Formatting disks on Amiga 600 PLEASE HELP

[wakd21]

Hi i am trying to transfer adf games from pc to amiga. I am trying the floppy option using programs such as chopper and so on. The problem is i dont know how to format a floppy disk on workbench 3.0 on the a600
If i am doing it im not sure it is correct. Can someone please tell me how to do it and to transfer adf games to the a600 using floppies. I dont want to use null cables if i can help it:banghead:banghead:banghead:banghead:banghead:banghead:banghead:banghead:banghead:banghead:banghead

[JDunlap]

Hi, welcome to EAB!

To format a floppy, put the disk in the drive and an icon will show up on the workbench. Click once on the icon, then hold the right mouse button. Go to the Icons menu and select "Format Disk..."

To do it from the CLI, type:
format drive df0: name Empty

or df1: if external. You can also change the name.

One last note, if you are using HD floppies, then you will need to put a piece of tape over the second hole of the floppy.

Hope this helps.

Also, if using HD floppies, you might want to be aware that I have read that HD floppies will degrade the data faster due to the weaker magnetic signal provided by a DD drive.

[davideo]

@Wakd21

Have you thought about using the PCMCIA adaptor with a memory card :confused

I recently purchased the above kit from AmigaKit :bowdown

It's well worth the money and makes this process a lot easier :agree

Dave G :cool

[adewakd]

Hi, welcome to EAB!

To format a floppy, put the disk in the drive and an icon will show up on the workbench. Click once on the icon, then hold the right mouse button. Go to the Icons menu and select "Format Disk..."

To do it from the CLI, type:
format drive df0: name Empty

or df1: if external. You can also change the name.

One last note, if you are using HD floppies, then you will need to put a piece of tape over the second hole of the floppy.

Hope this helps.

Also, if using HD floppies, you might want to be aware that I have read that HD floppies will degrade the data faster due to the weaker magnetic signal provided by a DD drive.
I tried your suggestions but all i get is an err that says format failed return code 20
What do i do now?:help:help:banghead:banghead

[fc.studio]

Workbench 3 on A600? Do you have kickstart 3.1?

[adewakd]

Workbench 3 on A600? Do you have kickstart 3.1?
I dont have it on disk only for the amiga emulator on pc. Im screwed i cant get this thing to work at all. It is an a600 yes. how can i create a kickstart 3.1 disk to put into the amiga?:crying

[fc.studio]

What real Amiga hardware do you have? Do you have hard disk drive on A600? What system software (Workbench, Extras, Fonts) do you have?

[adewakd]

What real Amiga hardware do you have? Do you have hard disk drive on A600? What system software (Workbench, Extras, Fonts) do you have?
I dont have a hard drive on the a600 i have workbench 3 i did have extra disk but its broken so i have no cross dos i have a fonts disk but that doesnt seem to work. Will i ever be able to transfer adf games from the internet onto the amiga:sad

[amigakit.com]

You could use the EasyADF CF Transfer Kit:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=440

It will save you a lot of hassle. We have spent a lot of time making it as intuitive as possible.

[fc.studio]

This could help:

http://cgi.ebay.it/Cable-for-connecting-Amiga-and-PC-brand-new-Free-S-H_W0QQitemZ140213016228QQihZ004QQcategoryZ98928QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[JDunlap]

@wakd21

Sorry that didn't work for you. I have seen return code 20 before when formatting, but I don't remember why.

As for other options, you could get a PCMCIA card that allows you to use compact flash. You could get a CF to IDE converter. (Try here (http://cgi.ebay.com/3-x-CF-to-IDE-Compact-Flash-Adaptor-Male-Bootable-B03_W0QQitemZ380000892091QQihZ025QQcategoryZ41994QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem). It's the US website, but you could search for something similar in the UK.) Finally, you could purchase a hard drive for your 600. With the proper adapter, it could be attached in your PC and you could put the data on it using WinUAE, and then move it to your 600.

Finally, have you tried multiple disks? It is possible that the disk is just bad.

Hope this helps. :)

[Hewitson]

Do you realise the A600 has an inbuilt IDE controller? Get a cheap 2.5" drive off ebay, do what JDunlap suggested and use your PC and UAE to install WB on it, and you're set!

[JDunlap]

If you want to try the 2.5" drive route, then I have a spare 2.5 to 3.5 adapter that I could maybe send you. I do not know how much postage would be to the UK, though, and how much UK customs may charge you. I just purchased five of them on ebay to be able to put my Amiga drive in my PC and because a family member needed to be able to get data from a laptop drive.

PM me if you are interested.

[adewakd]

If you want to try the 2.5" drive route, then I have a spare 2.5 to 3.5 adapter that I could maybe send you. I do not know how much postage would be to the UK, though, and how much UK customs may charge you. I just purchased five of them on ebay to be able to put my Amiga drive in my PC and because a family member needed to be able to get data from a laptop drive.

PM me if you are interested.
Jdunlap. Thanks for your kind offer. However, I fear postage from the USA to the UK myabe expensive and not worth creating hassle for you. I have bought a null seriel cable and I intend to download amiga exlporer. Just to clarify my PC has one 9 seriel pin com port and my a600 has a 25 pin seriel port so obvouisly my cable is 9 pin femal at one end and 25 pin femal at the other end.

[Hewitson]

You would have been much better off buying a PCMCIA network card.

[JDunlap]

You would have been much better off buying a PCMCIA network card.

Maybe so, but he does not have a hard drive to install a TCP/IP stack:)

Secondly, TCP/IP on the Amiga can be sticky at times to get installed. It must be done just right.

[adewakd]

Maybe so, but he does not have a hard drive to install a TCP/IP stack:)

Secondly, TCP/IP on the Amiga can be sticky at times to get installed. It must be done just right.
ok seriously pissed off now. Everyone is transfering stuff from pc to their amiga apart from me! I have bought a top of the range null seriel cable. I have checked that COM1 is setup as requested by Amiga explorer which it is. I dont know how to check the amiga seriel settings but i am assuming they match COM1. SO this is where i am with regards to setting up amiga explorer....

1)I am using workbench 3.0 and i have no kickstart disks
2)I type the following: type ser: to ram:setup
3)I follow on screen instructions (amiga floppy drive spins and then i get workbench 3.0:>
4)I am then requested by amiga explorer to type rx ram:setup (and then this happens on the amiga) command returned 5/1: program not found

Does this mean that this rx command is missing from the workbench disk and should it be?:guru

[amigakit.com]

If you have an A600, then the EasyADF PCMCIA Transfer Kit (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/products_id=440) would be lot easier than a serial link

You can configure the product with 1GB card and transfer huge amounts of data between the PC and Amiga very quickly and easily. It is supplied with our own EasyADF software on floppy disk.

[adewakd]

If you have an A600, then the EasyADF PCMCIA Transfer Kit (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/products_id=440) would be lot easier than a serial link

You can configure the product with 1GB card and transfer huge amounts of data between the PC and Amiga very quickly and easily. It is supplied with our own EasyADF software on floppy disk.
I have tried twin express in command prompt in windows xp. It says there is a malfunctioning device com1

Other people have said that this is rubbish. How do i know if the cable is working?
The cable is a Nikkai 9 pin(female) to 25 pin(female) and it states that it is fully wired.

[ppill]

I have tried twin express in command prompt in windows xp. It says there is a malfunctioning device com1

Other people have said that this is rubbish. How do i know if the cable is working?
The cable is a Nikkai 9 pin(female) to 25 pin(female) and it states that it is fully wired.

TwinExpress only works with older versions of Windows (pre NT/XP). Get a kind soul to send you a prepped floppy disk with al the necessary programs. I've done one myself and it's called Hombre (http://wiki.abime.net/transfer:hombre). Should take care of your serial transfer just fine.

If you've got some extra cash go for the PCMCIA adapter like others have suggested. You'll never look back.

There's still a way to send files over using your current setup. You'd need to type in an AREXX script (all the stuuf needed should be on the Workbench disk) and use that. Click here (http://adfsender.stoeggl.com/adfsenderterminal/methods.html#C) for details.

[adewakd]

TwinExpress only works with older versions of Windows (pre NT/XP). Get a kind soul to send you a prepped floppy disk with al the necessary programs. I've done one myself and it's called Hombre (http://wiki.abime.net/transfer:hombre). Should take care of your serial transfer just fine.

If you've got some extra cash go for the PCMCIA adapter like others have suggested. You'll never look back.

There's still a way to send files over using your current setup. You'd need to type in an AREXX script (all the stuuf needed should be on the Workbench disk) and use that. Click here (http://adfsender.stoeggl.com/adfsenderterminal/methods.html#C) for details.
Ok. I tried the transdisk option method A. Somnething is working because my pc will not transmit data until i have typed ser: to ram:transdisk
Then it transmits but when it has done i dont know what to do next i am meant to press ctrl+c on the amiga but this does nothing. I am assuming that the amiga and pc are talking to each other. But for the love of god what do i do now?????????????

[ppill]

The 'type' command from a 3.0 Workbench disk won't work as it can't handle binary files. Only the one than came on the 1.3 disks does the trick. Your only option now is an AREXX script.

[adewakd]

The 'type' command from a 3.0 Workbench disk won't work as it can't handle binary files. Only the one than came on the 1.3 disks does the trick. Your only option now is an AREXX script.
Please help me and tell me how to do this.... Im at my wits end. I tried amiga explorer and when it asked me to type in rx ram:setup i got an error saying command return 1.5/program unavailable.
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ppill]

Well first of all, make a copy of your Workbench disk. From the menu select 'Workbench' then 'Execute command', type newcli and press enter. Find a spare floppy and in the newly opened shell window type:

format drive df0: name empty ffs

execute and insert the floppy you want to format. When finished swap disks (Workbench in) and type:

diskcopy df0: df0:

follow the instructions and you'll end up with a copy of a Workbench disk that you'll later can safely modify.

Wait a sec while I'll get myself more coffee ;)

[JDunlap]

Hi again,

Try looking at this thread (http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=4401). The guy there had the same problem getting the REXX script to run as you are, and others more knowledgeable than myself gave some advice. Unfortunately, he ended up going a different route, but it may be worth a try;)

Make sure that you copy the disk first as ppill says above.

[JDunlap]

ok seriously pissed off now. Everyone is transfering stuff from pc to their amiga apart from me! I have bought a top of the range null seriel cable. I have checked that COM1 is setup as requested by Amiga explorer which it is. I dont know how to check the amiga seriel settings but i am assuming they match COM1.


You can find the serial settings for the Amiga on your WB disk in Prefs, then look for Serial. Double check to make sure that they match, although they probably do if you are actually getting things to transfer. Never hurts to double check, though.

[ppill]

OK. Scrap that. It doesn't work with the default settings (kept getting a "bad file hunk" error after transmission). The settings on both machines should be as follows:
http://images25.fotosik.pl/172/2f9c51c992144fe3.png
http://images29.fotosik.pl/173/2b9d019b76a45356.png

So if you can't change the serial settings on the Amiga you're pretty much screwed I'm afraid...

After you establish the connection with the settings above type this in a shell window:

ed ram:receive.rexx

This will open a text editor and now you basicly have to type in the script yourself (the 'type from ser: to ram:receive.rexx' trick doesn't seem to work). Here's the listing:

/* receive.rexx
** Written by Wolfgang Stoeggl (1998, 2004) */
say 'Filename?'; pull file
say 'Bytes?'; pull size
say 'Now send the file!'
open('1','ser:')
open('2',file,'W')
n = 1024
lof = 0
do while lof < size
lof = seek('2', 0, E)
diff = size-lof
if diff < 1024 then n = diff
t = readch('1', n)
writech('2', t)
say lof || '0b'x
end
say 'Received file: 'file''
say 'Filelength = 'lof' bytes'
close('1'); close('2')
exit

when finished choose Project>Save from the menu.

Click on RexxMast in the System drawer to initialize AREXX.

In shell:

protect ram:receive.rexx +se

then

rx ram:receive.rexx

The script will ask you for a file name. Type in

ram:transwarp

size:

15060

now send tranwarp (in the archive here (http://adfsender.stoeggl.com/adfsenderterminal/transwarp143.zip)) file from the PC. Send another file when prompted. After that you should have transwarp sitting in ram: and ready to go.

Just done all this on my A1200 with a Workbench 3.1 disk and it worked. Good luck :)

[Hewitson]

Maybe so, but he does not have a hard drive to install a TCP/IP stack:)

Secondly, TCP/IP on the Amiga can be sticky at times to get installed. It must be done just right.
He can easily buy one. And its no harder to set up TCP/IP on the Amiga than it is on any other computer.

[adewakd]

OK. Scrap that. It doesn't work with the default settings (kept getting a "bad file hunk" error after transmission). The settings on both machines should be as follows:
http://images25.fotosik.pl/172/2f9c51c992144fe3.png
http://images29.fotosik.pl/173/2b9d019b76a45356.png

So if you can't change the serial settings on the Amiga you're pretty much screwed I'm afraid...

After you establish the connection with the settings above type this in a shell window:

ed ram:receive.rexx

This will open a text editor and now you basicly have to type in the script yourself (the 'type from ser: to ram:receive.rexx' trick doesn't seem to work). Here's the listing:

/* receive.rexx
** Written by Wolfgang Stoeggl (1998, 2004) */
say 'Filename?'; pull file
say 'Bytes?'; pull size
say 'Now send the file!'
open('1','ser:')
open('2',file,'W')
n = 1024
lof = 0
do while lof < size
lof = seek('2', 0, E)
diff = size-lof
if diff < 1024 then n = diff
t = readch('1', n)
writech('2', t)
say lof || '0b'x
end
say 'Received file: 'file''
say 'Filelength = 'lof' bytes'
close('1'); close('2')
exit

when finished choose Project>Save from the menu.

Click on RexxMast in the System drawer to initialize AREXX.

In shell:

protect ram:receive.rexx +se

then

rx ram:receive.rexx

The script will ask you for a file name. Type in

ram:transwarp

size:

15060

now send tranwarp (in the archive here (http://adfsender.stoeggl.com/adfsenderterminal/transwarp143.zip)) file from the PC. Send another file when prompted. After that you should have transwarp sitting in ram: and ready to go.

Just done all this on my A1200 with a Workbench 3.1 disk and it worked. Good luck :)
Something strange here. I looked in preferences and there is no seriel icon to click on. It seems that there is a lot of things missing from this copy of workbench 3.0 disk. I must admit it is not an original. I am waiting for workbench 3.1 i bought on ebay.

[ppill]

Because it wasn't there in the first place. All preference programs are on the Extras disk.

[adewakd]

Because it wasn't there in the first place. All preference programs are on the Extras disk.
Ok problem. My extras disk is broken. So what your saying that these programs such as seriel preferences, cross dos, rexx is all on this extras disk? If i had a working extra disk and i typed: rx ram:setup from amiga explorer then it would work on the amiga and i wouldnt get an error saying: return command 5/1: program unavailable.
Also using 3.1 workbench disks will all of this work with transadf and amiga explorer? do i need any kickstart disks becuase the only one i have is relokick 1.3.

[ppill]

How is it broken? Bad block or validation error? You still might be able to copy the Serial prefs program if you're lucky.

AREXX is on the Workbench disk. CrossDOS is scattered around a bit (Extras+Storage). All prefs programs are on the Extras disk.

You don't need to worry about kickstart. Most software on the 3.1 disk set (at least CrossDOS) works even with 2.x roms. You're fine.

If you set the serial parameters accordingly everything should work just fine. And that error you're getting means that AREXX is up and running and the 'setup' script is the culprit (probably got corrupted during transfer because of the wrong serial settings)

[adewakd]

How is it broken? Bad block or validation error? You still might be able to copy the Serial prefs program if you're lucky.

AREXX is on the Workbench disk. CrossDOS is scattered around a bit (Extras+Storage). All prefs programs are on the Extras disk.

You don't need to worry about kickstart. Most software on the 3.1 disk set (at least CrossDOS) works even with 2.x roms. You're fine.

If you set the serial parameters accordingly everything should work just fine. And that error you're getting means that AREXX is up and running and the 'setup' script is the culprit (probably got corrupted during transfer because of the wrong serial settings)
This disk is cracked and does not spin in the drive. I checked storage and cross dos is not there. I dont know if seriel preference is either.

[ppill]

Here's what makes up CrossDOS:

workbench3.1:devs/mfm.device
extras3.1:l/crossdosfilesystem
extras3.1:l/filesystem_trans/dans
extras3.1:l/filesystem_trans/intl
extras3.1:l/filesystem_trans/mac
extras3.1:tools/commodities/crossdos
extras3.1:tools/commodities/crossdos.info
storage3.1:dosdrivers/pc0
storage3.1:dosdrivers/pc0.info

The ones in bold are essential, the rest is only needed when you want to use the text converting features.

[adewakd]

Here's what makes up CrossDOS:

workbench3.1:devs/mfm.device
extras3.1:l/crossdosfilesystem
extras3.1:l/filesystem_trans/dans
extras3.1:l/filesystem_trans/intl
extras3.1:l/filesystem_trans/mac
extras3.1:tools/commodities/crossdos
extras3.1:tools/commodities/crossdos.info
storage3.1:dosdrivers/pc0
storage3.1:dosdrivers/pc0.info

The ones in bold are essential, the rest is only needed when you want to use the text converting features.
is it possible that my copy of workbench 3.0 is missing files becuase it is a crap copy? When i get the original disks should these files before there and my problems solved?

[ppill]

is it possible that my copy of workbench 3.0 is missing files becuase it is a crap copy?

Probably not. Only the original (and intact) Workbench disks is not enough to do what it is you're trying to do (get serial transfers working).

[adewakd]

Probably not. Only the original (and intact) Workbench disks is not enough to do what it is you're trying to do (get serial transfers working).
But to check my amiga serial i need to go into prferences and click on serial but at present it is not on my workbench disk and if it's on the extras disk im screwed until i get my new disks. Is there another way to check the amiga serial prefernces?

[ppill]

But to check my amiga serial i need to go into prferences and click on serial but at present it is not on my workbench disk and if it's on the extras disk im screwed until i get my new disks.

Pretty much...

Is there another way to check the amiga serial prefernces?

You mean change them? I can think of one possibility involving AREXX. The serial settings are just values at a fixed memory addresses. If you know what these are and what values you need to use you could possibly write an AREXX script (I assume AREXX has somethig like a POKE command) to alter these settings.

Now, I personally don't know how to do it but it should be possible -- at least in theory.

Better just wait for the disks to arrive ;)

[adewakd]

Pretty much...



You mean change them? I can think of one possibility involving AREXX. The serial settings are just values at a fixed memory addresses. If you know what these are and what values you need to use you could possibly write an AREXX script (I assume AREXX has somethig like a POKE command) to alter these settings.

Now, I personally don't know how to do it but it should possible at least in theory.

Better just wait for the disks to arrive ;)
When will your hombre project be ready to download? It looks pretty cool

[ppill]

Well... it's already out (version 0.5 at least) :) Check this (http://www.box.net/shared/oeoo1c27sy) link. Still working on it. Yesterday I added pull-down menus:

http://images24.fotosik.pl/174/61c559c6c42b8ea7.png

Now just to finish writing the docs and the next release should be ready.

[adewakd]

Pretty much...


You mean change them? I can think of one possibility involving AREXX. The serial settings are just values at a fixed memory addresses. If you know what these are and what values you need to use you could possibly write an AREXX script (I assume AREXX has somethig like a POKE command) to alter these settings.

Now, I personally don't know how to do it but it should be possible -- at least in theory.

Better just wait for the disks to arrive ;)
I got my workbench disks today version 3.1 I found the serial icon on the extras disk. I clicked on it and nothing happens. How do i get this to open???