exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

Hi all, first, please, please forgive my ignorance here. I know the TF project has being going on for some time and stuff is constantly changing. I've read The LaST Upgrade Part 39 and several threads and I'm just not 100% clear on some things.

My goal is to install this board in to an Atari 520 STFM.

Here's what I've gathered so far:

STF536 Rev 5 : https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/#0220
PGA Socket : https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/#0181
IC3 : XC95144XL-5TQG144C Xilinx CPLD : https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/xi ... cycode=GBP
IC7, IC8 : AS4C16M16SA-6TCN Alliance Memory DRAM : https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/al ... cycode=GBP
U1, U2, U3, U4 : SN74CB3T3245PW TI Digital Bus Switch ICs : https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/te ... cycode=GBP
IC1 : MC68030RC50C : Motorola 68030 50Mhz : https://amigastore.eu/en/780-motorola-68030-50mhz.html

Regarding U5: The link at https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/last/TF536/index.htm is just to the ROM https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/#0143. Can someone link me a good compatible socket?

Can I build this progressively? Basically, can I connect just the CPU, the CPLD, flash the CPLD via the JTAG, replace the 68000 in an STF and get it booting? Can I add the Alt-RAM, the buffers and the ROM later on? Do I need an external fast ROM like I did with my STF and the v1.5 booster if I don't use the onboard ROMs?

Regarding wiring, I assume ROM_CE solders to the 1M ROM_CE point on the motherboard? When is this needed? Where does the ACSI10 go to and when is it needed?

How are the BANK 0, 512K ROM and BANK 1 jumpers configured? I assume the CDIS and MMUDIS are Cache and MMU Disable and I don't really need to touch them except for debugging.

Install Procedure

Is this as simple as:

1) Perform mandatory fixes on ST motherboard.
2) Unsolder 68000 CPU
3) Install 64 pin socket.
4) Install TF536 Rev 5 in socket
5) Plug in JTAG programmer
6) Power on ST
7) Program CPLD.
8) Reboot ST

I gather that the CPLD can also be programmed outside of the ST if 5v is supplied to the PWR2 +5v line on the ST536.

Thanks in advance for any help, it will be much appreciated.

Elethiomel wrote: 24 Mar 2022 00:07 I gather that the CPLD can also be programmed outside of the ST if 5v is supplied to the PWR2 +5v line on the ST536.

Hi Elethiomel,

I'm afraid I can't help with your specific ST536 questions, but yes the CPLD can be programmed out of the machine with 5V applied to the board at the appropriate place.

Providing you correctly identify the appropriate place, one might consider this the safer option to in-situ programming & is also a very basic check that the core of the project, the CPLD, is working to some extent before introducting the computer.

I do this with my (similar technology) board here.

BW

Thanks for the reply. I'm actually subscribed to your channel and watched the new TT-RAM episode last night!
I also bought a K tip for my Pinecil as you mentioned it being better for drag soldering. It is. My first buffer IC went on without a hitch :D Keep up the great work. I'm really enjoying the series.

Elethiomel wrote: 24 Mar 2022 00:07 Can I build this progressively? Basically, can I connect just the CPU, the CPLD, flash the CPLD via the JTAG, replace the 68000 in an STF and get it booting? Can I add the Alt-RAM, the buffers and the ROM later on?

I guess that should work.

Elethiomel wrote: 24 Mar 2022 00:07 Do I need an external fast ROM like I did with my STF and the v1.5 booster if I don't use the onboard ROMs?

The ST TF536 as a on-board ROM.. You just need to populate it and remove the motherboard ROMs..

Elethiomel wrote: 24 Mar 2022 00:07 Regarding wiring, I assume ROM_CE solders to the 1M ROM_CE point on the motherboard?

No.. It is just for debugging purposes.

Elethiomel wrote: 24 Mar 2022 00:07 Where does the ACSI10 go to and when is it needed?

It is for the IDE autoboot. But currently there is no IDE support anyway. So it is irrelevant at this point.

Elethiomel wrote: 24 Mar 2022 00:07 How are the BANK 0, 512K ROM and BANK 1 jumpers configured?

You just have a jumper on BANK0 or BANK 1.. This just selects which TOS version is loaded from the DUALTOS ROM. will note I've only tried it with TOS206 and EMUTOS.

The 512K court has not even been tested yet. I think it was @stephen_usher Who requested that feature for running the 512K EMUTOS ROM.

Elethiomel wrote: 24 Mar 2022 00:07 I assume the CDIS and MMUDIS are Cache and MMU Disable and I don't really need to touch them except for debugging.

Correct.

Elethiomel wrote: 24 Mar 2022 00:07 Install Procedure

Is this as simple as:

1) Perform mandatory fixes on ST motherboard.
2) Unsolder 68000 CPU
3) Install 64 pin socket.
4) Install TF536 Rev 5 in socket
5) Plug in JTAG programmer
6) Power on ST
7) Program CPLD.
8) Reboot ST

*Should* be that simple yes :lol: But I cannot emphasise enough about taking your time and triple checking all your soldering work as those things are not easy to put together.

I think @PhilC Probably has the most experience building the ST versions up ( I did not even build mine, @PhilC built them).

Thanks for the reply Exxos. Much appreciated :)

When I buy the ROM, do you have a socket you can also sell me? If not, could you please recommend a good one?

Other than what's just been said is that you need to make sure that the TF536 will actually fit into the STFM case. This will likely mean you need a CPU socket relocation of some description as on say a C070789 motherboard the TF536 would foul on the shifter casing IIRC.

I did all of the programming of the TF536 with it sitting in an H5 motherboard which eliminated any external power required and also meant that you could press the reset and see if it works after.

You may need a copy of Diagrom to try and get things up and running and a microscope is pretty much mandatory to make sure all your connections are good.

Good luck.

From my experience the TF536 won't fit in an STFM case with any motherboard directly. Even with a relocator you start to get into the problem of height. For the C070789 board I had to create an external keyboard. With the machines with the CPU socket on the right you'll probably have to fit the floppy externally.

PhilC wrote: 25 Mar 2022 09:30 and a microscope is pretty much mandatory to make sure all your connections are good.

A good slide-film loupe, and a whole lot of patience, works "fine" for those small pitched things too :lol:
(I should really get myself a microscope one of these days... :roll: )

PhilC wrote: 25 Mar 2022 09:30 Other than what's just been said is that you need to make sure that the TF536 will actually fit into the STFM case. This will likely mean you need a CPU socket relocation of some description as on say a C070789 motherboard the TF536 would foul on the shifter casing IIRC.

I may just remove my shifter case for the project ST. I did this on my last system as I was using an RGB2HDMI, which being a purely digital solution is not as susceptible to noise.

I did all of the programming of the TF536 with it sitting in an H5 motherboard which eliminated any external power required and also meant that you could press the reset and see if it works after.

I'll probably try both ways just to report back. That assumes I get far enough on the soldering side of things :D

You may need a copy of Diagrom to try and get things up and running and a microscope is pretty much mandatory to make sure all your connections are good.

Good luck.

Thanks! I have a copy of the Atari ST diagnostics cart, but I didn't realise there was an ST port of DiagROM ( note: I found it here at https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... =72&t=1201 ). I'll burn a copy on to some EPROMs so. I have the relevant serial cable stuff already.

I've got one of those head mounted magnifier visors https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07FKJPRXF and also one of these microscopes https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07HBZTCK1. Both are pretty decent. Obviously not pro quality, but I've found them very useful.