New Minimig cores available

[tonyyeb]

http://www.amiga.org/modules/news/ar...p?storyid=7912

Lots of fixes along with floppy write support implemented.

[gizmomelb]

many thanks tonyyeb!

[skan]

yeah! \o/

[alexh]

Jakub Bednarski = Yaqube?

Hat off.

[chiark]

SUperb

Now I just need a core to run it on . Anyone got a spare spartan?

[spajdr]

Just for info, what is exactly changed

Features:


Scan doubler:

- added vertical and horizontal interpolation (selectable independently for hires and lores)
- semi-transparent osd window with active line highlight


OSD menu:

- added alternative control by joystick (up and down signals activated simultaneously invoke menu)
- configuration of: (configuration is stored in non-volatile memory inside the PIC)
* memory options (512KB chip, 1MB chip, 512KB chip/512KB slow, 1MB chip/512KB slow)
* video interpolation filters (vertical and horizontal interpolation for hires and lowres)
* kickstart
- both 256 and 512 KB non-encrypted kickstart files are supported (256KB kickstart takes 512KB of RAM)
- stored filename is limited to 8 characters of letters A-Z and numbers 0-9
- if stored kickstat file is missing default "kick.rom" file is loaded
- kickstart file can be uploaded at run time without its name beeing stored in non-volatile memory (test purposes)
- system reset from the OSD menu (no need for keyboard)


New 68K bootloader (with video text mode).

- displays information about firmware version and chipset configuration
- allows to monitor the booting process


Chipset changes:

- ECS blitter (Agnus is identified as ECS)
- PAL/NTSC selection support (different FPGA core for initial settings)
- modified blanking timing (better compatibility)
- modified display dma engine (better compatibility)
- modified sprite dma engine (better compatibility)
- modified copper timing (better compatibility)
- modified floppy interface (better read and write support)
- modified keyboard and mouse interface (better compatibility)


Write support to ADF images:

Since standard ADF images don't contain the MFM track data only write of sectors which conform to standard sector
format is supported. It means that any attempt of non-standard sector write (i.e. long tracks) will be rejected
and appropriate error message will be reported.
Write protection status is read from the Read-Only file attribute. There is no option to change it on the Minimig.


Action Replay III module:

It was mandatory developing tool for finding bugs in current and future firmware implementations.
Maybe someone will find it useful for other applications.
It requires 256KB "AR3.ROM" file to be present on the SD/MMC card. The latest 3.17 rom version is only compatible
with kickcstart 1.3 (34.5) and 2.04 (37.175). If the ROM file is missing the module is disabled.
It can be disabled even though the ROM file is present on the flash card. To do so you need to press and hold
the "MENU" button on the Minimig while loading kickstart. It can only be done during initial booting after power-up.
When enabled it takes one 512KB RAM bank so max. 1MB is available for chip and slow RAM.
The "FREEZE" button is Ctrl+Break.


Thanks to:

Dennis for his great Minimig
Loriano for impressive enclosure
Darrin and Oscar for their involvement, ideas, support and help
Toni for his indispensable help and logic analyzer (and WinUAE :-)

[Thalion]

Nice update. Need to install that ASAP.

[DDNI]

Now that write access is possible, it is likely that ADFs will be made writable. As this isn't easily swithced, I foresee ADFs being make write enabled in bulk before transer from PC to SD card. Given this, can viruses from an infected ADF stay minimig memory resident and infect subsequent ADF insertions?

[alexh]

I think so as reset demo's work on MiniMig.

[ant512]

Fantastic! Was tinkering with my Minimig t'other day only to discover that Alien Breed 92 SE doesn't work. Now, apparently, it does! Now I just need to work out how to grab decent ADF images from my original floppies...

[musashi5150]

Originally Posted by ant512

how to grab decent ADF images from my original floppies...

Original as in "bought from a shop" or as in copied? As you won't be able to ADF most original games because of their protection. Sorry if this wasn't what you meant

[ant512]

Originally Posted by musashi5150

Original as in "bought from a shop" or as in copied? As you won't be able to ADF most original games because of their protection. Sorry if this wasn't what you meant

Yeah, bought from a shop. I should have pirated more stuff, dag nabbit.

[cosmiq]

I was wondering about 'Hostages' which still not works on this version of the miniMig.
Since action replay is included now, would it be possible to hack some codes to get the copper issue right and play the game after all? (And not being killed at once after un-hiding)

[nnever2000]

The miniming support only one drive? If so, there is a way to load extended adf?

[cosmiq]

Damn. I need a PIC programmer and tiny bootloader to get the firmware HEX file in the chip?? Wrong firmware, it says

[yaqube]

Originally Posted by cosmiq

Damn. I need a PIC programmer and tiny bootloader to get the firmware HEX file in the chip?? Wrong firmware, it says

You should have the tinybootloader already programmed into your PIC. Only the first batch made by ACude hadn't one and ACube offered free replacement.
You need a null-modem cable to do PIC firmware update. Look at amiga.org for detailed instructions.

[Photon]

Excellent. 8) Next stop CF card harddisk bootability, maybe? Please..!

[tonyyeb]

Originally Posted by Photon

Excellent. 8) Next stop CF card harddisk bootability, maybe? Please..!

Just hardfile support on the SD would be sufficient. No need for hardware change... should be do-able in software.

[alexh]

The size of the PIC memory space is the limiting factor as is it's horse power.

[cosmiq]

Yumm!! Thanks for the advice... :-D