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Events   Events : Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers, Breakpoint sponsoring
   posted by Wiesel on 2-Apr-2007 23:38:16 (9200 reads)
On saturday, march 31st, Clone-A was successfully presented at Schloss Rahe Business center in Aachen, Germany. Project leader Oliver Achten and owner Jens Schönfeld faced up to the visitor's questions and presented an Amiga where the complete custom chipset was replaced by Clone-A development boards.

Read More:


In addition to demo programs that we have prepared, lots of programs were shown that visitors have brought. All these programs were executed without any flaws, just one program made the computer crash, where it wasn't clear if it was caused by a read error from the disk or by an incompatibility of the chipset. The visitor was given a voucher for 100,- EUR. In further tests after the demonstration, we could not reproduce the error, so there's no known incompatibility between Clone-A and a "real" Amiga at this time.

A new version of the Catweasel MK4 driver is available from our support site. Version 2.3.0.0 is a public beta version that corrects many known issues and adds new features. The most important change is that the joysticks can now be used as input devices for any Windows program (for example emulators), without the need for adapting these programs first. A new configuration program eases the use of the imagetool, and a few files for developers have been added to the archive, so direct access to disks is possible for other programs. Certain computer configurations now allow the "suspend to disk" function. This lets you put the computer into hibernation mode without having to shut it down completely. Since this function does not work properly on all computers yet, we decided to release this driver version as a beta-version with known issues and continue to work on this part of the driver in the coming weeks.

Like every year at easter time, the Breakpoint party takes place in Bingen, Germany, where more than 1000 visitors are expected. Of course we are sponsoring the event with cash and hardware prizes. The presentation of Clone-A will be repeated during a seminar. Unfortunately, project leader Oliver Achten does not have the time to take part in the Breakpoint party.
    

STORYID: 3684
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Restore2003 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 3-Apr-2007 13:26:21
#21 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 18-Jan-2004
Posts: 438
From: Norway: The land of fjords and red trolls

reading the AAA specs now, it would have blown everything else away, at that time if it had been a reality.


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AmiKit 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 3-Apr-2007 13:45:43
#22 ]
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Joined: 18-Jul-2004
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From: Europe

@Wiesel

Congratulations!


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NutsAboutAmiga 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 3-Apr-2007 13:55:06
#23 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 9-Jun-2004
Posts: 12931
From: Norway

@Swoop

Quote:
Sounds good. Is the cw.device released yet?
I searched OS4Depot and no results.


Yes there exits an older version on OS4Depot,
you did not find it because the archive where called cw_trackdisk.lha

http://www.os4depot.net/index.php?function=showfile&file=driver/storage/cw_trackdisk.lha

Any I can release new version any day I decided, new version of cw.device has been ready for some time now, whit the exception of the CrossDOS bug issue.

Last edited by NutsAboutAmiga on 03-Apr-2007 at 02:29 PM.


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NutsAboutAmiga 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 3-Apr-2007 14:04:28
#24 ]
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Joined: 9-Jun-2004
Posts: 12931
From: Norway

@Wiesel

So what’s next classic chipsets on PCI card?

Or a complete Amiga computer?


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jorkany 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 3-Apr-2007 14:39:46
#25 ]
Cult Member
Joined: 1-May-2005
Posts: 922
From: Space Coast

This is teriffic news! Finally someone who wants to reinvent the Amiga instead of replacing it! If this goes to production, I'll buy one.


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NutsAboutAmiga 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 3-Apr-2007 15:18:55
#26 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 9-Jun-2004
Posts: 12931
From: Norway

@jorkany

But he is replacing it, chip by chip

I don’t think Jens Schönfeld can turn back time, or some how come up some thing as revolutionary that some how beats the current ATI, Nivida graphics 3D/24 bit graphic cards, but CloneA can be useful to bring back dead Amiga hardware back to life, or too give newer Amiga computer more backwards compatibility it is a interesting project.

I see some developers tiring to make chipset emulators for AmigaOS4 that will enable old software to run, but I’m sceptical bout how compatible software emulation like that can be.

That’s way I use E-UAE but it don’t always act the same way as real hardware, it’s where noticeable when chipsets are heavily used.

Last edited by NutsAboutAmiga on 03-Apr-2007 at 03:41 PM.


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Wol 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 3-Apr-2007 15:43:45
#27 ]
Super Member
Joined: 8-Mar-2003
Posts: 1004
From: UK.......Sol 3.

Yeah! a Buster that would allow Zorro3 full speed (100MB/s)


Wol.


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jkirk 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 3-Apr-2007 15:57:32
#28 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 28-Jan-2005
Posts: 3349
From: Georgia (usa)

imagine replacement chips that allows an a500 to have aga or better graphics and a faster processor.

yea i know this probably won't happen but it would be nice


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Fransexy 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 3-Apr-2007 16:19:21
#29 ]
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Joined: 8-Jun-2004
Posts: 2334
From: Elche (Alicante), spain

Quote:
imagine replacement chips that allows an a500 to have aga or better graphics and a faster processor


Or even AAA chipset Dream is so easy.......... but sometimes dreams come true


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CaptainN 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 3-Apr-2007 17:32:16
#30 ]
Member
Joined: 28-Apr-2004
Posts: 30
From: San Jose, CA

Just wanted to give you all a quick report on the Catweasel Joystick Drivers.

For this test I am using WinUAE and VICE (Vic 20 and C64).

The joysticks show up in the Game Controllers area of the Windows Control panel as:

Amiga/C64 Joystick Port 1
Amiga/C64 Joystick Port 2
Amiga/C64 Paddle Port 1
Amiga/C64 Paddle Port 2

I have tried the new drivers with a standard Wico Bat handle single button 9 pin Atari/Commodore Joystick and a original Amiga brand CD32 Gamepad.

My hopes were to have the drivers recognize at least 2 buttons for each joystick, and can maybe be set to recognize all of the buttons on an original Amiga branded CD32 gamepad for full WinUAE CD32 compatiblity.

Here are the results and issues I have seen up to this point..

It looks like the new drivers for the joystick work pretty good!

The joysticks recognize as Windows type joysticks with 1 button and can be calibrated correctly and easily.

The only problems I have seen so far are:

1) CD32 Gamepads only show as one button (getting closer to CD32 pads in UAE for full compatiblity I must say)

2) CD32 Gamepad Fire button (Red Button) only works in "rapid fire" mode, meaning that if you hold the button it will not stay on but quickly go on and off repeatively. The one button joystick works correctly however. The CD32 Gamepad works exactly the same way on a Sega Mastersystem so it must be a strange behavior with the CD32 gamepad)

3) It would be nice if the there was 2 button support for the Sega Mastersystem/Sega Genesis gamepads since the original Amiga could recognize 2 buttons for games like Street Fighter II. (Punch Button & a Kick Button) I used to use an Epyx 2 button Sega Mastersystem joystick to play SFII on my Amiga 500.

4) I cannot seem to get the new drivers to work correctly in WinUAE (latest version Cloanto offers via their update program). When I select the Amiga/C64 Joystick Port 1 or 2 driver in WinUAE it does not seem to recognize the joystick. If I go back to the Catweasel Joystick [1] or [2] it works, but I think those were built into WinUAE a while back.

Paddle Driver

I have not tried out the Paddle drivers yet as I dont have a pair of paddle readily available to test but as soon as I pick some up I will try them out as well.

I just wanted to give you all a quick heads up if you are interested in how the new joy drivers are working out.

To the driver writer and Jens, Great Job! If you all can get the 2 button support and the CD32 pads to be fully usable you will have a perfect driver for your excellent hardware!!

Last edited by CaptainN on 03-Apr-2007 at 06:38 PM.

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Donar 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 3-Apr-2007 19:35:58
#31 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 12-Nov-2006
Posts: 117
From: Germany

Quote:
Or even AAA chipset


Sorry no AAA, as Oliver (Project leader) does not allow AGA incompatible ChipSet in "his" Clone-A. I suggest we wait for the FPGA based Clone-A (itx?) board. As the code in the FPGA is upgradable we could/should see Clone-A evolving to AGA.

I think Jens suggested in Total Amiga that one or the other upgrade (e.g. better Blitter should be possible), but that's a long road to come...

Bye


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Darth_X 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 3-Apr-2007 21:05:55
#32 ]
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From: Vancouver Island, Canada

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Watch this
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Rob 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 3-Apr-2007 21:11:35
#33 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 20-Mar-2003
Posts: 6385
From: S.Wales

@Fransexy

Quote:
Or even AAA chipset Dream is so easy.......... but sometimes dreams come true


It should technically be possible if there is still one of the three AAA boards. I know at least one of the three is dead.

Last edited by Rob on 03-Apr-2007 at 09:13 PM.

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redrumloa 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 3-Apr-2007 21:32:01
#34 ]
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Joined: 7-Feb-2005
Posts: 562
From: Unknown

Quote:
Yeah! a Buster that would allow Zorro3 full speed (100MB/s)


ding ding ding ding


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Samwel 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 4-Apr-2007 0:47:41
#35 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 7-Apr-2004
Posts: 3404
From: Sweden

@redrumloa

hehe I know what you mean.


@Wol

Zorro3 had a max speed of about 15-16MB/s in burst mode.
Compare that to PCI which came 3-4 years after, about 133MB/s (@ 33MHz - 32bit).
Now we have PCI-e which have 256MB/s per lane, which today come in max 16x
lanes in one slot. This gives 4GB/s. PCI-e also works in full duplex, meaning 4GB/s
each direction at the same time.

I remember reading the AAA documents stating that Commodore was developing
Zorro4 which essentially would have been in par with PCI. I think they would have
opted to go the PCI route. All PC hardware directly compatible with Amigas back
then, only drivers needed. Would have been amazing in 94-95.


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Donar 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 4-Apr-2007 10:10:01
#36 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 12-Nov-2006
Posts: 117
From: Germany

Quote:
It should technically be possible if there is still one of the three AAA boards. I know at least one of the three is dead.


As there is no wide software base for AAA (none?), why should someone bother to "clone" theses faulty chips, and then iron the bugs out? Maybe better take the AAA specs and write from scratch, or implement certain features to AGA keeping it compatible to AGA if possible?

Bye


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Swoop 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 4-Apr-2007 10:44:18
#37 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 20-Jun-2003
Posts: 2163
From: Long Riston, East Yorkshire

Quote:
Donar wrote:

As there is no wide software base for AAA (none?), why should someone bother to "clone" theses faulty chips, and then iron the bugs out? Maybe better take the AAA specs and write from scratch, or implement certain features to AGA keeping it compatible to AGA if possible?

Would it not be better to AGA chipset, instead of implementing a new and unused one (AAA), but allow better integration of PCI, PCI-e, DDR2 ram, etc.
Thereby utilising the A1200 software on modern hardware.

Last edited by Swoop on 04-Apr-2007 at 10:46 AM.


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Donar 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 4-Apr-2007 11:10:43
#38 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 12-Nov-2006
Posts: 117
From: Germany

Quote:
Would it not be better to AGA chipset, instead of implementing a new and unused one (AAA), but allow better integration of PCI, PCI-e, DDR2 ram, etc.

Why bother having AGA in your computer when you are going to only/mostly use a Voodoo and Soundblaster for the things the AMIGA was famous for? - Just a thought.


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A500 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 4-Apr-2007 14:42:12
#39 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 24-Feb-2006
Posts: 352
From: Ontario, Canada

@All

Let's get grounded here and realise what we really have. AGA and AAA is a ncie discusion, but for the first tim in a long time, we have the potential for replacement parts and new A500, A2000 hardware. This is very real. I just wonder what products Jen's will release. Would they create replica A2000/A500 machines?

I am sure the A500 could be much smaller and use smart cards as floppies ;) or USB memory sticks.

Truly good news. I would not be surprised if there is something ready for Christmas 07.


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realize 
Re: Clone-A demonstration successful, new Catweasel drivers,
Posted on 5-Apr-2007 22:21:00
#40 ]
Super Member
Joined: 14-Apr-2003
Posts: 1797
From: nyc

Hi Jens

Congratulations. It looks like a nice "proof of concept" demo. This is a nice product for you guys. However, what makes you think you can clone the AGA chipset when nobody before you has? i.e. Boxer made the best attempt and spent lots of $$ and even Joe Torre said it wasnt possible... thanks and good luck.

realize

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