Minimig question - is it ready?

[Darrin]

The Minimig v1.1 is working like a charm and only a few of the programs I tested last time were broken.

Last month I received my ARM board to replace the PIC chip (remove PIC with screwdriver, push ARM board into socket), copied a 20MB hard file and A600 3.1 core to the SD Card and instantly booted into Workbench 3.1.  You also get 4 (yes, FOUR) floppy drives!  (edit:  and a 28MHz turbo mode if I remember correctly).

With the ARM board fitted there is no piddling around with the serial null-modem cable as the ARM updates from the SD Card.

The new core also fixes some more glitches, but I didn't have time to test a list of games.

Now I just have 1 more task and that it to solder on the RAM expansion (I'll probably get someone more experienced with a soldering iron to do that for me).

Here's an old list of tested games.  Some games are repeated because they failed under an old core and then worked with the new core.  I haven't tested any of the broken games myself with the ARM core to update the list (but I'm told some of them are working fine).  I'll get around to it next month when I return from Brazil.

http://www.opencircuits.com/Minimig_Software_compatibility

I have one more task when I get home which will hopefully show my Minimig v1.1 with RTG support, CD ROM access and printer support.  ;-)

As it stands, even without the ARM board, the V1.1 board is a fantastic retro gaming machine.  The ARM makes it a real Amiga replacement and if the RTG, Printer and CD ROM idea works then prepare to start drooling.

I should also point out that I also have a C-One at home that needs to have a quick soldering mod made in order to run the Minimig core and will also access a real IDE hard drive and has more RAM available.  Hopefully I'll have a rreview of that next month unless someone beats me to it.

[Darrin]

@ Whiteb & Wizard66:

I don't blame you for wanting one and I know you're drooling to replace the PIC and have multi-floppy and hard drive support.  I believe there are only about 5 in existance (and they're not identical).  They're still prototypes and they're still in testing and their new core is still being "tweaked".  Just for the record, we also paid for these limited run prototypes with no refund should the final design be a radical revamp.

It's a case of Jakub making sure that he has a product that works perfectly and will completely satisfy those who buy one.  When the design becomes final it will be up to Jakub whether he spends his spare time cranking these out one-by-one or whether someone like aCube step up again and do a production run.

Hang in there guys, it is going to be worth the wait.

[Darrin]

Yaroze wrote:

february-6-2009: Minimig core V1.29 makes IDE mod obsolete!
The new Minimog core implements soft-IRQs, so the IDE ports can now be used without having to solder on the C-One! It is still recommended to do the first part of the mod (cut off the CSEL pin from the IDE ports for safety reasons), but that can be done without any soldering skills.

Cheers for posting that.  I saw it on Minimig.net, but I'm away on business so I can't test it until next month.  I'm looking forward to testing the same ADF files on both the v1.1 and the C-One.  I've also got a bunch of old 2.5" floppies hanging around that I can compare the speed of the hard file with on the C-One.  I guess it will be a good idea to use a hard file for the Hard Drive and then connect a CD ROM to the IDE port.

[Darrin]

wizard66 wrote:
Thanks Darrin,Beta testing is alway's fun ;-)
I hope we can get a fully working version soon.
Keep up the good work guys.
This ARM Controller makes a true FULL Amiga replacement.
Cheers

One thing the ARM controller has at the moment that isn't used is that USB port.  I know Jakub has some plans about making use of it, but I've been wondering if some collaboration between himself and Chris Hodges might be able to open it up to Workbench like the Deneb and Subway and then Chris could sell his Poseidon USB stack to Minimig owners.  The potential of that would be amazing:  Memory sticks, external hard drives, CD ROM, printers and Ethernet!

I don't know if it's possible, but it's a thought.  I'm so happy with the Deneb in my A4000 that I'd love to have the same USB stack running on my Minimig on OS3.1.

[Darrin]

yaqube wrote:
The USB port on the ARM board isn't a host port. It's a device port and you can connect it only to a host (PC) or a hub.

Currently it's only used for initial firmware upload (any further flash updates can be made from an SD-Card) or to revive bricked boards.

With appropriate software support it could be used for virtuallization of serial and/or parallel port.

Well that's buggered that idea.  Mind you, using it as a parallel port might have some uses.

[Darrin]

Darrin wrote:

Well that's buggered that idea.  Mind you, using it as a parallel port might have some uses.

Mind you, the C-One has a couple of A1200 clock ports.  Perhaps a Subway could be connected to them if they were active withing the Minimig environment.