A2090a + microSD (as SCSI HD) ?

[sodapop]

Hi !

I have a A2000 + A2090a SCSI controller. I bought a SCSI2SD device, and a 2GB MicroSD in order to use it as a HD...

Since WinUAE emulates the A2090a controller, I'd like to know if I could use my MicroSD as if it was a SCSI hard disk (recognized as is by the A2090a) under WinUAE... and do the whole installation process (HD prep, HD format, WB install, software install...) under WinUAE ?
I know the A2090a controller is a bit tricky (256MB limitation, can't use HDToolBox but the custom install disk...), and my first attempts failed so far...
So, in a nutshell, how to make my MicroSD behave like a SCSI hard drive under WinUAE (if it's ever possible) ?

Thank you !

[Toni Wilen]

- Configure A2090a (Expansions GUI panel, also add boot ROM if you want to have autobootable version)
- Add harddrive, connect it to A2090a controller. But I recommend experimenting with (dynamic) HDFs first before using real storage devices.
- Try to understand A2090a installer software

[sodapop]

Thanks Toni !

Configure A2090a (Expansions GUI panel, also add boot ROM if you want to have autobootable version)

Well, I don't really see what to configure with the A2090a (adding a boot ROM ? according to me the A2090a is already the autoboot version of the A2090, right ?)

Add harddrive, connect it to A2090a controller

So I choose the MicroSD, I select UAE and... connect it to A2090a ? How do I do that ?

Try to understand A2090a installer software

Yeah... not an easy going !

[Toni Wilen]

Originally Posted by sodapop

Well, I don't really see what to configure with the A2090a (adding a boot ROM ? according to me the A2090a is already the autoboot version of the A2090, right ?)

Boot ROMs naturally can't be part of WinUAE so you need to always manually attach it to selected device. The box next to device in Expansions panel.

So I choose the MicroSD, I select UAE and... connect it to A2090a ? How do I do that ?

Open the drop down menu that normally shows "UAE" and change it to A2090a.

[Pat the Cat]

Please be aware - there are two A2090s. The Commodore one and the GVP one, both hard drive controllers with additional RAM for the Amiga A2000.

I am sure Tony knows this, but the OP might not, and it can cause confusion.

[sodapop]

I didn't realize the ROM had to be manually added (I thought it was built-in !)
With the ROM added, I can now see the A2090a listed where I previously only had "UAE", "IDE (Auto)" and "SCSI (Auto)"... So I can "connect" to it now
Still a long way to go, but there is improvement !

Thanks Toni !

[Pat the Cat]

If it was me, I'd try to partition and format the solid state drive on the Amiga first, then get WinUAE to recognize it. That way you know it's going to be recognized by the Amiga side.

You can get the software for the CBM version here, if you have not already;-

http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/a2090a

[sodapop]

@Pat the Cat: thank you, I'll try this way too ! (and I already had the software, thx !)

[dalek]

Originally Posted by Pat the Cat

Please be aware - there are two A2090s. The Commodore one and the GVP one, both hard drive controllers with additional RAM for the Amiga A2000.

I am sure Tony knows this, but the OP might not, and it can cause confusion.

Er no, the A2090/2090a do not have additional RAM for the A2000. That's the A2091 with up to 2MB.

And AFAIK GVP didn't make anything with A2090 in it's name.

[Pat the Cat]

Originally Posted by dalek

Er no, the A2090/2090a do not have additional RAM for the A2000. That's the A2091 with up to 2MB.

And AFAIK GVP didn't make anything with A2090 in it's name.

<sigh> CBM did not make such and GVP did not make such.

What people post as HAVING doesn't necessarily match with the original product, believe it or not.

GVP products in the UK went out in the early days with all kinds of designations and markups. It was a case of what the importer / distributor marketed each as. Same for CBM, to a certain extent.

This is vitally important information when setting up WinUAE correctly. It is not so much of an issue when dealing with the real Amiga hardware - not always.

The CBM A2090A looks like a terrible example of a SCSI controller, quite frankly. Why they all weren't sent to the knackers yard years ago escapes me. Oh, look at that. Custom bootblock on a HD system. Something I was told never happened that way, on Amiga hard disks ever, on this very site. Whaddyaknow.

http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/a2090a

GVP A2000 SCSI controllers did indeed have great variance even when they left the factory, let alone when they crossed the customers doorstep thousands of miles away.

http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/a2090a

(walks away whistling)

[Toni Wilen]

What was the point of that post? Are you planning to include useless off topic comments to every thread?

Everyone in this thread (except you?) knows what A2090a is, it is crappy Commodore designed SCSI controller. It is impossible to confuse it with GVP product.

This thread is about A2090a. Nothing else. Not even its quality (or lack of it) is on topic.

[sodapop]

Thanks Toni...

Although I managed to emulate the A2090a + hard drive connected to it, it seems such a pain in the ... to make it recognized by the crappy install software.
I will do it the hard way: real A2000 and A2090a + SCSI2SD, and all the floppies to have a decently stuffed HD