New eFlasher available

[DJS]

Elbox Computer is happy to announce availability of the new eFlasher program for the eFlash 4000 Zorro III card.

Version 1.4 of the eFlasher program and version 1.0 of the eFlashConfig script have been released today for all registered users of the eFlash 4000 cards.

The eFlasher program is the tool developed for the eFlash 4000 Zorro III cards. It helps to manage FlashROM memory contents of the eFlash 4000 card. It installs AmigaOS ROM Updates and other modules, which can be started from the eFlash 4000 memory during the Amiga boot process.

The eFlasher program features:

• supports the BoingBag-1 and BoingBag-2 AmigaOS ROM Updates,
• works with any resident modules,
• supports multiple modules in one file,
• AmigaOS updates done during the Amiga boot process are detected by the Setpatch automatically.

eFlashConfig is an easy to use script to enable managing contents of memory in FlashROM of the eFlash 4000.

About the eFlash 4000 card:

eFlash 4000 is an autobooting Zorro III card with extremely fast 32-bit design, fitted with 8Mb of FlashROM memory.

The on-board FlashROM allows storage of programs, which are run at the computer's boot-up process. Every resident-capable programs, libraries, devices, and AmigaOS ROM Updates can be stored in the FlashROM memory of the eFlash 4000 card and executed without reboots on a cold Amiga start. This dramatically reduces the boot time of classic Amigas.

The on-board FlashROM allows storage of programs, which are run at the computer's boot-up process. Every resident-capable programs, libraries, devices, and AmigaOS ROM Updates can be stored in the FlashROM memory of the eFlash 4000 card and executed without reboots on a cold Amiga start. This dramatically reduces the boot time of classic Amigas.

The eFlash 4000 card can also initialise PCI cards installed in Mediator-equipped A3000 and A4000 computers before the AmigaOS system starts. The computer could be booted from mass storage devices connected through various PCI controllers, e.g. Spider Hi-Speed USB 2.0 cards and Ultra-ATA/133 PCI controllers, when drivers are available.

Users of the AmigaOS4.x operating system will have an additional benefit: the eFlash 4000 card will give them a possibility of definite shortening of the system's start time by executing the AmigaOS code from the FlashROM memory.

Thanks to the extremely fast design and the linear memory addressing, the eFlash 4000 card can be also used as a very fast non-volatile memory for storing the data, whose reading is time critical. FlashROM memory installed on the eFlash 4000 card allows also direct execution of programs stored in this memory without the necessity of copying programs code to the system Fast memory.

The FlashROM memory installed in the eFlash 4000 Zorro III card is directly available in the Zorro III Amiga memory space. This FlashROM memory can be read at the full speed of the 32-bit Zorro III bus.

The access time to the FlashROM memory of the eFlash 4000 Zorro III card is over ten times faster than the access time to FlashROM of the Flash Zorro II cards. It is not only because Zorro III protocol is much faster than offered by Zorro II. It is also because the FlashROM of the eFlash 4000 card is directly readable in one megabyte of linear memory space with the 32-bit datapatch, while in Flash Zorro II cards the FlashROM is readable through sixteen kilobytes memory window with the 8-bit datapatch.


If your Amiga is equipped with Zorro III bus, the eFlash 4000 card is the best FLASH solution for you!

[NightShade737]

Soooo, how fast is it? Really...

[platon42]

Sorry, I can't resist some trolling...

> The eFlasher program features:
> · supports the BoingBag-1 and BoingBag-2 AmigaOS ROM Updates,

Algor/Romulus supports this since nearly one  year  --  also  updating  the
exec.library,  which  is  a  bit tricky! Can anyone confirm eFlash supports
this?

> · works with any resident modules,

Same for Algor/Romulus. Isn't that what it's supposed to do? No support for
BlizKick modules, eh? Pity.

> · supports multiple modules in one file,

Same for Algor/Romulus...

> The computer could be booted from mass storage devices connected through
> various PCI controllers, e.g. Spider Hi-Speed USB 2.0 cards and
> Ultra-ATA/133 PCI controllers, when drivers are available.

"When drivers are available"? So this doesn't work yet?  Booting  from  USB
works for Algor since a year now.

> Thanks to the extremely fast design and the linear memory addressing,

Uuuuuuh

> the
> eFlash 4000 card can be also used as a very fast non-volatile memory for
> storing the data, whose reading is time critical. FlashROM memory installed
> on the eFlash 4000 card allows also direct execution of programs stored in
> this memory without the necessity of copying programs code to the system
> Fast memory.

Nice idea, but a waste of valuable flash rom memory  and...  is  there  any
software provided to actually *use* this feature?

> eFlashConfig is an easy to use script to enable managing contents of
> memory in FlashROM of the eFlash 4000.

Sounds not very user friendly to me. Compare this to a  fully  fledged  MUI
driver  flashing  utility  as  provided  with Algor/Romulus. And a long and
complete manual.

> The access time to the FlashROM memory of the eFlash 4000 Zorro III card
> is over ten times faster than the access time to FlashROM of the Flash
> Zorro II cards.

Oh right. Give some proof, will ya? Algor reads the flash  memory  at  full
Zorro  II  speed,  which is 2.8 MB/sec. Zorro III does >30MB/sec in non-DMA
mode? And the flashrom also attains that speed?

Anyway, reading 512KB out of the flashrom once at boot  up  is  not  really
that  time  critical  (<0.2secs).  I've been told the eFlash always reboots
once after powering up to install the rom contents? Well,  the  Algor  only
has  to if exec.library is going to be replaced. Hence, lost your Zorro III
speed gain again ;-P

> It is not only because Zorro III protocol is much faster
> than offered by Zorro II. It is also because the FlashROM of the eFlash
> 4000 card is directly readable in one megabyte of linear memory space with
> the 32-bit datapatch, while in Flash Zorro II cards the FlashROM is
> readable through sixteen kilobytes memory window with the 8-bit datapatch.

I wonder -- where did Elbox get this information from? The  Algor  has  the
full  16  bit  ZorroII  datapath and reads the flashrom in 32-bit accesses,
attaining maximum copyspeed. And if using a memory window would be so  much
slower, how come the Mediator uses it for its PCI boards constantly?

Again, is Elbox selling products for more than they're worth? I'd  like  to
see  an  independent review in a magazine first. User comments haven't been
positive so far.

[tjaoz]

@platon42

Sorry, I can't resist some trolling...

No need to be sorry. Everyone here knows that you attack Elbox when you only can. You are like a puppy barking all the time when hearing that Elbox again did something for Amiga users.  You must suffer knowing that, despite your 'wishes', Elbox customers may count on new updates and new products.

also updating the exec.library, which is a bit tricky! Can anyone confirm eFlash supports this?

Bad news for you: eFlash 4000 SUPPORTS updating exec.library during booting.

Oh right. Give some proof, will ya? Algor reads the flash memory at full
Zorro II speed, which is 2.8 MB/sec.

Only 2.8MB/s with Algor?

Well-designed Zorro II cards (e.g. Picasso IV) can easily reach transfers much over 3MB/s. Not to mention Zorro II cards supporting Fast Zorro II transfers in ZIV boards.

Zorro III does >30MB/sec in non-DMA mode?

Which processor card for A3/4000 supports transfers over 30 MB/s from Zorro III slots in non-DMA mode?

I wonder -- where did Elbox get this information from? The Algor has the

Who is talking here about Zorro II controllers of the outdated USB 1.1 standard?

It follows clearly from the text that the point is about Flash Zorro II cards, that is that the description refers to KickFlash cards. I saw such a card. Its producer went so far in savings in production costs that both Flash memory modules in the card are connected to the same eight data lines of the Zorro II connector. Thus he saved some 0.50 EUR on PCB costs... and at the same time cut Zorro II reading speed by half.

Again, is Elbox selling products for more than they're worth?

Who gave you right to say about the value of someone else's work?

You'd better remain with estimating value of the product in whose preparation you participated yourself? Maybe that are Algor cards (for over 100 EUR), which are sold 'for more than they're worth?'

User comments haven't been positive so far.

You can read in news lists that a definite majority of comments from users of Elbox products is very positive. I also have only positive impressions from using Elbox products, which I have many.

[tjaoz]

@NightShade737

Soooo, how fast is it? Really...

Bustest reports 16 MB/s here.

[mboehmer_e3b]

Ah. Finally. Let's train some rats...

Only 2.8MB/s with Algor?

Well-designed Zorro II cards (e.g. Picasso IV) can easily reach transfers much over 3MB/s. Not to mention Zorro II cards supporting Fast Zorro II transfers in ZIV boards.

Lection I: synchronous busses. Zorro II is a purely synchronous bus. This means, each bus transaction is based on a fixed clock (in Zorro II PAL machines, this is 7.14MHz). Each bus access is 4 clocks long. You cannot get faster that the clock given by the master. Picasso IV is not working as bus master in Zorro II modus.
So, enlighten me...

Lection II:
Zorro IV modus. It is not "Zorro". It's some patchwork done by Elbox (by doubling the bus clock, AFAIK). Unfortunately not even Elbox itself is supporting this patch anymore.

Lection III:
Speed. Reading 1MByte (or 8MBit as Elbox is proud to say) in Zorro II mode takes 1/3 second, in Zorro III mode is claimed 1/16s. Wuha. Add the mandatory reset time needed by the eFlash, and compare again. Or leave it out - can you distinguish between both times without a test program ?

It follows clearly from the text that the point is about Flash Zorro II cards, that is that the description refers to KickFlash cards. I saw such a card. Its producer went so far in savings in

Did you just "see" it or backward engineer it ?

production costs that both Flash memory modules in the card are connected to the same eight data lines of the Zorro II connector. Thus he saved some 0.50 EUR on PCB costs... and at the same time cut Zorro II reading speed by half.

Wow. I'm impressed. You don't know a thing about synchronous busses and are able to draw such conclusions ?

I also have only positive impressions from using Elbox products, which I have many.

It is normal for someone working at Elbox to have their products...

[Bennymee]

>Oh right. Give some proof, will ya? Algor reads >the flash memory at full
>Zorro II speed, which is 2.8 MB/sec. Zorro III >does >30MB/sec in non-DMA
>mode? And the flashrom also attains that speed?

Platon, the Delfina Flipper uses a trick to do 5,2 MB/sec. So saying that full Zorro II speed is 2.8 MB sec is slightly incorrect.

[mboehmer_e3b]

Platon, the Delfina Flipper uses a trick to do 5,2 MB/sec. So saying that full Zorro II speed is 2.8 MB sec is slightly incorrect.

The trick you mention is to use address lines as additional write lines (hey, people did this on the Atari ROM slot once a while . This works in only one direction, which is writing. For reading, there is no way of doing such a hack, as address lines are always set by the busmaster (in this case, the CPU).
For Delfina this is a very nice way of enhancing the write throughput for playing back sound.

So Platon is not wrong here, talking about read speed.

A remark on Zorro II bus speed: you have 7.14MHz clock, with four clocks building up a standard bus cycle. There is no block transfer mode in Zorro II, so add one clock to divide the bus accesses. You end up with five clock cycles of 140ns each => you can transfer a 16bit word in 700ns (assuming that nobody else wants access to the bus).

Here we go: (5x 140ns)^(-1) x 2bytes = 2.72 MB/s

(for rats: ignore it, may contain too many facts)

[Rassilon]

@Platon

I do think that what you have just done is a bit childish.

Now you may be correct in your various assumptions about the eFlasher, I don't know, I not up on ZII/III, but attacking a press release is stupid.

Elbox don't do it. They may have made indirect stabs at a competing product, but they have not named it, unlike you.

I do think that your comments put you in a bad light, and do not do you any favours.

Rassilon

[BR]

I have an A4000 desktop, PPC MKIII, Cyberstorm
Graphic card that works great until I plug
my eFlash 4000 in. No matter what I flash, if
the boot jumper is set nothing works. I cant
even get the MKIII's rom settings screen.
It look's llike I spent $66.00 on a tshirt
and aquired another piece of hardware that
doesn't do what the ad's say it does.

Bob Reising

[platon42]

@Rassilon:
Why should Elbox get away with their fairy tales and other product bashing? They've been playing their game of deception long enough. This is just a warning to people not to believe all the {bleep} they're posting in their "press releases". If you they want competition, they should do it in a fair way and not by claiming things, giving wrong and unproven numbers or using puppets like Rat.

[platon42]

@rat:
> Elbox customers may count on new updates and new products.

Yeah, they're counting... like the number of months that have passed after announcing products like the SharkPPC, which will never see the light of day with working software, or the eFlash1200, which was announced in Aug2003. Or the MPEG decoder TV drivers, announced last year. Or any functional (!) (that means, not mere bugfixing) driver update within the last six months. Or are they counting the number of lockups of the 100mbit drivers, or the lockups that occur with Warp3D?

>Bad news for you: eFlash 4000 SUPPORTS updating exec.library during booting.

Any proof for this? You don't have any credibility here. Any user that can confirm this? E.g. by turning on the machine, booting without startup-sequence and entering "version exec.library"

> Only 2.8MB/s with Algor?

Yeah, bloke, that's the max the bus supports.

> Well-designed Zorro II cards (e.g. Picasso IV) can easily reach transfers much over 3MB/s.

Du träumst auch von den nackten Weißwürschten in der Nacht, heh?

> Not to mention Zorro II cards supporting Fast Zorro II transfers in ZIV boards.

Zorro "IV" is not Zorro, but a hack.

> Which processor card for A3/4000 supports transfers over 30 MB/s from Zorro III slots in non-DMA mode?

Well, didn't Elbox say that their card does over ten times the bandwidth than other zorro II flashrom solutions? As this includes the Algor, and the Algor does 2.8MB/sec, Elbox claim to have about 30MB/sec transfer rate.

> Who is talking here about Zorro II controllers of the outdated USB 1.1 standard?

Elbox is talking about "flash solutions" and "flash zorro II cards". This of course also includes the Algor card (or the highway with romulus extension), which offers so much more for the price, than just simply blocking a valuable zorro slot with a mere flashrom functionality. And for $66,00 that BR has paid for his eFlash4000, you nearly get the complete Algor board with the nice and working USB1.1 controller and actually even more FlashRom space (due to the optional compression). And the software works quite well and is user friendly, compared to some other Zorro III flashrom product (hey rassilon, I managed not to mention the product name!).

> Who gave you right to say about the value of someone else's work?

Who gave that right to YOU? You were the one that started all that constantly non-Elbox product bashing! You don't have a CLUE about the time and effort that was involved in those products and how much they are worth, but instead, you use every single chance to bad-mouth them. So I'm just shooting back.

> You can read in news lists that a definite majority of comments from users of Elbox products is very positive.

Give me just ONE positive statement from a user with a working eFlash4000 card.

> I also have only positive impressions from using Elbox products, which I have many.

Blimey! How come I am not surprised!

[Rassilon]

@Chris

The difference between Elbox's post and your own, is that you named competing products and they didn't.

They may well post adverts that you don't agree with, dispute, or believe to be a downright lie, but you do yourself no favours by replying the way you did.

I had a look at the press releases for the Algor/Subway/highway etc. I didn't see anyone from Elbox jumping in and bashing your post!

Just calm down, and do what you do best - i.e.continue writing a bloody good USB stack!!!

Rassilon

[redrumloa]

The difference between Elbox's post and your own, is that you named competing products and they didn't.

Don't mention a competing product by name?  :lol:

Tojaz has a habit of attacking every competing product by name with outright lies and half truths. I'd take what he says with a grain of salt to say the least.

[Cass]

This is realy funny :-D! Everyone gets blinded by his own needs, considering everything else useless...

These products are wonderful, and are directed to different buyers:

The eFlash 4000 card can be used on the spare Zorro slots of the Mediator PCI. The GFX/Sound/Ethernet needs are accomplished by the PCI solutions.

On the other hand, a FlashROM/Zorro card combo is a MUST for the classic Zorro Amigas.

As for the matter of speed, this is the funniest part: whatever this is, it's not perceptible: less then a second to initialize all the ROMUpdates and the patches/drivers...

The whole thing brings to my mind the kids dispute: "mine is better than yours", "no it isn't", "yes it is!" and so forth...
________
FFM XXX