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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: curtis on August 06, 2014, 02:01:41 PM

Title: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: curtis on August 06, 2014, 02:01:41 PM
Okay, so I picked up one of these to play with.

Tried flashing the thing last night and couldn't get the software to recognizethe drive.

Yes, I had the connectors connected correctly:  TX->RX, RX->TX, power, and ground.

Had the Boot0 connected to 3.3V to enable programming.

Nada.

Tried without the Boot0 to 3.3V and the display would light up, but not recognized by the programmer/connecting USB cable thingy. (Thingy is a technical term for the uninitiated!)

Tried shorting the reset pins and still nothing.

I have soldered headers so I could connect the cabling easier and connect the Boot0 to 3.3V pins, but I inspected the solder job and it does not appear to be crossing over to any other pads.

I'm using a USB3 port and it recognizes the USB cable adapter and installs the COM: port.

I downloaded the latest driver software for the USB interface.

I'm using Win 7 Pro.


Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks,

Curtis
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: amiman99 on August 06, 2014, 03:17:08 PM
I had the same problem as you few days ago, it just would not connect.
finally the software was able to recognize the Gotec and let me reflash it.
I am not sure exactly how I got to work, but you can try few things.
I used WinXP.

Make sure your USB "thingy" has drivers installed.

1. My USB-TTL converter has 3.3v, TX, RX, GND, 5V pins, and it was recognized as COM5.
2. Verify in the Device Manager what COM PORT it is.
3. Connect the BOOT-3V with jumper
4. Connect USB-TX to Gotec-RX, USB-RX to Gotec-TX
5. Connect USB-5v and USB-GND to the Gotec-Power Connector.
6. Start the Flash software, select correct COM port.
7. Get another JUMPER and attach it to the RESET pins on Gotek.
8. click NEXT on Flash SW and then REMOVE the RESET Jumper.
9. Try to do STEP 7-8 with JUMPER  on S0 or S1.

In my case some how it worked.

One more thing, if you are able to reflash it, you may have another problem, not all USB sticks work. Out of 4 USB sticks onlyt one works, LEXAR. Some say HP and Kingston work too.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: curtis on August 06, 2014, 03:35:15 PM
Quote from: amiman99;770452
I had the same problem as you few days ago, it just would not connect.
finally the software was able to recognize the Gotec and let me reflash it.
I am not sure exactly how I got to work, but you can try few things.
I used WinXP.

Make sure your USB "thingy" has drivers installed.

1. My USB-TTL converter has 3.3v, TX, RX, GND, 5V pins, and it was recognized as COM5.

Did that.

2. Verify in the Device Manager what COM PORT it is.

Yep.

3. Connect the BOOT-3V with jumper

Got it.

4. Connect USB-TX to Gotec-RX, USB-RX to Gotec-TX

Ditto.

5. Connect USB-5v and USB-GND to the Gotec-Power Connector.

Did that.

6. Start the Flash software, select correct COM port.

Yep.  It starts up and sees the port.

7. Get another JUMPER and attach it to the RESET pins on Gotek.

!  Didn't try that!  Will give that a whirl when I get home.  Had been using a small screwdriver to short the leads momentarily.

8. click NEXT on Flash SW and then REMOVE the RESET Jumper.

See response to 7.

9. Try to do STEP 7-8 with JUMPER  on S0 or S1.

Kicked around trying that, but didn't.  Will give it a shot this evening.


In my case some how it worked.

One more thing, if you are able to reflash it, you may have another problem, not all USB sticks work. Out of 4 USB sticks onlyt one works, LEXAR. Some say HP and Kingston work too.


I'll remember that.  First step is obviously to get the danged emulator to work!

Thanks for the pointers.

Curtis
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: amiman99 on August 06, 2014, 04:47:31 PM
Try to power up the Gotec with the RESET jumper on (keep the BOOT-3.3v on) and then remove RESET jumper when you trying to detect it with the flashing software.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: VingtTrois on August 06, 2014, 07:19:25 PM
Connect first your GOTEK on your PC (WinXPPro is better) and launch the PC flash program after.
If you need to make a reboot of your GOTEK floppy drive, you'll have a different message.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: curtis on August 07, 2014, 02:32:48 AM
Well, I tried connecting the adapter cable with the reset jumper set and then starting the program.

Same results.

The error I'm getting is unrecognized device.  I'm also getting no response for device error.

I'm in the process of loading a laptop with XP Pro and will try that when I get that finished.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: curtis on August 07, 2014, 02:35:51 AM
Forgot to mention, I'm not getting any sign of life from this bugger.

The power LED is not lit.

Ditto the 3 digit display.

At least not while the Boot0-3.3 jumper is in place.

If I pull the 3.3 jumper, the 3 digit display works, but still nothing on the green power LED.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: amiman99 on August 07, 2014, 06:09:26 AM
Quote from: curtis;770516
Forgot to mention, I'm not getting any sign of life from this bugger.

The power LED is not lit.

Ditto the 3 digit display.

At least not while the Boot0-3.3 jumper is in place.

If I pull the 3.3 jumper, the 3 digit display works, but still nothing on the green power LED.
When the BOOT-3.3V jumper is on, then the display if OFF, that is normal.
The GREEN LED is for DISK access, RED LED inside the case, I have no idea.
So, in normal PC operation, the LED display should show "000".
When you first flash to Amiga firmware the LED display with show "---" w/o the USB stick, but when the USB stick is recognized then it will change to "000".

Don't give up, I had same problems.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: gertsy on August 07, 2014, 07:58:52 AM
Weird. I followed the instructions explicitly and step by step and it worked fine. On Win 8 Pro.
You're not connecting the power on the floppy separately, only using the TTL power output, yes?

Near the end of this thread page are my additional instructions of what I did and sequence.  My USB was com3 too. Hope this helps. http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=64691&page=3
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: DutchinUSA on August 07, 2014, 01:09:08 PM
Curtis, I just programmed mine this week and had the same problems as you are describing ... till I resoldered the headers I had soldered on :)
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: curtis on August 07, 2014, 02:07:44 PM
@amiman99 - Okay, I feel better about the display not being on when the 3.3v jumper is connected.  Thought that might be the case, but still nice to have it confirmed.

@gertsy - No, just using the power and ground pins from the USB adapter.  Tried using a external floppy connector and got no where FAST!

@DutchinUSA - Guess I'll get out my magnifier and double check the solder job on the headers!  Really hate getting old...

Got XP Pro loaded up on an old laptop last night, but it was bed time so will try again tonight.

Hope everybody who is tracking this are learning from my woes!  At least then I'll feel somewhat gratified that I helped others along.

BTW, forgot to mention, my main computer is WIN 7 Pro.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: gertsy on August 07, 2014, 03:00:16 PM
Quote from: curtis;770540
.......
@DutchinUSA - Guess I'll get out my magnifier and double check the solder job on the headers!  Really hate getting old....


I wear my glasses plus a pair of reading glasses doubled up when I solder.... Sad.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: danbeaver on August 07, 2014, 03:08:09 PM
Following the instructions on Win 7 pro I programmed 4 with difficulty on only one that required a couple of resets. I've been soldering since I was a cub scout, so the headers were no biggie.  Maybe the drive you bought is defective?  They are only 20 bucks.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: curtis on August 07, 2014, 04:46:31 PM
Most of the time I take my glasses off, but for the really tiny stuff, I bought a illuminated magnifier on an articulated arm and I get right down there with it!

You're right it's really sad!  

This getting old thing is definitely NOT for wimps!

Quote from: gertsy;770543
I wear my glasses plus a pair of reading glasses doubled up when I
solder.... Sad.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: curtis on August 07, 2014, 04:48:06 PM
It may be bad.  Will know this evening when I get the larger sledge hammer!  :)

Quote from: danbeaver;770544
Following the instructions on Win 7 pro I programmed 4 with difficulty on only one that required a couple of resets. I've been soldering since I was a cub scout, so the headers were no biggie.  Maybe the drive you bought is defective?  They are only 20 bucks.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: curtis on August 08, 2014, 01:29:59 AM
Well, looks like either the USB to serial adapter is bad or the gotek drive is bad.

Double checked my solder job.  It's good.

Tried the laptop, but that @#$%^@ thing died on me!

Tried the desktop again with same results.  Keep getting "No response from target."

Since the cable is cheaper will pick up another one of those and go from there.

Putting thread on snooze until new cable arrives.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: amiman99 on August 08, 2014, 11:13:14 PM
Quote from: curtis;770569
Well, looks like either the USB to serial adapter is bad or the gotek drive is bad.

Double checked my solder job.  It's good.

Tried the laptop, but that @#$%^@ thing died on me!

Tried the desktop again with same results.  Keep getting "No response from target."

Since the cable is cheaper will pick up another one of those and go from there.

Putting thread on snooze until new cable arrives.
To try to eliminate the USB-TTL converter, try to open HyperTerminal and choose USB's COM PORT, then short TX and RX together.
When you type on the Terminal you should see an ECHO back (same letter back). That will confirm working USB dongle.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: curtis on August 10, 2014, 04:48:17 PM
Well, took amiman99's advice and fired up good ole hyperterm and set echo to on.

Got double characters.

Disabled the echo and only got 1 character of what I was typing.

Guess it's NOT the USB serial adapter!

That would seem to indicate the drive I got is bad.

Time to contact the seller and see if they'll make good on it and send another one.  Anyone holding their breath?  Not me!!!
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: curtis on August 17, 2014, 01:54:01 AM
Okay, got the new USB to 232 cable in.

Just for giggles decided to give it a whirl.

Had to pull the cables out of the 6 pin header and get them all set up.

Fire up the loader program and same danged thing!  RATS!!!!

Oh, wait a minute, this cable has CTS and RTS lines!  Jumpered them together and tried again.

Loader program found the emulator!  YAY!!!!!!!

Loaded up the software on the emulator.  Went smooth as silk.

Picked up a generic 1G USB drive and loaded a couple of .adf files.

Hook the emulator up to my A500 test bed, crossed my fingers and turned it on.

Right to the emulator menu.

Picked a file and let 'er rip.

Booted right up!

Tried a reset, but wouldn't find the other files.  Guess I need to play a bit more to figure out this thing better.

Anyway, IF anyone is having problems with their setup and you have CTS/RTS lines, try jumpering them together and see what happens.

BTW, for those unfamiliar with comms signals, CTS is Clear To Send and RTS is Ready To Send.  Amazing I would remember that from my Navy CTM basic electronics after over 27 years!  Guess I still have a couple of marbles floating around in my gray-headed noggin!

Curtis
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: danbeaver on August 17, 2014, 06:23:40 AM
Well, glad all is working, and yes you have to play a bit to figure how to add multiple adf's to the loader.

Odd you should end up with a full RS-232 setup; the USD TTL UART based on the PL2303HX lacks the CTS & RTS lines and is what I used.

Go in Peace and Prosper!
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: curtis on August 17, 2014, 04:14:39 PM
Yeah, I thought it was kinda weird that I had to use the CTS/RTS lines and no else did.

Oh well, whatever works!

Who knows, this might help someone else out.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: gertsy on August 18, 2014, 02:36:26 AM
That's weird never had to use RTS, CTS. At a guess I'd say our default COM port advanced settings are different. Have you used a different USB to serial adaptor previously?
In any case it's working and you've discovered another step for people if things don't work first off.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: nickoteen on October 21, 2014, 08:56:21 PM
Link to that cts/rts cable please. I'm having the same issues here. Device not recognised.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: nickoteen on October 22, 2014, 11:24:49 AM
Actually I did it. Using Win XP instead of Win 7. And also reseting the device once using a plain paperclip, instead of a jumper. Which one of the two did it I don't know, but my Gotek runs on a new firmware now. (Gotek time !)
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: danbeaver on October 22, 2014, 01:18:50 PM
Yep, I had to do a second reset on one of the four I did.


Does Nickoteen fall the night before Halloween?
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: nickoteen on October 22, 2014, 08:05:43 PM
Quote from: danbeaver;775432


Does Nickoteen fall the night before Halloween?


Only if u smoke like a chimney. :))
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: r.cade on November 26, 2014, 01:45:33 PM
I was not able to flash my Gotek... I only constantly got "unrecognized device" no matter what OS or serial driver.  

Finally, I found another forum unrelated to Gotek (ST Microelectronics) that some were able to use the 3.3V (from the USB-TTL line to the Gotek) instead of the 5V line. I tried that, and it worked first time.

May be of some help to people unable to flash.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: spaceman88 on November 26, 2014, 06:50:30 PM
Quote from: r.cade;778293
I was not able to flash my Gotek... I only constantly got "unrecognized device" no matter what OS or serial driver.  

Finally, I found another forum unrelated to Gotek (ST Microelectronics) that some were able to use the 3.3V (from the USB-TTL line to the Gotek) instead of the 5V line. I tried that, and it worked first time.

May be of some help to people unable to flash.


I thought you were supposed to use the 3.3 v line. I don't have one yet, just heard about them a couple of weeks ago. I see you can get them for about $35 on Ebay (China) or a pre programmed one from various places for $60 - $70.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: gertsy on November 26, 2014, 09:51:47 PM
Quote from: spaceman88;778308
I thought you were supposed to use the 3.3 v line. I don't have one yet, just heard about them a couple of weeks ago. I see you can get them for about $35 on Ebay (China) or a pre programmed one from various places for $60 - $70.


Yes, you are supposed to use 3.3v line. The online instructions clearly say that.  What I suggest people do (only because it works for me) is fully read the instructions and then reading them again summarise them in your own writing into logical steps. That will help retain the key points.
If it doesn't work the first time don't just try again. Disconnect and start everything from the beginning.  Incorrect connectivity or inconsistent connections is a common problem. Soldering a header onto the Gotek connectors a good way to negate that issue.
Title: Re: Gotek floppy emulator
Post by: danbeaver on November 26, 2014, 09:58:43 PM
I bought mine for $29.95 USD from China (they come with little goodies like a PC driver mini-CD) and with a $5 USD USB TTL device they should program within 30 minutes, including setting up the header. Now you can pay to have someone do this, but buy off Amibay for a good price.