Is there a modern guide for the HxC?

[DejahThoris]

I'm having a hard time finding much after 2014 or so.  Where it looks like the HxC creator was working on adding functionality, and Caius had managed to get it working with a special circuit.

Five years later, where do we stand?  The HxC site specifically says it supports x68000 now, but I can't seem to find any guides on how to set it up (though I do see some cable sets for sale on YAJ).

[caius]

Jeff from HxC was working on a solution but IMHO he will never realize it in a commercial product, probably it's not worth for him
As for me, I'm gonna to send my device to someone who can do testing.

[Jehuty]

I think the problem beginns in hardware design. X68000 uses some lines for some special operation that the HxC not has. There is the most GND.

[caius]

I think the problem beginns in hardware design. X68000 uses some lines for some special operation that the HxC not has. There is the most GND.

This is well known  That's why I designed my device which can handle some of these proprietary signals.

[barbeque]

I think the problem beginns in hardware design. X68000 uses some lines for some special operation that the HxC not has. There is the most GND.

This is well known  That's why I designed my device which can handle some of these proprietary signals.

Have you posted a schematic or info somewhere? I haven't started looking into Gotek stuff yet for my incoming ACE, but I should get started.

[DejahThoris]

Jeff from HxC was working on a solution but IMHO he will never realize it in a commercial product, probably it's not worth for him
As for me, I'm gonna to send my device to someone who can do testing.

Then he really shouldn't market it as compatible with the system if it clearly isn't, and he's aware of it...

I assumed since the site shows it as compatible, that it actually was now and that rest of the info I've found was outdated.

[skpstmgs]

I just checked the HxC2001 website and the compatibility list has a note next to the X68000 that says "For full support (auto eject?), need an additional function board (work in progress)".

[DejahThoris]

I just checked the HxC2001 website and the compatibility list has a note next to the X68000 that says "For full support (auto eject?), need an additional function board (work in progress)".

On *this* page though, it doesn't mention any incompatibility.  If you saw it on here as compatible (which I did), why would you ever click on the other compatibility page?

http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_emulator/

[caius]

Currently HxC is NOT fully compatilble with X68000 machines because the proprietary (or at least the most important ones) FDD output signals are NOT emulated by HxC.It can perhaps run very few games but the loading times will be very slow.
My solution takes care of some signals emulating them and allow you to successfully load all software with HxC.I will start a proper thread as soon as some further testing will be done

[DejahThoris]

Currently HxC is NOT fully compatilble with X68000 machines because the proprietary (or at least the most important ones) FDD output signals are NOT emulated by HxC.It can perhaps run very few games but the loading times will be very slow.
My solution takes care of some signals emulating them and allow you to successfully load all sotware.I will start a proper thread as soon as some further testing will be done

I greatly appreciate that you're working on it.  That's fantastic.  In that case I'll keep hold of the HxC for sure.

I'm just a bit miffed that the main page for the HxC just straight lists it as compatible, and I bought it based off of that information.

[caius]

I greatly appreciate that you're working on it.  That's fantastic.  In that case I'll keep hold of the HxC for sure.

I'm just a bit miffed that the main page for the HxC just straight lists it as compatible, and I bought it based off of that information.

Obviously my device is not standalone but must be used in conjunction with the HxC floppy emulator.

[huggyone76]

Hello !
Caius, I hope that your board will be available soon 
I've got 4 HxC (2 with SDcards and 2 USB for my Amiga, Atari STE, etc...) since a long time and I hope each days that the floppy drives of my 2 X68000 (1 Ace, and 1 Ace-HD) works again and again without failure ! 
If I can help you for the tests, no problem for me but sure a lot of people will be pleased for that !

[caius]

Hi,
the only available unit of my device has been sent to a user of this forums, he will kindly carry on some test.Any further update will be posted here in a dedicated thread.

[mez]

hi
i've talked with Jeff last week on a Frecnh reto convention near Paris
Dear friends just wait a couple (ok maybe more) of months and forget about the HxC : he's working on a new solution  100% percent working with our beloved X68k

[mez]

hi
that's what i was talking about last year
by the creator of HxC Jeff Del Nero

[genocho]

My question is for caius for his adapter.

Looks like the only problem to use an hxc or a gotec (with hxc firmware or flash floppy) are those propietary signals in the drives.
Correct me if iam wrong.
When you insert a disc you need to tell the x68000 is inserted puting the disc in signal to high (5v) or low (0v) right ?
In those yahoo auctions adapters looks like they add a ttl chip also, maybe for do this in an automatic way, with just an external switch.
I want to try this myself and hope soon have success, just need to boot human os on my x68000 expert.

Regards.

[caius]

It's not simple as you may think.There are different propretary FDD signals that need to be emulated in order to properly use an HxC with X68000.
Anyway, I have the solutione working and ready for Compact and other models and have sent it to a couple of people for further/deep testing, I'm waiting for their feedback.



Here are videos of my testing

I don't know which Yahoo Japan AUction you are taking about but all I have seen require the original floppy drives (or at east the PCB) to be conected in order to handle the proprietary signals.

[genocho]

Hi and thanks for the answer caius,

Now I understand the meaning of that pcb on yahoo auctions, it´s a board to "hot" switch from internal or external drives to the hxc and run floppies from the emulator.
About your pcb´s, when are you going to sell or do a run of boards
I really need one compatible with my x68000 expert, i guess the external one.
In case you´re not selling them, are you going to free the schematics for lets say make your own one ?
I´m in, in case you need help for a little run of pcb´s.
I think lot of "tower" models with 5 1/4 dead flopies are in need to this pcb to back to life again.

Thanks for all,

Regards.