16 replies to this topic

[GeneralMurdock]

Hey there

I've just received my skunkboard v.2 and I would like to know a few things:

1. Can I use any usb port? I'm about to buy a 5m long cable to use with my notebook in my couch but the cable that came with it uses that middle usb port one. That is the only one that is a mini-usb port.
But if I plug the usb cable in the other 2 connections can I still use it?

2. How do I flash a rom?

[sh3-rg]

GeneralMurdock, on Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:13 PM, said:

1. Can I use any usb port? I'm about to buy a 5m long cable to use with my notebook in my couch but the cable that came with it uses that middle usb port one. That is the only one that is a mini-usb port.
But if I plug the usb cable in the other 2 connections can I still use it?

The two large USB sockets on the back of the skunk aren't used. You can only use the mini one on the top.

5m is long for a cable, I'm not sure if that might lead to any problems, I've only ever used 1.8m cables maximum with my skunks.

You might find transfers are slow (around 7k/second - they should be something like 180k/sec), if they are you'll need to use a hub. It is suggested that a powered hub should be used, but I found that unpowered hubs can help and sometimes powered ones do not always do the trick.

GeneralMurdock, on Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:13 PM, said:

2. How do I flash a rom?

Use the software from Tursi's site and type:

JCP -f name_of_rom.rom

For 2nd bank type:

JCP -f -2 name_of_rom.rom

All the documentation you'll need is there on Tursi's site. Also, Belboz made a GUI for jcp if you're not a fan of command line stuff, the link to it on Tursi's site linked above is broken but you can find it in the downloads section of Belboz's site.

[GeneralMurdock]

Great, thanks

How big are those banks?

[sh3-rg]

GeneralMurdock, on Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:48 PM, said:

Great, thanks

How big are those banks?

You can flash 4mb to either bank or have one 6mb bank (but I don't know anything that uses that so far, nothing released anyway ). All that kind of info is in Tursi's docs.

[Willard]

just remember you need the skunk drivers installed before you can use the SkunkGUI... otherwise you'll get pretty frustrated pretty fast

[Zerosquare]

5 meters is the maximum cable length according to the USB standard, you may have reliability problems.

[GeneralMurdock]

Ok, flashed Doom and the only problem was the 7kb/s speed.

I'm using my notebook connected direct to the skunkboard, using a 10 cm cable length.

Any idea why the flashing is so slow?

[sh3-rg]

GeneralMurdock, on Wed Aug 24, 2011 3:51 PM, said:

Ok, flashed Doom and the only problem was the 7kb/s speed.

I'm using my notebook connected direct to the skunkboard, using a 10 cm cable length.

Any idea why the flashing is so slow?

No idea why, but it is a known issue and use of a usb hub can solve it. If you have any kind of usb hub handy (powered or not), try putting that in your machine & the cable to the skunk from that.

[GeneralMurdock]

I'll try tomorrow, I don't have a usb hub here. I'll buy one tomorrow and test it.

Just a question of USB standards. The max size of the cable is 5m, but if you use a usb hub can this be doubled?

PC - 5m - usb hub - 5m - something?

[orpheuswaking]

Some Laptop USB ports seem to have more issues than others. As sh3 mentioned a powered USB hub is the best option to try and correct this.

OR

Just go and make a cup of tea while you wait

Edited by orpheuswaking, Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:51 PM.

[CyranoJ]

Mine runs at 7k/sec through all the ports on my PCs (3 of them), my laptop, 2 of my monitors, a nice powered hub, and also a rather expensive USB repeater cable

A cheap as hell USB hub (<5$) from the "we sell any old crap shop" up the road...... and 280k/sec. "Quality" seems to not matter much here, try cheap and cheerful first.

[Zerosquare]

GeneralMurdock, on Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:21 PM, said:

I'll try tomorrow, I don't have a usb hub here. I'll buy one tomorrow and test it.

Just a question of USB standards. The max size of the cable is 5m, but if you use a usb hub can this be doubled?

PC - 5m - usb hub - 5m - something?

Yes, you can use hubs (or repeaters) to extend the length. Though I would limit cables to 4 meters to be on the safe side.

[GeneralMurdock]

Bought a usb hub, not powered, and tested with all my cables. 5 in total.

7kb/s max speed.
Tested with the 5 cables only, same speed.

Them, tested with my notebook fan usb port, same speed.

I don't have idea why it's so slow

[CyranoJ]

For what it's worth, mine also works with this (unpowered)

[LinkoVitch]

I also have mine sh3's hooked through some cheap Belikin unpowered USB2.0 hub and get speeds over 170Kb/s even with other devices plugged into the hub too.

*EDIT: corrected who's Skunk it is *

Edited by LinkoVitch, Fri Aug 26, 2011 2:38 AM.

[sh3-rg]

LinkoVitch, on Fri Aug 26, 2011 2:37 AM, said:

I also have mine sh3's hooked through some cheap Belikin unpowered USB2.0 hub and get speeds over 170Kb/s even with other devices plugged into the hub too.

*EDIT: corrected who's Skunk it is *

Bah, it's yours. skunkboards are for coders, not dusty boxes, same reason I gave one to Sauron and tried my best to get one to Stratagem/rg

[LinkoVitch]

sh3-rg, on Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:17 AM, said:

LinkoVitch, on Fri Aug 26, 2011 2:37 AM, said:

I also have mine sh3's hooked through some cheap Belikin unpowered USB2.0 hub and get speeds over 170Kb/s even with other devices plugged into the hub too.

*EDIT: corrected who's Skunk it is *

Bah, it's yours. skunkboards are for coders, not dusty boxes, same reason I gave one to Sauron and tried my best to get one to Stratagem/rg

Cheers, but I shall return it once mine arrives, I'm sure it will be used again

Just like code, my OCD prefers me to do it meself I'll be knocking on the sh3 hire shop doors again when it is time for network code

Edited by LinkoVitch, Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:41 AM.