exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

Well, minor bum clenching moment there.

Upgrading the firmware in my Ultimate 1MB for my main A8 (The 800XL) and after a reboot as requested, suddenly my SIDE3 stops working.

It's a case of RTFM in my case, and it turns out I've used the wrong, but completely valid firmware and disabled the necessary components of the U1MB that enable it to talk to the SIDE3.

Here's where it useful to have another way of getting to the ATR image file. Thankfully I have an SIO2SD and an SDrive-MAX, so I drop the necessary files onto the SDrive, boot to SpartaDos X using the U1MB, navigate to D1: of the SDrive and run the flash tool from there.

I'll have to make sure I follow the correct procedure next time, but at least I have it all working again. Phew!!

@stephen_usher Just had confirmation my vDrive QL has shipped:)

Yay! :cheer: :girldance:

vDrive QL still in New Zealand, but on the way at least, as is my M1 Pro Macbook :)

vDrive QL is still airborne, it has been since the 21st October. I do hope they are doing air to air refuelling since that's a long time to be airborne :)

Just going through my project list and updating:

1. Mac Classic- Get an RGB2HDMI and try setting up the logic board I have from my own Classic plus the one from @Tomswork (Thanks again Tom :)) I have just sorted out some storage in my spare room, so can dig this out and start work on it. I have concerns about sorting an RGB2HDMI because of the chip shortage.
2. 2x H4s to build!! This is why I don't have an H5 yet. As per item 1.
3. Apple ][ - replace RIFAs in PSU and checkout the video out as the signal is a bit fuzzy. Get a FloppyEMU. All done, plus I will have a play with my new Retrotink, see if I can get it looking better. Apple ][e's are known for shonky composite.
4. Finish case repairs for Mega ST keyboard. Ongoing.
5. Work out what's wrong with my Spectrum. As per item 1.
6. Reassemble my retro area to include more machines! Getting there very nicely.
7. Scour previous posts for other projects I may have half abandoned and probably should resurrect! I've not found any more, let me know if you all do :)
8. @exxos CosmosEx (when he sends it over!!) @exxos I'm still up for this if you are? Don't forget I've changed address BTW.
9. GeaseWeazel stuff.... Still in one of the many unpacked boxes, so as per item 1 again.
10. See if I can get the Apha board running. Low down the priority list, but still here.
11. Build Electron ULA replacement(I have the PCB, just need the BOM) On hold due to the chip shortage. Thanks to @Icky for trying to find an alternative.
12. BBC B ROM and other related stuff. Low down the priority list.
13. Do any stuff in the BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING section that I have either forgotten or couldn't do because my stuff was in storage! I think this is up to date, so you all shout if you want more.
14. FDD fixes (Seltron & Atari 1050) Ongoing, I think the Seltron is nearly there, but I need to do some more figuring out. I think the 1050 has a dead 6532 (RIOT) as it gets really hot, so I'm waiting for spares.

Time to go and start unpacking some boxes and move some projects along :)

New storage is looking good:

rubber_jonnie wrote: 24 Oct 2021 10:54 8. @exxos CosmosEx (when he sends it over!!) @exxos I'm still up for this if you are? Don't forget I've changed address BTW.

Need your new address :lol:

Was waiting for you to settle down, as it might end up under a pile of boxes under the cat or something :lol:

You missed off testing the Phoenix Shifter v2 prototype @rubber_jonnie to test on the H4's when you build them. May be build one with out the video DAC etc so you can just plug the Phoenix Shifter in and save you time on the build. :)

Basically you don't need any of the purple enclosed area components if using the Phoenix Shifter:


EDIT: Those storage units are looking good. I expect you will fill them up really quickly.

exxos wrote: 24 Oct 2021 11:00

rubber_jonnie wrote: 24 Oct 2021 10:54 8. @exxos CosmosEx (when he sends it over!!) @exxos I'm still up for this if you are? Don't forget I've changed address BTW.

Need your new address :lol:

Was waiting for you to settle down, as it might end up under a pile of boxes under the cat or something :lol:

New address PM'd just now.

Icky wrote: 24 Oct 2021 11:37 You missed off testing the Phoenix Shifter v2 prototype @rubber_jonnie to test on the H4's when you build them. May be build one with out the video DAC etc so you can just plug the Phoenix Shifter in and save you time on the build. :)

Basically you don't need any of the purple enclosed area components if using the Phoenix Shifter:


IMG_5027.png


EDIT: Those storage units are looking good. I expect you will fill them up really quickly.

I have 2 H4s that are bare boards ATM, so one will be getting the HDMI Shifter :)

As for the storage, yep it's filling up nicely :) Pictures later!

Ok, so this is the current state of storage filling:




And I'm pretty pleased with the progress, especially since I think I have managed to unpack just about all my retro machines :)

At least half of the unpacked boxes in the "box room" are dealt with, so there is a good deal of space in there now, but there are still boxes. Some have workshop stuff, but are mainly things like cables etc, so I really need to get some plastic storage boxes for those, and the remaining boxes are 'our' stuff and non workshop, and so need unpacking to their correct places.

I also managed to get quite a bit of stuff into the nooks and crannies going spare in my workshop, so overall a very good weekend unpacking wise. The rest should be relatively easy to get done, and we do plan for some additional shelving. Nice to actually have all my 2600/7800/Spectrum/Oric & C64 stuff out of boxes and easy to access too :)

And yes, I know the QL is upside down, but it'll be coming down soon on account of the vDrive being imminent :)