Another case of slow IDE access, MuFastRom slowdown?

68030 + SDRAM + IDE

Moderators: terriblefire, Terriblefire Moderator

aera
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon May 05, 2025 8:29 pm

Re: Another case of slow IDE access, MuFastRom slowdown?

Post by aera »

Hi all,

I've come to provide the resolution.

In the meantime, I changed about everything that might affect it:
New MeanWell PSU, current ROM matching the OS, capacitors, you name it.

It was the damn CF card. I changed it for another and immediately got 3.5MB/s. Don't ask me why I decided to do that last.

Doesn't hurt having done the other upgrades, though :D :D

Thank you Stephen for all your work!

edit: and let it be known that yes, certain CF cards are slower with MuFastRom enabled and changing those might solve all your issues!
matt020
Posts: 326
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2019 9:17 am
Location: West Australia

Re: Another case of slow IDE access, MuFastRom slowdown?

Post by matt020 »

What brand of CF card did you have previously,
and what brand did you switch to, to make it work?
aera
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon May 05, 2025 8:29 pm

Re: Another case of slow IDE access, MuFastRom slowdown?

Post by aera »

I had previously used the famous blue-and-white CF with 8GB capacity. I switched it for an older PLATINUM branded one, which I think is a German brand and might not be as ubiquitous elsewhere. It runs perfectly.

This one's only 2GB, so I'm definitely swapping it for another one. I just ordered an 8GB PLATINUM from eBay, and a 16GB SanDisk Extreme. Will find out how well these fare.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15024
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Another case of slow IDE access, MuFastRom slowdown?

Post by rubber_jonnie »

aera wrote: Thu Jul 10, 2025 9:55 am I had previously used the famous blue-and-white CF with 8GB capacity. I switched it for an older PLATINUM branded one, which I think is a German brand and might not be as ubiquitous elsewhere. It runs perfectly.

This one's only 2GB, so I'm definitely swapping it for another one. I just ordered an 8GB PLATINUM from eBay, and a 16GB SanDisk Extreme. Will find out how well these fare.
When modding my A500 I found that CF cards were quite unreliable, IIRC a lot identify as removable media rather than fixed disk which can cause issues. I bought a bunch of different sizes (256Mb up to 4GB) and makes, some worked, some didn't and overall the experience was poor.

I swapped to IDE2SD card adapters and all my issues went away.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
matt020
Posts: 326
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2019 9:17 am
Location: West Australia

Re: Another case of slow IDE access, MuFastRom slowdown?

Post by matt020 »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Thu Jul 10, 2025 12:06 pm When modding my A500 I found that CF cards were quite unreliable, IIRC a lot identify as removable media rather than fixed disk which can cause issues. I bought a bunch of different sizes (256Mb up to 4GB) and makes, some worked, some didn't and overall the experience was poor.

I swapped to IDE2SD card adapters and all my issues went away.
On the contrary, I have been using CF cards in my Amiga's since 2010 when I got back into the hobby. Never had 1 fail. Not a single one.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15024
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Another case of slow IDE access, MuFastRom slowdown?

Post by rubber_jonnie »

matt020 wrote: Fri Jul 11, 2025 1:24 am
On the contrary, I have been using CF cards in my Amiga's since 2010 when I got back into the hobby. Never had 1 fail. Not a single one.
Out of curiosity are you using a specific brand/size and do you have a particular flavour of IDE to CF adapter you use? I had nothing but trouble with CF cards in my A500, multiple makes and several different adapters.

I was using a 10cm cable, though I did also try a 5cm, but it made no difference.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
matt020
Posts: 326
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2019 9:17 am
Location: West Australia

Re: Another case of slow IDE access, MuFastRom slowdown?

Post by matt020 »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Fri Jul 11, 2025 8:36 am
matt020 wrote: Fri Jul 11, 2025 1:24 am
On the contrary, I have been using CF cards in my Amiga's since 2010 when I got back into the hobby. Never had 1 fail. Not a single one.
Out of curiosity are you using a specific brand/size and do you have a particular flavour of IDE to CF adapter you use? I had nothing but trouble with CF cards in my A500, multiple makes and several different adapters.

I was using a 10cm cable, though I did also try a 5cm, but it made no difference.

Mostly Sandisk.

I refuse to buy cheap ones.

And the results are, not a single one has failed.
aera
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon May 05, 2025 8:29 pm

Re: Another case of slow IDE access, MuFastRom slowdown?

Post by aera »

I have now also settled on the 16GB SanDisk Extreme. It's the older 60MB/s kind with a black label. I get 3,449,000 bytes/sec on this card according to SysInfo, and boot times and opening drawers are very snappy now.

Note that my TF536 is from AmigaStore which still sells the Rev. 2, I think there is a newer one?

Anyway, very happy with this setup now. :)
Post Reply

Return to “TF536”