Multiple External Floppy Disks: DF1, DF2, etc. How do I...

[c0dehunter]

1) ...Daisy chain (if that is correct term) together?

2) Also, possible to daisy-chain a real external floppy drive, and a GoTek drive?

for my GoTek, I am using this external drive adapter:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gotek-Flopp....c100167.m2940


Thanks!

[torsti76]

1) Yes. An external Amiga drive has a cable to connect to the Amiga or the drive "before" it in the chain AND a socket for the next drive in the chain. Up to three external drives can be chained together.

2) Yes, BUT: Since the adapter has no socket for the next drive, the Gotek can only be the last drive in the chain. AND, for the FlashFloppy firmware you have to set interface = amiga in FF.CFG for this to work. Read the FlashFloppy documentation for more info.

[c0dehunter]

Thanks for the response. OK, I have these two files on the root of my USB flash stick:

AUTOBOOT.HFE

and

HXCSDFE.CFG

I tired to edit HXCSDFE.CFG, with Windows Notepad, but when it opens the file, the contents look like gibberish.

Please help!

[torsti76]

That means your Gotek runs with the original HXC firmware. I don't know if this will work externally.

Take a look at https://github.com/keirf/FlashFloppy

That's an alternative firmware for the Gotek with excellent documentation. Have a look at the wiki on the above page. There's a comprehensive guide on how to install FlashFloppy on the Gotek.
FlashFloppy uses the FF.CFG I mentioned in my last post.

[c0dehunter]

Originally Posted by torsti76

That means your Gotek runs with the original HXC firmware.

I beg to differ, as the eBay seller that I bought this GoTek from, clearly states that it has:

Flash Floppy 2.13 firmware

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gotek-For-A...72.m2749.l2649

[torsti76]

Well, then read the Wiki and follow instructions on how to create a FF.CFG

Also, while at it, update to FlashFloppy 2.14.

[c0dehunter]

Thank you, all I can find on FlashFloppy is this link, which does not have any documentation that I can use:


https://github.com/keirf/FlashFloppy

[torsti76]

How about this https://github.com/keirf/FlashFloppy/wiki

[c0dehunter]

Thanks! Do I extract the entire content of the flashfloppy-v2.14.zip onto my USB stick?


How do I install / "flash" GoTek firmware?


Thanks!

[torsti76]

Please read the Wiki, it's all there. I am far away from my Amigas at the moment and would have to read that, too.

[c0dehunter]

Thank you!

Here is HOW:

FlashFloppy Firmware Update
If you have previously flashed the full firmware, you can make future updates via USB stick.
When instructed to press both buttons, press Prev and Next. You may alternatively press Select, or the rotary encoder, if you have them.

Remove all old *.upd files from the root of the USB stick.

Copy the *.upd file from the root of the release archive to the root of the USB stick.

Insert the USB stick into the Gotek and power on with both buttons pressed.

You should now be in the bootloader (display shows "UPD" or "FF Update Flash").

Release both buttons.

The latest firmware will be programmed and the Gotek will reboot into it.

Success!

[c0dehunter]

OK, I have managed to find the link that describes the FF.CFG file:

https://github.com/keirf/FlashFloppy...iguration-File

The sample FF.CGF file provided in the .zip file, mentions this:

##
## DRIVE EMULATION

# Floppy-drive interface mode

# shugart: P2=DSKCHG, P34=RDY

# ibmpc: P2=unused, P34=DSKCHG

# ibmpc-hdout: P2=HD_OUT, P34=DSKCHG (not generally needed: prefer 'ibmpc')

# akai-s950: P2=HD_OUT, P34=RDY (Akai S950)

# amiga: P2=DSKCHG, P34=DRIVE_ID (not generally needed: prefer 'shugart')

# jc: JC closed: ibmpc, JC open: shugart

So you are saying that I simply edit the FF.CFG file, and change the existing values from interface = jc to interface = amiga

Thanks!

[c0dehunter]

Originally Posted by demolition

My guess is that it selects what kind of floppy drive you are connecting (Amiga or PC interface). For FF/HxC, use the Amiga setting (FF defaults to this when using Amiga floppy images).

Unbelievable! I just checked his eBay posting, and the jumpers in his picture, they are all set to AM! (as opposed to mine, which when shipped to me, where all set to PC instead!)

I have loaded it to my Flickr account:

https://flic.kr/p/2iH4qxn

Let me move these jumpers to AM position, and test, I hope it works!

UPDATE:

Ok, A500 boots externally from GoTek, and I see the FloppyFlash screen, but I get an error:

Error: writesector -> failure while seeking the track 00!

Now this error message only appears when I boot to AUTOBOOT (on the USB Flash stick), if I press the next button on GoTek and select another .ADF image (game/demo), it load it just fine.

The thing is that I NEED to be able to boot in AUTOBOOT, in order to add .ADF images to the USB stick, etc.

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!