Gotek in external housing help! New video depends on it!

Starglider 2 · 23 March 2018, 00:52

So my external Gotek drive was working perfectly.

Just to tidy the aesthetics I bought an external drive to use its housing for the gotek. I'm making a video about this and adding a piezo speaker to simulate the drive sounds. But I'm stuck.

I've removed the mechanical drive and simply put the Gotek in its place. The Gotek slots nicely into the external drive's controller board.

Now it doesn't work. It just says there's no disk inserted, no matter what image I select on the Gotek (all working before).

The Gotek does make the clicking sound though, like it's looking for a disk.

I've tried jumper S0 & S1.

Am I missing a step? Help!

ChadsArcade · 23 March 2018, 09:22

Not all Amiga floppy drives are equal, I've had to mod some slightly for use with a Gotek.

What's the manufacturer of your external floppy, can you post a pic of the PCB? Also, what Gotek firmware are you using?

Starglider 2 · 23 March 2018, 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChadsArcade

Not all Amiga floppy drives are equal, I've had to mod some slightly for use with a Gotek.

What's the manufacturer of your external floppy, can you post a pic of the PCB? Also, what Gotek firmware are you using?

See attached.

I've tried to find the firmware version by holding down both buttons but it just flashes 888 three times. I bought it in 2015 with the HxC firmware.

Jeff_HxC2001 · 23 March 2018, 10:21

First update your old 2015 firmware with the latest version :

http://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_d...a_firmware.zip

tons of improvements was done since the 2015 firmware.

And : I strongly recommend you to remove this "sound mod" hack. These mods directly using the step signal are known to cause electrical and timing problems. I bet that this is the case here. The cable capacitance and/or external case filters just make the difference between the working and non-working state.

The new firmware can drive the piezzo from the JB jumper :

http://torlus.com/floppy/forum/viewt...p=11486#p16462

ChadsArcade · 23 March 2018, 13:42

I've modified an Amitek board like that before.

See the "link" marked R C on the left hand side of the board. On the underside (from memory) there's a trace linking 2 of the pads. Cut this trace, and bridge the centre pad to the other pad instead.

My notes are at home, but from memory this diverts the /RDY signal to pin 34 as required by the Amiga.

Note that some firmwares might be able to do this in software, so check the options first.

I think you then have the problem that the connector for the floppy has the rows of pins reversed (top needs to be bottom and vice versa) so you have to adjust your cable to accommodate this.

Can maybe get you pics later, I'm typing this from memory so check the signals yourself too.

Starglider 2 · 23 March 2018, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff_HxC2001

First update your old 2015 firmware with the latest version :

http://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_d...a_firmware.zip

tons of improvements was done since the 2015 firmware.

And : I strongly recommend you to remove this "sound mod" hack. These mods directly using the step signal are known to cause electrical and timing problems. I bet that this is the case here. The cable capacitance and/or external case filters just make the difference between the working and non-working state.

The new firmware can drive the piezzo from the JB jumper :

http://torlus.com/floppy/forum/viewt...p=11486#p16462

Thanks. How do I flash? Do I need a programmer or is there an option from the USB drive?

My buzzer has 3 wires but the jumper shows 2. I have 5v, gnd, step.

Starglider 2 · 23 March 2018, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChadsArcade

I've modified an Amitek board like that before.

See the "link" marked R C on the left hand side of the board. On the underside (from memory) there's a trace linking 2 of the pads. Cut this trace, and bridge the centre pad to the other pad instead.

My notes are at home, but from memory this diverts the /RDY signal to pin 34 as required by the Amiga.

Note that some firmwares might be able to do this in software, so check the options first.

I think you then have the problem that the connector for the floppy has the rows of pins reversed (top needs to be bottom and vice versa) so you have to adjust your cable to accommodate this.

Can maybe get you pics later, I'm typing this from memory so check the signals yourself too.

Thanks I'll try all that.

Do you mean turn the cable upside down or do you literally mean swap the rows (almost impossible)?

ChadsArcade · 23 March 2018, 18:53

The latter... I think I ended up using short Arduino type patch leads.

Unfortunately you've not picked an easy drive!

Starglider 2 · 23 March 2018, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChadsArcade

The latter... I think I ended up using short Arduino type patch leads.

Unfortunately you've not picked an easy drive!

Dammit! But thank you.

BTW, how do I check the firmware updated and what version I have?

Amiga1992 · 23 March 2018, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starglider 2

BTW, how do I check the firmware updated and what version I have?

Thw HxC selector program should show you that info on startup, bottom left corner.

Starglider 2 · 23 March 2018, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akira

Thw HxC selector program should show you that info on startup, bottom left corner.

Yes but the drive doesn't work

Amiga1992 · 23 March 2018, 19:32

Then it doesn't matter what version you have currently :P You first need to get it running.

Does the GOtek not work if you put it back internally in your Amiga? If this is just a problem of it being in the external case, put it back internally, see that it still works, check the version etc. If it doesn't work while inside the AMiga, it could be ruined.

Starglider 2 · 23 March 2018, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akira

Then it doesn't matter what version you have currently

You first need to get it running.

Does the GOtek not work if you put it back internally in your Amiga? If this is just a problem of it being in the external case, put it back internally, see that it still works, check the version etc. If it doesn't work while inside the AMiga, it could be ruined.

Unfortunately I modified the cable so can't put it back internally.

I thought there was a way to see the firmware version on the LCD.

Amiga1992 · 23 March 2018, 19:46

It's as easy as ordering a new floppy cable online and test. Should be your first order of business. Or modify the cable back. Why did you modify the cable??

YOu can't see the firmware version on the 3 digit LCD but again, what does it mater which version it is, if it doesn't work? You first need to make it work.

Did you try putting back the original floppy drive in the case and see if it works? Seems to me like you are not trying all the options to make sure where the problem is.

Starglider 2 · 23 March 2018, 19:53

I've tried all the options I just haven't talked about them here

I ordered the new cable yesterday.

It was suggested above to update the firmware to fix this. Therefore it's logical that I want to make sure the firmware updated successfully.

How do I see the version on the LCD? Holding both buttons just flashes 888 three times.

Amiga1992 · 23 March 2018, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starglider 2

I've tried all the options I just haven't talked about them here

Well that doesn't help us help you, does it? :P

Quote:

It was suggested above to update the firmware to fix this.

No, the suggestion was because your firmware is way too old and many improvements have been made to the firmware, including support for a better piezo mod so you could undo the crappy and potentially dangerous buzzer mod you have now.

Quote:

How do I see the version on the LCD? Holding both buttons just flashes 888 three times.

You can't! I already said that.
If you had an I2C LED or OLED screen (another one of the improvements an updated firmware would let you have) you could see it displayed there. On the 3 digit LED: NOPE.

If the Gotek is still working as intended inside an Amiga, your issue is with the board in the external case, not the Gotek (or, hopefully not, one of your CIAs).

Starglider 2 · 23 March 2018, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChadsArcade

The latter... I think I ended up using short Arduino type patch leads.

Unfortunately you've not picked an easy drive!

I performed the /RDY signal mod but no difference.

I moved the buzzer to the jumpers and the sound works, so I must have flashed the firmware successfully.

Next stop is to find some patch cables and reverse the pins!

Amiga1992 · 23 March 2018, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starglider 2

I moved the buzzer to the jumpers and the sound works, so I must have flashed the firmware successfully.

That was a good test, some progress, good job

Also probably means the Gotek is working just fine. Your problem should be somewhere else.

Starglider 2 · 23 March 2018, 23:38

It's working now, thanks!

Jeff_HxC2001 · 24 March 2018, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starglider 2

Thanks. How do I flash? Do I need a programmer or is there an option from the USB drive?

You just need an usb stick. just copy the latest HxC UPD file to the stick , insert it, press both buttons and then power up the gotek.

23 March 2018, 00:52	#1
Starglider 2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: California Posts: 1,146	Gotek in external housing help! New video depends on it! So my external Gotek drive was working perfectly. Just to tidy the aesthetics I bought an external drive to use its housing for the gotek. I'm making a video about this and adding a piezo speaker to simulate the drive sounds. But I'm stuck. I've removed the mechanical drive and simply put the Gotek in its place. The Gotek slots nicely into the external drive's controller board. Now it doesn't work. It just says there's no disk inserted, no matter what image I select on the Gotek (all working before). The Gotek does make the clicking sound though, like it's looking for a disk. I've tried jumper S0 & S1. Am I missing a step? Help! Last edited by Starglider 2; 23 March 2018 at 01:00.

23 March 2018, 23:38	#19
Starglider 2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: California Posts: 1,146	It's working now, thanks! Last edited by Starglider 2; 25 March 2018 at 03:51.

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23 March 2018, 09:22	#2
ChadsArcade Registered User Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Chorley Posts: 32	Not all Amiga floppy drives are equal, I've had to mod some slightly for use with a Gotek. What's the manufacturer of your external floppy, can you post a pic of the PCB? Also, what Gotek firmware are you using?

23 March 2018, 10:21	#4
Jeff_HxC2001 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Paris / France Posts: 656	First update your old 2015 firmware with the latest version : http://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_d...a_firmware.zip tons of improvements was done since the 2015 firmware. And : I strongly recommend you to remove this "sound mod" hack. These mods directly using the step signal are known to cause electrical and timing problems. I bet that this is the case here. The cable capacitance and/or external case filters just make the difference between the working and non-working state. The new firmware can drive the piezzo from the JB jumper : http://torlus.com/floppy/forum/viewt...p=11486#p16462

23 March 2018, 13:42	#5
ChadsArcade Registered User Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Chorley Posts: 32	I've modified an Amitek board like that before. See the "link" marked R C on the left hand side of the board. On the underside (from memory) there's a trace linking 2 of the pads. Cut this trace, and bridge the centre pad to the other pad instead. My notes are at home, but from memory this diverts the /RDY signal to pin 34 as required by the Amiga. Note that some firmwares might be able to do this in software, so check the options first. I think you then have the problem that the connector for the floppy has the rows of pins reversed (top needs to be bottom and vice versa) so you have to adjust your cable to accommodate this. Can maybe get you pics later, I'm typing this from memory so check the signals yourself too.

23 March 2018, 18:53	#8
ChadsArcade Registered User Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Chorley Posts: 32	The latter... I think I ended up using short Arduino type patch leads. Unfortunately you've not picked an easy drive!

23 March 2018, 19:32	#12
Amiga1992 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: ? Posts: 19,645	Then it doesn't matter what version you have currently :P You first need to get it running. Does the GOtek not work if you put it back internally in your Amiga? If this is just a problem of it being in the external case, put it back internally, see that it still works, check the version etc. If it doesn't work while inside the AMiga, it could be ruined.

23 March 2018, 19:46	#14
Amiga1992 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: ? Posts: 19,645	It's as easy as ordering a new floppy cable online and test. Should be your first order of business. Or modify the cable back. Why did you modify the cable?? YOu can't see the firmware version on the 3 digit LCD but again, what does it mater which version it is, if it doesn't work? You first need to make it work. Did you try putting back the original floppy drive in the case and see if it works? Seems to me like you are not trying all the options to make sure where the problem is.

23 March 2018, 19:53	#15
Starglider 2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: California Posts: 1,146	I've tried all the options I just haven't talked about them here I ordered the new cable yesterday. It was suggested above to update the firmware to fix this. Therefore it's logical that I want to make sure the firmware updated successfully. How do I see the version on the LCD? Holding both buttons just flashes 888 three times.

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