Open source firmware for Gotek floppy emulator released

[grobda]

don't think this has been mentioned here, just tried it and works a treat;

https://github.com/keirf/FlashFloppy

[BradBrad]

Hi, Do you have that working on an Archimedes by any chance? Do you know if is it the same/better/worse than the hxc2001 firmware? Sorry for all the questions but I have 3 Goteks in total. One is flashed to hxc2001 (cost £10 online for the firmware) and is working well in an Atari 1024STF. The other two are still stock atm and will hopefully go in my Amstrad CPC6128 and Archimedes A3000 when time permits. At £10 to flash each drive, it would make sense to go open source if functionality is the same. Thanks.

[grobda]

Sorry not tried it on an arc yet, just a BBC B and Dragon 32, must have put this in 32-bit hardware section by accident (although with an arm 7 onboard it is technically a 32bit device ;p ).

Is uses the HxC software for creating floppies so I'd guess it will work - If I can muster the will to dig out my A3000 I'll give it a try.

[bakoulis]

don't think this has been mentioned here, just tried it and works a treat;

https://github.com/keirf/FlashFloppy

Is it support SSD and DSD images?
It is support DFS and ADFS?
Flips between 999 image files with 2 buttons?
Let me know please, before I order 2 programmed Gotek from a friend.

[Trapper]

My Gotek arrived today as well. I also want to make sure flashing it with this firmware is all working.

[Trapper]

Will a USB 3.0 A cable work the same as a USB 1/2 A cable?

I know in some circumstances USB 2 devices cannot accept USB 3 devices due to the increased voltage.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01KXAYL74?psc=1

[dp11]

I know in some circumstances USB 2 devices cannot accept USB 3 devices due to the increased voltage.

Both USB 2 and USB 3 use the same voltage. So any USB 2 device can be plugged into a USB 3 host port.

Old versions on the USB 2 specification did specify 5.25v as maximum Vbus. Current versions of the spec both specify 5.5v max. It is extremely rare the an old USB2 device will fail with the slightly increased voltage.

You might be thinking about USB3 devices not working when being connected to USB 2 hosts ( computers) as the Current with USB 3 is upto 900mA whereas with USB 2 500mA. ( BC 1.2 and PD 3.0 change all this again )

A USB 3 A to A cable will work just the same and a USB 2 A to A cable in USB 2 situations.

[Trapper]

Great, got one coming tomorrow via Amazon Prime Now. Wonderful service!

Seen on some Apple ][ forums - would this work for writing ADFS floppies on a PC without a floppy controller on board?
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product. ... 12219&SID=

[danielj]

I wouldn't have thought so - it'll just be a USB floppy drive with some SD/CF gubbins stitched on. Most likely limited to 1.44MB PC floppies. The only way you're writing ADFS floppies with a PC is to use one with an on-board floppy controller, or with something like a kryoflux.

d.

[bakoulis]

About open source firmware:
Can anybody answering the easy question, if it support SSD and DSD images and if flips between 999 image files with 2 buttons?

[danielj]

I think it's being implemented...

d.

[bakoulis]

I think it's being implemented...

d.

Is anybody sure if is implemented or not?
Nobody have tried yet this open source firm on a BBC?

[myelin]

Awesome... just ordered one. From HK so it’ll take a couple of weeks though! Looking forward to trying it out on a Master!

[danielj]

Even if it's not been implemented yet, you can convert them to HxC files.

d.

[Trapper]

How do I bridge the jumpers on the GoTech to allow USB flashing?

Would a paperclip do it?! I have the metal bridges that Mark at RetroClinic provided with my 1770 DFS BBC interface which I have not yet installed. Will they work to allow flashing?!

[danielj]

Did you look at the instructions?

https://github.com/keirf/FlashFloppy/wi ... rogramming

If you have one of the little black jumpers, that would indeed be suitable. A paperclip would risk damage.

d.

[Trapper]

Mine has no jumpers. Just the empty holes.

I assume this is why it was so cheap, and therefore is totally worthless?

I have a serial programmer on order, but it's coming from China.

[danielj]

You need to be more specific

You need to solder in a header first:
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/pcb-headers/2518086/

If you want it linked permanently (I think you don't though) use the lead snipped off a resistor or something.


d.

[JonC]

You need to solder in a header first:
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/pcb-headers/2518086/

Yup, this works. Flashed mine using some soldered on jumpers and a creatively bodged serial cable.
Worked like a charm

Unfortunately, never got it to work properly on my Archie's so probably get a config setting wrong somewhere

[fordp]

I have started on supporting DFS disks. It will take me a while as I only spend a couple of hours a week. If anybody want to help out then I could add you to my github fork.

P.S. Maybe an admin should move this to the 8 bit section as DFS is 8 bit really.

[danielj]

Well, I've pimped a gotek (total cost of all of this probably in the region of £17):

(no idea why this is the wrong way round)

Currently, as ford said, you have to convert SSD/DSD images to HFE, but it works!

d.

[danielj]

I've just finished adding ADFS disk image support to FlashFloppy in my fork, Keir's looking at pulling it into the main branch - if anyone would like to test it please have a go (not added DFS support as single density isn't done yet):

https://github.com/drdpj/FlashFloppy

ADL= ADFS double sided, interleaved
ADM = ADFS single sided

It expects images to be fully padded out.

d.

[myelin]

Nice! I'll have to try this out on my Master. I tested my Gotek on my 8271-equipped Beeb a couple of days ago and it seems to work, although is a bit flaky, with a .ssd converted to .hfe. Can you share the settings you used to convert DFS disks to .hfe?

[danielj]

80 track, 10 sectors, 256 bytes, single sided, interleave 1, skew 0, bitrate 250000, RPM 300, Auto-Gap3, pregap 0.

It seems fine with 1770 on the master - it could be it needs tweaking on an 8271...

d.

[IanB]

Looks interesting.
I wonder if it would be possible to add a feature to pass info back to the Gotek from the host computer to select disk images so you could then have large games menus like the MMC type systems which auto select the appropriate disc.
e.g. something like seeking to tracks 100-109 to select 1st digit, tracks 110-119 for second digit and 120-129 for third digit.
All that would then be required is a small utility for each target machine type to perform the selection.

[jgharston]

I've just finished adding ADFS disk image support to FlashFloppy in my fork, ....
It expects images to be fully padded out.

Ah ha! I'd lost where this thread was.

After testing at ABUG I updated my MkImg tool to add a -p(add) option to force disk images to be padded to the full specified disk size. Plus, fixed the character translation when importing from a non-Acorn filing system (eg Win/DOS).

[danielj]

Looks interesting.
I wonder if it would be possible to add a feature to pass info back to the Gotek from the host computer to select disk images so you could then have large games menus like the MMC type systems which auto select the appropriate disc.
e.g. something like seeking to tracks 100-109 to select 1st digit, tracks 110-119 for second digit and 120-129 for third digit.
All that would then be required is a small utility for each target machine type to perform the selection.

Yes, you can - it supports the HxC system for doing that. Someone would just have to write the menu for the beeb.

d.

[marcusjambler]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5-Floppy-D ... 0507.m3226

Is this the one to buy?

[fordp]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5-Floppy-D ... 0507.m3226

Is this the one to buy?

Yup, looks fine.

[danielj]

I absolutely recommend adding a rotary encoder and OLED display too:

OLED module: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282691544994
Rotary encoder: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132433293994

You'll need a USB A-A cable to do the initial flashing too.

d.