Summary of Contents for Atari Lynx FlashCard
- Page 1 Lynx FlashCard User Manual Use with board 1 FlashCard with firmware versions 1.xx Seite - 1 -...
- Page 2 Index Page 3: Foreword Page 4: Terms of Use Page 5: Important: ESD Important: Use of FlashCard with Lynx I and Lynx II Important: Miscellaneous Page 6: Specifications Page 8: Requirements Page 9: File Formats Page 10: Initial Operation Page 11: Menu System - FLASH - 93Cx6...
- Page 3 Foreword During a two week leave in February 2007, I got a little bored. So I decided to make use of my skills in circuit developing, microcontroller programming and printed circuit board design in order to refresh my attainments. Luckily, I had some left over Flash-EEPROMs in my hobbyist-box which, for a long time, I wanted to put to use.
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Page 4: Terms Of Use
Terms Of Use All hints for the correct use of the terminal program refer to HTerm 0.81beta. If you are working with another version, you have to adjust the settings appropriately. For HTerm, you have to make the following adjustment from the default setting: Set “Newline“... - Page 5 It is always a good idea to think before you position your screwdriver. ;-) Important: Miscellaneous Use the Lynx FlashCard at your own risk. The creators of the FlashCard assume no liability or responsibility due to damage. No warranty is included with this product or the documentation.
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Page 6: Specifications
Specifications For standard FlashCard: (PCB variants V1.2xx) - 512K Flash ROM - 128 Byte EEPROM - 93C46 in 16 Bit Mode, for details see data sheet - Data interchange by USB as serial connection via terminal program - LEDs as status indicators and transfer-control - Button to bring up the menu and confirm entries (“Anykey“) - Reset button for resetting the microcontroller and USB-connection Anykey... - Page 7 For enhanced FlashCards: (PCB variants V1.3xx) - Only at PCB V1.3a4: Additional 8Kb EEPROM (20 anniversary demo) Anykey Status LED Reset USB-Transfer LEDs (red=upload, green=download) - Only PCB V1.3d4: two 512K FlashRoms (alternate writing of the FlashRoms make it possible to clear the unused chip in the background. This means almost no wait time because there is always a clear FlashRom ready to use.) Anykey Status LED...
- Page 8 Requirements - Computer with USB port - available driver for FT232R by FTDI - Terminal program (8N1, Newline CR + LF) Driver for FT232R: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm Terminal program: I recommend HTerm, for Windows and Linux: http://www.der-hammer.info/terminal/ Seite - 8 -...
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Page 9: File Formats
File formats The following file formats can be accessed by the FlashCard: - *.bin - *.lyx - *.lnx - *.o Please note: Firmware 1.0x and 1.1x cannot use *.o files with the FlashCard. Seite - 9 -... -
Page 10: Initial Operation
Initial Operation Connect the FlashCard to your PC by using the provided USB cable. Caution! Using a USB-Hub can cause malfunctions and/or connection-terminations. The operating system should automatically detect the device and install the needed USB drivers. Should the operating system not be able to find those drivers, you can get them from the FTDI homepage. -
Page 11: The Menu System
The Menu System Displaying the Menu After connecting the FlashCard to the computer and establishing the connection to the Terminal Program (On HTerm: Set the correct COM-Port then click “Connect“ – See Pg 15 “Short Introduction to HTerm“ for more details) you can display the Menu by pressing the “Anykey“... - Page 12 disconnected from the USB-Cable and reconnected after 5 seconds. 1.1x and 1.2x: Regardless of how much memory is used, it is up to 40 dots in normal condition. 1.40: depending on how much memory is used, the erase time will vary. The maximum is 40 dots.
- Page 13 128k: Memory scheme of Atari Modules with 128kb memory capacity. (512 Byte blocksize) 256k: Memory scheme of Atari Modules with 256kb memory capacity and most of Games/Demos that were developed using the BLL and need less than 256kb of memory capacity.
- Page 14 After entering the corresponding number, the menu and all messages are displayed in the newly selected language. The selected langugae is marked with an big “X.“ When changing the Language, the menu will be displayed on the screen. SYSTEM [s] systeminfo [c] credits [x] reset all System Info: Output the Firmware Version, Languageset Version, Serial Number, Number of times the memory has been deleted, the Board-Variant and internal...
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Page 15: Special Functions
Special Functions & 25 Anniversary Edition: SYSTEM [X] demo (f) Demo: This is a special bonus feature, added to the Limited Edition 20 anniversary run only. (PCB V1.3a4) If switched on, a demo will be shown before the uploaded game begins. - Page 16 The Bootloader The Bootloader is independent software on the FlashCard. It‘s task is writing new Firmware versions in the memory of the microcontroller. The bootloader can not be exchanged. The FlashCard‘s Bootloader is equipped with multiple security systems that prevent the Card from malfunctioning if an error occurs during an upgrade attempt.
- Page 17 possible regardless of the state or the version of the Firmware. Bootloader V1.01 Same as Bootloader V1.00. After the Firmware update is complete the message “press reset“ will be send from the FlashCard. Bootloader V1.01d (only PCB V1.3d4) Same as V1.01. The Firmware File The filename has the following pattern: “Firmware Vxxx yyyymmdd Language Vxxx.fcb1“...
- Page 18 Inserting and Removing the FlashCard From the Lynx There is nothing special about inserting the FlashCard. Simply push the Card into the cartridge slot gently but firmly, then turn on the Lynx. Before removing the Card, make sure the Lynx is turned off. While using the Lynx with the FlashCard, do not press the“Reset“...
- Page 19 Short introduction to HTerm A few basic things about HTerm: A - Sets how the data sent by the FlashCard is displayed. B - Sets the format in which the data sent to the Card is displayed. C - Sets the format of the input data. D - Selects which data to send.
- Page 20 Error Messages and Common Problems Message “Erase memory failed disconnect usb and try again“ appears: Just disconnect the USB-Cable and reconnect again after 5 seconds. If that doesn't help, just do a “reset all“ via the menu. One or all “X“s are missing on the menu: Do a “Reset All“...
- Page 21 Don't do this - EVER Reading via EEPROM Burner Under no circumstances should you attempt to read the FlashCard memory with an EEPROM Burner. Some EEPROM Burners output 12V on some pins even when it is not reading. This has no effect on regular EEPROMs because they do not have a problem with this current.
- Page 22 History: Firmware: 1.01: (not avaliable for download – only used with PCB V1.271) First released Firmware for the FlashCard. (1 and 2 run FlashCards) 1.10: (not avaliable for download – only used with PCBs V1.27x and V1.3a4) - add Byte modify for 93C46 - add demo for 20 anniversary FlashCards - activate time out routine for erasing Flash Memory...
- Page 23 - Code optimation (e.g. Flash erase routine) Bootloader: Note: the Bootloader can not be updated. 1.00: First released Bootloader for the FlashCard. (S/N 1-74) 1.01: (S/N 75 and above) - add message “press reset“ after Firmware update is complete - optimize code 1.01d: (only with PCB V1.3d4) - optimize code for use with PCB V1.3d4 Seite - 23 -...
- Page 24 Credits: Matthias Aschenbrenner Fadest Björn Spruck Luis Caballero-Posadas Milan Polle Randy Pearson Karri Alex Thissen Jair Moreno …and anybody else i might have forgotten. Seite - 24 -...
- Page 25 Links: www.AtariAge.com FlashCard Information-Thread: http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/159711-flashcard-information-and-news/ With link to Discussions-Thread and FlashCard-Blog (Firmware download and manual dt/en) www.atari-home.de www.atari-lynx.de www.nexgam.de Seite - 25 -...