A500 GVP HD8+ Hard Drive

ck1200 · 06 January 2010, 22:34

Hi all, I’ve seen this advertised and was interested in it for my a500+, as it's been a while since I’ve dabbled in all things Amiga just wanted to check this would be ok as it's listed for an a500 not the plus model

also does anyone know what the hd size and the ram, or did some vary

http://eab.abime.net/attachment.php?...1&d=1262813565

Thanks

chris

alexh · 06 January 2010, 22:37

Works fine. I have one myself. The vendor is an EAB member.

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?...&highlight=gvp

Should be really easy to find 2*4Mbyte 30-pin SIMMS to bring it up to full power.

The best upgrade for these is a SCSI->IDE + IDE->CF adapters for ~£35.

It could possibly do with a ROM upgrade to 4.15, you may be fine, but if you need one it should be available for under £5.

ck1200 · 06 January 2010, 22:45

Excellent Alex

thanks for the detailed answer and the link also

ck1200 · 06 January 2010, 22:54

Wow i knew the internet connection was slow in work, but not that slow, i just had another go at loading the e-bay add and it says a500/a500+ in the text

sorry guys

Chris

PowerPie5000 · 09 January 2010, 03:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

The vendor is an EAB member.

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?...&highlight=gvp

Yep thats one of my ebay listings

i could not think of a decent price so i started the bidding at 99p as i have a couple of these units. I'm sure the 4.13 rom will handle large drives as my other GVP HD8+ is running a 2GB 50-pin SCSI drive (Seagate Hawk ST3151N) with a 4.5 rom installed.

ck1200 · 10 January 2010, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerPie5000

Yep thats one of my ebay listings

i could not think of a decent price so i started the bidding at 99p as i have a couple of these units. I'm sure the 4.13 rom will handle large drives as my other GVP HD8+ is running a 2GB 50-pin SCSI drive (Seagate Hawk ST3151N) with a 4.5 rom installed.

sent you a pm mate

Jurbo · 13 January 2010, 11:29

Hi!

Just wanted to jump in on this thread as I recently bought one of these (with 4 MB ram and a 2.1 GB Quantum Fireball drive) for my trusty old A500, but I'm having problems. The seller stated that he's not sure if the drive works (he kind of sold just the controller and slapped in the drive as an extra) but that the controller unit is ok (haven't been able to prove this yet).

My A500 has switchable Kickstart 1.3/2.0 and 0,5 MB chip / 0,5 MB trapdoor ram.
The memory in the GVP works, WB shows 5 MB total ram.
I have tried different jumper settings on the hard drive, but no luck (three address jumpers plus TE (active termination enable)). With some settings I have been able to boot from floppy, and have been able to read ROM version from the GVP (gvpscsi.device version 4.5). With most settings I just end up with a white screen or the Amiga starts but gurus right after getting to a Workbench screen. I also received a SCSI external passive termination plug yesterday, but that doesn't seem to help.

Any ideas? Do I need to find a proven to work SCSI drive?

alexh · 13 January 2010, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jurbo

Any ideas? Do I need to find a proven to work SCSI drive?

Or a SCSI->IDE + IDE->CF which is what is inside my HD8+

Zetr0 · 13 January 2010, 11:49

@alexh

how big is the CF card in your HD8+ and what GVP ROM version are you using ?

alexh · 13 January 2010, 12:31

1gb SanDisk Atheros set to FIXED
Acard AEC-7720U SCSI->IDE bridge
40-pin Right Angle Female IDE->CF adapter
Some Veroboard for stabilisation
GVP 4.13 (*might* have been upgraded 4.15)

P.S. This was my inspiration

http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=2746

Zetr0 · 13 January 2010, 12:43

@alexh

cheers for that (and the linkie)

might I ask if you have done any speed tests on the unit in the current setup?

I am hoping to see a 2MB barrier brake, DMA being all well =D

alexh · 13 January 2010, 13:14

It works, it feels no slower than with the 52Mbyte drive that was in. That's all I cared about.

Zetr0 · 13 January 2010, 13:33

i care too.....

and I am curious about the read speeds =)

Jurbo · 13 January 2010, 14:09

Does the GVP HD8+ need an external terminator (passive, I presume)?

Anybody willing to sell a (cheap) known working HDD compatible with the GVP HD8+? Size 1-4 GB... I need something to check my GVP controller (version 4.5)...

EDIT:
Does the "Game Switch" allow use of the HDD, if I load the drivers from a disk? In other words, does it disable the SCSI controller or just the GVP's rom, leaving the controller on? I think I once happened to see a "dh5" device in the Kick 2.0 boot menu, but still couldn't boot.

alexh · 13 January 2010, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jurbo

Does the GVP HD8+ need an external terminator (passive, I presume)?

No.

TheCorfiot · 13 January 2010, 19:23

If you have the gvpscsi.device in your expansion drawer on your WB Boot floppy then the Hard disk will be accesible in Game mode.
The FastRAM within the GVP HD+8 is always available...

The Game switch basically stops the onboard ROM from initialising & autobooting when Reseting the Miggy.

TC

Jurbo · 13 January 2010, 22:05

I have been testing my setup the last couple of hours.
This is what reads on my drive:

Quantum Fireball 3.5 series
Model number: 1.2S, 2.1S, 3.2S
2110S P/N TM21S011 Rev 04-D
Assy: 20-10946

With the TE jumper on in the HDD, I get nothing. Also with a passive terminator at the back of the GVP, I get nothing.

Without the TE jumper or terminator, when I boot with the GVP switch on Autoboot, the Hard Disk led does a series of blinking: "BLINK-blink-blink-blink-blink-blink" 10 times, and then allows me to boot from floppy. GVP's install floppy 1.98 has an utility GvpInfo, and in the Boards section, it shows "GVP Impact Series-II SCSI DMA" and "GVP Impact Series 4 MB RAM". So the controller seems to recognize correctly.

Just as I'm writing this, I have managed several boot ups:
Kickstart 2.05 ROM
GVP switched to Autoboot
All jumpers out of the drive (SCSI ID 0)

With the GVP2.00 install disk, I can sometimes get the FastPrep and ExpertPrep to recognize the name and size of the drive (after boot, i have to answer several times to a system request: gvpscsi.device: unit 000
unexpected status $49/$46). ExpertPrep fails to low-level format, and testing for Bad Blocks seems to read every single block as bad.

So, my drive is bad but the controller is ok? The only solution is to get a known working drive? I have old IDE drives, would it be smart to get one of those SCSI-IDE boards? Would they fit in the GVP's case with an IDE drive?

How about this SCSI-IDE converter? http://cgi.ebay.com/IDE-to-SCSI-Conv...item4ced0cc0be

Mozzerfan · 14 January 2010, 05:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jurbo

How about this SCSI-IDE converter? http://cgi.ebay.com/IDE-to-SCSI-Conv...item4ced0cc0be

Some time ago I tried to help someone who had bought the IDSC21 scsi-ide adapter (which is the older model of the card you're referring to), and he couldn't get it to work with the GVP hd8+.

See this thread http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthre...light=scsi-ide

He then bought an acard scsi-ide and had no problems whatsoever.

I'm also using an acard scsi-ide with my GVP HD8+, and it works like a charm.
Only thing is the gvp has some problems with the highspeed sandisk cards, but I bought a 1 GB "slow" sandisk card (the ones with the blue and red logo) and that works very well.

Jurbo · 15 January 2010, 14:28

Someone is selling a combination package of SCSI-IDE adapter, IDE-CF adaptor and a CF card. I think the SCSI-IDE adapter is the same as in my earlier post. Check it out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/4GB-CF-Compact-F...item414b9e96a2

I don't think it's cheap, but should work?

Jurbo · 20 January 2010, 13:57

Mozzerfan - is this the "slow" Sandisk card type that will work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/SANDISK-4GB-COMP...item19b95c3bce

06 January 2010, 22:34	#1
ck1200 CBM & Retro Mad Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: North Wales/Wirral Uk Age: 42 Posts: 611	A500 GVP HD8+ Hard Drive Hi all, I’ve seen this advertised and was interested in it for my a500+, as it's been a while since I’ve dabbled in all things Amiga just wanted to check this would be ok as it's listed for an a500 not the plus model also does anyone know what the hd size and the ram, or did some vary http://eab.abime.net/attachment.php?...1&d=1262813565 Thanks chris Attached Thumbnails

06 January 2010, 22:37	#2
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,448	Works fine. I have one myself. The vendor is an EAB member. http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?...&highlight=gvp Should be really easy to find 24Mbyte 30-pin SIMMS to bring it up to full power. The best upgrade for these is a SCSI->IDE + IDE->CF adapters for ~£35. It could possibly do with a ROM upgrade to 4.15, you may be fine, but if you need one it should be available for under £5. Last edited by alexh; 06 January 2010 at 22:43.*

13 January 2010, 14:09	#14
Jurbo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 15	Does the GVP HD8+ need an external terminator (passive, I presume)? Anybody willing to sell a (cheap) known working HDD compatible with the GVP HD8+? Size 1-4 GB... I need something to check my GVP controller (version 4.5)... EDIT: Does the "Game Switch" allow use of the HDD, if I load the drivers from a disk? In other words, does it disable the SCSI controller or just the GVP's rom, leaving the controller on? I think I once happened to see a "dh5" device in the Kick 2.0 boot menu, but still couldn't boot. Last edited by Jurbo; 13 January 2010 at 14:33. Reason: Need

13 January 2010, 22:05	#17
Jurbo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 15	I have been testing my setup the last couple of hours. This is what reads on my drive: Quantum Fireball 3.5 series Model number: 1.2S, 2.1S, 3.2S 2110S P/N TM21S011 Rev 04-D Assy: 20-10946 With the TE jumper on in the HDD, I get nothing. Also with a passive terminator at the back of the GVP, I get nothing. Without the TE jumper or terminator, when I boot with the GVP switch on Autoboot, the Hard Disk led does a series of blinking: "BLINK-blink-blink-blink-blink-blink" 10 times, and then allows me to boot from floppy. GVP's install floppy 1.98 has an utility GvpInfo, and in the Boards section, it shows "GVP Impact Series-II SCSI DMA" and "GVP Impact Series 4 MB RAM". So the controller seems to recognize correctly. Just as I'm writing this, I have managed several boot ups: Kickstart 2.05 ROM GVP switched to Autoboot All jumpers out of the drive (SCSI ID 0) With the GVP2.00 install disk, I can sometimes get the FastPrep and ExpertPrep to recognize the name and size of the drive (after boot, i have to answer several times to a system request: gvpscsi.device: unit 000 unexpected status $49/$46). ExpertPrep fails to low-level format, and testing for Bad Blocks seems to read every single block as bad. So, my drive is bad but the controller is ok? The only solution is to get a known working drive? I have old IDE drives, would it be smart to get one of those SCSI-IDE boards? Would they fit in the GVP's case with an IDE drive? How about this SCSI-IDE converter? http://cgi.ebay.com/IDE-to-SCSI-Conv...item4ced0cc0be Last edited by Jurbo; 13 January 2010 at 22:13. Reason: Need

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06 January 2010, 22:45	#3
ck1200 CBM & Retro Mad Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: North Wales/Wirral Uk Age: 42 Posts: 611	Excellent Alex thanks for the detailed answer and the link also

06 January 2010, 22:54	#4
ck1200 CBM & Retro Mad Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: North Wales/Wirral Uk Age: 42 Posts: 611	Wow i knew the internet connection was slow in work, but not that slow, i just had another go at loading the e-bay add and it says a500/a500+ in the text sorry guys Chris

13 January 2010, 11:29	#7
Jurbo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 15	Hi! Just wanted to jump in on this thread as I recently bought one of these (with 4 MB ram and a 2.1 GB Quantum Fireball drive) for my trusty old A500, but I'm having problems. The seller stated that he's not sure if the drive works (he kind of sold just the controller and slapped in the drive as an extra) but that the controller unit is ok (haven't been able to prove this yet). My A500 has switchable Kickstart 1.3/2.0 and 0,5 MB chip / 0,5 MB trapdoor ram. The memory in the GVP works, WB shows 5 MB total ram. I have tried different jumper settings on the hard drive, but no luck (three address jumpers plus TE (active termination enable)). With some settings I have been able to boot from floppy, and have been able to read ROM version from the GVP (gvpscsi.device version 4.5). With most settings I just end up with a white screen or the Amiga starts but gurus right after getting to a Workbench screen. I also received a SCSI external passive termination plug yesterday, but that doesn't seem to help. Any ideas? Do I need to find a proven to work SCSI drive?

13 January 2010, 11:49	#9
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@alexh how big is the CF card in your HD8+ and what GVP ROM version are you using ?

13 January 2010, 12:31	#10
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,448	1gb SanDisk Atheros set to FIXED Acard AEC-7720U SCSI->IDE bridge 40-pin Right Angle Female IDE->CF adapter Some Veroboard for stabilisation GVP 4.13 (might have been upgraded 4.15) P.S. This was my inspiration http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=2746

13 January 2010, 12:43	#11
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@alexh cheers for that (and the linkie) might I ask if you have done any speed tests on the unit in the current setup? I am hoping to see a 2MB barrier brake, DMA being all well =D

13 January 2010, 13:14	#12
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,448	It works, it feels no slower than with the 52Mbyte drive that was in. That's all I cared about.

13 January 2010, 13:33	#13
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	i care too..... and I am curious about the read speeds =)

13 January 2010, 19:23	#16
TheCorfiot Amibay Senior Staff Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cardiff / Wales Posts: 1,302	If you have the gvpscsi.device in your expansion drawer on your WB Boot floppy then the Hard disk will be accesible in Game mode. The FastRAM within the GVP HD+8 is always available... The Game switch basically stops the onboard ROM from initialising & autobooting when Reseting the Miggy. TC

15 January 2010, 14:28	#19
Jurbo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 15	Someone is selling a combination package of SCSI-IDE adapter, IDE-CF adaptor and a CF card. I think the SCSI-IDE adapter is the same as in my earlier post. Check it out: http://cgi.ebay.com/4GB-CF-Compact-F...item414b9e96a2 I don't think it's cheap, but should work?

20 January 2010, 13:57	#20
Jurbo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 15	Mozzerfan - is this the "slow" Sandisk card type that will work? http://cgi.ebay.com/SANDISK-4GB-COMP...item19b95c3bce

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