My A3000 - work done so far (pics only)

[IanJeffray]

The ZIDEFS IDE is now modded and ready to fit on the MIDI podule:

I'm not sure I understand what you're doing there, but AFAIK the ZIDEFS podule doesn't use the middle two connectors.
See (related) schematic : viewtopic.php?p=396098#p396098

[HigashiJun]

Yes, I know the middle pins are not needed, but I wanted to keep the original connections.

I modded that:

into this:

(IDE pins and connector pins changed)

This lets me now fit the ZIDEFS IDE in the A3000 (on top of the MIDI podule) and close its case.

[IanJeffray]

Yes, I know the middle pins are not needed, but I wanted to keep the original connections.

I guess your MIDI card doesn't connect the middle ones either, so there's no pass-through? You can definitely avoid all the wiring mess though - unless you're using that 'RTC module' header, which uses the I2C.

[HigashiJun]

The MIDI podule does not have the middle pins.

As I wrote in my previous post, I only made the cable to keep the original connections of the ZIDEFS IDE, no matter I use the I2C RTC or not.

[HigashiJun]

While waiting for some parts to be delivered (for my A5000 project), I worked a bit on my A3000.

The ZIDEFS IDE podule is now fitted on top of the MIDI podule.

There is a link from pin 10 of IC33 to pin 3 of the SK3 connector, in order to make 2 podules work at the same time.

But when I boot the machine, only podule one (MIDI) is recognised.

I thought the ZIDEFS IDE was damaged during its mod, but when I fit it alone it's perfectly functional.

Also fiddled a bit with the HD FDD module, but still no success.

The FDD works flawlessly with DD discs, but when I run HDADFS, I have an error and the FDD icon disappears... I have no way to try whether HD discs work or not.

I don't know if HDADFS is compatible with RiscOS 3.11, as the Qubeserver version I have works with RiscOS 3.10, and is patched using ADFS vesrion 2.67.

...Check your ADFS version is 2.67 (RiscOS 3.10, not sure about 3.11 and 3.19) as the BASIC proggie which makes the patched ADFS doesn't work with other versions.

[IanJeffray]

The binary from QubeServer is no good - create your own using the two small BASIC files provided. Then DD will still work at least.

[HigashiJun]

Ok, thanks for this information.

Will try ASAP.

[IanS]

There is a link from pin 10 of IC33 to pin 3 of the SK3 connector, in order to make 2 podules work at the same time.

But when I boot the machine, only podule one (MIDI) is recognised.

That should work ok, I have an ide podule stacked on top of a network card in an A3000.

Can you show a bit more detail exactly which pin you are connecting to and how it's isolated from the main motherboard.

[HigashiJun]

Guess what, the HD FDD module works !

Thanks to IanJeffray for his tips and for his excellent add-on.

So, the FDD I have is a TEAC FD-235HF 7549, but all TEAC drives with the same kind of jumpers should work.

The jumpers are setted as following:

I use the original Acorn flat cable, i.e. Pin 2 not connected.

Yay, I love it when a plan comes (finally) together !

[HigashiJun]

I cried victory too soon...

Even if I managed to format a 1.6MB floppy without any issues, the HDADFS module seems to be unstable...

I powered-off my computer and launched the previously created module again, but when trying to access the menu, it freezes.

I will check again when I will have my ZIDEFS IDE fitted back again, in order to launch automatically HDADFS from the !Boot folder.

[HigashiJun]

That should work ok, I have an ide podule stacked on top of a network card in an A3000.

Can you show a bit more detail exactly which pin you are connecting to and how it's isolated from the main motherboard.

Yes, sure.

(This idea is based on your thread).

Here are 2 pictures for the details:

IC33

SK3

Pin 3 is disconnected from the MIDI podule.

When the ZIDEFS IDE is fitted in the socket, then its pin 3 is directly connected to pin 10 of IC33.

Is there something wrong with that setting or am I missing something else ?

[IanS]

That all looks ok, it should work.

You can also try using Pin9 on IC33, it may be easier to get your hook connection onto.

[HigashiJun]

You can also try using Pin9 on IC33, it may be easier to get your hook connection onto.

Tried that too, but was a no go...

[HigashiJun]

Weird as it may sound, but I cannot get the HD module correctly working a second time...

I really don't know why it formatted and verified a hd disc once and without any issues, while all my current attempts are in vain.

[HigashiJun]

Since I did not scavenge the A5000 motherboard for parts, I was still looking for an ARM3 CPU.

But today, I received this little marvel:

Can't wait to fit it, but it will be for a bit later...

[HigashiJun]

And here is is fitted (with also a socketed MEMC waiting for a RAM upgrade) :

That's all for today.

[IanJeffray]

MEMCsocket.JPG

Good work, but removing the base from these sockets is generally not advised - we've seen multiple failures due to slack sockets with their bottoms removed.

[HigashiJun]

Good work, but removing the base from these sockets is generally not advised - we've seen multiple failures due to slack sockets with their bottoms removed.

Yes, I had problems with generic brands (= Chinese) but never with 3M ones.

I always use 3M sockets in my Atari projects and they were all very reliable.

Removed and fitted back a booster many times and the socket is still OK.

[HigashiJun]

So, the ARM3 is now fitted and my to-do list is also updated:

- make the HD floppy upgrade work
Was kind of success for one time only, but still remains to explore.

- fit an AKA12 along with the HDD podule
Have to explore this one too a bit more and check why it doesn't work...

- -fit an ARM3 upgrade-

- try to add more ram (8 MB ? 16 MB?)
Which one would be better ?

We all need to live twice to finish our projects...

[HigashiJun]

Just my two cents here...

The AKA12 midi podule has its own 74HC139 chip on it (I think it has a similar purpose), and I wonder if the double podule set up doesn't work because of this...

I tried to connect pin 3 of the SK3 connector to pin 10 of that chip, but it didn't work too.

All other podules (ethernet, midi from Morley, etc.) don't have this chip fitted, and that's why they probably work in a 2 podule set up.

[IanJeffray]

Just my two cents here...

The AKA12 midi podule has its own 74HC139 chip on it (I think it has a similar purpose), and I wonder if the double podule set up doesn't work because of this...

I tried to connect pin 3 of the SK3 connector to pin 10 of that chip, but it didn't work too.

All other podules (ethernet, midi from Morley, etc.) don't have this chip fitted, and that's why they probably work in a 2 podule set up.

A 74HC139 isn't a special/magical "make double podules" chip. It's just a decoder/demuxer.

It's better if you understand the actual function you're building - you're taking the 74HC139 at IC33 on the motherboard takes the two address lines, LA14,LA15 and demuxes them to four podule select lines - ONE of which is pinned to the internal podule connector, and ONE goes to the external connector. LA14,LA15 are not presented on the internal expansion socket, so there's no way that you could demux them there to make "two podules".

[IanS]

Using the outputs of IC33 is just the same as multiple podules in a big box Archimedes. the IC33 function is normally on the backplane PCB.

Have you checked continuity from the main pcb to the podule connector you added for ever pin?

[HigashiJun]

A 74HC139 isn't a special/magical "make double podules" chip. It's just a decoder/demuxer.

It's better if you understand the actual function you're building - you're taking the 74HC139 at IC33 on the motherboard takes the two address lines, LA14,LA15 and demuxes them to four podule select lines - ONE of which is pinned to the internal podule connector, and ONE goes to the external connector. LA14,LA15 are not presented on the internal expansion socket, so there's no way that you could demux them there to make "two podules".

Thanks for your explanation, but even if I'm not Steve Wozniak, I know what a 74HC139 is, and also what its purpose is.

Whatever the address lines of the A3000 it demuxes, it is in this case (at least for me) the "magical" chip allowing us to add more podules than the official limit set by Acorn. I guess this is not feasible so easily in the A3010s and A3020s.

Now I have an exact pinout of the internal expansion connector, I can clearly see that L14 and L15 lines are not pinned, while completely understanding what I'm trying to build.

[HigashiJun]

Have you checked continuity from the main pcb to the podule connector you added for ever pin?

Yes, but will check again.

[HigashiJun]

Yay !

Finally got my double podule set up working !

There was an intermittent and quite tricky bad contact on one pin, preventing the set up from working.

(Thanks to IanS for his wise advice. Always check twice, or more...)

I will now have to fit my 2GB IDE Flash Memory, instead of the current CF card.

[HigashiJun]

Oh yes, it reminds me that my to-do list needs an update:

- make the HD floppy upgrade work

- -fit an AKA12 along with the HDD podule-

- -fit an ARM3 upgrade-

- Add more ram (8 MB ? 16 MB?)

[Joka80]

Oh yes, it reminds me that my to-do list needs an update:
- Add more ram (8 MB ? 16 MB?)

8MB potentially if you manage to find an upgrade for the A300 series / A5000. Note if you do find an 8MB A5000 Simtec upgrade it’ll need adapters etc reverse engineering for it to work like in my Monster A3000)

Simtec / IFEL variants mainly for the A3000. Watford Electronics also use to do an upgrade. All quite sought after now and like hens teeth. Check in with CJE Micros every now and again which will be your best bet or one could crop up every blue moon on a well known auction site.

16MB? Not in this life I’m afraid. Perhaps in the after-life…

[baz4096]

16MB? Not in this life I’m afraid. Perhaps in the after-life…

Not quite!

viewtopic.php?p=397038#p397038

Although somewhat tricky to obtain (all those MEMCs!), it's not impossible...

https://github.com/IJeffray/A3000_16MB

[Joka80]

Not quite!

viewtopic.php?p=397038#p397038

Don’t you worry I know all about that one! Read the first post in the topic thread

Although somewhat tricky to obtain (all those MEMCs!), it's not impossible...

https://github.com/IJeffray/A3000_16MB

Hehehe, I know all about that as well!

[HigashiJun]

Yes, IanJeffray made a very good job with his 16MB RAM adapter.

I think 8MB would be more than enough, but these expansions are like gold dust nowadays...

A 16MB RAM card would be finally easier to get (and cheaper).