Firmware updates for the STM32/Gotek HxC floppy emulators !

[solarmon]

You can see how I connect up the RGB and normal rotary encoder direction pins to DIR and CLK (red and blue cables) and the ground pin (green cable) goes to JB ground pin.

Connected to RGB rotary encoder:


Connected to a normal rotary encoder:

[Jeff]

Are you still confirming that when disabled in the menu the rotary still working with the normal rotary ?

[solarmon]

Are you still confirming that when disabled in the menu the rotary still working with the normal rotary ?

OK - this time I plugged in my brain and tested again. With my brain plugged in I realised that I needed to exit from the menu before it saves the config.

So it does work:

Single step - single file per detent
Double step - double file per detent
Disable - disables rotary encoder

Sorry for wasting your time again.

[Jeff]

17 March 2019 : Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.41.1a ( -> In the "WIP_Firmware" Folder and https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/)

- Blackberry trackball support.

- Track position display changed to when the screen line size is less than 16 characters.

https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/

https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_dri ... rmware.zip

https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_dri ... _notes.txt

[Jeff]

21 March 2019 : Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.44.2a ( -> In the "WIP_Firmware" Folder and https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/)

- Some fixes in the user defined image feature.

- Custom firmware option : Display the current track number on the 7 segment screen.

- Custom firmware option : Debug output on the serial port (115200 8N1).

- Custom firmware option : Read pipeline buffer size.

- New system family support : Kawai.

https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/

https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_dri ... rmware.zip

https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_dri ... _notes.txt

[solarmon]

Hi Jeff,

The middle/extra button (connected to JA) works as a replacement for up/down to access the menu. However, it does not seem to work for when trying to do a firmware upgrade?

Would it be possible to allow this button to also be used to get in to firmware upgrade mode on boot up?

[Jeff]

Hi Jeff,

The middle/extra button (connected to JA) works as a replacement for up/down to access the menu. However, it does not seem to work for when trying to do a firmware upgrade?

Would it be possible to allow this button to also be used to get in to firmware upgrade mode on boot up?

this will need a bootloader update. i try to avoid this.
But i can add a function in the menu to do a firmware update.

[solarmon]

OK - that is fair enough. A menu option would be great!

[Jeff]

24 March 2019 : Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.45.1a ( -> In the "WIP_Firmware" Folder and https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/)

- Custom firmware option : Blackberry trackball -> Single and double step support.

- Custom firmware option : Extra up/down buttons or navigation switchs on the rotary connectors.

https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/

https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_dri ... rmware.zip

https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_dri ... _notes.txt

[Jeff]

26 March 2019 : Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.45.2a ( -> In the "WIP_Firmware" Folder and https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/)

- New Custom firmware option : File format -> support now images with tracks in opposite order on the side 0.
(Side 0 tracks file opposite order option)

https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/

https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_dri ... rmware.zip

https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_dri ... _notes.txt

[Jeff]

A Message to "someone" :

Hello,

The previous release (v3.1.45.2a) i did 2 hours ago was indeed a "fake" release. This feature is a pure non-sens since no image exist with the side 0 tracks inverted/in the opposite order...

Nothing was changed in the code versus the v3.1.45.1a, just the release note and the webpage front-end : https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/

This is not yet April Fool but i wanted to test something : In how much time a new feature in HxC Firmware can be copied ?
I have now an answer : 50 Minutes !
Even if this one is completely useless

I wasn't aware that i was a Jedi knight and that the force was so strong with me ! It seems that i can control you through my releases notes !

You make my day, really you do ! Thanks !

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To the others : Ignore the v3.1.45.2a, nothing was changed in this firmware
This was a trap for "someone" having some 'copycat' tendencies and i got something in the trap in less than 50 minutes. !
This was a fake release with a nonsense new feature : There is no image with tracks in opposite order on side 0 in this universe
I just wanted to see how much time he need to clone/implement this nonsense feature after my release to the public.
Result : The stupid/nonsensd feature was cloned/implemented in less than 50 minutes !

[Jeff]

29 March 2019 : Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.46.1a ( -> In the "Diagnostic_Firmware" Folder and https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/)

- Gotek I/O Lines Diagnostic/Test mode

Since this hardware is quite sensitive to ESD and other electrical issues, the floppy lines can be easily damaged.

This new mode allows you to test/check all Gotek's Input/Output lines with a simple wire.
The test must be run with floppy ribbon disconnected from the machine.
Once enabled/flashed with the diagnostic firmware, all outputs will toggle every 2 seconds.
All inputs states are displayed on the screen.

-> Input lines test method :

The default input states should be High (1), so to test an input line you have just to connect it
to the ground/vss. On the floppy port you just need a jumper to make a contact between the line and the ground.
Once the jumper is placed between the line pin and the ground/vss pin the corresping input state should turn to Low (0).

-> Output lines test method :

All outputs are toggling every 2 seconds during the test.
(Note : A 1 ms pulse is sent to the JB output at each toggle to test the buzzer ouput)

Connect the output line to test to one input line (use a tested input by the above method) with a simple wire.
If the corresponding input status is toggling with the outputs line, then this means that the output line/driver is working properly.

-> LCD / OLED / 7 segments screens output/input status definition :

LCD/OLED input lines status format : "IN:123456 789AB"

1 or Digit-1-segment-a : Floppy Drive Select line (Pin 10 or 12 or 16 -> Depend on the S0/S1/MO jumper !).
2 or Digit-1-segment-b : Floppy -Direction In (Pin 18)
3 or Digit-1-segment-c : Floppy -Step (Pin 20)
4 or Digit-1-segment-d : Floppy -Write Data (Pin 22)
5 or Digit-1-segment-e : Floppy -Write Enable (Pin 24)
6 or Digit-1-segment-f : Floppy -Head 1 Select (Pin 32)

7 or Digit-1-segment-g : Down push button (left)
8 or Digit-2-segment-a : Up push button (right)
9 or Digit-2-segment-b : Select push button (JA)
A or Digit-2-segment-c : Rotary CK (J7-2)
B or Digit-2-segment-d : Rotary DIR (J7-1)

7 Segments Digit-3 : 'h' when the outputs are high and 'L' the outputs are low.
7 Segments Digit-2-segments e,f & g : ON when the outputs are high and OFF the outputs are low.

(See the release notes file for the full floppy connector pinout description.)

- Fake/Pre-April Fools "Side 0 tracks file opposite order" option removed from the front page.

HxCGotek_IO_TestMode.jpg (169.3 KiB) Viewed 124366 times

https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_dri ... rmware.zip

https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_dri ... _notes.txt

[Jeff]

New HxC Software version released ! : HxCFloppyEmulator 2.1.21.3 :

viewtopic.php?f=1&p=20065#p20065

[solarmon]

Hi Jeff,

For a normal LCD screen, not OLED screen, what are the custom firmware options I need to set for it?

My assumption is that I need to have "LCD support" selected, but "OLED support" unselected?

I can't get an LCD screen to work with the above settings.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/With-Without ... 2983388221

This screen actually already has 4.7k ohm pull-up resistors on the SDA and SCA pins - see the two 472 resistors next to the 'POWER' label on the I2C board:



I'll try again tonight - maybe I'm doing something wrong, but just wanted to check what the customer firmware options should be for an LCD screen.

[Jeff]

Try first the normal firmware. This should work "out the box".