Maximum devices on IDE bus?

[Fingerlickin_B]

Hi all,

Is it possible to run more than two devices on an A600/A1200 IDE bus without the use of a buffered interface device…just using a cable?

Or can you only run two devices if only using a simple cable?

If it is possible, how should I configure the drives' jumpers in order for it to work?

PZ.

[YoJoe!]

Originally Posted by Fingerlickin_B

Hi all,

Is it possible to run more than two devices on an A600/A1200 IDE bus without the use of a buffered interface device…just using a cable?

nop

[Fingerlickin_B]

Cool, cheers

PZ.

[Jope]

Originally Posted by Fingerlickin_B

Hi all,

Is it possible to run more than two devices on an A600/A1200 IDE bus without the use of a buffered interface device…just using a cable?

Yes, the cable needs two diodes and five connectors. You need to swap over a few wires.

It's not wise though, you risk burning custom chips, and it looks ugly.

If it is possible, how should I configure the drives' jumpers in order for it to work?

Err..

computer-master-slave-diodes-master-slave

Or something like that. IIRC the info on making an IDE splitter is on Aminet, read that.

http://aminet.net/package/docs/hard/4IDE

[Fingerlickin_B]

That's cool man, I just ended up going with 2 devices.

BUT, if anyone can help with the following I'd be eternally grateful!

I've got a HDD, ZIP & CD drives.

Cased the whole thing in a desktop box tonight.

IDEfix is configured well & all I need to do to swap the CD & ZIP drives is to change the cable between the CD or ZIP drive...by that I mean pull the 40 pin out of one drive & plug into the other.

Is there any way to keep both permanently connected to a common IDE cable & switch between the two (like cut a single strand to each & switch it to select drive)?

PZ.

[Jope]

You'd have to reboot every time after switching, and potentially your machine will crash if you toggle it by mistake.

Perhaps you could do it if you jumper both as slave and install a toggle switch that links pin 38 to the one you want to be active.

If you want to be really hifi about it, you could add pullup resistors to make sure the unselected slave will not think it was activated by accident.

[Fingerlickin_B]

So if pin 38 is disconnected then the Amiga won't "see" the IDE device at all...is that what you are saying?

[gizmomelb]

you can buy a buffered IDE device from AmigaKit (US) for about $20 Aus.

get in now while the exchange rate is so good

[Fingerlickin_B]

Originally Posted by gizmomelb

you can buy a buffered IDE device from AmigaKit (US) for about $20 Aus.

get in now while the exchange rate is so good

Good point!

I just grabbed one for only $25.38 AUD including shipping...soooo much better than six months or a year ago

PZ.

[Jope]

Originally Posted by Fingerlickin_B

So if pin 38 is disconnected then the Amiga won't "see" the IDE device at all...is that what you are saying?

Basically the IDE device does not know it's attention is being asked, thus it will not respond to any commands.

Or in other words the Amiga won't see it because it won't answer.

Pin 38 is for slave, pin 36 is for master.

And this is for PIO IDE only, such as in the Amiga. Simplest form of IDE.

[Fingerlickin_B]

Originally Posted by Jope

Basically the IDE device does not know it's attention is being asked, thus it will not respond to any commands.

Or in other words the Amiga won't see it because it won't answer.

Pin 38 is for slave, pin 36 is for master.

And this is for PIO IDE only, such as in the Amiga. Simplest form of IDE.

Thanks man!

PZ.