SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

HxC Floppy Emulator on Amiga support
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Silkworm
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Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2017 5:50 pm

SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by Silkworm »

hello guys,

I bought a HXC SD floppy emulator some time ago for my CPC.

Now I want to use it for my Amiga 500.

So I also bought this adapter to connect my HxC to the disk port: http://amigastore.eu/en/440-amiga-exter ... er-m1.html
I set the jumpers to the DF1 position but when I start Workbench from internal DF0, no external drive appears. I'm using Workbench1.3 because I have no other version on disks to boot from.

I'dont know what I'm doing wrong, so I would appreciate any advice.

(When I disconnect the internal drive the HxC works as DF0 on the disk port with adapter.)

Does the SD card needs some special files to be recognised as DF1 or does Workbench also finds the drive with a missing SD card?
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Silkworm
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2017 5:50 pm

Re: SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by Silkworm »

hello again,

I tried to solve my problem by using this boot selector:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/New-Boot-Selecto ... Sw4DJYig7q

Unfortunately it doesnt change anything, I have still the same problems as described above. Somehow the sd hxc is not really recognized as DF0.

If I want to autoboot from the external port set as DF0 the file selector displays the following message:

ERROR: Write - No Index Timeout ! (state 0)

What can I do to solve the problem?
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Jeff
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Re: SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by Jeff »

The problem is for sure the adapter you are using. Can you post its schematic here ?

Jeff
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Re: SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by Jeff »

Jeff wrote:The problem is for sure the adapter you are using. Can you post its schematic here ?
Well, interesting comment :

http://amigastore.eu/en/440-amiga-exter ... er-m1.html

Code: Select all

matburton
17/04/17
Not very compatible with the HxC
The ribbon cable soldered to this adapter is backwards (red stripe wrong side) and the notch on it prevents you from plugging it into the HxC in reverse. To use this with the HxC you'll have to file the notch off the ribbon cable.

Next-up it seems the adapter always connects the device as DF0, which means you can't use the HxC to emulate

two drives externally. I couldn't get it to work at any rate. Even when daisy chained to another mechanical external drive the HxC appears as DF2 to the Amiga but must have it's jumpers set to DF0.

I'd give this 4/5 stars if the product listing had listing these details rather that just say it was HxC compatible. Read Less
So this is an hardwired adapter. You need to set the jumper to ID0-A on the HxC... if i have well understood the comment.
a schematic will be better anyway.

Silkworm
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2017 5:50 pm

Re: SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by Silkworm »

thx so much for your help Jeff!! :) :)

I changed the jumper to ID0 position and the HxC is now recognised as DF1.

I even managed to copy files from the HxC to real disks. Most games are running now without any problems.

Unfortunately I have no schematic of the adapter.

What adapter do you recommend or fits best for the sd hxc?

Thx again, great job!

Silkworm
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2017 5:50 pm

Re: SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by Silkworm »

hello again,

I am not able to use a second drive on the HxC.

1)
Bootselector:
DF0=internal drive
DF1=HxC

HxC Jumper:
A: ID0 position
B: ID1 position


no virtual second drive is recognised in WB -> only HxC as DF1

2)
Bootselector:
DF0=HxC
DF1=internal drive

HxC Jumper:
A: ID0 position
B: ID1 position


no virtual second drive is recognised in WB -> only HxC as DF0

What can I do to get a second drive on the Hxc??

This configuration would be nice:
HxC: DF0 & DF1
internal drive: DF2

any ideas?

Jeff
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Re: SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by Jeff »

As i said the problem is the adapter. You need its schematic to modify it and reroute the DS1/DS2/DS3 signals. Only one signal is used actually, so only one drive can be addressed. Please ask the schematic to the seller or the guy who designed it. I don't have is here, so i can't do any reverse here...

matburton
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Re: SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by matburton »

Hey Silkworm,

I posted that review on Amigastore :lol: sounds like you've gone through the same woes that I did.

After that I did the following:
  • Found this schematic (at the bottom of the page)
  • Asked someone on ebay to make one like that but with SEL3 also wired-up (had to file-off the tab again)
  • Installed a DF0 selector switch
The up-shot of the first two is that I can now use the HxC as both DF1 and DF2 externally (or DF2 and DF3 daisy chained from a mechanical drive). If you do the same be sure to jumper the HxC to DS0 and DS1 regardless of the setup because of the way the SEL lines are daisy chained (that also applies if you decide to install a DF0 selector).

If you do install a DF0 selector then the HxC will work as both DF0 and DF2 with the above jumper settings (DF1 gets missed-out because of the way the DF0 selector works)

Lastly having SEL3 connected did nothing :lol: I only did that in case the HxC could actually emulate a third drive not mentioned in the manual or in case support for a third drive was added in the future (probably unlikely, I'm guessing it's a hardware limitation)

matburton
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Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2017 11:44 pm

Re: SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by matburton »

Mind if I ask a nosy question Jeff? :lol:

I love my HxC and I originally bought it over the alternatives for the A+B drive support.

Out of interest is the lack of a C drive (3rd drive on SEL3) a hardware limitation?

I'm guessing if it isn't it's just such a rare use case that it's not worth the effort?

Again just being nosy :wink:

Jeff
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Re: SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by Jeff »

You mean 4 drive emulations in the same time or just the ability to set one drive at DF3 ?

If you just want to set one HxC unit, this is possible. You just need to connect /SEL3 to one selection line on the HxC.

matburton
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2017 11:44 pm

Re: SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by matburton »

Sorry I wasn't very clear.

A single HxC SD unit can emulate two floppy drives at once.
(drives A+B in the management interface)

I was just wondering whether a single HxC SD unit could theoretically emulate three floppy drives at once.
(so drives A+B+C) by listening to SEL1, SEL2 and SEL3

I'm guessing it's not something anyone needs :lol: was just thinking it would be damn cool

Jeff
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Re: SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by Jeff »

Ok. This will not supported with the current hardware. :wink:

Danger_man
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Re: SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by Danger_man »

I know this thread is very old but does anyone have a recommendation for an external adapter to use on an A500?
I see many on eBay but after reading this thread I'm not sure which one to get.

Thanks

matburton
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Re: SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by matburton »

Danger_man wrote:
Fri Jun 19, 2020 2:10 am
does anyone have a recommendation for an external adapter to use on an A500?
What do you have, a Gotek or a HxC?

Is it a SD HxC? If so maybe contact ikonsgr74 and ask for one of these making sure that SEL2 is connected (that way your HxC can emulate both DF1 and DF2 at once, or both DF0 and DF2 if you installer a external boot switch)

Danger_man
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Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2020 2:37 am

Re: SD HxC not found in Workbench as DF1

Post by Danger_man »

matburton wrote:
Fri Jun 19, 2020 2:51 pm
What do you have, a Gotek or a HxC?

Is it a SD HxC? If so maybe contact ikonsgr74 and ask for one of these making sure that SEL2 is connected (that way your HxC can emulate both DF1 and DF2 at once, or both DF0 and DF2 if you installer a external boot switch)
It's an SD HxC.
Thanks for the info. I'll try this cable from eBay.

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