Floppy Emu Disk Emulator Updates

[bigmessowires]

I now have assembled and tested Floppy Emus you can buy from my web site, if anyone would like one. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=22539

 

[superpantoufle]

I received mine yesterday, and just tried it on the Plus tonight. It's awesome!!!

Thanks again BMOW for that incredible work!

 

[ajacocks]

It truly is an amazing device. I've used mine to boot a friends 128k Mac (that I replaced _all_ the RAM in!), and my Mac IIci.

What versatility!

BMOW, have you considered making your drive Apple IIe/c/gs-compatible?

- Alex

 

[bigmessowires]

Thanks! It's already gs-compatible, when connected to the daisy chain board from an external Apple 3.5 drive - see uniserver's experiments in a separate thread. I think the IIe and IIc use a different floppy interface, though.

Anyone know if the non-Twiggy Lisa uses the same drive mechanism as the Mac? If so, then Floppy Emu could theoretically work on a Lisa, if the firmware were updated to support tags (extra data on the floppy that's not part of the sector itself).

 

[ajacocks]

Actually, the IIc can support SmartPort drives (IIgs-style) natively, and so can the IIe, given an appropriate controller card.

Having now read the other thread (sorry that I missed that, earlier), and it sounds like you're already on the path.

Again, thanks so much for such a great device!

Thanks!

- Alex

 

[ScutBoy]

Thanks! It's already gs-compatible, when connected to the daisy chain board from an external Apple 3.5 drive - see uniserver's experiments in a separate thread. I think the IIe and IIc use a different floppy interface, though.
Anyone know if the non-Twiggy Lisa uses the same drive mechanism as the Mac? If so, then Floppy Emu could theoretically work on a Lisa, if the firmware were updated to support tags (extra data on the floppy that's not part of the sector itself).

The 400k drive mechanism is the same. You could also use an 800k drive under Macworks with a ROM replacement.

I have Lisas running both LisaOS and Macworks, if you're feeling rowdy on the firmware front I guess I could try a 400k image on my 400k Macworks machine on the internal floppy cable. Since it uses a Mac drive I don't think it should be a problem, but I don't want to fry my new Floppy Emu

 

[bigmessowires]

Interesting. Lisas don't have an external floppy port then? Do Lisa floppy images typically come in Disk copy 4.2 format?

I'll take a look at the tags issue after the holidays.

 

[ScutBoy]

Nope - no external floppy port.

Lisa images always used to be DART format. I can't recall off the top of my head how portable those are with more modern utilities. It's been a long time since I've dealt with Lisa floppies.

 

[bigmessowires]

I've released a new firmware version: 1.0L F11. This adds the ability to fine-tune the LCD contrast, and save the contrast setting to EEPROM. There seems to be a lot of variability from one LCD to the next, or even with the same LCD from day to day, so it was getting difficult for me to find a single contrast setting that worked well for all LCDs. Now you get to tweak the contrast to exactly how you like it.

 

[uniserver]

I have found temperature effects the LCD,

kind of like an expansion contraction issue.

where did you get these screens from? Were they rejects from noika?

 

[bigmessowires]

They are new LCDs from a Chinese supplier. Previously I got them from SparkFun and they are identical.

 

[uniserver]

yeah if the contrast go's ape… i pull it out and kind of rub/press/massage on the metal sides…

pop it back on and the issue seems to go away.

 

[uniserver]

after installing the new firmware update the floppy emu is not working with my 128k or 512k.

works with the portable just tried it.

 

[bigmessowires]

I just tried it again with my 512K and it works OK here. Firmware 1.0L-F11. The only thing that's new in the latest firmware is LCD contrast adjustment, so it shouldn't have any effect on 128K/512K support unless I screwed up something. What kind of problem are you seeing when you try it? Does it work if you switch back to 1.0K-F11?

Might your 5V supply be out of adjustment? Or maybe something got damaged with the hardware when you had that glitch a few days ago?

 

[uniserver]

its possible, i am not sure what the glitch was, to be honest

it keeps saying sd card error.

and there is no issues with the sd card… pop it in IIsi or SE/30 or portable and it works fine.

ill try the 128k/512 again.

-ah, you see my issue is, when i am forcing the floppy emu onto the floppy port, i get skittish because i don't trust

the pcb can handle the force I'm putting on it.

looks like i have isolated the issue to the 512k only. might be bad resistor network.

also the 512k has a nasty floppy port… it was the one from flordia …

512k says

Fatal Error

SD card error 10:1

and I notice the contrast flickering … darker and lighter.

tried it on the 128k and it works as long as i really grind it into the floppy emu into the floppy port.

i guess wierd things pop up when you factor in the age of these machines...