**Need Setup HELP** with Classic Amiga 2000 HARD DISK (Bridgeboard)

[wbrejnia]

I'm back.

Been busy on Non-Amiga Project for a long while.  Got them finished up and planning to pull out the Amiga to finish up the loose ends.

To kick start my enthusiasm just Ordered a Buddha 20th Aniv Card, to add to my pile of gizmos to play with.

[wbrejnia]

Hey Darkage, you are still around.  Nice!!

Well I never finished the Last Build.  I had to stop when water started pouring from the Celing.
Actually covered up the Amga and Stuff with Plastic before any Damage.

Long story short.
A copper pipe burst in the Ceiling.  Tiny pinhole spray that slowly filled up behind drywall, and then it broke thru.

Insurance covered things, but I took Material and did basement Reno myself.

Rebuilt the Office, Rec Area, and A new Fish Control Room with a Brand new Bigger Tank.



That tank is up and running as of a few weeks ago.

So going to finish the Amiga (bridgeboard, and all the goodies I originally Planned).

[wbrejnia]

Glad to see you are keeping busy.

3D printing is something I seriously want to learn.
The local library has a couple of High Quality Printers, and you just pay for filament for each print.
I have some need to print some parts for aquarium setup.   Replacements I can get, or too expensive.  Tiny clips, screws, etc.

Anyway.   Right now I'm just getting organized for the Amiga Restart Project.
Most important is to backup the past work.  Floppies are old.
The goal of the Buddha card is a way to do backups, and build a multi boot setup with SD cards.
Last time I acquired that Kickstart Switcher, and have all kickstarts ROM too.

Stay tuned.  Waiting for Buddha module to arrive.  (even with that appears I may need help from the Forums from what I have read on another thread).

Wally

[wbrejnia]

ALL READY TO GET STARTED With Amiga REBUILD 2018 (Buddha IDE Adapater Arrives)



The Amigakit Package Arrived today with the BUDHA CARD.

That motivated me to Gather SOME of my stuff to start a COMPLETE Rebuild of EVERYTHING in This Thread (have a Great Reference Manual)

NICE TO SEE AMIGA POWERED UP (on the 4 ROM Kickstart Switcher), and the Indivision ECS (VGA Adapater) WORKS )

-> First project will be to get the Buddha Card working, on a Regular IDE Drive.

--> Then Tackle (Bridgeboard, Lotech IDE, the Gotek, the GVP SCSI Drive, and then Some Bridgeboard setups with DOS,Window1.0, etc)

Thinking IT MAY BE A GOOD IDEA to start a NEW THREAD (Which may to out to be the Sales Brochure).

[wbrejnia]

BUDDHA 20th Anniversary Edition Installation



That was easy.

I first tried a Real IDE Drive which the BUDDHA recognized, but wanted more of challenge.  The IDE Compact Flash Adapter wouldn't work.

Then I tried the IDE SD Card Adapter and it worked like a charm.  (Better than FLASH card since I have many)

SO NOW I can start the REBUILD.

[wbrejnia]

Wow A big Step Forward (2x)  GOT CF Flash Adapter Working with Buddha.

When I was working on the Bridgeboard project last year, the Lotech-IDE Adapter with CF-Adapter WOULD NOT WORK.
That is why I got the SDcard-Adapter and it DID WORK.

Same thing was happening with the Buddha,  None of my 20 year old CF CARDs Worked (but they would work on a CF adapter in my PC)

so I JUST got a Cheap 512MB New Industrial Grade CF (Amazon).....And it worked.



THIS IS A GAME changer, since if I can get the CF-Adapter working on the Lo-Tech/bridgeboard, I will have a FULLY SOLID STATE Hard Drive Setup.

-> Lotech on IDE off Bridgeboard (PC HARD DRIVE) (Compact Flash)
-> Amiga HARD DRIVE on Buddha (SD Card)
-> Amiga FLOPPY Emulation on Gotek-Hxc (USB SticK)

(With Ability to Just Swap Images by Just changing CARDS.)

[wbrejnia]

Things are moving along.

Got the BUDDHA installed and working off a Industrial Compact Flash (since my old CF cards didn't work).
The Amiga Boot up lighting speed.

Also got the Lo-tech ISA-IDE adapter working with SD card adapter and the Bridgeboard Boots nice an quick.

Loading up all kind of SW on both the Amiga and the Bridgeboard DOS.

Nice to see old stuff work, old way, and accelerated way to really move things forward.

Having the Individual Flickerfixer to hook up LCD monitor is also nice.

This is good old retro fun, and when I'm done, my mission might be accomplished.  Thus might sell the Super Amiga Some day.

[wbrejnia]

Test.  Wow.  Finally I got in after trying many times over the months to get my password reset.

Been a while (Hard to believe 4 years since last post).
I still have the Amiga sitting in my office collecting dust.  Got a Kit from Europe to make a Floppy drive work of the Amiga Port.  Never got around to that project.
Got let go from my Job couple weeks ago.... after 35 years of service.

Got plenty of time to find ways to not be bored.  The Amiga may have my time again.

[wbrejnia]

Hi Pat,  (Forgot your real name, if it's not Pat)

Nice to hear from you.

You are correct. I would like to get the Case back on.

I am pretty sure I got the Lo-Tech working with a CF card.  It was the CF Card type that gave me headache.
However I do have a Buddha Adapter to work with the CF and Amiga Side so that where I can used the CF cards.

To help with a external Gotek I JUST ORDERED a DF0:/DF1: Floppy selector from Amiga.Kit
http://amigakit.amiga.store/product_info.php?products_id=12673
The price is very reasonable so why not complete this Amiga with all the Bells and Whistles.

Once it arrives my office area with Amiga should be more presentable.

I did recently get a 3D printer (Cheap but effective) ENDER 3 Pro.
Plan is to make some better cases and stuff to bring the Amiga Parts (Gotek, etc) to and nice external Console of some sort and have some smart buttons to switch the different configuations. (ie jumpers, ROM Switcher,  replaced by smart relays).

Anything to keep my mind and hands busy as I eventualy embark on looking for a new Career.

[wbrejnia]

Hey Pat,

This thread is actually handy.  For me as well.  I documented a lot of things/steps/configs/Plus Photos that I'd never find lost in my Hard Drive Archives, or in my past fading memories.

Not sure what you mean by "MY PRINTER".  Maybe a typo.

I probably said a dozen times I'd sell my A2000 when I finished playing with it.
Now would be a good time, before not many people on this planet around to enjoy it, or pay something for it.
Yet, I can't seem to let it go since it's special and  plenty of things I can do.

With my spending curtailed till I find a new gig, I dug up some Collectors Beatle Albums (Color Vinyls), and an heading to a LP store to sell them.  What I get $ for them I can spend for some frivous spending that Wife won't scold me for.
The LP's don't do much for me sitting in a box.  I have no interest to frame them for display either.
Amiga can alway be revived for some Retro Activities.

Take care.  I'll post once I have the DFO:/DF1 floppy switcher and finish all that's left to Hack on this Amiga.

[wbrejnia]

Well I hope my thread isn't your sleep treatment.  LOL.

So if I understand correctly you have a AT Bridgeboard with the Sandwitch card.
https://bigbookofamigahardware.com/bboah/product.aspx?id=329

To me the 8088 Bridgeboard was just fun to get working.  The challenge (the journey) not a practical pupose.
The other Half the fun was getting the WD HD controller working with acient KaLock 35MB hard disk.

I still am hanging on to my Amiga to do a few more mods.  Things you can't do with modern Tablets, Phones that are Sealed made for More Practical Daily use.

BTW, I checked your Web Site.  Whoa!! do you have quite the collection.  Certainly brings back memories.
I feel guitly with my One Desk Loaded with A2000 Stuff.  NOt sure how you manage to keep so many items.

[wbrejnia]

Thought I'd drop in on my old rebuild/hack thread, to continue where I left off.

The Amiga hasn't moved an inch since last time I posted.  Still sitting on my workbench, guts all out, begging for attention.

About a year ago, I purchased on of these External Gotek Adapters .  Never got around to playing with it.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/233144988083

The adapter wouldn't solve my GOTEK DF0: Boot setup, so I also ordered one of these DFO selectors and a chip remover to do the task 
https://amigastore.eu/485-df0-selector.html
That got put off with my "fear" of removing the Chip from my Amiga Motherboard, and possibly cracking it, rendering my Amiga useless.

Then shortly afterwards....I got let go from my IT Job after 35 years..... (I'm Semi-Retired for now).

I've been spending the last 11 months chipping away at my TO-DO-List with all the free time on my hands.

Covid and dark gloomy winter days, is perfect time to get back to my unfinished Amiga.

Maybe complete this thread if anyone is still around or cares.

[wbrejnia]

So I'm wondering before I attempt any chip removal.

Will the two adapters above (combined) work together, so that I can externalize my Gotek, and have it boot DF0: or be a DF1: drive, so I can close up my Amiga 2000 Case?

[wbrejnia]

I always thought the Externally connected Drive cannot be DF0:, even if internal Drive is disconnected.
So its  not possible to boot a Game from External Drive Floppy (The Gotek is acting like a Floppy Drive and it's external).

(1) Thus the (DF0: adapter) would give me DF0: on external Drive Port.  That's the purpose of the Adapter selection (DF0: or DF1: ....)

(2) I still need the GOTEK Adapter to get Gotek to connect physically to the External Amiga Port.

[wbrejnia]

Well I guess the Gotek/Adapter project will have to be put on hold.   Found something way more exciting.

Just discovered the PiStorm/Emu86 project going on, which is the close to the classic accelerator I could never aquire to keep things true to original, and still get more CPU power into my setup.

Just ordered the PiStorm 2k, A RaspPi 3A+ and a 68000 CPU relocator card so I can easily swap between original CPU and the PiStorm.
Can't wait for peices to arrive.  This will be fun if what I see is truely possible, and it works as I see being demonstrated.

I find it a bit baffling that there are no forum threads going on about this truely remarkable evolution. 
Maybe the PiStorm is still new and evolving, plus chip shortages holding things from general availability.

[wbrejnia]

Thanks Pat, I've been to PiStorm Discord few days ago, it a bit confusing since I'm not used to that type of messaging forum.   Lots of channels and activity going on.  Development/Testing is moving lighting fast.  Certainly the PiStorm is WIP.

The best summary based I've found on the PiStorm is Noel's You Tube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouakRDHisew. 
He really covers off the topic well.  All before Emy86 came along, however he does cover the concept of Barebone OS on the Pi, which if I understand correctly is what Emu86 is all about.

I'll learn more when my parts arrive, however if I understand things correctly, if one uses the PiStorm as a pure 68000 Emulator (without emulating HD, RTG via HDSMI, network, on the Pi) you can use many periperals in the Amiga (Certainly the Floppy or Gotek).  There still might be limitations. No idea till I try.

It is quite exciting and a cheap alternative to getting a Vampire, etc for casual use and exploration.

I do understand the need for SD cards on a Raspberry Pi.  I built at least a dozen complex projects via Raspberry Pi's and Ardiuno.   That's why the PiStorm caught my attention and enthusiam.

Anyway, I'm getting off topic for this thread.  Might be a good idea to start another new topic when I fool around with the PiStorm and my A2000 bundles.