Sporniket's log on hardware stuff

[sporniket]

This week I got my CF cards, and so I could finally test the IDE support from the SmartBoard STe. I downloaded the demo image of HDD Driver https://www.hddriver.net/en/demo.html and wrote it on the CF card.

Capture d’écran du 2023-12-09 11-08-55.png

Then I inserted the CF card on the IDE module that I plugged into the Smartboard. Switch on and ...

2023-11-09--03--cf-card-with-hdd-driver-demo-image.jpg

2023-11-09--04--looking-at-c.jpg

In my happyness, I forgot to test writing into the C:\drive. Will do that later, as well as buying the full version. Then I will build my C: drive little by little.

About the RTC support, I have tested it with Xcontrol, and there was non problem. The only tips I can tell is to use a pencil and gently rub the coin cell battery holder, to make the almost invisible "ON-OFF" marking visible.

2023-11-25--01-make-markings-visible.jpg

[sporniket]

Now that my STe is almost ready, it's time to work on a mandatory accessory...

2023-12-10--tricky-gamecon-sneak-peak.jpg

On the right side, the blue button is mapped to "up" (inspired by a video of @BlankVector ) and the red button is "fire".

The green button is mapped to either "up", "down" or "right click button" (only if plugged to mouse port, again from the same video of @BlankVector ) ; and the yellow button is mapped to either "fire" or "up+down" (inspired by the hacked joypad made by masteries and what he used for it's demo level of metal slug on the STe)

There was a front plate but it's being remade, the holes for the button cap where to small...

Will test it soon.

(edit : fixed the mapping choices of green and yellow button)

[chronicthehedgehog]

That's a great idea.

I really don't like using 'up' to jump and it could make games where you use up/down to accelerate/brake easier too.

:dualthumbup:

[sporniket]

Exactly, I have Lotus in mind (the STe remake, that is my race game of choice for testing my setup), but also games like Rick Dangerous.

[BlankVector]

Well done 😀

[Darklord]

Looks like your project is really gaining steam now - good job. :)

[sporniket]

Thank you. Yes, I am close to be able to have a finalized setup for the motheboard. Next year it will be about input devices : the keyboard need servicing (some keys are not always responsives), I have several project for the joystick, and the mouse too.

[sporniket]

Happy New Year everybody !

Finally finished to build a small batch of my adapter pcb to use a power brick to power a ST :

2024-01-03-ready-to-test.jpg

Next step is to test them and see how much are OK. Then I plan to sell some of them.

[chronicthehedgehog]

Interesting stuff.

My STe gets very warm - as I imagine everyone's does :) The PSU has been recapped but it must have been a lot warmer in the past as the case has warped.

I best this stays nice and cool!

[sporniket]

yes, the warmth of the power adapter stays by the power adapter.