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

[darkage]

WHY DO I Spend So much Time Doing these Posts with DETAILED IMAGES?

Im still waiting for that book of yours

[wbrejnia]

Im still waiting for that book of yours

The way things are going, THE BOOK is going to be a while.

I'm thinking of releasing THE (YouTube) MOVIE I keep mentioning.

Is anyone interested?  

Really Cool.  Even my son was amazed and hung around when I was shooting it.  

(Hint.  SpinRite/RLL Unboxed.)

[wbrejnia]

Encyclopedia of JUMPERS (Really Handy)

I have been fooling around with various Jumpers on my HD Controller and Hardrives to get things working (multiple disks).

Found this Resource that has almost every piece of StoneAge HW ever made, and the jumper Settings.

http://www.uncreativelabs.de/th99/

[wbrejnia]

I can't figure this out and May Give up Soon (one more try)

I tried to re-partition the RLL Hard Drive, and as soon as I did a "fdisk /mbr" it when back to the usual (problem behavior...ADISK doesn't pick up partition.  
I was hoping this would work for getting JAnus/DJmount picking up the PC-DOS side HD partition.

All bad like weeks ago.
 At least this time I know how to restore to working.
 ---> LL-Format and  a Clean FDISK and new MBR, then ADISK right away.

This is something to do this FAT versions, and MBR.
When I run Ranish against the booting SD Card Drive, it is Fat-16.
The RLL drive is FAT-12 even thought I used same MSDOS6.2 on both.

My last two attempts will be:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ RLL and Lotek DRIVES in 486 ]
To take out the RRL-Drive, and Lo-tech-SD and put into 486.  
Things behaved the same way last time.  (But BIOS is totally different).
I keep blaming JANUS or BB-BIOS for the problem (it may not be either).

--> If I get things to work on 486, and move over to Amiga.  
--------> That will tell me something.
--> If it doesn't work on 486, then fine. (End of story).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ Try GOTEK on Bridgeboard PC as 5.25" Floppy ]
I am thinking of moving the GOTEK over to the Amiga PC
-------> (5.25" disk drive has a different Crimp connector, Try the regular Floppy cable from one of my PC's )
THe HxC support 5.25" disk formats.  Not sure if 320K which is all BB handles.
-> Boot from A: drive.  (Gotek)
-> Make RLL C: Drive
---> And user this new DOS thing I learned from the GVP User manual
---> set comspec=c:\command.com
-----------> This transfers the DOS interpreter from the A: drive to C: drive

Then see if AMIGA OS picks up the C: drive (Amiga Partition) via DJmount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

That will end of this never ending, mind boggling, pain in the ass issue.

-> If nothing works, ... I won't have a Amiga Hard Drive.  
-> Gotek AMIGA Booting will have to do.

This is is not fun anymore

[wbrejnia]

GOTEK ( 5.25" 360K Floppy Image)

Nothing comes easy for me.

Gotek comes with a pile of ready BLANK floppy images.

Even PC DOS 3.5" 1.44Mb,  etc

But no 5.25 360K which I need for Amiga BB PC.

So I need to find the Paramater for a 5.25" 360K, and then just PUSH "Create a Empty Floppy"

[SACC-guy]

For me this thread has been a fun, memory filled read!

But, why didn't you just read the manual/user guide?  janus pages 47- 51?

In it it tells you step by step how to setup a system disk for the amiga

[wbrejnia]

For me this thread has been a fun, memory filled read!

But, why didn't you just read the manual/user guide?  janus pages 47- 51?

In it it tells you step by step how to setup a system disk for the amiga

Glad you enjoyed the painful Journey thru Retro Times.
There were some good moments, and hoping for One More.

However which manual are you referring to page 47-51.
If you have the magic step you would be my hero.

I have read every Manual I could find, English, German.
The best steps are in this manual http://amiga.resource.cx/manual/A2088-A2286.pdf

Pages 58-74

I've done these steps (4 Methods) many times.

The only one that works for me is the HARD FILE (AutoBoot) off an AMIGA Filesystem. Page 58.  I use that for the way it was designed, and also for a trick to get my C: drive (SD Card) to Boot.

The other methods like in Appendix E:  Don't work.  They should, but they don't work  for me.  

There are many reasons why things haven't worked.
I've fix most of my issues and am close...

But not quite there.

[wbrejnia]

I GIVE UP on Janus (For DJmount and AmigaHD off PC-HD)  ** Time to move on **

I gave it one more attempt.

I did everything from Scratch.

I learned that the ExpansionFolder(Janus.library) is what shows up on the PC Boot Window after During BIOS start.

The Janus Library Version and Janus Handler Version are from the Amiga Library that is loaded during Amiga Boot.

Nothing worked cleanly.

I did notice the Divide Overflow that show up (in PC window after running DJmount on Amiga Side), but not on my OLD hacked Workbench disks.

The DHmount HANGS, but even during a HANG  "JH0: Device" show up in the "assign command".

When JH0: shows up it allow the "FORMAT DRIVE JH0: "disk-name" command to start, but hangs.

I did go back to one old HACKed workbench disk, and for some reasons it loads all the way.  Format doesn't work.

There is some underlying reason for things not working as they should.
It like when I trying to get the RLL drive to work (it was a flipped cable, and not matter what I did, it wouldn't work, till I got cables right)

I even am suspicious that I should remove the Math Co-Processor on the Bridge Board.  Could that be the Divide by Zero Error.

I don't know.

Here are my Install Testing results:




Time to move on and build the Amiga with many good pieces I have.
--> But no HD on Amiga Side
--> The Gotek will be a workaround, but not that great since Booting WB disk will constantly be asked for. (2nd Floppy will be fine, but not Ideal)

Next step will be to see if Gotek HxC will work as 5.25" Floppy replacement for BB PC

[SACC-guy]

I was going to copy the pages in my manual (which is different then yours)
But if you are done (I understand)

My suggestion is get a hard drive controller for the amiga (scsi or ide) but...
Best is a 030/040 (o6o are too hard to find) card with memory and scsi specs!

[wbrejnia]

I was going to copy the pages in my manual (which is different then yours)
But if you are done (I understand)

My suggestion is get a hard drive controller for the amiga (scsi or ide) but...
Best is a 030/040 (o6o are too hard to find) card with memory and scsi specs!

Well if your manual has something different that might give me a clue, PLEASE POST (so I can spend more countless hours on this Pain in the A__ )

Yes, I think I'll start look at a hard drive controller/HD combo.
IDE would be the best since I could use the spare IDE/Compact Flash card. (I haven't see any on sale recently)

I looked here for a list of possible solutions http://amiga.resource.cx/expansion.html

What exactly is a 30/40/60?.

[wbrejnia]

STRESS Relief for (ME) and the Gotek/AmigaFloppy Drive (Ribbon Cable Too Short)

I've been struggling with the Original Amiga Floppy Cable.

Just too Short for both the A-Floppy and the Gotek.
Gotek won't even reach the Front of the Chassis.

I already bent the Connector pin on the A-Drive once getting Connector on.  

I took a trip to the Local Electronic Supplier.  They had nothing for Ribbon cables.  All modern cables.

Then the store guy pointed out a clearance bin, and I found just want I needed.  
I've never see these kind of cables before.  PULL TAB is great!!
There was only One.  Too bad they didn't have these for the rest of the Amiga Cables.

$4 on Clearance



I put this cable on the Amiga MB, and splice in with the Gold Header pins ($1)

This will give me less stress, and same for the Gotek/Floppy-Drive.

[wbrejnia]

Hear about the Book Coming out "Commodore: The Amiga Years" (June 2017)

As I was looking for resources with my issues, I stumbled up on this book that is coming out in.

https://www.amazon.ca/Commodore-Amiga-Years-Brian-Bagnall/dp/0994031025/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489285854&sr=8-1&keywords=commodore+amiga+book

The previous Book "Commodore: A Company on Edge" came out in 2010.
Paper copy cost $176, but Ebook just $23

https://www.amazon.ca/Commodore-Company-Edge-Brian-Bagnall/dp/0973864966/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=96NSM90CVNR60YJ01HEP

I've re-kindle my interest in Amiga History, since I'm building a piece it.

I might get the E-book for stress relief reading during this Project. (The cable isn't going to be enough )

[wbrejnia]

Kickstart ROM Switcher (Need one to continue Build)

I have many loose ends to finish up my build but I want to try Workbench 1.3, AmigaOS.

Still want Kickstart 1.2 ROM for Game Floppy Boots on Gotek, and just to be able to load WB1.2 for Retro sake.

I don't want to keep manually changing ROMs which requires taking out Power Supply, and I'm going to break something eventually.

Amigakit doesn't appear to have the Classic ROM Switcher available anymore
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=947

The newer Flash ROM Switcher is pricey but also not available yet
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1280

So I placed my name on a waiting list for this Switcher on AmiBay.
http://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?60790-A500-A2000-Automatic-Kickstart-Switcher-New-project!/page55

[SACC-guy]

Well if your manual has something different that might give me a clue, PLEASE POST (so I can spend more countless hours on this Pain in the A__ )

Yes, I think I'll start look at a hard drive controller/HD combo.
IDE would be the best since I could use the spare IDE/Compact Flash card. (I haven't see any on sale recently)

I looked here for a list of possible solutions http://amiga.resource.cx/expansion.html

What exactly is a 30/40/60?.

Okay, will copy the pages...

The Amiga has a 68000 cpu...
The Amiga 2000 also has a co-proccesor slot for "speedup", cards with the cpu 68020 or 68030 or the cpu 68040, leading up to the 68060.
Other features were memory and scsi controllers (a handful of ide add on too)

[wbrejnia]

Okay, will copy the pages...

The Amiga has a 68000 cpu...
The Amiga 2000 also has a co-proccesor slot for "speedup", cards with the cpu 68020 or 68030 or the cpu 68040, leading up to the 68060.
Other features were memory and scsi controllers (a handful of ide add on too)

Thanks.  Looking Forward to any tidbit clues that might be the manual.

And as Far as Accelerator Cards.  I was never exposed to the technology.  I assume the Vampire2 is the 68060 you are referring to.  
I don't need acceleration at this point, just need a hard drive.  But the Vampire give you both.

I got an IDEA. (Might not work, but worth Trying)

Since I have no idea why my Bridgeboard install steps can't get past the DJMOUNT and the FORMAT, why not skip that Step outside the of A2000.

--> I can't move the RLL drive into my Window 10 PC
--> I can't run WinUae on my 486 (Can I ?)

--> BUT I can move the HARD DRIVE IMAGE on the SD Card into my Windows 10 Machine, and access it via WinUAE
----------> Run the Workbench Format command on that Paritition
----------> Then move back into AMIGA all Formatted, with a OS

As shown below to be clear:




I've never used WinUAE, except couple days ago to take a Copy of my Kickstart and WB 1.2 and load it.  

Shouldn't be to hard to mount the SD cards as a Hard DISK drive.

[wbrejnia]

FIGURE IT OUT ALL   (PC-BOOT/Amiga HD) issues. (Janus Versions have subtle variations)

** I wouldn't have had any of these issues if I had an Amiga Hard Drive, but I don't  (YET) **

*** THIS IS MIND BOGGLING. **
* I don't expect anyone to understand this, by  reading this post. You need to see the testing **

So I thought I was going crazy over last long while, and didn't know what I was doing.
I thought I may have HW issues, etc.

Hardly the truth.  
Everything in previous posts makes 100% sense to me now.
EVERYTHING IS WORKING as DESIGNED!!

This is what made me understand it all.

When trying to create a lo-Tech SD card Parition to Take to WinUAE, I didn't put in the WD-Controller/RLL drive.

This message came up, which I've seen before (INSERT Volume "WORK")



-> I investigated the Janus Install created WB disk to find that it has an "ABoot.ctrl" file.
-> In that ABoot file is a hard file entry to WORK:PDDrives/DriveC
--------> ** Disk was created from a Fresh/Untoched Factory Workbench 1.2 Disk **
--------> ** Workbench Disk was modified by Janus 2 Install Disk **
--------> ** I DID NOT CREATE THIS FILE, Janus 2 Install DID **

-> This is very similar to my WOrking Lo-Tech Workbench (Janus 1)
------> Janus-1 Workbench disk boots the Lotech (C: drive).  
------> Janus 2 does not Boot (just picks up the Lotech C: drive).

So what I've discovered is the various versions of Janus changed over time.

-> THE BRILLIANT AMIGA Engineers evolved JANUS over time as Computers/Peripherals Became available.
-> And left me to solve this undocumented technical Version-Mix MAZE.

Each version of Janus does things slightly differently.

ALL THESE PIECES are way to complicated to explain.

But in  nutshell.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-> Janus 1 will Boot my Lotech C: drive (but needs WD/RLL drive present)
-----> Will NOT WORK from COLD AMIGA BOOT (needs CTRL-ALT-DEL BB-PC)
----->  Lotech/SD (must be at C800),  WD/RRL (CANNOT BE INSTALLED)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-> Janus 2 will NOT boot my Lotech C: drive (but will recognize Lotech)
-----> Will WORK from COLD AMIGA BOOT  
-----> WD/RLL (must be at C8000), Lotech/SD (must be at D800)
-----> Boot has to be from A: DRIVE (Floppy DOS boot disk)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And to further complicate things.

----> The WD/RLL drive will simply not Boot DOS (Even on 486)
---------> It will recognize C: drive (in Janus 1, and Janus 2)
-------------> So something is wrong with MBR, etc ()

My thoughts beyond this:

---> This is Certainly Janus Version differences (even within Janus 1)
-------> My original Workbench Disk has a Janus (filesize) smaller than All the Janus Libraries I have downloaded.
------------> So yet another (really early version of Janus) that worked.
------------> Problem is (I can see the Janus.library file but disk is corrupted to get full file)

---> It could even be that I need a BridgeBoard BIOS upgrade to work with newer versions of JANUS

SUMMARY:

Each Version of JANUS probes the "ISA Bus Via Bridgeboard"  the PHSYICAL Drives differently (who know how that is then done for Amiga Partitions within.).

I have some idea's how to solve this (For things to work they way I want).  Getting a HD for Amiga is one.
Stay tuned.