Bridgeboard emulation (x86 CPU, for example A2286)

[Toni Wilen]

I think you are mixing Janus virtual harddrive and hardware IDE hardfile. BIOS HD config is IDE only. Janus HD shouldn't need any extra configuration.

http://www.winuae.net/files/b/winuae.7z should fix 1.2M support. (but note: previously 1.4M images worked even if drive type in BIOS was set to 720k, not anymore, you drive type has to be 1.4M too)

(and above link should not be posted anywhere else, it keeps changing all the time and will only cause confusion!)

[AnnaWu]

Originally Posted by Toni Wilen

http://www.winuae.net/files/b/winuae.7z should fix 1.2M support. (but note: previously 1.4M images worked even if drive type in BIOS was set to 720k, not anymore, you drive type has to be 1.4M too)

Yes, the 1.2MB floppy disk image is now (Bridgeboard A2286 expansion) working. Thanks!
The next days, I will check the different Bridgeboard expansions and its supported floppy disk formats in detail.

Bridgeboard A2286 expansion with BIOS 3.6:
The floppy disk image (360KB) "Commodore_A1060-A2088_MSDOS_1987.zip" (The Zone!) doesn't work for me.
Boot Failure

[AMIGASYSTEM]

Originally Posted by Toni Wilen

I think you are mixing Janus virtual harddrive and hardware IDE hardfile. BIOS HD config is IDE only. Janus HD shouldn't need any extra configuration.

I enclose my BIOS configuration, saved BIOS 3.6 A2286, A2286 4.2 BIOS does not allow to save the configuration because the key "End" seems not work; someone can tell me how to set the key "End" and if there are inaccuracies in the Bios


@Anna
You can post your config file so I make the comparison, thanks

[Toni Wilen]

Originally Posted by AMIGASYSTEM

I enclose my BIOS configuration, saved BIOS 3.6 A2286, A2286 4.2 BIOS does not allow to save the configuration because the key "End" seems not work; someone can tell me how to set the key "End" and if there are inaccuracies in the Bios

END = Numpad 1. (Amiga keyboard does not have END key)

[AMIGASYSTEM]

Originally Posted by Toni Wilen

END = Numpad 1. (Amiga keyboard does not have END key)

Thanks Toni, I thought of trying them all keys

Now even the Hardisk is seen by the A2286 system, he had to set the BIOS on the Hardisk "Hard Disk 1" "1", Now it remains only the problem of the start of the floppy, I've tried lots and all lock on "Starting MS-DOS ..." the same floppy A2088T start without problems!

@ziosante
A me OS 3.9 con WinUAE 3.2.0 beta 8 non va in crash ! funziona benissimo
----------- Inglese-------
I OS 3.9 with WinUAE 3.2.0 beta 8 does not crash!It works fine

[ziosante]

Originally Posted by AMIGASYSTEM

Thanks Toni, I thought of trying them all keys

Now even the Hardisk is seen by the A2286 system, he had to set the BIOS on the Hardisk "Hard Disk 1" "1", Now it remains only the problem of the start of the floppy, I've tried lots and all lock on "Starting MS-DOS ..." the same floppy A2088T start without problems!

@ziosante
A me OS 3.9 con WinUAE 3.2.0 beta 8 non va in crash ! funziona benissimo
----------- Inglese-------
I OS 3.9 with WinUAE 3.2.0 beta 8 does not crash!It works fine

Ciao, grazie per la risposta.
Si tratta di un Workbench 3.9 customizzato ovviamente che attualmente uso con WinUAE 3.1.0 e va benissimo. Con la beta(usando la stessa configurazione) va in crash, forse dipende dalla combinzaione di opzioni che uso.
Comunque fa niente vado avanti con WinUAE 3.1.0. Proverò con le prossime beta.

[Amiga_CDTV]

Originally Posted by AnnaWu

I used the "makeab" command which is included with the PC Install/Janus 2.x floppy disk to create a autoboot file.
Example for a 10MB virtual PC Hard Disk file:

makeab dh0:c

Enter number of Heads (1-16): 4
Enter number of Sectors/Track (1-64): 17
Enter number of Cylinders (1-1024): 306

On the DOS side I used the "fdisk" command to create a partition.
"format c: /s" to format the partitioned virtual PC Hard Disk and copy the system files.

I am using the Janus install disk 2.1 (from http://amiga.resource.cx). The installer creates the autoboot file (no need to run makeab manually), but what else do I need to do to actually use it? If I boot from the DOS floppy (the one in the Zone) and run fdisk, it doesn't detect any disks. The 2088XT manual says PCDisk should be run first in order to use autoboot file, but the 2.1 disk doesn't have it.

[rbm]

About the A2286 support:

Everything works fine except the system fails to boot from the hard disk.

Using a RDB hardfile image (x86 AT IDE primary), size and geometry according the A2286 bios settings.

Boot from the floppy disk A, partitioning the hard disk, reboot, boot from the disk A, format the hard disk transfering the system.

Even installed the full MSDOS 6.22 (three floppies without probems). But the system not boot from the HD.

Anything is missing in the WinUAE HD setup ?


On the other hand, the x86 AT IDE controller settings is changed to IDE every time that the configuration is loaded. Please fix !

Thanks.

[AMIGASYSTEM]

Hello rbm, you tell me what it takes to install the Coprocessor 80287?

[rbm]

Originally Posted by AMIGASYSTEM

Hello rbm, you tell me what it takes to install the Coprocessor 80287?

WinUAE configuration → Expansions → x86 Bridgeboards → A2286 → FPU

A2286 b¡os setup → Change from none to installed.

[AMIGASYSTEM]

OK thanks ! If I understand the settings, your problem could be IDE Controllers

WinUAE configuration → Expansions → IDE Controllers → x86 AT IDE Primary (x86)

[AnnaWu]

Originally Posted by Amiga_CDTV

I am using the Janus install disk 2.1 (from http://amiga.resource.cx). The installer creates the autoboot file (no need to run makeab manually), but what else do I need to do to actually use it? If I boot from the DOS floppy (the one in the Zone) and run fdisk, it doesn't detect any disks. The 2088XT manual says PCDisk should be run first in order to use autoboot file, but the 2.1 disk doesn't have it.

I prefer the "makeab" command because I can determine the CHS for my self.

[AMIGASYSTEM]

@rbm

Hello rbm, since you're so kind, can you explain how did you add the extended memory, to me as "Estended memory configuration error"

If you can, since the emulation 286 I can not boot because the floppy hangs on "Starting MS-DOS", you attach your config file (.uae and .nvr), thanks.

[Toni Wilen]

Originally Posted by AMIGASYSTEM

"Estended memory configuration error"

Set correct extended memory amount in BIOS. (Everything was manual in ancient PCs..)

If you can, since the emulation 286 I can not boot because the floppy hangs on "Starting MS-DOS", you attach your config file (.uae and .nvr), thanks.

Not sure if this causes problems but set harddrive 0 in bios, not 1 (slave only config may not be supported)

(Also enable DF0:, you only slow down booting if you disable DF0)

[AMIGASYSTEM]

Originally Posted by Toni Wilen

Set correct extended memory amount in BIOS. (Everything was manual in ancient PCs..)

Found the right values, used a converter

Not sure if this causes problems but set harddrive 0 in bios, not 1 (slave only config may not be supported)

The problem is that I see the HD only when set to Slave "harddrive 1", if I configure the BIOS on the HD Master "harddrive 0" I get the error "1782- disk controller failure"

(Also enable DF0:, you only slow down booting if you disable DF0)

Tried to activate DF0 but nothing changes!

New screenshots showing the internal start Floppy/HD

[AnnaWu]

Originally Posted by AMIGASYSTEM

Found the right values, used a converter


The problem is that I see the HD only when set to Slave "harddrive 1", if I configure the BIOS on the HD Master "harddrive 0" I get the error "1782- disk controller failure"


Tried to activate DF0 but nothing changes!

New screenshots showing the internal start Floppy/HD

Can you upload your config (*.uae), flash (*.nvr) and the harddisk file (*.hdf with internal created virtual PC harddisk image)?

[AMIGASYSTEM]

Hello Anna thanks for asking, I posted the config file HERE to post 159, about the harfile it is the same one you you've uploaded to The Zone. Today I tried to create from scratch a Hardfile from 40MB containing a 30MB HD virtual for the PC and the result is always the same, the HD 30MB sees it only when set to "harddrive 1", and then Floppy and HD freeze during loading.

The new HD created with 40MB to 30MB HD PC dedicated to A2088T works fine, see attached screenshot

Although your files might help to make a confrono and understand where I'm wrong, if you attach them as a favor to other users with the same problem.

[amilo3438]

Compatibility problems -> http://www.l8r.net/technical/bridgeboard.html

Win3.1 too slow -> [ Show youtube player ]

[Toni Wilen]

Restart emulation after saving BIOS changes. IDE drives are not reset during BIOS restart. (_Always_ test by restarting emulation before assuming anything!)

I am starting to suspect that A2286 IDE support (and most of BIOS code) is from some 286 Commodore PC with built-in IDE, I don't see any other ways for IDE reset except FDC reset and I don't think it is possible unless FDC and IDE controller is in same chip.

ISA IDE board in real A2286 may have exact same problem. (Unless it comes with its own BIOS)

EDIT: And driver does multi-sector reads but does not wait for interrupt/drq status bit between loaded blocks. It can't work. EDIT2: Not simple fix to support this but possible. Maybe later..

I think Universal XT IDE BIOS is much better choice.

[Toni Wilen]

http://www.winuae.net/files/b/winuae.7z has quick hack to allow A2286 IDE to work properly. I am not yet sure if the hack is safe enough and does not cause issues with other IDE uses.