Buffered TF536 with 2 CF cards as master/slave

[Petervg]

Hi Guys,

new user here :-). I recently started collecting computers I've grown up with, and the Amiga has always been one of my favorites. I recently was able to purchase an A2000 in perfect condition and I wanted to add some storage to it. Plan is to have 1 CF for the OS and 1 formatted as fat so I can use it to share files between my PC and Amiga. I'm doing the same with my A1200 and I'm very happy with that.

The A2000 was upgraded with KS3.2.2.

I purchased a TF536 revision 2 (not 2b...) that I modified with buffers. I used the 74VHC245MTCX, applied the path to lift pin 1 of IC6 and connect it to pin 2 and removed the resistors. Now I wanted to connect 2 CF cards to the IDE interface, but I just cannot get them both working at the same time.

Verifification the cables and cards are working:
Test the IDE cable, CF adapters and cards on my A1200.

A1200.png

This works as expected, both cards are recognized and the A1200 boots.

A1200 boot.png

This exact setup however does not work on the TF536 in my A2000. None of the CF cards are recognized when connecting both master and slave and I am presented with the kickstart screen.


I've performed these tests on my A2000:
1. boot CF card as master, slave empty:

A2000 1.png

card is recognized and the A2000 boots.

A2000 2.png

2. moved the CF to the adapter that was configured as slave

A2000 3.png

Card is not recognized anymore.

A2000 4.png

Note: I learned from another forum that it may not be possible to use a slave without a master because the slave disables it's internal logic. Not sure if this is true or how this works... I always assumed the master/slave selecting worked on the same principle as a chip select, so take this with a grain of salt.
reference: https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads ... st-5651892


3. Moved the jumpers on the CF adapters around to swap master/slave selection

A2000 5.png

And this again works

A2000 6.png

So based on the tests above I know:
- Both compact flash adapters are working properly on the TF536
- Both compact flash cards are working (verified on the A1200)
- IDE cable is working properly (on both the A1200 and TF536)
- TF536 buffers are working properly
- I took a look at the IDE connector on the CF adapter and pin 28 (cable select) is not connected -> OK
- The master/slave jumper is connected to pin 39 of the compact flash card (nCSEL), -> OK

I've done the same tests with several other CF adapters and cards, but the results are always the same.

Could anybody confirm the TF536 should work with 2 CF cards configured as master/slave? Or is there something I am missing?

[matt020]

Those CF card adapters are actually dual CF card with one side missing. The master/slave jumper is simply selecting which side of the card is master or slave. The side with the jumper block is the side you are setting.

[rubber_jonnie]

Those CF card adapters are actually dual CF card with one side missing. The master/slave jumper is simply selecting which side of the card is master or slave. The side with the jumper block is the side you are setting.

I was thinking along the same lines