X68000 FAQ

[eidis]

 Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today I would like to start a Wiki article which could help avoid confusion for users who are new to X68000 and let them have better understanding of what they have gotten themselves into

X68000 FAQ
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:x68000_faq

Right now there is only one paragraph regarding memory expansion compatibility. Please propose topics in this thread which you think should be added to the article.

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis

[famiac]

Haha, i figured i would get annoying and tire you sometime. I hope one day i can contribute instead of being so novice

Thanks for creating this eidis

[98pacecar]

I'd add the BasicHouse KGB-PRK (1, 2, 3, and 4mb) and KGB-PRK II (2, 4, 6, and 8mb) with fpu. From what I can gather so far, they seem to be compatible up to the XVI, but I can only prove they work in a 2mb Super.

[BlueBMW]

I have long considered writing a complete new users guide covering everything from the purchase of to the repair and use of these systems.  Its kind of a daunting task but it would be incredibly useful for new users.

[eidis]

 Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have a huge favor to ask you. Can you please make high resolution photos of your expansion boards from both sides, or additional X68000 hardware like monitors, printers, etc, and post them here or upload to the FTP ?

http://nfggames.com/X68000/upload.htm

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis

[famiac]

I'll have a TS-6BGA, a midi board, and an Xsimm10 waiting for me. i'll take pictures of them when i get home in august, what resolution are you looking for?

[eidis]

 Hi Famiac !

Any resolution will be good as long as chip part numbers are clearly readable.

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis

[wildo2ne]

uploaded photos of the ram board DSC_79 - 81

[famiac]

Would it be a good idea to add an "alright so i got my x68000, what now?" Section

I feel like it'd be nice. I don't want to bug the forum with a thread because i know almost nothing about x68000

[Segasonicfan]

Would it be a good idea to add an "alright so i got my x68000, what now?" Section

I feel like it'd be nice. I don't want to bug the forum with a thread because i know almost nothing about x68000

Lol, that's what I've been doing.  I mean google first but there's a LOT of info that is undocumented!  The RAM stuff gets kinda confusing, as does HD support and all the hidden menus in games.

-Segasonicfan

[eidis]

 Hi Wildo2ne, Famiac, Segasonicfan and 98Pacecar !

Wildo2ne,

Thank you, these are great !

Famiac, Segasonicfan,

Thank you for the feedback. The main goal is to explain as much as possible about the RAM expansions, HDD mod, standard mandatory repairs and cover the main questions which we usually get from new users. The introduction part on "What to do with my X68000" will be added after all other chapters are complete. Please let me know if there is something else which you think deserves special attention.

98Pacecar,

Could you please take pics of your KGB-PRK board and upload them to the FTP ?

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis

[98pacecar]

Uploaded pics of both a KGB-PRK II (4mb) and a CZ-6BP1 co-processor board.

[eidis]

Hi 98Pacecar !

Thank you very much !

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis

[msxtrd]

Upped photos of 2MB internal expansion for Compacvt XVI. Sharp CZ-6BE2D.

[eidis]

 Hi Msxtrd !

Thank you very much, these are perfect !

CZ-6BE2D - Memory expansion board
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:cz-6be2d_-_memory_expansion_board

Hi 98Pacecar !

Could you please retake pictures of your boards, preferably outside where there is a lot of light and so that the flash will not interfere, and reupload them ? Sorry for being so picky.

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis

[BlueBMW]

Ive found that a flatbed scanner actually works really good for getting pictures of circuit boards.

[eidis]

 Hi BlueBMW !

I fully agree. The detail and sharpness is very impressive.

CZ-5BE4 - Memory expansion board
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:cz-5be4_-_memory_expansion_board

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis

[eidis]

 Hi Guys !

Today I made a huge update to the FAQ. Please have a look and let me know your thoughts and suggestions. Can any MIDI guru help with the MIDI section ? Please let me know what you would like to see in the Troubleshooting section as well.

X68000 FAQ
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:x68000_faq

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis

[BlueBMW]

I should be able to help with the MIDI some.  Though maybe someone can do the boards since I dont have access to every model. I think there are at least two Sharp boards and two Sacom boards.

Also for troubleshooting we should definitely somehow write something up on this topic:

http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=4901.msg32129#msg32129

I keep hearing of this problem more and more!

[eidis]

 Hi BlueBMW !

Thank you for the suggestions. Please have a look at the following links and let me know if something needs to be corrected.

Fixing RGB output
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:fixing_rgb_output

CZ-6BM1 - MIDI board
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:cz-6bm1_-_midi_board

CZ-6BM1A - MIDI board
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:cz-6bm1a_-_midi_board

SX-68M - MIDI board
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:sx-68m_-_midi_board

SX-68M II - MIDI board
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:sx-68m_ii_-_midi_board

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis

[BlueBMW]

Looks good.   In the SX-68M page one of the pictures looks like the SX-68M-2 though.

Also, we should add a short article about building an adapter for the MIDI boards that use the mini din connectors.

Ill work on the modules and set up this afternoon.

[eidis]

 Hi BlueBMW !

You were right about the picture, I removed it. The article about the cable was also added.

Mini DIN 5pin to DIN 5pin MIDI cable
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:midi_cable

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis

[eidis]

 Hi Guys !

Added new info to MIDI section.

X68000 FAQ
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:x68000_faq&#midi

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis

[eidis]

 Hi Guys !

Due to recent events, a very scary Warning section was added to the FAQ.

!!! WARNING !!!
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:x68000_faq&#warning

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis

[eidis]

 Hi Guys !

Links to software downloads were added in the introduction section:

X68000 FAQ - Introduction
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:x68000_faq&#introduction

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis

[Segasonicfan]

Did some updates to the Floppy Writing Page:
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:writing_floppies

added Virtual Image Floppy Converter info and minor stuff.

-Segasonicfan

[SuperDeadite]

Did some updates to the Floppy Writing Page:
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:writing_floppies

added Virtual Image Floppy Converter info and minor stuff.

-Segasonicfan

You should really edit that to be more specific.  XDF only supports 2HD format disks.  While DIM supports everything.
Meaning VIFC is useless for floppies that use more exotic formats such as 2HDE and 2HS disks.  For example Xak II uses
2HDE format, and if you feed those DIMs into VIFC it will give you an error message as they are not supported.

[Segasonicfan]

Hey Dean,
  I actually didn't know that.  I've only used 2HD disks and as far as I know, Omniflop cannot write DIM, only XDF.  So it made sense to add it there as a sub text to the Omniflop instructions.  Just trying to help, but if someone wants to change it they can, that's why it is a wiki.

[SuperDeadite]

Hey Dean,
  I actually didn't know that.  I've only used 2HD disks and as far as I know, Omniflop cannot write DIM, only XDF.  So it made sense to add it there as a sub text to the Omniflop instructions.  Just trying to help, but if someone wants to change it they can, that's why it is a wiki.

Think you have me confused with someone, as my name isn't Dean lol.  Anyway I have never used Omniflop as I do all my floppy writing directly on an X68000 machine.  But from the little I read a long time ago, You can setup Omniflop to use any disk format (assuming you have compatible hardware) by giving it a blank but formatted disk.  XDFs are always 2HD hence it's a preset format.  DIM has no restrictions on actual format type, so I assume this is what Omniflop doesn't like.  I see no reason why it can't use the 9-sector formats, you just need to format a disk on the real machine first.  But 1, I don't have that setup to test, and 2, not all 2HD pc drives are compatible with the 9-sector formats, so possibly hardware issues too.

[RobIvy64]

lol @ the first name basis attempt

[Segasonicfan]

Anyway I have never used Omniflop as I do all my floppy writing directly on an X68000 machine

Then why you are commenting on my edit for the omniflop page?  I would use the program before saying I need to edit the wiki.  And please, feel free to edit it yourself.

lol @ the first name basis attempt

it was my mistake.  but alas! no thread is complete without robivy trolling it

[RobIvy64]

Hey Edgar, I was just kidding!