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

[wbrejnia]

Wondering what the Computer Box thing is that I found in my Dad's Garage.

I posted a picture on the Vintage Computer forum and someone replied.

Appears I have the NGEN computer  Graphics Modules, Hard Drive Modules, and Floppy module

(not quite the same, but very similar as shown in Link Below)
http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/2964/Convergent-Technologies-AWS-NGEN-Workstation/

[Raffaele]

Wondering what the Computer Box thing is that I found in my Dad's Garage.

I posted a picture on the Vintage Computer forum and someone replied.

Appears I have the NGEN computer  Graphics Modules, Hard Drive Modules, and Floppy module

(not quite the same, but very similar as shown in Link Below)
http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/2964/Convergent-Technologies-AWS-NGEN-Workstation/

How bad it is consumed by rust.

[Raffaele]

I was thinking of Selling this Amiga.

I am getting Emotionally Attached (after all this discovery and hard work), and can't imagine doing that.

I don't even think I will sell the RLL drive/WD controller, it's special.

Still thinking of doing the Donation to High School (if they want it).  
At least I can visit, and load up more Raffaelle information on the SD card LIBRARY BANK.

I can find another way of making money for my Fish Tank dreams.

After I copy all the floppies onto GOTEK, and some USB drives.

I can sell the floppies like this. (To make $$) : )
https://www.amazon.ca/PHT-Silicone-Blanked-Inches-coasters/dp/B00R87RPX8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488419604&sr=8-1&keywords=3.5%22+floppy+disk+labels

There is also the formula not donating the Computer but leave it in concession for free use...

(When you want it for yourself, you can get it back)

But if someone want donating or concessing something interesting nowadays, I will leave in concession to the School an A4000 a least with 68060 Expansion, VGA Card, 32 MB of memory and a Ethernet card, else they could not going to internet.

[wbrejnia]

How bad it is consumed by rust.

Pretty bad rust on back and bottom, but plastic parts are ok.

100% is it broken, but as artifact is it ok.

It will be fun to look inside, but it may fall apart.
Funny, the table I put it on had spider web built around it after a few days, so there was a spider inside.
I put in garage for now.

This museum take old computer donations. http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/
I can email them to see if they want it, before I break apart.

[wbrejnia]

There is also the formula not donating the Computer but leave it in concession for free use...

(When you want it for yourself, you can get it back)

But if someone want donating or concessing something interesting nowadays, I will leave in concession to the School an A4000 a least with 68060 Expansion, VGA Card, 32 MB of memory and a Ethernet card, else they could not going to internet.

Good idea. I will talk to teacher at next parent teacher interview.
Maybe I can be a guest speaker and show old DOS, WIndows, and how slow computers used to be.
Lending computer to kids won't be much use to them. They need instruction, or demo.
Bring for a few hours, or few days, and take back home.
I bet teacher would like to see Windows 1.0.  I want to see it running on 8086 myself.

[wbrejnia]

One more purchase for my A2000.

Local seller 10 minutes drive from my house.
Free pickup.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/272539818475?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

He is selling all keycaps from a broken A2000 keboard.  Just what I needed.

If you look at the picture of my A2000 at the top of this thread, it has been missing the LEFT-SHIFT-KEY.  

Pain to type on.  Looks bad.
This is small price for big improvement.

[Raffaele]

One more purchase for my A2000.

Local seller 10 minutes drive from my house.
Free pickup.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/272539818475?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

He is selling all keycaps from a broken A2000 keboard.  Just what I needed.

If you look at the picture of my A2000 at the top of this thread, it has been missing the LEFT-SHIFT-KEY.  

Pain to type on.  Looks bad.
This is small price for big improvement.

Discontinued Wireless Keyboard + Wireless Mouse PS+2USB Logitech Desktop Navigator were perfect for Amiga as it sports PS2 connectors too and double WINDOWS keys (Not just one on the left as modern keyboards ones) that could be used as RightAmiga LeftAmiga.

In the years I bought 3 sets of them (last is used from Ebay) for using it on my Amigas and have some replaces.

If you find some good offers on Ebay, purchase it! It worths its price.

[wbrejnia]

Discontinued Wireless Keyboard + Wireless Mouse PS+2USB Logitech Desktop Navigator were perfect for Amiga as it sports PS2 connectors too and double WINDOWS keys (Not just one on the left as modern keyboards ones) that could be used as RightAmiga LeftAmiga.

In the years I bought 3 sets of them (last is used from Ebay) for using it on my Amigas and have some replaces.

If you find some good offers on Ebay, purchase it! It worths its price.

Do you mean something like this?
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/EXTERNAL-KEYBOARD-INTERFACE-for-AMIGA-2000-3000-/172166297482?hash=item2815e9378a:g:lsoAAOSw7KJXDhmx
Bit pricey.  (I already have a keyboard, just need to make it work properly)

Plus I still haven't figured out my Keyboard mapping on the PC side (I love that ALT+ASCI-Code trick.  I played with some settings KEYB, USA etc. That made things worse.

I am going to look for a DOS keyboard code DUMP program something like this
http://delphiforfun.org/programs/utilities/KeyCodes.htm

If I can just click on the keys.  Find keycodes and then customize the keyboard map properly that would be easiest.

[EugeneNine]

I was thinking of Selling this Amiga.

I am getting Emotionally Attached (after all this discovery and hard work), and can't imagine doing that.

I don't even think I will sell the RLL drive/WD controller, it's special.

Still thinking of doing the Donation to High School (if they want it).  
At least I can visit, and load up more Raffaelle information on the SD card LIBRARY BANK.

I can find another way of making money for my Fish Tank dreams.

After I copy all the floppies onto GOTEK, and some USB drives.

I can sell the floppies like this. (To make $$) : )
https://www.amazon.ca/PHT-Silicone-Blanked-Inches-coasters/dp/B00R87RPX8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488419604&sr=8-1&keywords=3.5%22+floppy+disk+labels

I'd be surprised if a school would take it in a donation.  I noticed a while back they are getting picky, they don't want anything old that their it staff won't be able to support.

Around here its pretty much just chromebooks.

[wbrejnia]

NEXT PROJECT [ GOTEK SETUP ]

I am going to tackle the GOTEK setup next.

I need to get back to my fish tank project.... (Some of my Corals are dying since I have done zero chemistry maintenance over last month)
....... so reverse engineering the working Workbench/Bridgboard/ISA-IDE-Adapter is a big undertaking (and could be complex)

I want to tackle something a bit easier, which will get me organized.

** IF I LEND this computer to Son's High School, or do demo.....it needs to be simple to run **

1) I wish to understand the GOTEK and how it works (is managed)
---> It works just out of the box with the Unit I purchased
----> http://www.ebay.ca/itm/182422877030?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
------> I have it setup as DF1 (I change the jumped on the A2000 Motherboard) and used the twist ribbon cable
-----------> It works really good:
------------->> (I can boot from DF0: floppy)
------------->> (I can boot from DF1: Gotek), if I don't put a 3.5" Floppy in DF0:
------------->> (I can hook up external A1010 Floppy Drive as DF2: for reading and writing, and great for copying)

------------->> I am using the USB stick with a single Amiga ADF loader
---------------------> Loader boots Amiga with WB and a menu system (MENU DISPLAY ON AMIGA)
---------------------> I can copy in ADF file IMAGES onto USB stick
---------------------> Loaded allows me to put/assign the file Images into 0-100 Slots
-------------------------------> Then I can either switch to the slot during WB running. (And new Floppy shows up on Workbench Screen in DF1: )
-------------------------------> Or I can boot directly from the Slot (ie A workbench in that Slot)

So What I'm trying to figure out is a few things.

----> Amiga Loader is nice:
---------> But is there a way to load ADF files into SLOT via my Windows PC? (I think so, with the Windows Image manager)
---------> All the software is on HXC Website
-------------->> http://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_drive_emulator/
---------> This is the Image Loader Manual
--------------> http://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_drive_emulator/HxC_Floppy_Emulator_Software_User_Manual_ENG.pdf
--------------> Going to play with it to figure it out.

So I think I'll be able to set things up using both the Amiga ADF loaded and this HxC image Manager.

The images then go into GOTEK into Slots 01-100

Selectable by Amiga Loader or the (Simple 3 digit LCD display) on GOTEK, and you can use up/down buttons on Gotek.
----> To Manage content, you have to have a paper-list with what is in each slot
----> Or you name the files and use the AMIGA loader.
---------> That be difficult when Amiga WB is running to move to proper disk (so paper list is needed)

I am thinking of doing something like this (An IC2 LCD Module DISPLAY for Gotek)
----------> It will allow me to view the SLOTs (on LCD display) to pick the right image without looking at paper list.
http://www.retrovia.ie/showthread.php/15916-Amiga-600-Floppy-Emulator-Mod-(with-LCD)-*Updated
----> I have a few of these modules for my Audino/Raspberry PI
----------> https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00SMM6C64/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
----> What I have to figure out is wiring via IC2, and if the Gotek HxC image support LCD display

SMALL project.  (I think this needs to go into Separate Thread, or Find a Thread with step by step setup details)

[wbrejnia]

I'd be surprised if a school would take it in a donation.  I noticed a while back they are getting picky, they don't want anything old that their it staff won't be able to support.

Around here its pretty much just chromebooks.

I know what you mean.
My wife thinks the Amiga is a Fire Hazzard (I do power it off, and have a fire extinguisher near by).  She also thinks the Amiga Monitor is a Radiation hazzard (She could be correct)

But the school has a photography course, and they do real old Film and paper development.  I had a darkroom setup, and donated it, since they only had one, and now they have two.

But Darkroom enlargers are simple and don't catch on fire and easy to support.

** SO MAYBE just a demo for my Son's friends in our house basement is about as good as I get **

[EugeneNine]

Just because the Amiga is old doesn't make it a fire hazard.  Samsung an Apple phones are more of a fire hazard

[wbrejnia]

Just because the Amiga is old doesn't make it a fire hazard.  Samsung an Apple phones are more of a fire hazard

Hah

Now I know what this Smiley really is    :flame:

It's a Guy Texting on his Not-So-Old Samsung Phone :laugh1:

BTW...

I found the the wiring for the Gotek LCD Display (really simple)
http://torlus.com/floppy/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=1782&p=15294#p15294

ALL HOOKED UP....


I just need to figure out the right HxC Firmware/SW Image to install on the Gotek.
The Gotek already came with the HxC base firmware, for USB flash updates.  No need for Serial Cable hook up.

Yup, I'm procrastinating from starting my Fish Tank  Ardiuno Doser Project, which will be a lot of careful/painful programming.  No fumbling like re-building the Amiga.

Has to be tested 100% perfect, since too many (ml) of chemicals will kill hundreds of $ of Live Corals.

[wbrejnia]

PROBLEM with using GOTEK (Cortex VS HxC firmware)

I am having problems using the USB firmware update for the GOTEK.

I think the issue is the fact that the GOTEK that I purchase has the CORTEX firmware flashed on to it.

--> From what I have researched, I think I need to FLASH the GOTEK with HxC firmware first.
--> This means I need to hook up a serial cable to a PC and FLASH it with HxC firmware that I need to purchase for 10Euros from HxC to be properly licensed.

After I FLASH the GOTEK with HxC firmware I then will be able to use the HxC bootloader (FLASHED into GOTEK) for the USB method of doing firmware updates.

However when looking on how CORTEX work vs how HxC works for Floppy images, I'm not sure if I want to go with HxC (quite yet).

The reason for not changing GOTEK firmware to HxC is:

--> CORTEX firmware (reads and writes) *.ADF floppy images files directly from the USB drive.

--> HxC firmware (reads and writes) *.hfe Floppy image files
---------> *.hfe images can be created by converting *.ADF images using a provided (HxCFloppyEmulator windows program) that I THINK coverts ADF files to .hfe files

ADVANTAGE with CORTEX (on GOTEK):
-----> I would rather work with *.ADF files as the Cortex works.
-----> The advantage to using *.ADF files is that is skips the step of having to use AmigaExplorer to convert RAW disk images into *.ADF dos files.
-----> The other advantage is these *.ADF files work nicely in WinUae
-----> I am not sure if there is a method of converting *.hfe file to *.ADF

ADVANTAGE with HxC (on GOTEK):
------> The only drawback I have is the HxC firmware Supports the IC2 LCD display (which I like)

IS MY UNDERSTANDING ABOVE CORRECT?

What confuses me is that this document show that HxC support many images, so maybe my understanding above is Totally incorrect.
http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_emulator/

If HxC supports *.ADF file directly off the USB drive, then what is the whole purpose of the *.hfe file format?
I must be missing something.

[Raffaele]

Do you mean something like this?
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/EXTERNAL-KEYBOARD-INTERFACE-for-AMIGA-2000-3000-/172166297482?hash=item2815e9378a:g:lsoAAOSw7KJXDhmx
Bit pricey.  (I already have a keyboard, just need to make it work properly)

Plus I still haven't figured out my Keyboard mapping on the PC side (I love that ALT+ASCI-Code trick.  I played with some settings KEYB, USA etc. That made things worse.

I am going to look for a DOS keyboard code DUMP program something like this
http://delphiforfun.org/programs/utilities/KeyCodes.htm

If I can just click on the keys.  Find keycodes and then customize the keyboard map properly that would be easiest.

I mean THIS one...

http://www.5x86.ru/pic/big/1045943.jpg

(System in photo is cyrillic/russian keyboard)

Product info

http://support.logitech.com/en_ch/product/cordless-freedom-navigator

Radio 2.4GHz receiver has both Keyboard + Mouse PS2 connectors (green, violet). If you put the USB dongle (supplied with the system) on keyboard PS2 connector, it transforms itself into USB system.

I paid 17 euro for full functioning used system on Ebay.

[Raffaele]

Just because the Amiga is old doesn't make it a fire hazard.  Samsung an Apple phones are more of a fire hazard

Also Amiga have REAL on/off mechanical switch. My MorphOS MacMini is more dangerous as it features only electronic on/off switch.