxx:#? yyy: all clone

replace xxx by the name of the source drive and yyy by the destination drive.


So how do I do this in WinUAE? I load up an HDF to start with, and I want to copy the contents of the SYSTEM partition to my CF Card's WORKBENCH partition
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: Thomas on March 01, 2010, 07:42:48 AM
There should be a Shell icon in the System drawer of your boot partition. Just run it to get the DOS window. Then enter the command.

For example

copy system:#? workbench: all clone
Title: Re: Compact Flash card - how to format/partition and install WB?
Post by: RGB_gamer on March 01, 2010, 07:53:59 AM
Quote from: Thomas;545677
There should be a Shell icon in the System drawer of your boot partition. Just run it to get the DOS window. Then enter the command.

For example

copy system:#? workbench: all clone

Thanks for the tip! I got it to work and my CF boots up just like the HDF that a buddy of mine sent me. Now if I can just figure out WHDLoad....