Gotek Working on A3000 :))

[BradBrad]

Finally got it going.

Here are a few pointers for anyone else who may be interested:

No mods needed to case . Perfect fit. Just a little hand drill to 2.5 or 3mm in the holes is the Gotek case to fit the existing drive bolts.

Gotek needs flashing with a usb to serial programmer in 3v3 mode. I used the hxc2001 firmware and not the open source one (yet ). It was £10 for the firmware, which seemed fair enough to me. The site is at torlus.com/floppy/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=1683

So far, I have only got it going in 'Indexed Mode'. This means:

1) Each .adf has to be run through the HXC conversion software program (which is downloaded from the site). Use the default settings as it auto-detects type correctly.

2) Each converted file has be named specifically for the Gotek to 'see' it. This means 'DSKA0000.HFE', 'DSKA0001.HFE', 'DSKA0002.HFE' etc. This is a bit of a pain as there is no screen (yet ) so I have resorted to a list on a piece of paper

The jumper needs to be on 'DS0' on the Gotek. The floppy cable in the A3000 is too short to reach so a longer cable is needed. Standard PC floppy cable will not work as some holes are blocked. The cable is flat, not twisted as the Gotek sits in the pics.

A small 256/512MB thumbdrive seems to perform better. The drive needs to be formatted to FAT16/FAT32 just before the initiation file is put on it (and loaded into the Gotek by holding both buttons for 2 seconds after power on). The config and generated disk images are put on afterwards. It seemed a bit fussy about being formated juat before the initiation file.

So far, I have only tried non-commercial or ex-commercial software from Woki's Acorn site (acorn.revivalteam.de/?site=Downloads). Planetemu etc files do not work. Probably this is because of copy protection? Anyway, plenty here

You can change disks just by clicking the up and down buttons. Sometimes, the first time you click it says 'empty drive' and you may need to click the mouse/drive again to give it a chance to register.

If anybody has an adf image of a disk with the HCCS IDE Manager on it I would be extremely grateful. That way I can hopefully get the hard drive working

Good luck all.

[grobda]

much better with a screen, you can use it in config-less mode which just cycles through any HFE files on the drive;



I'm waiting for some smaller OLED screens that should fit in the Gotek fascia where the lcd counter goes;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/0-91-IIC-I2C- ... 2110929185

[BradBrad]

Very nice!

[grobda]

The OLED screen arrived today and wow! a lot nicer and clearer than the LCD one;



needs a bit of modding to fit in the case, but there's enough room.

[BradBrad]

Nice! Are you using Flashfloppy or the £10 Hxc2001 firmware? I don't know if the closed-source Hxc firmware that I downloaded supports OLED but I ordered the board anyway . Good work!

[grobda]

I'm using flashfloppy, but the latest HxC firmware supports it too;

http://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_driv ... _notes.txt

[aotta]

i've posted some weeks ago a pic of mine with HxC firmware..

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=11018&p=172689#p174563

[Jeff_HxC2001]

Hi,

i don't know if you noticed it but the firmware got an important update last month. The Acorn files format are now directly supported :

03 December 2017: Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.0.4a

- New direct file formats support (Read & Write !) :
- Acorn machines : *.ADL,*.ADM,*.SSD,*.DSD and *.ADF file support .
- Camputer Lynx : *.LDF
- Commodore C64 : *.D81
- Thomson machines : *.FD
- Sam Coupé : *.SAD, *.MGT
- MSX Machines : *.IMG, *.DSK
- Spectrum : *.TRD, *.SDD

- New menu entry : Target system family selection.
This reduce a lot the risk of erroneous raw file identification.

- Lots of RAW file support improvements :
All sector sizes supported, advanced track skew and interleaving support.
FM & MFM support.

- Amstrad CPC DSK support : Fix for the One Disk/double sided Batman demo.

- Fix attempt of the "diymore.cc" OLED screens : OLED init screen delay
menu option added.
(Note : Please avoid these "diymore.cc" screens until i got an idea
what is the root cause of the issue.)

- Internal improvement : Track cache layer improved, RAW files support/identification improved.

Please report any issue to hxc2001 <at> hxc2001.com
Thanks !

Plus :

17 December 2017: Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.1.0a

More direct raw formats support :

- Akai formats (*.IMG)
- Casio FZ1 (*.FZ1)
- Emax machines formats (*.IMG)
- Ensoniq EPS & Mirage series formats (*.IMG)
- General Music formats (*.IMG)
- Korg formats (*.IMG)
- X68000 (*.HDM,*.XDF)

- Internal optimizations.

Please report any issue to hxc2001 <at> hxc2001.com
And if you want a specific file/disk format supported by the HxC firmware, send me an email too !

Thanks !

http://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_driv ... rmware.zip

http://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_driv ... _notes.txt

Happy New Year !

[danielj]

Thanks for the update, Jeff - is this now free of charge?

[Jeff_HxC2001]

Thanks for the update, Jeff - is this now free of charge?

Of course the updates was, are and will be always free of charge !

Just copy the upd file to the usb stick, insert it into the gotek , press both buttons, power on, wait some seconds and that’s all.

[danielj]

Ah, ok - but you have to pay for the initial license, got you.

[Jeff_HxC2001]

Yes at the indecent price of 12Euros, how a big dirty capitalist i am !

[danielj]

Personally speaking, I don't begrudge anyone charging for anything!

[Jeff_HxC2001]

Personally speaking, I don't begrudge anyone charging for anything!

ok no problem !

[Jeff_HxC2001]

I forgot to mentions some Firmware updates here ! (sorry) :

18 February 2018: Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.10.6a

- Normal mode : key auto-repeat delay increased.

18 February 2018: Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.10.3a

- Revert filtering changes (Rotary support)

18 February 2018: Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.10.2a

- Keys debouncing filter increased.
- Normal mode : Wait the select key release after a directory change.

14 February 2018: Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.10.1a

- New interface modes :

IBMPC_DD_HD (PC Mode with auto density selection)
S950_DD_HD (Akai / Shugart-Like Mode with auto density selection)

- New Family :

Ensoniq ASR10 (Ensoniq Auto DD & HD support)

- New 7 segments config menu 1 (Interface mode) entries :

0F = S900/S950 (Density Auto)
10 = PC DD/HD (Density Auto)

- New 7 segments config menu 0 (System family) entry :

11 = Ensoniq ASR10 (Ensoniq Auto DD & HD support)

- Some file system & disks access sanity checks added.

13 February 2018: Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.9.1a

- New menu setting interface menu for normal 7-segments Goteks:

-> To access it, remove the USB Stick and press both buttons.
---> Choose the sub menu number - wait some seconds for the selection validation.
----> Check and/or change the setting - wait some seconds for the selection validation.

The new setting is then saved into the device.
Reminder : To clear all settings to the default values, press the right button at power up.

Current Menu and sub selection definition :

Menu 0 - System family selection :
00 = AUTO (DEFAULT)
01 = Amiga
02 = Acorn
03 = Atari ST
04 = IBM PC AT/XT
05 = Camputer Lynx
06 = Commodore 1581
07 = Thomson
08 = x68000
09 = SAMCOUPE
0A = MSX
0B = Spectrum
0C = Akai
0D = Casio
0E = Emax
0F = Ensoniq
10 = General Music
11 = Korg

Menu 1 - Interface mode :
00 = AUTO (DEFAULT)
01 = IBM PC DD
02 = IBM PC HD
03 = ATARI ST DD
04 = ATARI ST HD
05 = AMIGA DD
06 = AMIGA HD
07 = CPC DD
08 = GENERIC SHUGART DD
09 = IBMPC ED
0A = MSX2 DD
0B = C64 DD
0C = EMU SHUGART
0D = S950 DD
0E = S950 HD

Menu 2 - Write protect mode :
00 = AUTO (DEFAULT)
01 = Write protected.
02 = Write enabled.

Menu 3 - Double Step :
00 = AUTO (DEFAULT)
01 = Single step
02 = Double step

Menus 4<->E : Not currently assigned.

Menu F - Display firmware version

http://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_driv ... rmware.zip

http://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_driv ... _notes.txt

And the latest "Work-In-Progress" firmware is now switched as the "main-stream" firmware !

[Jeff_HxC2001]

New firmware !

25 February 2018: Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.16.1a

- User interface part : Code Refactored

- Better buttons behavior.
- Better/faster rotary behavior.

- Normal mode : Press both buttons shortly to jump to the first entry of the current folder. ("..")

- Normal mode : When returning to parent folder ("..") the position in the folder is restored.

- Autoboot mode :
--> Press both buttons shortly to jump to Autoboot.hfe
--> Press both buttons more than 2 seconds eject/insert the disk.

- Indexed mode :
--> Press both buttons shortly to jump to DSKA0000.HFE
--> Press both buttons more than 2 seconds eject/insert the disk.

- 7 segments screen : Now show when an image is inserted ("---") or ejected (" - ")

- OLED : init algorithm revised for diymore.cc screens.
(Press the right button at power up at the first diymore.cc screen installation).

- Various user interface fixes.

If you have any comments or suggestions, requests or issue to report please contact me :

Email : hxc2001 <at> hxc2001.com
Forum : http://torlus.com/floppy/forum
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/groups/hxc2001

http://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_driv ... rmware.zip

http://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_driv ... _notes.txt

[Trapper]

I still haven't found the balls to solder a pin header strip onto the jumper settings holes so I can access the dev mode for uploading.

I've also got one of those serial TTL to USB tools as I thought you could mod the firmware without soldering using this, but I just can't seem to figure out if it's possible.

I don't suppose if I posted my Gotek out to someone they'd be willing to mod it, install the pin header etc. for a modest fee?

[Jeff_HxC2001]

I still haven't found the balls to solder a pin header strip onto the jumper settings holes so I can access the dev mode for uploading.

I've also got one of those serial TTL to USB tools as I thought you could mod the firmware without soldering using this, but I just can't seem to figure out if it's possible.

I don't suppose if I posted my Gotek out to someone they'd be willing to mod it, install the pin header etc. for a modest fee?

I am not sure to understand. Anyway putting a small wire through the holes is enough.

(Instructions:)
http://torlus.com/floppy/forum/viewtopi ... 486#p16455

[alienkidmj12]

its not so bad, ive put in quite a few headers, ive only been soldering for a year or so, can do it for you if in uk.

dave

[Jeff_HxC2001]

20 June 2019 : Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.3.1.1a ( -> In the "WIP_Firmware" Folder and https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/)

New major feature ! : On screen display support (OSD overlay)

The HxC firmware for Gotek now support the On Screen Display !
You can now select images and see the drive status on the machine's screen without any additional software or LCD/OLED !
No need to make holes in the machine case anymore .



You only need 2 wires and a resistor to connect the Gotek to the machine's video signals :
One wire is used for the CSYNC video signal (Composite Sync), the other wire for the red, green (prefered) or blue signal.

One resistor must be put in serie on the color signal between the Gotek and the machine.
You can use a value between 220 and 470 ohms for this resistor. A potentiometer can be also used to tune the OSD brightness/contrast.

This was currently tested on Amiga 500, Atari STE and Amstrad CPC 6128 machines, but should work with any machines having a composite sync signal.

HxC Firmware for Gotek OSD wiring

Gotek wiring :



(High resolution : https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_dri ... SD_Mod.jpg)

Amiga 500 :

OSD Video out : Gotek U8 Pin 5 (PB15) -> 220 / 470 ohms resistor (or a 1k ohms potentiometer) -> Amiga 500 Ferrite bead E432 (see picture).
OSD Video CSYNC in : Amiga 500 U41 Pin 8 -> Gotek "JTCK-SWCLK" pin (PA14) (near the serial tx programming pin, please see picture).



(High resolution : https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_dri ... SD_Mod.jpg)

Amstrad CPC6128 :

OSD Video out : Gotek U8 Pin 5 (PB15) -> 220 / 470 ohms resistor (or a 1k ohms potentiometer) -> CPC6128 R128 (see picture).
OSD Video CSYNC in : CPC6128 IC116 Pin 5 -> Gotek "JTCK-SWCLK" pin (PA14) (near the serial tx programming pin, please see picture).



(High resolution : https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_dri ... SD_Mod.jpg)

Atari STE :

OSD Video out : Gotek U8 Pin 5 (PB15) -> 220 / 470 ohms resistor (or a 1k ohms potentiometer) -> Atari STE R420 (see picture).
OSD Video CSYNC in : Atari STE R475 -> Gotek "JTCK-SWCLK" pin (PA14) (near the serial tx programming pin, please see picture).



(High resolution : https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_dri ... SD_Mod.jpg)

HXCFEUSB_HFE_beta_firmware.zip

USB_HFE_hxc_floppy_emulator_firmware_release_notes.txt

[Jeff_HxC2001]

Many updates released since the first on-screen-display gotek firmware. Please have a look to the release notes :

HXCFEUSB_HFE_beta_firmware.zip

USB_HFE_hxc_floppy_emulator_firmware_release_notes.txt

Custom HxC firmware

(And an OSD Video Demo) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgBVGKGoaVU

[danielj]

If you're going to post about updates in a thread about the A3000 and gotek, please explain why they're relevant to that machine, not just cut and pastes from elsewhere.

Thanks

[Jeff_HxC2001]

If you're going to post about updates in a thread about the A3000 and gotek, please explain why they're relevant to that machine, not just cut and pastes from elsewhere.

Thanks

I think that the new gotek on screen display support is quite relevant to that machine.