Minimig Review completed!

[TheDaddy]

>>Also, does the FPGA have to be reprogrammed every time you boot, or just the first time? How long does the programming process take?
And can you "store" its programming somehow (like you would do with a flash memory for instance) or is it just temporary until you switch it off?

This is new to me...can anyone confirm this?
 :-?

[TheDaddy]

I have finished designing the case for the Minimig and I will soon post the pictures on my site.

I hope people like it! :-D

[TheDaddy]

>>Interesting review, thanks TheDaddy!

Thanks :-)


>>freqmax, can you correct the Chaos Engine 1&2 status please.

Chaos Engine 1&2 not working on my minimig. :-(

>>I don't know, but Dennis is working on multi-ADF support at the moment, which should help.

Excellent. So do we just download the code and flash the chip to update it?


>>I would imagine you'd need the multi-ADF support to do this, which Dennis is working on. Workbench runs so that's one part of the equation sorted. Currently the memory card is read only (so you couldn't save work you did), but there isn't any reason (AFAIK) why writing to the memory card couldn't be added to the current design.

Multi-ADF would rock. Once installed Workbench on the SD-Card all you need is WHLoad for games like Body Blows! (mega disk swapping there!)

>>I had a thought when reading your review conclusion about the Minimig TheDaddy, when you mentioned you'd like an on/off button on the Minimig. What about if the FPGA sources were amended so that pressing the Menu and Reset buttons at the same time switched the machine off (or on)? You could do the same with keyboard shortcuts.

That is a great idea. I would love to see the ON/OFF key on the keyboard being used to switch it ON or OFF or maybe a combination of keys. This would be awesome! :-D

[TheDaddy]

@Krusher

I think you might have to correct the results on your page:

http://www.opencircuits.com/Minimig_Software_compatibility

Chaos Engine 1&2, Bubba, Agony, Alien Breed (both), Gods, Impossible Mission 2, Overdrive DO NOT actually work on my Minimig.

I have updated my list again if you need it:

http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/what_works.htm

Thank you.

 :-)

[TheDaddy]

I have added more titles to the list:

http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/what_works.htm

Strangely three games work but with the missing/invisible main character sprite... :-?

[TheDaddy]

When you say that all the Kickstarts work, do you mean 2.04,3.0 and 3.1 by renaming them to KICK.ROM?

Also have you tried the failing games with other versions of Kickstart other than 1.3? For example 2.04?

 :-)

[TheDaddy]

Well...I have tried renaming kickstart 2.04 and 3.0 to KICK.ROM and all I get is a red screen and nothing else.

It seems only to work with 1.3 (512K).

I was going to test the failing games with 2.04 but it won't boot (just red screen). :-?

[TheDaddy]

>>Are those ROM images from an A500?

Yes, I have also used the ones from my Amiga Forever cd.

The 2.04 is the one from an A500 Plus.

>>I think you need to extract the image from a ROM that is meant specifically for an A500. At least there is an A500 variation of the 3.1 ROM available.

>>Have you tried putting WB in an ADF and tried loading that?

That is my next step, I need to find my WB 1.3 disks...
 :-)

[TheDaddy]

>>(the Amiga Forever images are encrypted).
To use them you need to start the emulation and use some tool to grab the KS ROM just like from real amiga.

But those roms (amiga forever ones) work fine with WinUAE or this doesn't matter?

Do you think that the failing games fail because of the encrypted  roms? Even if this is the case it would be a pain to have to rename 2.04 rom (KICK.ROM) for example to play some games and then put the 1.3 back in to play some others...

I have also used the 1.3 from amiga forever cd and that works fine.

What do you think?

 :-)

[TheDaddy]

>>is there a software list, what is supportet and what not? i read that there are some games that do not run

www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

have a look :-)

[TheDaddy]

What about the fact that the 1.3 rom from the Amiga Forever cd works fine?

[TheDaddy]

What I don't understand is this:

Isn't the minimig supposed to work just with KS1.3?

Has anyone tried the failing games with KS2.04 or 3.0?

[TheDaddy]

>>The file must be 524288 bytes (so KS 1.x must include the 256KB ROM twice).

>>As far as I know you must use the vanilla KS ROM Image, not any Amiga Forever encrypted one (the encrypted have size 262155 and 524299).

I thought this was one of the requirements:

from vesalia website:

http://www.vesalia.de

So people who get a minimig will get Amiga Forever too...I am getting confused!
 :-?

[TheDaddy]

So basically you are saying that the kickstart roms from Amiga Forever cd don't work?

I am sure that I have used the Kickstart 1.3 ROM from the Amiga Forever CD when testing the games on my list.

What I would like to know is if anyone has tested the reported failing games with other versions like 2.04 or 3.0.

Do you think it's a good idea if I run Amikit and grab the roms from within emulation (1.3, 2.04 and 3.0) and then test those games again?

The 2.04 and 3.0 roms I have used (AF CD) didn't work on the minimig (red screen) I could give it a go but this means re-installing Amikit... :-)

[TheDaddy]

How do you explain my minimig working with the rom from amiga forever cd?

Also is the rom.key (3kb) needed by the minimig? :-)

[TheDaddy]

Sorry double post ARGH! :-(