Formatting CF (CompactFlash) with WinUAE- Dramas

[RedWarrior]

This is both hardware and software- wasn't sure which forum to post in, but anyway...

I'm trying to use HDToolBox within WinUAE to partition and format my 4gb CF card, though it's not cooperating. It doesn't seem to detect the drive... not sure what else to try?

Tried HDInstTools - says "No Devices Found"...

there was one other HDD tool part of the OS3 disk set, though it wanted me to guess a number between 1 and 6 before formatting... and didn't fill me with confidence.

Any reason my CF card isn't an option for HDInstTools/HDToolbox? It's there as a drive etc on the Workbench Screen and everything...

Appreciate your input!

Cheers, =)

[RedWarrior]

Bonus Question:
I also  installed a bunch of stuff on the 4GB CF card, just for testing purposes in WinUAE- I've finally got my PCMCIA CF Card reader working on my A600... Though it won't read the 4GB disk for some stupid reason... the 128meg CF card works fine...

When the 4G one is in it says there's no disk in CF0: ... doing my head in.

Solutions welcome!!!

Cheers, =)

[RedWarrior]

Hi- thanks for the input- tho tried the changing info line to uaehf.device, and uaehd.device (assumed the post had a typo), tried scsi.device... the one in there had icddisk.device as a default... no luck

Not sure how to disable the safety check thing in Winuae, though it's already showing up as an icon and is working properly... just not being detected by these HD programs... no drives show up at all.

Also- any idea why the 4GB card won't work in the pcmcia slot? I'm installing it as a CF harddisk tomorrow (hopefully trying to), but don't want any nasty surprises... (4gb too big or some crap)

Thanks for the help =)
RW

[RedWarrior]

Yep- found that in the instructions- ran it from a command window- thought STILL no luck.

"No Drives Attached to System" is the message... Changing the info line on the HDToolBox makes it rescan all the "slots" upon opening, but still it finds no drives.

I'm using a copy of HDToolbox from I don't know where... there didn't seem to be one in the automatic profiles in the Amiga Forever OS setups.

Suggestions for 4gb PCMCIA mystery still welcome...

Cheers,
RW =)

[RedWarrior]

*DEVICE* and *VOLUME* both say N/A in the WinUAE setup- I've done the whole "ADD HARDDRIVE" procedure, and now I can't see it in Workbench...

Should it be DH4: or a proper DH?: setting? HD controller is set to UAE...

This is totally out of my depth.

Using IDE controller tomorrow, so hopefully once I get this thing partitioned in UAE, it will be relatively painless to install in the 600...

Thanks for helping out here...

[RedWarrior]

Jackpot! I had to killdisk the whole CF card (takes ages!) and have followed all the above- I'm now at the part where I have to define the drive type... heads, cylinders, numbers and settings galore... [edit]

I pressed the detect configuration button... all systems go... formatting... everything working so far!! unreal!

CF IDE installation tomorrow...  hope u can handle another round of questions!

Thanks heaps!!

=)

[RedWarrior]

Ok- IDE/CF adaptor has arrived- I spent a day or so preparing the card with all the programs I wanted etc- though it seems the stupid adaptor doesn't fit on the IDE cable properly!!

It's the right width etc- standard 40 pin... though the Adaptor has a rather shallow "slot" with pins that are too short to make a proper connection with the IDE cable... I've tried phoning the computer shops for an alternative cable, but there seems to be no such thing....

My 600 came with a 3" drive adaptor... maybe I'll have to get another adaptor back to 2" with the right kind of socket?  so it will go- 2" to 3" to 2" to CF.... (yes, that sounds stupid!)

Anyone got any ideas?

Also- if there are any Brisbane Amigans out there- who remembers the name or phone number of that old shop in Morningside which were the last Amiga shop? I think they still sell computers and might be able to help, but can't remember the shop name or anything.

Input appreciated again!! =)
Cheers.

[RedWarrior]

Ok- I couldn't wait for sage advice, so I went out and bought one of those 3.5" to 2.5" adaptors to stick on the end of my 2.5 to 3.5 adaptor... (genius!)

the bits all connect, though when I power on- I get a black screen, and sometimes a bit of static. I changed the pin polarity, tried with and without power to the adaptor... (How do I upload a photo to show you what I mean?)



Is it possible I just purchased a dodgy adaptor? (looks like it's been in a drawer for 10 years) or could something dodgy happen with all that adapting going on?



There it is- that crappy looking thing with HX-IDE-K on it... when I unplug it, I get the usual kickstart anim.

No wonder this is such a niche hobby... what a royal pain in the a$$!

[RedWarrior]

ok- I like this idea! Have you tried this before? - Not sure of a safe way to heat the plastic though... I have a mini-blowtorch? Don't want to melt the thing obviously!

Appreciate the tip- though any cautions would also be handy!

cheers,
 =)

[RedWarrior]

God that was hard work!!

Ok- I've managed to remove the annoying plastic thing (and large chunks of my fingers) and have successfully attached the adaptor to the cable...

And it doesn't boot.

Had a few moments of black screen peril (power cord came out)... And now I've got the kickstart anim...

It's not booting from the CF card.

Looking in the boot/bios menu thing, there are some options for DF0 and CC0 (is that the CF card, or the PCMCIA slot?) - is there something I should enter in those parameters for a chance at hope, or has this whole project been a waste of time?

Thanks for the help so far...!

=)

ok- it gets worse... tried to restore my previous setup with the really loud 1gb hdd... it aint even loading now.  what have I done??
 :-?  :-?  Maybe I should repost this.. nobody reads after page 1 of posts...