Thread

Floppy Emu Disk Emulator Updates

Floppy Emu Disk Emulator Updates 68k 54 posts Oct 31, 2013 — Jan 16, 2014

#31 Wed, 20 Nov 2013 - 00:52

Yeah, I create dc4.2 images on real drives. Although for the most part, I use minivmac to create writeable .dsk images. With the import utility, you can just drag files in and save them on the images.

#32 Wed, 20 Nov 2013 - 02:29

Yep, that's definitely useful, so long as you aren't trying to convert disk images from another format, to Disk Copy 4.2.

#33 Wed, 20 Nov 2013 - 04:13

The classic Mac program DiskDup+ by Roger D. Bates will convert DiskCopy 4.2 images to raw .dsk images and vice-versa, if that's what you're after.

#34 Wed, 20 Nov 2013 - 04:15

Very close. Now, I just need to figure out how to get from Disk Copy 6.x to .raw.

Thanks for the pointer!

#35 Wed, 20 Nov 2013 - 04:19

Could you use Shrinkwrap under Mini vMac to mount the 6.x image, and then use DiskDup+ or DiskCopy to create a 4.2 or raw image?

If you can find documentation for the DiskCopy 6.x format, maybe I can support it directly in the firmware.

#36 Wed, 20 Nov 2013 - 04:22

I will look in to finding the Disk Copy 6.x format documentation.

As to directly running Disk Copy, that's a no go, as Mini vMac doesn't really emulate a floppy drive. Actually, that seems to be a shortcoming of all of the Macintosh emulators. For most purposes, it doesn't really matter, but for image creation and writing, it is somewhat critical. I have tried Basilisk II, MESS, Mini vMac, and Sheepshaver.

Thanks!

#37 Wed, 20 Nov 2013 - 04:38

A few minutes of searching suggests that DiskCopy 6.x format is NDIF, which I think is just a raw disk image in the data fork with all the metadata in the resource fork. If you copy the file to a Windows volume, it'll split the forks and put each fork into a separate file. If the data fork file is exactly 1,474,560 bytes (512 bytes times 2880 sectors), then it's a raw HD disk image and should work fine with Floppy Emu. Latest firmware no longer cares if the file extension is .dsk as long as the image is the right size or has the right signature.

#38 Wed, 20 Nov 2013 - 05:59

Indeed, my searching seems to indicate the same.

I also found this program, which seems to work well, though I have only tested it a bit:

http://sunsky3s.s41.xrea.com/dmgconverter/index.html

It seems to create valid raw images, given a variety of formats, fairly easily. I also ran across an old hint that additional formats can be enabled for Disk Utility, using the following:

Code:

$ defaults write com.apple.DiskUtility advanced-image-options -bool true

In my (limited) testing, on 10.8.5, it does enable the formats, but trying to create a Disk Copy 4.2 image from an existing UDIF image caused an error. I'll post more, as I do more testing.

#39 Fri, 22 Nov 2013 - 01:38

Just to note, I've tested the latest firmware, and it's absolutely perfect.

Thanks so much!

- Alex

#40 Mon, 9 Dec 2013 - 23:37

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

#41 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 - 20:53

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

Thanks again BMOW for that incredible work!

#42 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 - 21:37

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

#43 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 - 21:41

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).

#44 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 - 22:19

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

#45 Wed, 25 Dec 2013 - 00:01

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

#46 Wed, 25 Dec 2013 - 00:49

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.

#47 Wed, 25 Dec 2013 - 01:02

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.

#48 Fri, 10 Jan 2014 - 17:39

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.

#49 Fri, 10 Jan 2014 - 18:10

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?

#50 Sat, 11 Jan 2014 - 19:42

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

#51 Sat, 11 Jan 2014 - 22:52

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.

#52 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 - 06:00

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

works with the portable just tried it.

#53 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 - 18:37

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?

#54 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 - 18:48

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...