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Fixing Read/Write errors on CF to IDE adapter in 486

olePigeon

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So I've been Googling for several hours and can't find a solution. As recently as this year (in an LGR episode, no less) people seem to have the same problem I do with a CF to IDE adapter: I get seemingly random read or write errors.

Has anyone found a solution? It's really annoying and screws up my games, especially Darklands. :/
 
Stupid question: are the read (they clear up after a couple of retries) or write (they're "hard")?
I use very short 40-conductor cables and can't say that I've ever run into either sort of error.
Are they CF brand/rating-related?
 
What CF adapters do you use, If it's the cheap chinese adapters they can be a possible cause, Are you using decent brand CF Cards.
 
What CF adapters do you use, If it's the cheap chinese adapters they can be a possible cause, Are you using decent brand CF Cards.

I've had no less than 3 bad Chinese CF adaptors. Check the solder joints/traces between the PCB and the CF slot. Mine had anything and everything from no solder, bridged solder and broken traces. I repaired one but the other two were just a complete disaster. They failed similarly to what your describing - one would work but not boot, one would have write errors all the time, one just didn't recognise a card at all.

Tried a different seller and had better luck; but it's totally random as to which are good and bad.

Also as Chuck mentioned it's fairly CF brand dependant too. I go for the expensive Sandisk ones (especially on 486's) as the timing for read/write is significantly faster than an XT running an XT-IDE.

Lastly are you using an XTIDE Bios? I found my 486 didn't like supporting the CF card in the regular bios much (incorrect size reported, didn't work past 512mb or something like that and I think it refused to format them in DOS 6.22). Put an XTIDE Bios into the ROM slot on the ethernet card and it now works fantastically.
 
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I guess they're read errors. I have to hit Retry a few times then it'll continue. It's the generic 40 pin PCI/ISA slotted version (where you put the card in the back.) Same one as in the LGR review. I have a brand new Transend 300x 4GB CF card (formatted to 2GBs.) I have it connected to a relatively short single ended IDE cable.

I'm fairly new to vintage PCs, I couldn't tell you what type of BIOS I'm using. It's whatever came with this motherboard (Looks like AMI.)


I'm thinking of just getting a Disk on Module instead. I don't care if it's removable, I have ethernet/floppy. Do you think a DOM would work better?
 
I don't care if it's removable, I have ethernet/floppy.

Do you have the facility to burn an EPROM/EEPROM? If so burn a copy of the XTIDE bios and put it into the boot rom socket on the ethernet card. You will need to tell the ethernet card it is there (usually a jumper), as well as the address of the ROM.

Even if you do go DOM this is still a good idea. I resisted using the XTIDE bios for a long time; however once I tried it out I am completely sold on it.
 
So, good news is that you can buy a brand new (well, hopefully) 1GB DOM direct from China for real cheap. Bad news is, 1 month shipping. I ordered it last week and the expected delivery is January 30th. Heh. So, I guess I'll let you guys know in about a month. :p
 
OK, so this took a really long time. I had a bunch of other issues crop up before I could even try it out. Maybe I'll post about it later.

In any event, the DOM is the way to go. I could not get past those read errors on the regular CF adapter. The DOM seems to work perfectly. They also cost about the same if you're willing to wait for shipping from China. Now I need to find a ribbon cable with a male connector on it so I can daisy chain it with my Zip drive. Might be easier to just crimp one.
 
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