compactflash-ide44 adapter for A600/A1200 problem

Hello everyone!
I've just purchased an IDE44-pins to CompactFlash-
adapter for my A600, but I can't make it to work!
I know it's possible to use an CompactFlash-card as
a HardDrive with this adapter.
I have tried everything, but nothing seems
to work! I think it's a software problem.
I tried with IdeFix, but that's also no good!
The system doesn't recognize the CF.
Is there anybody out there who can help me with
this problem, so I can use the IDE44-CF-adapter
as a bootable device ?

K-disK :-?

Yes, I have KickStart 3.1 ROM installed.

[Framiga]

Hi  k-disk

have you already installed a HD on your system?

IIRC not all the A600, has the right kickstart. (don' remember the revision)

Bye

[Jope]

Framiga wrote:
IIRC not all the A600, has the right kickstart. (don' remember the revision)

37.299 - no scsi.device
37.300 - might be problems with disks over 80MB, but usually there's no problem
37.350 - no problems

Kick 3.1 should always work.

[amigakit]

We stock CF->IDE adapters and they work fine with the Amiga.  There is a master/slave jumper at back and once this is elected, if the unit is on the primary IDE channel, it starts to boot - you dont need IDEFIX or anything like that when it is on the primary IDE channel.

Be aware that the Compact Flash needs to be Prepped in HDToolbox and it must have a valid Rigid Disk Block so it can be bootable.

Also if the CF adpater is used with any device over PIO 0 spec it will bring the speed down of the IDE channel that it is on.

 

Hi!

I have installed the IDE44-CF-adapter correctly,
and it's on the primary IDE channel.
I have tried with jumper on both 'SLAVE' and 'MASTER',
but HDToolbox can't seem to find any device!
I use an Sandisk 128MB CF-card. Also tested it with an 16MB card.
Nothing works. Only my floppy drive. If I install a
normal HardDisk on the IDE channel, then it boots up
normally ,(the harddisk that is).

[Doobrey]

It could be a problem with the adapter not getting any power.
Does your CF adapter have a 4 pin socket for a floppy style power connector?
 Do you have a multimeter to check for +5v on the adapter?

I was going to say it can be a problem with cheap/no-name CF cards, but Sandisk are a pretty reliable brand..

You mentioned IDEFix a couple of times, are you trying to use the CF adapter with a 4 way IDE splitter?

Mine worked without any problems or extra software like IDEFix, I just set it to master, plugged it in and HDToolbox found it right away.

Hi,

The adapter get's his power straight
from the 44pin IDE connector of the motherboard.
It doesn't require an external power-source.

If you have an Amiga 4000, then you got a 40pin-
IDE connector. You have to get your power then from an external source, like floppy or power-suply.
I don't use an 4-way splitter.
Wich one are you using?

Greetings,
K-disK

[Hyperspeed]

I'm sure I saw someone mention that you HAVE to low level format the
flash disks.

Load HDToolBox with scsi.device in the tooltypes, then go through the
whole process of low level formatting, reading in the disk geometry
etc.

If HDToolBox won't let you go anywhere I'm not sure what to do then. I
don't think it's easy to know when the think is active as it's not
spinning anything!

:-)

Maybe they should have an LED on the adaptors to show the disk is
powered up ok.

[Doobrey]

@K-disK
 I used it on an A1200, but got a 40pin CF adapter because I use it with a 4x IDE splitter (the wedge shaped Elbox one), although I first used it as the only device on the IDE chain with no splitter, just to test it out.
 Power connections weren`t a problem as it`s hooked upto a Mini-ATX PSU.
The reason I asked about the extra power connector is just to eliminate the 44pin IDE cable as the problem, and some 44 pin adapters do come with a floppy style power connector too.You can even get adapters with both 44 and 40 pin IDE connectors.

@Hyperspeed,
 Yup, you have to low level format them sometimes, cos CF cards can be used as memory or disk
 But K-disK can`t even get HDToolbox to see it  :-(

I know now what the problem is:
It's the adapter itself!
I have used an "ADA-COMPACTFLASH-IDE44"  :destroy:
Manufacterer: ES&S - www.esskabel.de  :destroy:

-------!WARNING!-------
DON'T BUY THIS ADAPTER FOR THE AMIGA!!!
IT'S NOT WORKING!!!

  :pissed:  :madashell:

[Framiga]

Hi k-disk

i'm not 100% sure but IIRC, only the latest OS3.9 BB2 HDToolbox 45.6, recognize the CF adapters.

Ciao

[Doobrey]

Nope, My A1200 with WB3.0 picked it up fine.

There`s nothing special about CF-IDE adapters, they don`t even need any active parts, just simply connect pin x on the ide port to pin y on the CF.When in drive mode, the CF card responds just like a HD, the OS shouldn`t be able to tell the difference or need any special drivers.

I tried to get it working in 2 A600's,
both with kickrom 3.1 , motherboard rev 1.5
and the other has motherboard rev 2D.
I even tried it with different flat-cables.
(you never know). HDToolbox and HDInstTools
both don't recognize the CF-adpter card.
I think that the ADA-CompactFlash-IDE44 adapter
from ES&S, just don't work in Amiga's.

[bloodline]

k-disk wrote:

I tried to get it working in 2 A600's,
both with kickrom 3.1 , motherboard rev 1.5
and the other has motherboard rev 2D.
I even tried it with different flat-cables.
(you never know). HDToolbox and HDInstTools
both don't recognize the CF-adpter card.
I think that the ADA-CompactFlash-IDE44 adapter
from ES&S, just don't work in Amiga's.

Have you tried the adapter in a PC?

No, I don't tried it in a PC,
but i'm not surprised if it
doesn't even work in a PC !

K-disK   :lol:  :laughing:  :roflmao:

                    :pint: