HDD problems

[Bloodwych]

Glad you are getting things to work. Just out of interest - where is that IDEfix line in the startup-sequence?

It should be the very first thing executed I would have thought - although I'm sure the manual says exactly where to place it. I know the Amiga boots too fast for some hard drives to handle, which is why initial boots fail and soft resets work.

Once everything is running, I want pictures.

Big, loverly pictures.

[Harrison]

Don't worry. I will be taking some piccies for you all to see. I have one already showing the system running a WHDLoad installed demo and will post that in a moment in my original A1200 project thread.

The IDEFix lines are at the very beginning of the Startup-sequence and were added by the IDEFix installer.

I already have IDEFix also installed on my A4000 (so I can use a CD-RW on the same channel as the HD) and that installed and worked perfectly first time. However that setup is only currently using a 1.3GB 3.5" HD and a CD drive so I didn't bump into the 4GB> issue. However my next plan is to replace that HD with a spare 60GB HD I have. Then I will see what happens and if the A4000 presents similar issues.

[Buleste]

Were the IDEFix lines before setpatch? Can you try something for me? Disable all the IDEFix lines in the startup sequence and when booted (only showing the first partition) go into shell and Type C:IDEFix. If i'm right your other partitions should appear which means the IDEFix lines in the startup-sequence were too early.

[Harrison]

Yes they were/are before setpatch.

I just tested it for you. I commented out the IDEFix lines from the start of the startup-sequence and then did a cold boot. As expected only the first partition appeared and the CD drive wasn't working. But in addition the screenmode didn't start correctly and it instead used a 4 colour low res screen. I then typed C:IDEFix from the shell, but the additional partitions didn't appear and the CD drive continued to not work. A warm reset at this point didn't sort it out and the same happened. Restoring the IDEFix lines in the startup-sequence made everything work again.

BTW, without IDEFix running I noticed a huge difference in HD load time. Workbench took much longer to load, and folders/drawers took a lot longer to open and draw all of the icons. That really showed what a difference a buffered interface and IDEFix makes!

[Buleste]

The IDEFix commands should be after setpatch which is probably why they weren't working properly.

[Harrison]

I didn't put them before setpatch, the IDEFix installer did that. And it states in the manual that it must be the first thing in the startup sequence.

It is still at the very beginning and seems to be working with the reset command.

[Tiago]

I didn't put them before setpatch, the IDEFix installer did that. And it states in the manual that it must be the first thing in the startup sequence.

It is still at the very beginning and seems to be working with the reset command.

Is your ide the one you put ontop of gayle chip?
Did you connect the reset cable to the ide interface?

my ide doesnt have that, i have this one:
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...14508be10da9b8

But i would like to have the reset working... i know the ctrl+a+a works fine,but seems that it something missing in the tower...i look at the reset button an fills like i should have the reset working ....

This should do the same:
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...14508be10da9b8

[Harrison]

I'm using the same buffered IDE interface as you.

Only the more expensive buffered IDE interfaces which are meant to speed up data transfer by 5x also connect to some of the Amiga's custom chips. Amigakit has one for £37.99 that includes the Gayle chip reset header.

I have no knowledge of the Gayle Chip Adapter, but from the description it sounds like it is exactly what you are looking for to add a reset switch to your tower.

[Bloodwych]

How's this project going?

Any pics on the way?

[Harrison]

Everything is setup and working as I wanted. I now just need to customise the case and mount the CD drive properly inside. I will be taking some pictures this week, and hopefully finishing the project too.

But it won't be fully completed as I do have some future plans. Fitting of some rear audio phono connectors for the CD out, a Catweasel MKII controller and laptop floppy drive, and maybe some other additions as time goes on. I would love an internal flicker fixer but that new one on Amigakit is just too expansive for me at the moment.