68kMLA Classic Interface

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SCSI to Ethernet Adapter on New Hardware
Posted by: aladds on 2022-07-14 10:33:06
Nice! The Ethernet certainly works, but using a normal IDC cable I do get interference on the LCD. I had planned to make a better version using FFCs but then I got distracted looking at making a Duo version...which didn't happen since I don't own a Duo and lost out on a few auctions for them.

Note that with my board I parted out the Ethernet at the SPI interface, not the Ethernet bit; I did it using the same pinout as these boards so that other people could re-use the powerbook bit without needing to spin special ethernet boards for their specific laptop (presuming they could make those boards fit!)
Posted by: Chopsticks on 2022-07-14 17:31:51
interesting, its likely either power filtering or the more likely that the speed of the SPI bus running on that cable it putting to much EMI everywhere that's effecting the screen. being that the idc cable its going to act like an antenna you could try a quick simple hack just to see by covering the idc with something like copper tape and connecting it to ground, if that fixes/improves anything then you can actually buy shielded idc cable, and the same goes for flat flex cables. on that note pros of flat flex are obviously the smaller/thinner physical size of the cable and connector, but downside is that the pin pitch might to challenging for people to solder themselves.

as for me, I actually changed the magjack to an idc connector and ran my network port from there, I figured that since ethernet is using differential pairs that the potential for noise would be lower.. not sure really if you have the pcb board space for that though, but id be interested to see if shielding you cable has any effect
Posted by: saybur on 2024-07-16 17:24:17
Dusting off this old thread, I've just pushed a minor update to scuznet that adds support for downloading files directly off the memory card using scuzEMU. As of now it only supports downloads, not uploads or file images, and is only lightly tested. If you want to try it out, make sure to compile your scuznet firmware with -DUSE_TOOLBOX.

This also brings in some long-delayed memory changes I wrote a while ago. If you're still using a scuznet I hope they've been working well for you. I'm not planning to make any major changes at this point, but am still interested in fixes to keep these devices running long-term. If you've encountered bugs, please let me know!
Posted by: aladds on 2024-07-17 06:10:13
The boards I have have been super reliable. I’ll try this out and let you know how I get on!

Very happy with the project, thank you for everything you’ve done!
Posted by: saybur on 2024-07-17 14:19:26
Great to hear and thank you too, that's very kind 🙂
Posted by: Chopsticks on 2024-07-20 09:03:20
Dusting off this old thread, I've just pushed a minor update to scuznet that adds support for downloading files directly off the memory card using scuzEMU. As of now it only supports downloads, not uploads or file images, and is only lightly tested. If you want to try it out, make sure to compile your scuznet firmware with -DUSE_TOOLBOX.

This also brings in some long-delayed memory changes I wrote a while ago. If you're still using a scuznet I hope they've been working well for you. I'm not planning to make any major changes at this point, but am still interested in fixes to keep these devices running long-term. If you've encountered bugs, please let me know!
im still using a couple scuznet devices with my daily driver mac's, one internal on my Se/30 and an external one that moves around with different 68k and PPC macs. i havent had any long term reliability issues what so ever fwiw.

@saybur what memory changes are you referring to?
Posted by: saybur on 2024-07-20 10:09:19
Awesome!

Most of the memory changes were minor, just efforts to free up SRAM. It should (hopefully) have no obvious changes in device behavior. The only 'feature' added was a check and flash code for stack overflow, which could be a risk on the poor 64A3U if I make a mistake in the firmware.

One other thing I forgot to mention: exFAT support is now a compile-time option, -DUSE_EXFAT. I changed that a while ago, but as I recall there wer some issues with the detection being brittle and I thought it would be easier to just make it explicit. The 64A3U has insufficient memory to support that feature but if you've got a bigger chip on your boards feel free to flip it on.
Posted by: Chopsticks on 2024-07-23 21:23:08
Ahh ok, I switched over to using the 128’s for my boards quite a long time ago now during the testing stage.
I’m pretty sure I have exfat enabled from back the too, it’s hard to recall though I did do a bunch of tests with different compile options back in the day…

I‘ll have to check out the new scuzEMU support you added (Been following the thread you posted about it), willl the Scuznet get other scuzEMU features like the cdrom image selection/switcher?
Posted by: saybur on 2024-07-24 10:09:38
As of right now there really isn't much in the way of CD-ROM specific features. I had a prototype in development but wasn't happy enough with it to merge into the main branch. I got much more familiar with CDs during the audio playback work I did on ZuluSCSI and I think it's definitely doable to get more full-featured (non-audio) CD support on scuznet too. I'd just have to evaluate how hard it would be to port the existing code.

That said it is on the long term TODO list and I would like the disk switcher support added as well, it's quite nice to be able to quickly pick images.
Posted by: Chopsticks on 2024-07-26 09:41:39
being able to mount CD images and swap them would be handly if thats possible down the track. if it makes the top of your list someo day im happy to do a bunch of testing

Honeslty though im still dreaming of a scsi sdcard solution that has a breakout pin for the scsi eject command and allows the scsi id to be set with jumpers.. kinda want to make a modern ZIP drive using sdcards, and some kinda pcb cartridge that ejects using a motor the same way the mac floppy and zip drive does.. dreaming i know 🙂
Posted by: ironborn65 on 2024-07-26 13:56:26
right, "In a perfect world.." as someone said 😉
Posted by: Chopsticks on 2024-07-28 02:57:58
right, "In a perfect world.." as someone said 😉
I’m sure it’s quite subjective lol, my idea of a perfect world is likely different to others 🙂
Posted by: demik on 2024-10-16 08:34:41
More dusting off!

there is some updates coming in the GitHub, mostly BOM updates of obsolete components, and also FR-4 panels to use with Hammond 1455L801case. The PCB stays the same

@Chopsticks printable case is the smarter way to have a nice enclosure, but if you do not have access to a 3D printer or want an aluminium based case, here is what it looks like









Thanks to @cheesestraws for the work on panels symbols
Posted by: Chopsticks on 2024-10-16 15:48:48
More dusting off!

there is some updates coming in the GitHub, mostly BOM updates of obsolete components, and also FR-4 panels to use with Hammond 1455L801case. The PCB stays the same

@Chopsticks printable case is the smarter way to have a nice enclosure, but if you do not have access to a 3D printer or want an aluminium based case, here is what it looks like









Thanks to @cheesestraws for the work on panels symbols
That looks really good. Just wondering are the led’s just shinning through the fr4 with no solder mask?
Posted by: demik on 2024-10-17 00:14:07
That looks really good. Just wondering are the led’s just shinning through the fr4 with no solder mask?

Thanks! Yes that's what they are doing. LEDs are kinda bright, and there is a small bleeding (not close enough) but it works fine.
Posted by: Iesca on 2024-10-17 00:42:27
Looks great! Congratulations!
Posted by: cheesestraws on 2024-10-17 02:45:39
That looks really good. Just wondering are the led’s just shinning through the fr4 with no solder mask?

Thanks! Yes that's what they are doing. LEDs are kinda bright, and there is a small bleeding (not close enough) but it works fine.

Yeah, this is a really good trick (I picked it up from @demik too): it's not quite as good as light pipes but much, much easier and cheaper.
Posted by: saybur on 2024-10-17 06:46:58
Really big thanks to @demik, this is awesome work! Also thanks to @cheesestraws for the graphics. Those are some snazzy panels, my spouse got a real kick out of seeing scuzzy the snail appearing again.
Posted by: demik on 2024-10-20 09:31:52
Yeah, this is a really good trick (I picked it up from @demik too): it's not quite as good as light pipes but much, much easier and cheaper.
Credits where it's due, I stole that idea from old AV gear where they usually did this with smoked translucent panels
Really big thanks to @demik, this is awesome work! Also thanks to @cheesestraws for the graphics. Those are some snazzy panels, my spouse got a real kick out of seeing scuzzy the snail appearing again.
You are welcome! Thanks for your help as well! PR done, let me know if something needs improvement
Posted by: saybur on 2024-10-21 16:39:19
PR looked great, it is now merged. Thanks again!
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