Amiga IDE interface functionality Further explored
The weather has been so bad the past few days that I finally had the time to put the IDE interface to the test and to test the extensive possibilities myself.
Of course the interface already worked fine in the basic setup, but theoretically could do much more.
I just like that I tested everything myself before I announce that too🙂
Master / Slave combinations, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-Audio, Harddisk support and a number of other things have all been tested and got it working.
What I tested additional to the IDE Interface :
IDE HDDÂ Â as Master (120 MB, 2.1 GB) (External Power)
CF-2-IDEÂ Â as Master
CF-2-IDE  as Master with CF-2-IDE   as Slave
CF-2-IDE  as Master with CD-ROM    as Slave (External Power)
CF-2-IDE  as Master with DVD-ROM as Slave (External Power)
CD-ROM  as Master. (External Power)
To use a CD / DVD -ROM at the interface you must have at least Kickstart 2.
There are a handful of CD/DVD drivers available, both paid and free versions, the only one I've gotten working is one that requires at least kickstart 2.
There is a version that should work from Kickstart 1.2, unfortunately I was unable to actually get it to work.
The devices I tested all worked without any problems except for 1 CD-ROM drive, but that doesn't automatically mean that every CD-ROM, HDD and CF card will work with this controller.
Of course I have adapted the corresponding Bootdisks so that they can also (if desired) automatically mount the CD-ROM drive connected to the Amiga IDE interface.
The test environment 🙂Compact Flash card as Master Drive and CD-ROM as Slave drive.
Amiga Format CD #09 is recognized. Disk changes are also recognized.
Contents of the Amiga Format CD #09 : Double click and the contents will be displayed.
CD-DA (Audio CDs) are also recognized and played without any problems.
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With this interface I was able to successfully connect a CDRom to my Amiga 1000.
(Compared to an A500, to connect the interface to the A1000 side expansion slot you have to rotate the interface 180 degrees on the vertical axis, basically the side that faces back in the A500 faces to the front on the A1000. DON’T insert it upside down, you run the risk to damage the Amiga!!).
My system: Amiga 1000 with PiStorm, AmigaOS 3.2.3, CDRom LG GCE-8526B
Very satisfied, thanks a lot Ed!
Ah so it is not really a rotated vertically , just horizontally, that is nice to know.
I already had one working HD for the Amiga, so I review only the adapter.
Ed warned me, and he was very kind, about preparing a disk by myself, as it's not an easy task.
Anyway I plugged the interface and worked out-of-the-box for me.
Got the external IDE + CF today. Clear instructions were included, and setup was a breeze.
It works perfectly. Also appreciated the CF being stacked with software. Thanks!
First: I'm using it in combination with a PiStorm with Emu68 and OS 3.2.2.1. Some problems I have might be due to the PiStorm.
I'm using it mainly to have a CD-ROM drive and to have a possibility to exchange data with my PC (besides network shares).
The quality of the device is very good, the printed case and the pcb.
Communication and support was very good. Thanks 🙂
I have currently connected a DeLock (91624) CF-Card Reader (as Master) and a Toshiba Samsung SH-S182 DVD-Writer (as Slave).
Whats working: using a CF card with 128 MB (2GB seems to work, 4/8 GB failed for me). I've partitioned one with one partition and FFS and one on my PC with FAT32. Created three mountfiles (DVD / CF(with ffs)/ CF(with FAT95)).
Each one works for itself.
What does currently not work: mounting the CD-Drive AND the CF simultaneously (regardless of FFS / FAT95). It will destroy filesystem on CF-Card. Read errors. Meanwhile reading from CD works without problems. This might be due my PiStorm-Setup or the used CF-Reader.
I'm not intending to boot from CF, so thats not tested. (However, the delivered setup worked for me, also with booting.)
Easy to install, top quality add-on, works flawlessly. The 3D printed housing is superb also. Excellent communications throughout the ordering process and after delivery. 5 stars.
