Apollo ICEDRAKE User manual

ICEDRAKE accelerator board Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1) Disclaimer
2) Description
3) Installation
4) How to use & current state of the core
5) Using another kickstart / OS
6) Flashing the board
7) Data transfer
8) Terms of warranty
9) Software installation & support
1) Disclaimer
The ICEDRAKE is an accelerator board for the Amiga 1200. The
installation of this product requires the opening of your computer for cable
management. It is recommended to hire a professional if you are unfamiliar
with interventions on computer hardware. The Apollo-Team can under no
circumstances be held responsible for any damage caused during
assembly. If you decide to do the installation yourself, check that your
computer is disconnected from the power outlet before opening it. Use an
anti-static workplace. Discharge yourself of your static electricity before you
start. Do not bend or force the components.
The ICEDRAKE ships with the free Apollo-ROM, no third party copyrighted
material is part of this product.
Warning: If you want to dispose of this equipment, please do not use the
ordinary dust bin! Used electrical and electronic equipment must be treated
separately and in accordance with legislation that requires proper
treatment, recovery and recycling of used electrical and electronic
equipment.
2) Description
The ICEDRAKE uses the Apollo 68080 CPU which is compatible with the
Motorola 68K processors while outclassing them in performance.
The ICEDRAKE is equipped with the following connectors: a micro SD slot,
a video and digital audio output, two USB headers for mouse or Joypad, a
RJ45- Ethernet port, a RTC connector, a 44-pin and a 40-pin IDE port for
mass storage, a JTAG port for updating the core and a Amiga 1200
compatible expansion port connector.
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3) Installation
The CF adapter is preinstalled, please verify
if it fits tightly and securely after transport.
If you have to replug it: Please use a
antistatic and soft surface, to prevent
bending the PCB. Mind, that the IDE adapter
is exactly plugged in the center of the IDE
port. Misaligning will cause: NO BOOT, or
green stripes when PWR on.
Please also attach the supplied USB cable,
the RTC and all other cables you want to
lead to the edge of the case.
Turn off your Amiga 1200 and
disassemble it. Place the ICEDRAKE
in front of the expansion connector,
and apply a gentle pressure to insert
the card.
The A1200 Commodore expansion
port is a bit “tricky” to use and to
place the card correctly in the plastic
case, be careful and take time for
this procedure.
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RTC
USB
CF

Pass the cables of the extensions you wish
to use through the hatch under the floppy
disk drive at the back of the machine. If
necessary, remove the floppy disk drive to
facilitate the operation.
For use, you need a compact flash card
with the image of an OS you want to use.
4) How to use & current state of the
core
Due to the nature of the FPGA, compatibility is constantly improving!
At the time of writing this manual, the core is in the following state:
 Ethernet: DMA accelerated Ethernet; drivers are included in ApolloOS.
 USB: Support for many input devices (USB mice and USB Joypad). Be
aware that the USB protocol drivers are realized in hardware. You not
need to install software drivers but maybe not all USB devices will work.
The list of compatible devices can be viewed at www.apollo-
computer.com.
 OCS/AGA: Many games and demos work perfectly, but not all. This is
continually improving.
 Boot drives: boot from IDE/CF 44pin FAST IDE connector of the
ICEDRAKE. You can also use microSD card for data exchange.
 The ICEDRAKE FastIDE connector replaces the IDE connector of the
A1200 mainboard. Move your CF boot drive from the main board to the
ICEDRAKE if you want to continue using it.
5) Using another kickstart/OS
ICEDRAKE comes with an Apollo-ROM and allows you to use all modern
features of ApolloOS. You can use any AmigaOS and also even AtariOS
with your ICEDRAKE accelerator.
You can flash the needed Rom or maprom any Kickstart of your choice.
Please visit our homepage to learn more about it: http://www.apollo-
computer.com/videosuserguides.php
The Icedrake comes with a little red jumper
(pic left), upon delivery it is NOT switched on
If you want to continue using an existing
AMIGA OS installation (of WB3), please plug
in the red jumper. With plugged jumper the
ICEDRAKE will use the Kickstart ROM from
the Amiga Mainboard.
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6) Updating the ICEDRAKE
1. Core updates:The ICEDRAKE accelerator is shipped with the latest
core. Apollo-Team is contantly improving the core and provides updates 3-
4 times per year.
On our homepage in the support area you find a detailed video which helps
you step by step, how to flash a new core.
Please be aware, that using the JTAG USB-Blaster the wrong way might
destroy your board! So please consult the picture where an how to connect
the JTAG.
Please look at: http://www.apollo-computer.com/videosuserguides.php
7) Data transfer
Micro SD-Slot: You can use the microSD card to transfer files from
another computer to the Ice drake equiped Amiga. ApolloOS and some
AmigaOS distributions already have the integrated support of the microSD.
Ethernet: The ICEDRAKE has ethernet support and drivers preinstalled.
You can use FTP and Web browsers (A-Web is preinstalled) for
datatransfer downloads. SMB can be used to mount windows shares.
USB: USB for Datatransfer is not supported!
8) Terms of warranty
The ICEDRAKE accelerator board comes fully tested and ready to use.
Please mind that the electronic components / chips on the ICEDRAKE are
electrostatic sensitive devices and can be damaged by electrostatic
discharge. Only handle the ICEDRAKE wearing an ESD protection wrist
strap. Any damage due to electrostatic discharge is excluded from the
warranty. The ICEDRAKE 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 can cause an electronic
shock harming the device. Any mechanical or electrical damage to card is
excluded from the warranty.
9) Software installation & support
Visit our homepage, we have many helpful videos to support you with
your new Amiga http://www.apollo-computer.com :
 Use support to find the latest core and ApolloOS-image.
 Use the FORUM on www.apollo-core.com to get informed on different
topics.
If you need help, don’t hesitate to contact us. We invite you in our discord-
channel, which is specially created for Apollo users.
Here is the link: https://discord.gg/r4kGTM5XGh
Don’t forget to visit www.apollo-computer.com to be informed on the
latest news about the whole Apollo-Family.
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