Apollo Vampire V4+ User manual

Vampire V4+ computer Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1) Disclaimer
2) ROM/ kickstart/ OS
3) Description
4) How to use & good to know
5) Flashing the board
6) Data transfer
7) Terms of warranty
8) Software installation & support
1) Disclaimer
The Vampire V4+ StandAlone is a computer delivered in a box
adapted to the electromagnetic standards in force. Neither the
manufacturer nor the reseller can under no circumstances be held
responsible for any damage caused when you open the metal
case.
The V4+ StandAlone ships with the Apollo-ROM, no third party
copyrighted material is part of this product.
Notice: If you want to dispose of this equipment, please follow your
country rules for electronic disposal!
2) ROM/ kickstart / OS
The V4+ StandAlone comes preinstalled with the latest Apollo-
ROM. The Apollo-ROM allows you to run ApolloOS and the latest
Coffin distro, by just plugging a CF Card in. You can also use any
other Amiga OS like 3.2 or even Emutos. We recommend the
Apollo bootloader for booting each ROM and OS you want. If you
need help, please contact us on discord
2) Description
Your V4+ comes with CF-Adapter and CF-Card with preinstalled
ApolloOS, plug it in and enjoy the amiga-feeling.
The Vampire V4+ is an AMIGA compatible computer that uses
the Apollo-core which is compatible with the Motorola 68K
processors while outclassing them in performance. The Vampire
V4+ is equipped with the following connectors: a mini-USB port

for power, a micro SD connector, a video and digital audio output,
three USB connectors for keyboard, mouse and joypad, RJ45-
Ethernet port and two DB9 connectors for Amiga joystick or
Amiga mouse.
The card has the following internal connectors: 3 Expansion ports
for future extensions, a RTC connector for a clock module, a 44-
pin IDE port for mass storage is used for CF/SD- Adapter+ card, a
a 40-pin IDE port, and a JTAG port for updating the core.
5) How to use & good to know:
 Self test: At power ON, the screen will change color quickly; this is
a normal self test of the system and Amiga Mainboard.
 Ethernet: DMA accelerated Ethernet; drivers are included in
ApolloOS.
 USB: The Apollo-computer-shop sells compatible USB devices.
For other USB mice and Joypad look at the periraphel list, at:
www.apollo-computer.com.
 Joystick: Support of AMIGA Joystick (like Competition Pro on
the DB9 port.
 OCS/AGA: Over 90% of the games and demos work perfectly.
This is continually improving.
 Boot drives: boot from IDE/CF or microSD. You can also use
microSD card for data exchange.
PIN 1
Red wire
V4+ :
Top: Joypad
Bottom: mouse
Amiga mouse
/
Joystick Player2
Joystick Player1
IDE
40
Pins
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 Reboot: To reboot please press “STRG” +”BAT”+”STRG” or just
switch of and on.
 instability Problems
- Note that the V4 is a green computing device. USB devices with
up to 100mA power consumption are supported. Save the
planet, do not destroy it!
- Attached devices can eat power and cause problems.
- Be aware attached external HDMI devices like switches can
cause problems.
6) Flashing the board
The V4+ StandAlone accelerator board can be updated to benefit
the latest core improvements, such as new features, speed or
compatibility improvements.
The recommended way to install the FlashRom:
- Go with your Amiga on the Internet (Ibrowse is in ApolloOS
preinstalled)
- Download the STANDALONE_XX.jic from:
www.apollo-computer.com/download.html
- Open a CLI on your Amiga.
- update your system by typing: ApolloFlash STANDALONE_XX.jic
- Confirm the operation by typing 'YES' (in CAPS) and RETURN.
- Wait until flashing is finished.
- Power Off your Amiga and wait 30 seconds.
- Power On your Amiga.
Using the JTAG USB-Blaster: Only for experts!!!
The USB blaster allows to flash a core when the card does not boot
anymore after a flash error. Please consult the picture to see where
an how to connect the JTAG. Plug in the wrong way, might
destroy your board!
7) Data transfer
Micro SD-Slot: You can use the microSD card to transfer files from
another computer to the V4+ StandAlone. ApolloOS and some
AmigaOS distributions already have the integrated support of the
microSD. Please be aware that the SD slot is a popp plug with a
spring, always push to remove.
Ethernet: The V4+ StandAlone has ethernet support and drivers
preinstalled in ApolloOS. You can use FTP and Web browsers
(Ibrowse is preinstalled) for datatransfer downloads. SMB can be -3-

used to mount windows shares. You can use ApolloExplorer to
copy data to/from the Amiga over network.
USB: USB for Data transfer is not yet supported!
8) Terms of warranty
The V4+ StandAlone comes fully tested and ready to use. Please
mind that the electronic components / chips on the V4 are
electrostatic sensitive devices and can be damaged by
electrostatic discharge. The metal housing protects the PVB from
electrostatic damage. If you want to open the case for any
reason, be aware that the warranty will be void. Any damage due
to electrostatic discharge is excluded from the warranty.
 The V4+ StandAlone comes with a fully tested IDE-CF adapter.
Usage of other adapter or devices is on the risk of the user.
 Mind that wrong inserting/plugin of IDE-adapters or Expansions/
JTAG can cause an electronic shock harming the device.
 Any mechanical or electrical damage to card is excluded from the
warranty.
 Any damage which is caused by the JTAG to the FPGA is
excluded from warranty.
 The SD slot is fragile and needs to be handled with care. Any
mechanical damage to the port is excluded from warranty.
9) Software installation & support
 Visit our homepage http://www.apollo-computer.com to be
informed about the whole Apollo-Family and use support to find
the latest core, ApolloOS image and e.g., video guides.
 On http://www.apollo-core.com developers find many useful
information for coding. In the FORUM FAQ are answered and you
find information about many different Amiga topics.
 If you need help, don’t hesitate to contact us. We invite you in our
discord-channel, which is specially created for V4 users.
Here is the link https://discord.gg/D9gQpXgE6y
he contents of this manual are subject to change without notice. Copyright 2023 Gunnar von Boehn.
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