Another multiboot solution CFvsHDD

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merlinkv

merlinkv

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Hi to all :)

First, sorry for my poor English, but I will try to explain as possible for me...... :oops:

After a lot of troubles with CF cards to install OS 4.x, I decided -as other users- to install it on real HDD.

But I'm tired with the Boot Menu of my CSPPC (changing Monitor switch, press ESC, .......). So, I found a better -for me- solution:

I'm using the CSPPC SCSI interface with IDE devices through ACARD 7720UW adapters.

ID1 => CF's
ID2 => HDD 40GB
ID3 => HDD 200GB
ID4 => DVD-RW
ID5 => DVD-RW

Well, installation of any OS 3.x in the CF's (any for each version 3.1, 3.9, ...) works fine and all are OK.

All CF's have:

DH0: Bootable, Priority 0
DH1: Work
DH2: Games

But for OS 4.x I used the ID2 HDD partitioned/formated as:

OS40 => AmigaOS, Bootable, Priority -2
OS41 => OS4Work
OS42 => OS4Games

Well, when I want to boot with OS 3.x I just insert the desired CF, all OK :thumbsup:

When I want to install/boot/work with OS 4.x I insert one spare CF 512MB formated as little non-bootable HDD and the OS 4.x boot/works great. :thumbsup:

Of course, to change the CF's the power must be OFF.

Notes:

Why I insert the spare CF?......

- ..... Because if I insert a bootable one I need to enter inside the Boot Menu.... :thumbsdown:

- ...... The ACARD-IDE-CF adapters without CF inserted are detected as NULL BRIDGE by my CSPPC SCSI and system goes unstable. :thumbsdown:

Maybe a little help/idea for someone.... is my intention :)

All the best
 
Hey Pablo,

cant help with you problem mate, but I wanted to mention that I also have had nothing but trouble with those Acard Scsi to IDE bridges - complete waste of money. :(
 
Hi Pablo!

This is similar to my setup but of course on BPPC no SCSI for OS4x :thumbsdown:

So I have OS3.9 on SCSI (via SCSI-IDE) and OS4.1 on IDE HDD. Hopefully I can find FastATA MkIII and have OS4.1 on this.

I've not found a solution yet to use my CF cards (for other OX3.x's) but at some point I will figure it out :thumbsup:

I've been using the blank non bootable CF for ages alongside the SCSI it also makes booting a lot faster, SCSI seems to wait an age if nothing on the IDE...

All the best and thanks for sharing, hope you enjoy OS4.1 :cool:

Steve.
 
@abraXXious

Hey Pablo,

cant help with you problem mate, but I wanted to mention that I also have had nothing but trouble with those Acard Scsi to IDE bridges - complete waste of money. :-(
Click to expand...

Hi Steven

Thanks m8. :) But is not a problem (maybe I explained bad, sorry) for me is a great solution. Fast, simple & 100% working :thumbsup:

Acards-UW are great bridges -for me-. Very fast (around 21MB/sec) and open the possibility to use unexpensive IDE devices...

@fitzsteve

Hi Steve

Yes, I know maybe is not a new a solution :D.

I have all my boot devices under the SCSI, and OS's boot really very quickly. For mobo IDE I use the AmigaKit IDE terminator and, as you know for backups I have two big HDD's connected to FastATA MK-V.

------------------------

Thank for your kind words :)

All the best

Pablo
 
Hi Pablo,

well, I have one here, I cannot for the life of me get it to work reliably.... whats the secret mate? :)
 
Hi Steven

No secrets my friend :D :D :D

My configuration:

- CSPPC SCSI Updated to the latest firmware 44.71
- Active terminator Passtrough 68 pins LVD/SE
- ID1 Acard
- ......
- ID5 Acard
- Active terminator 68 pins LVD/SE

Acard's AEC7720UW must have the correct ID jumpers set & the CN3 jumper (Terminator Power Supply) closed.

You can see at the uploaded Manual: View attachment AEC-7720UW.pdf

Then at the CSPPC SCSI I have this config

0 - Auto
1 - Async, 16 bit bus, No Removable
2 - Async, 16 bit bus, No Removable
3 - Async, 16 bit bus, No Removable
4 - Async, 16 bit bus, Removable, CD AutoMount, CD4
5 - Async, 16 bit bus, Removable, CD Boot, CD5
6 - Auto ......
7 - SCSI Controller
8 - Auto
............


That's all. I have around 21MB/sec (varies sometimes... is Amiga :)) in all devices.

All the best

Pablo
 
Hi Steve,

Maybe I buy one BPPC-BVPPC kit in few days.

Sure I need your help to setup the system. :thumbsup:

I will contact with you when I have these boards "in my hands"..... :D

All the best
 
Pablo my friend you're a fricken genious!

Your post finally gave the the Motivation to solve my multiboot issues with the arrival of OS4.1 :roll:

So here goes, this is what I've done!

On my A1200T I have FastATA, and BPPC SCSI...

So, on the FastATA:

On the 44way connector I have CF-IDE + a selection of CF setups (CWB P96, AmigaSysAGA)

On the 40Way IDE0 I have 40gb HDD (OS4.1) and DVDRW
On the 40Way IDE1 I have DVDRW (this is to use with the CF's on the 44Way IDE as you cannot use 44way and 40way IDE0 at the time...

On the BPPC SCSI I have SCSI-IDE and 20gb IDE HDD with my hacked version of Marios' OS3.9

Here's how it works...

If nothing is pluged in the CF-IDE OS4.1 Boots and the SCSI is disabled (PPC takes over 100%) DVDRW on IDE0 is active. The only annoyance here is my FastATA is older version and not fully supported by OS4.1 so I get crappy IDE speeds :thumbsdown:

If I put blank (Amiga formatted & non bootable) CF in CF-IDE the SCSI Boots and I can use the CF for file transfers and DVDRW on IDE1 is active. The FastATA software is loaded too so I get 5mb/sec between the SCSI and CF! :ninja:

I can also boot into this OS without any CF Card by using the early startup, this way the OS4.1 drives are available for transfers, oh and as this has AfA_OS I can see the 256colour OS4.1 Icons!

If I put my other CF's in the CF-IDE they boot and DVDRW on IDE1 is active, if I want I can hold 'S' to disable the SCSI (keeps icons looking tidy without the duplicate drives) :D

Awesome! :bowdown:

Thanks for this post, without it I just would not have thought of this!

Roll on November, I'm ready for Retr0 R3play! :thumbsup:
 
Last edited:
Hi Steve

Thanks for your kind words my friend :)

Glad to hear you solved the multiboot issues in A1200 BPPC... :thumbsup:

Your solution is also a nice tuto for me, because now I'm using PPC only in A4K's but maybe -as I said before- I buy a BPPC-BVPPC kit in few days (is time to put more power in my A1200 :D).

Awesome job :thumbsup:

Best wishes

Pablo
 
@Steven: "wild guess" (yeah, right...), I'm thinking which firmware revision you are using on your ACARD?

Latest revision is no good for Amiga controllers, go to ACARD website and pick two earlier revisions, flash the card and test again. You might be surprised.
 
Hi to all :)

I have the 3.89 firmware in all my Acard's and are working great. The only issue is the limitation of HDD size.... 250GB HDD's aren't recognised correctly... But for Amigas 250GB are.... :wooha: I think :D.

In anyway I wll try with older versions to test. Thanks Rogerio :thumbsup:
 
@Rakeim132: we can't comment on prices in Amibay. But this adapter had more than doubled its price in the last six months for an unknown reason.

Anyway, Vesalia (German Amiga dealer) have those for a bit less.
 
Hi to all

Well the model in your link is FastSCSI-II. The model I'm using is UW-SCSI.

@Rakeim132: we can't comment on prices in Amibay. But this adapter had more than doubled its price in the last six months for an unknown reason.
Click to expand...

As rkauer saids this adapter is highly overpriced. Time a go I bought six UW adapters at very reasonable price.

You must find other sellers :)

All the best
 
No worry. I was just asking, not commenting... and my intention WAS NOT to buy on eBay ; I was just curious. :huh:

Thanks for your reply anyway. :thumbsup:
 
@abraXXious

Hi my friend :)

Hi Pablo,

well, I have one here, I cannot for the life of me get it to work reliably.... whats the secret mate? :smile:
Click to expand...

Any news about your Acard's? Do you test?

Best wishes
 
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