Non HD drive in Mega STE

Update your old 720k to a 1.44 drive etc.
User avatar
olivier.jan
Posts: 212
Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2020 8:00 am

Non HD drive in Mega STE

Post by olivier.jan »

Hi,
I recently got my first Mega STE and I can’t manage to get a GoEx to work with it.
Actually, even an EPSON SMD-380 doesn’t work, while the original SMD-300 works flawlessly.
The machine has no internal HD, the pins 1-16 of the internal ACSI connector are jumpered and external Ultrasatan works OK.
When I plug a GoEx or a DD Floppy, the machine goes straight to desktop after memory tests, and double clicking floppy icon gives nothing.
Using the Diagnostic Cart, all floppy tests are ok whatever floppy drive I’m using, so it looks ok on HW side.
Obviously the GoEx and DD drive I use for testing works well in a standard STF or STE.
Anything I missed ?
Olivier
Retro stuff
520 STF/ 1040 STE / Mega ST / 2 Mega STE / 2 H5
2 x 600XL with U1MB /SOFIA 2/ AVG CART / and a few 1050
Apple //c, Commodore 128, Mac Classic, SE/30, LC, IIvi and PB G3 (Clamshell)
Amiga 600 and a few 486 and 386.
Many Nintendo G&W and other electronic games from the late 70s/early 80s.
User avatar
frank.lukas
Posts: 660
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2018 11:52 am

Re: Non HD drive in Mega STE

Post by frank.lukas »

... floppy connector the right way round put in?

SMD-300 is Pin1 near the power plug but SMD-380 are 180 degrees
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10472
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Non HD drive in Mega STE

Post by rubber_jonnie »

There is an upgrade for the MSTE to HD floppy, it requires a GAL as well as the HD FDD. I have a late factory fitted one.

The official upgrade docs are here: https://docs.dev-docs.org/ in the Mega STE section. It describes the HDD upgrade process.

I've posted the files for the GAL on here (Somewhere!!) but let me know if you want them and can't find them. They may well also be on the same website.

EDIT: The GAL files are on the same website, go to the 'Expansion' Category and they are present in the ISO file that is hosted there. The GAL files for the FPU upgrade are also there too.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
User avatar
olivier.jan
Posts: 212
Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2020 8:00 am

Re: Non HD drive in Mega STE

Post by olivier.jan »

So I did some further testing with no luck.
This Mega STE actually has a proper GAL and I was able to format an HD floppy in the original drive.
I tested with a shorter cable but still the same, SMD-300 works but GoEx and SMD-380 doesn’t.
Final test was with a Panasonic drive from an Amiga 600 and this one works.
As the non working floppy and goex turns on and the goex doesn’t display any error message I suspect some impedance issues, I will try to do some more testing with the scope.
Retro stuff
520 STF/ 1040 STE / Mega ST / 2 Mega STE / 2 H5
2 x 600XL with U1MB /SOFIA 2/ AVG CART / and a few 1050
Apple //c, Commodore 128, Mac Classic, SE/30, LC, IIvi and PB G3 (Clamshell)
Amiga 600 and a few 486 and 386.
Many Nintendo G&W and other electronic games from the late 70s/early 80s.
User avatar
frank.lukas
Posts: 660
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2018 11:52 am

Re: Non HD drive in Mega STE

Post by frank.lukas »

try switch 7 off ...
User avatar
frank.lukas
Posts: 660
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2018 11:52 am

Re: Non HD drive in Mega STE

Post by frank.lukas »

I tested ...

Switch 7 must be off with a SMD-380

IMG_7245.jpg
IMG_7245.jpg (229.29 KiB) Viewed 3491 times
User avatar
frank.lukas
Posts: 660
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2018 11:52 am

Re: Non HD drive in Mega STE

Post by frank.lukas »

When you use internal (switch 7 on) HD Floppy you can also use a external DD Floppy or GoEx (DD Mode). I tested it with a SF314 ...
User avatar
olivier.jan
Posts: 212
Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2020 8:00 am

Re: Non HD drive in Mega STE

Post by olivier.jan »

I tried changing the switch but I still get the same behavior.
I checked a few signals with the scope but didn’t spot anything obvious.
What I don’t get is that the GoEx is properly handled by diag cart and pass all the tests, TOS can detect it too else I would get 4 bombs at boot.
I will look gain tomorrow, but anyway, I can live with a HD floppy, I just wanted to make sure there isn’t a bigger problem behind this issue.
Retro stuff
520 STF/ 1040 STE / Mega ST / 2 Mega STE / 2 H5
2 x 600XL with U1MB /SOFIA 2/ AVG CART / and a few 1050
Apple //c, Commodore 128, Mac Classic, SE/30, LC, IIvi and PB G3 (Clamshell)
Amiga 600 and a few 486 and 386.
Many Nintendo G&W and other electronic games from the late 70s/early 80s.
User avatar
frank.lukas
Posts: 660
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2018 11:52 am

Re: Non HD drive in Mega STE

Post by frank.lukas »

It should/must work ...

What TOS version you use?

smd-300.png
smd-300.png (39.65 KiB) Viewed 3424 times
User avatar
olivier.jan
Posts: 212
Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2020 8:00 am

Re: Non HD drive in Mega STE

Post by olivier.jan »

Using TOS 2.06 FR:
- SMD-300 or Panasonic (HD drive) : boots from floppy, no issue, both HD and DD floppies can be read, written and formatted.
- GOEX or SMD-380(DD): Goes straight to Desktop after memory tests, floppy icons are available but clicking on it doesn’t do anything.

Using TOS 2.05 FR:
- SMD 300 or Panasonic boots from floppy, no issue, floppy can be read or written.
- GOEX or SMD-380: Screen stays blank, machine doesn’t boot.

Using Diag Cart: Every kind of drive can be read, formatted or written.
Retro stuff
520 STF/ 1040 STE / Mega ST / 2 Mega STE / 2 H5
2 x 600XL with U1MB /SOFIA 2/ AVG CART / and a few 1050
Apple //c, Commodore 128, Mac Classic, SE/30, LC, IIvi and PB G3 (Clamshell)
Amiga 600 and a few 486 and 386.
Many Nintendo G&W and other electronic games from the late 70s/early 80s.
Post Reply

Return to “FLOPPY DRIVES KITS & UPGRADES”