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

[wbrejnia]

Good job!

My goto website for general bootdisks is this one http://bootdisk.com/

That's a very handy site.  Nice photo's of the pretty ladies too!!

[darkage]

Is this BIOS only for the 286/386 bridgeboard or Sandwich Card and not the 2088?

Looking at the manual and logically thinking.   Your bridgeboard actually doesn't have a battery onboard for electrical rewritable eeproms.   It just has a static ROM onboard, so it probably doesnt have a configurable bios setup.    The 286 onwards models have coin batteries to help store bios settings.

I too would definitely recreate all the available disks for the bridgeboard and go through the setup again.   I recall theres memory locations in the documentation that the bridgeboard and isa cards have to be set to to avoid conflicts.   maybe go through the setup guides from the start and see what happens.

[darkage]

Now I wished I had a bridgeboard.  Seems like alot of fun

Actually been thinking of building a z80 clone to try and learn more about hardware artitecture.  

http://rc2014.co.uk/

or

http://www.malinov.com/Home/sergeys-projects/zeta-sbc-v2

[wbrejnia]

Looking at the manual and logically thinking. Your bridgeboard actually doesn't have a battery onboard for electrical rewritable eeproms. It just has a static ROM onboard, so it probably doesnt have a configurable bios setup. The 286 onwards models have coin batteries to help store bios settings.

I too would definitely recreate all the available disks for the bridgeboard and go through the setup again. I recall theres memory locations in the documentation that the bridgeboard and isa cards have to be set to to avoid conflicts. maybe go through the setup guides from the start and see what happens.

 I agree with uou.  When I read about a guy solving issues with accessing his BIOS, he was trying to clear BIOS setting by removing battery.
 
 I bet the 2088 bridgeboard loads it's config from a files.  Possibly even PC-Preferences which I noticed doesn't exist on the Original Bridgeboard Setup disk that I'm using.
 
 So if I go thru the whole bridgeboard manual setup proces (but not format the HD), and I bring back the config file(s) from one of my original Workbench disks.  It might actually work.  (That was recommended earlier in this Thread by Pat_The_Cat.)

[wbrejnia]

Now I wished I had a bridgeboard. Seems like alot of fun

Actually been thinking of building a z80 clone to try and learn more about hardware artitecture.

http://rc2014.co.uk/

or

http://www.malinov.com/Home/sergeys-projects/zeta-sbc-v2

Z80 look cools, but you might have more fun and purpose with a Raspberry PI.

I got a really neat HDMI LCD Touch Screen Monitor for my Son's PI to build a Web Based Touch Status Screen (Which talks to my Fish tank controller, that controls his Gaming PC Monitor Power, which limits his gaming time). Basically he can see how much time he has left, can ask for more (Snooze Button). What's cool about this LCD compared to others, is it's really and HDMI screen that you can hook up to anything HMDI.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01F4RSIA2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (Made for a PI1/2, not 3)

As who knows, if I complete or fail on this project, I might have a certified working bridgeboard for sale at a good price (if you have the stomach for pre-stone age Technology)

[Pat the Cat]

 
 So if I go thru the whole bridgeboard manual setup proces (but not format the HD), and I bring back the config file(s) from one of my original Workbench disks.  It might actually work.  (That was recommended earlier in this Thread by Pat_The_Cat.)

Just "Pat" is fine, Wally.

That is the thing with these early XT DOS systems - no CMOS to save settings. You had to setup everything with floppy. Single or double floppy was the standard, very few people had hard disks. A bit like Amiga in the early 90s. Apple II was cheaper for hard disk controllers, so more development happened on Apple II than PC-DOS in early days.

Bridgeboards (even early ones) do have one "killer app" - they let you use an ISA network card from the Amiga side, using software like Etherbridge on Aminet. Very primitive bridge, very slow, but VERY cheap hardware if you do have a Bridgeboard Amiga. Cheapest way to hook one up to a SANA-2 network.

Z80 is fun. Not as fun as 68K with an Amiga, but much simpler to get familiar with. I found both nicer than 6502.

A good job you had the external A1010 Amiga drive Wally. That saved your bacon. You are not quite there yet, but I think you are much closer to solution.

[darkage]

Z80 look cools, but you might have more fun and purpose with a Raspberry PI.

Raspberry PI is too high level, Ive already got 3 of them.  I really want to get down to basic hardware level to get a deeper understanding.  So constructing a 8bit system would be perfect.  I can also try to design my own peripherals to help teach me more.  

At one stage I was thinking of the mycpu project (http://www.mycpu.eu/)  which is a complete CPU from TTL logic but I thought thats probably a bit extreme.

[Pat the Cat]

At one stage I was thinking of the mycpu project (http://www.mycpu.eu/)  which is a complete CPU from TTL logic but I thought thats probably a bit extreme.

Holy ****, S100 boards. Haven't played with  them since the mid 80s. That is hardcore. You got to be really good to get that right. What I cut my teeth on.

This guy does easier to build (and prettier) stuff if you want an easier Z80 dev. Still build it yourself, but simpler.

http://www.sowen.com/

[darkage]

This guy does easier to build (and prettier) stuff if you want an easier Z80 dev. Still build it yourself, but simpler.

http://www.sowen.com/

Looks like the RC2014 which is the unit Im interested in since it has a modular bus and is not too expensive.

030 sbc looks cool, but I figured I better take baby steps with Z80 first

https://www.retrobrewcomputers.org/doku.php?id=boards:sbc:gryphon_68030:start

[wbrejnia]

I'll stick to building Fish Tank Dosing Pumps with Aurdino board.

I'm having enough fun with this Amiga Rebuild.

I do have some good news. THE WD Controller Card is Good.

Before embarking on the Workbench Rebuild, wanted to make sure the journey wasn't a dead end. (Still could be with the Hard Drive).

I Ran the Debug Format Tool on The Controller Card. See below, this proves we have a working card. (I DISCONNECTED THE CABLES from the HD).

I haven't gone further, and I wouldn't even know what to answer for the FIRST (Y/N) Question shown.
 
 ((( When it SAYs  [Current DRIVE is C: ] [Current INTERLEAVE is 4] , and the Drive is not hooked up, IS THIS default, OR Last Config Value stored in EEPROM ))



( I will go thru all the questions with defaults, just to post them. With HD not connected)

Now I did read a paper that this particular kind of BIOS tool on WD Controller can actual re-format, but not wipe out a drive by writing ZERO's like a Low Level Format. The Format actually refreshes the drive for longer life (like a READ, and WRITE BACK).

I'm not going to take a chance on doing any format YET. That will be at the very end, if I want to rebuild a new setup. (ie. I give up on getting my schoolwork).

TIME TO PULL OUT THE BRIDGEBOARD MANUAL and follow the steps....

[wbrejnia]

I found the installation guide for WD1002A-27X Controller Card.

http://www.os2site.com/dec/hard/harddisk/wd/a2272

THERE IS NO MENTION OF DRIVERS (Just DEBUG, FDISK and FORMAT)

Might that be possible?
 
 And Better yet the step by step and explanation for the WD BIOS Format Tool (different model but same kind of info)
 
 http://ftp://ftp.necam.com/Versa/Old.Portables/Utilities/INSTHD.TXT

[Pat the Cat]

I'll never give up, but I'll take it a bit slower.

Wife and kids want to kill me for blowing away a whole weekend on this.

Wally

Spend time with them too Wally. You've done most of the work, you know it's all viable. Personal relations  really are more important than technology.

If you are going to settle around doing things on the Bridgeboard and Amiga, take your time. Get a SCSI drive going on it. Make it easy for yourself when you do get drive access, to copy all the data off.

Like I said, you only get one guaranteed shot. You will PROBABLY get more than one chance, but there is no sense in rushing it too quick.

You got to remember, the world is different now. People can get ROMs burned over the internet, if they just want a couple. OK, some places do want their own ROM programmers, but there isn't a big market for them. Not for the old ones. There are still quite a few old ones around that work. They cost thousands of pounds brand new, but they don't cost that now.

You got to keep perspective about what really matters. This is personal project for you, so is very very important. I understand that.

[wbrejnia]

Spend time with them too Wally. You've done most of the work, you know it's all viable. Personal relations really are more important than technology.

If you are going to settle around doing things on the Bridgeboard and Amiga, take your time. Get a SCSI drive going on it. Make it easy for yourself when you do get drive access, to copy all the data off.

Like I said, you only get one guaranteed shot. You will PROBABLY get more than one chance, but there is no sense in rushing it too quick.

You got to remember, the world is different now. People can get ROMs burned over the internet, if they just want a couple. OK, some places do want their own ROM programmers, but there isn't a big market for them. Not for the old ones. There is still quite a few old ones around that work.

I dedicate too much time to my family. This Computer/Builds and fish tanks is my break. I don't watch TV (Zero), just a good movie the odd time, and reading.

I work from home last 15 years (IT Telco 31 years), while wife a teacher goes to work.
Gives me more time than she has with her driving, so I'm Super Dad, who drives them to school and picks up, makes meals, cleans house on while on Conf. Calls. Drives 14-20 times a week for kids Piano, Karate, Swim, Soccer, Gymnatics, baseball, etc. Tutors 3 kids. etc.. . So I'm good to everyone. They rely too much on me, and I need breaks.

Yes, I am taking it slower on this build, but it' started 2 years ago, and was put on shelf twice. Better to dig in and get it done and over with, then more time for other things. Plus spreading it out too long, Cold Storage Sets in (with Legacy Stuff). At least this time, I'm documenting everything details, in this forum and that helps if I park things so I know where I've left off (and all the notes, Photo's, etc).

Hey, too bad I don't have that University Burner I built. Could have started a Internet ROM burning business to fund my fish tank food. ( Just Kidding ).

You know in some ways, this build wherever it goes is kind of better than seeing what's on that drive. I'm reliving a Amiga Build that I did years ago (brings back memories). That is satisfying enough, and if I format the drive, and build a new system with all things working (a dual boot system on HD). That would feel good enough to close this chapter in my life. (To move on to the 5 other projects planned, started, parked)

[darkage]

Found a better reference for your controller card that covers fdisk and all that

http://www.coleskingdom.com/files/WD1002.TXT  

also found a dump of the ROM onboard the ISA controller card.  After you rescue your data, you might want to see if this is a new version of the ROM or not

http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/rom/rom.htm

Edit - I actually have a eprom programmer, picked up on one my the many trips to the electronics markets in china.    Its pretty amazing it does hundreds and hundreds of chips.  
http://www.vipprogrammer.com/top3000-eprom-programmer-top3000-universal-programmer-mcu-pic-avr51-programmer-788

Works good, even helped a forum member somewhere else burn a chip tune for their car

[wbrejnia]

On the Topic of that MC68705 based ROM burner in the photos (Thesis Project Possibly on Hard Drive).

When I graduated from University the Telco Hired me on the spot when I showed off my skills. Then my first project was I built another MC68706 unit. It interfaced in between the parallel port going to the printer which printed the Alarms in the Central office equipment cabinets. Parsed the text for alarm conditions, and which cabinet the alarm was in (announced the Alarm,priority and CABINET/SHELF/SLOT using a voice speech chip over intercom, so guys on the floor didn't need to run back to the printer in the back room, sometimes on another floor). It was a cool proof of concept. Never got implemented across all CO's, but it began a long HANDS ON fun career in IT.

[wbrejnia]

Found a better reference for your controller card that covers fdisk and all that

http://www.coleskingdom.com/files/WD1002.TXT

Darkage, this is amazing. A complete manual. I read it all.

So it answers my biggest question. "Is a driver Needed to pick up the C: hard Drive".

Answer is no.

Just DOS (Fdisk) and (Format).

Since I haven't changed any jumpers since it last worked, the Drive should be picked up by the controller. (If it not DEAD, or read below another reason)

I'm going to try "fdisk" again.

But I have a hunch if it doesn't pick up (and I may need your help).

I only have DOS 6.2. Maybe it only supports more modern drives like the WD Lifeguard Disk I have.

Maybe I need DOS 3.x to with and older version of FDISK, and thus the Amiga PC also need to boot with that Older DOS TOO!!

I need a DOS 3.x Boot disk, with the FDISK,FORMAT matched.

For now I'm going to download that older version of the LIFEGUARD tool and see if the AMIGA PC running it pickup up the HD.