CDTV: Can it boot floppy disks (demos/games) from External?

c0dehunter · 20 April 2020, 01:18

Hello All,
I am about to take out my CDTV that I bought back in 2011

, and my memory is a bit rusty:

The CD drive has an issue, therefore, I am planning to primarily use my CDTV as a gaming/demo playing A500 sort of machine. (via Floppy disk drive that is)

I am also thinking about ordering a joystick/mouse input adapter from eBay, to turn in it into a real A500 system.

Question:
If I connect my External floppy drive (a nice black-colored matching one!), can I boot floppy diskettes, as if I am booting a regular Amiga system?

amiman99 · 20 April 2020, 04:20

Yes, you can boot from floppy drive, I just tried it.
The problem you may have is getting proper keyboard, or at least some kind of adapter. I wanted to see if my A4000 keyboard would fit, but it did not, not the right plug.

supaduper · 20 April 2020, 09:49

You can buy a Keyboard adapter here, so you can use any PS/2 keyboard

https://sordan.ie/product/391/ps2-ps...or-amiga-cdtv/

c0dehunter · 20 April 2020, 10:51

Actually, mine came with a genuine CDTV, matching black-colored keyboard! So I guess I am covered in that respect!

Now, I need to get that game adapter, then I would truly in business!

Thanks for your kind responses!

Arnie · 20 April 2020, 13:47

There's a jumper on the motherboard that disables the CD drive. You then get the kickstart screen instead of the CDTV screen.

amiman99 · 20 April 2020, 17:57

I have that joystick adapter, it works well. You could 3D design an expansion cover for the joystick and have a neat solution.
I made mine from a DVD cover, cut to size, made holes for DB9s and installed it in the SCSI exp port.

Hmm, I could actually design the cover and 3D print it, I'll start working on it.

amiman99 · 20 April 2020, 22:11

Someone made the cover here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2450909
It just need holes for DB9 connectors.

c0dehunter · 21 April 2020, 00:21

Wish I had a 3D printer, oh well!

OK, I have connected everything, and the system works great! Now onto ordering the Joystick adapter!

UPDATE:
I do have the CDTV Transmitter unit (with the trackball thing), but it does not work. I also have the CDTV Remote Controller, but out of battery. I will report back shortly after I insert some fresh batteries.

amiman99 · 22 April 2020, 05:26

Here is my CDTV cover with DB9 cutouts for the joystick port adapter.
I used the Thingiverse back cover (to save time), and added the DB9 holes.

Edit: the ribbon is for my SCSI HD

amiman99 · 23 April 2020, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0dehunter

Wish I had a 3D printer, oh well!

OK, I have connected everything, and the system works great! Now onto ordering the Joystick adapter!

UPDATE:
I do have the CDTV Transmitter unit (with the trackball thing), but it does not work. I also have the CDTV Remote Controller, but out of battery. I will report back shortly after I insert some fresh batteries.

Check your PM

Codetsu · 25 April 2020, 11:44

to make CDTV 100% A500 need little more then just fey jumper setting
most of time it will work just fine but extra CD eprom chips and some other issues
make CDTV not 100% A500

20 April 2020, 01:18	#1
c0dehunter Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: USA Posts: 399	CDTV: Can it boot floppy disks (demos/games) from External? Hello All, I am about to take out my CDTV that I bought back in 2011, and my memory is a bit rusty: The CD drive has an issue, therefore, I am planning to primarily use my CDTV as a gaming/demo playing A500 sort of machine. (via Floppy disk drive that is) I am also thinking about ordering a joystick/mouse input adapter from eBay, to turn in it into a real A500 system. Question: If I connect my External floppy drive (a nice black-colored matching one!), can I boot floppy diskettes, as if I am booting a regular Amiga system?

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20 April 2020, 04:20	#2
amiman99 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX USA Age: 50 Posts: 1,184	Yes, you can boot from floppy drive, I just tried it. The problem you may have is getting proper keyboard, or at least some kind of adapter. I wanted to see if my A4000 keyboard would fit, but it did not, not the right plug.

20 April 2020, 09:49	#3
supaduper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Krypton Posts: 1,210	You can buy a Keyboard adapter here, so you can use any PS/2 keyboard https://sordan.ie/product/391/ps2-ps...or-amiga-cdtv/

20 April 2020, 10:51	#4
c0dehunter Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: USA Posts: 399	Actually, mine came with a genuine CDTV, matching black-colored keyboard! So I guess I am covered in that respect! Now, I need to get that game adapter, then I would truly in business! Thanks for your kind responses!

20 April 2020, 13:47	#5
Arnie R.I.P Smudge 18-08-16 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Leicester/UK Age: 66 Posts: 3,968	There's a jumper on the motherboard that disables the CD drive. You then get the kickstart screen instead of the CDTV screen.

20 April 2020, 17:57	#6
amiman99 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX USA Age: 50 Posts: 1,184	I have that joystick adapter, it works well. You could 3D design an expansion cover for the joystick and have a neat solution. I made mine from a DVD cover, cut to size, made holes for DB9s and installed it in the SCSI exp port. Hmm, I could actually design the cover and 3D print it, I'll start working on it.

20 April 2020, 22:11	#7
amiman99 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX USA Age: 50 Posts: 1,184	Someone made the cover here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2450909 It just need holes for DB9 connectors.

21 April 2020, 00:21	#8
c0dehunter Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: USA Posts: 399	Wish I had a 3D printer, oh well! OK, I have connected everything, and the system works great! Now onto ordering the Joystick adapter! UPDATE: I do have the CDTV Transmitter unit (with the trackball thing), but it does not work. I also have the CDTV Remote Controller, but out of battery. I will report back shortly after I insert some fresh batteries.

25 April 2020, 11:44	#11
Codetsu Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: next to Mordor Posts: 147	to make CDTV 100% A500 need little more then just fey jumper setting most of time it will work just fine but extra CD eprom chips and some other issues make CDTV not 100% A500

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