morelenmir Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 (edited) Is or was there ever a right-angle adapter for the cartridge slot on the XE? What I mean is something that would plug in and then then pass-through the horizontal cartridge connections to a vertical socket. I have done some slight searching here and on google but not found anything along those lines other than the RAM 320/576XE memory expansion which offers this feature, although not obviously as its main purpose. I guess the existing system came in to being because of the combination of the PBI interface with the cartridge into the ECI and they wanted to keep the orientation of the former given the likely size and weight of any PBI/ECI device. However I find it not only very tricky to slot a cartridge in to the horizontal port, but potentially damaging if you don't get it quite flat as you plug it in. Edited August 29, 2016 by morelenmir Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Stephen Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 Is or was there ever a right-angle adapter for the cartridge slot on the XE? What I mean is something that would plug in and then then pass-through the horizontal cartridge connections to a vertical socket. I have done some slight searching here and on google but not found anything along those lines other than the RAM 320/576XE memory expansion which offers this feature, although not obviously as its main purpose. I guess the existing system came in to being because of the combination of the PBI interface with the cartridge into the ECI and they wanted to keep the orientation of the former given the likely size and weight of any PBI/ECI device. However I find it not only very tricky to slot a cartridge in to the horizontal port, but potentially damaging if you don't get it quite flat as you plug it in. Yes - I believe it only came with the MIO though. Pic courtesy of MetalGuy's reporo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 (edited) at least two things that i can think of - but they both serve other MAIN purposes firstly IDE Plus 2.0 - by JZ & KMK SysCheck V 2.2 - by TFHH i also have 2x Atari Cartridge Slot Expansion Systems - but these were specially made, and comprise a PCB with the Cartridge slot on one end and a second PCB with edge connector these are separated by 12" of ribbon cable. Edited August 29, 2016 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 The old KMK/JZ IDE interface came with an ECI adapter with one vertical cartridge slot. Turbo Freezer also provides one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sikor Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 (edited) And Karin Maxi clone made by Stryker. Edited August 29, 2016 by Sikor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 Is or was there ever a right-angle adapter for the cartridge slot on the XE? What I mean is something that would plug in and then then pass-through the horizontal cartridge connections to a vertical socket. I have done some slight searching here and on google but not found anything along those lines other than the RAM 320/576XE memory expansion which offers this feature, although not obviously as its main purpose. I guess the existing system came in to being because of the combination of the PBI interface with the cartridge into the ECI and they wanted to keep the orientation of the former given the likely size and weight of any PBI/ECI device. However I find it not only very tricky to slot a cartridge in to the horizontal port, but potentially damaging if you don't get it quite flat as you plug it in. Something to consider too. A right angle adapter sounds like a great thing. Until you realize the pressure needed to insert a cartridge is also bending the cartridge port on the back of the computer. You would need to put some kind of spacer on the bottom of the adapter board that would put it level with the port. Otherwise you'd eventually crack the main board at the port connector. Or you would have to insert the cartridge onto the adapter board first and then insert it into the computer. Might be easy enough to design a small adapter. Wonder what the demand would be? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmitry Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 I will buy one of anything I am sure you all are familiar with the color computer multipak. It is a four cartrdgge adapter that changes orientation to vertical. Also carts can be chosen by software or by switch. Even though regular games can populate the slots its usefulness is to be a cheap peb..peripheral expansion box. Of course getting everyone to support a new standard would be a challenge but it is easier in a way. Anything that worked in a multipak also worked without, so you never limited your potential market Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+David_P Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 A simple cheat (for the cart port only, not the ECI) would be to order a cart port breakout PCB and hook up a daughterboard with a 15x2 connector. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunstar Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Wasn't a 3rd party multi-cart add-on ever made available for the 8-bit's? I remember these things coming out for the 2600 and Intellivision, etc. (Genesis video jukebox?) I thought one was made for the 8-bits too? 2600 'Romcenter': 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gozar Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Something to consider too. A right angle adapter sounds like a great thing. Until you realize the pressure needed to insert a cartridge is also bending the cartridge port on the back of the computer. You would need to put some kind of spacer on the bottom of the adapter board that would put it level with the port. Otherwise you'd eventually crack the main board at the port connector. Or you would have to insert the cartridge onto the adapter board first and then insert it into the computer. Might be easy enough to design a small adapter. Wonder what the demand would be? The MIO adapter has feet on the bottom so inserting a cart pushes on the feet and not the port. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 (edited) This is a fairly simple dual right angle cartridge port adapter mockup. The switch allows either port to be active, but of course not at the same time. It wouldn't be expensive. The four main parts are the connectors(x2), switch and pcb. Should be around $15 plus shipping, if I can find a SPDT switch fairly cheaply. Edited August 30, 2016 by Dropcheck 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Why is the switch needed? It's not inconceivable that two carts could be used at the same time. Are the IDC connectors just place holders for the female cart connectors? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunstar Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 People may want the two most used cartridges to stay put on the adapter and the switch allows them to choose one or the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 OK - that makes sense, but perhaps the option to enable both would be useful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Larry Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Can't imagine that you can do that for $15, unless it is without the cart connectors (but you do show them included). (?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 The connectors run about $2.50 per, the board about $2.5 per. The unknown is the switch, but hopefully around $2.50 per or less. Connectors x 2 $5.00 Board x1 2.50 Switch x1 ~ 2.00 9.50 Labor = 15.00 - 9.50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 (edited) OK - that makes sense, but perhaps the option to enable both would be useful. Don't see how both would fit in the same cartridge address space. Remember this is tied to Cartridge A address space on XL/XE. I'd have to provide some kind of glue logic to allow both at the same time. Edited August 30, 2016 by Dropcheck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morelenmir Posted August 30, 2016 Author Share Posted August 30, 2016 OK - that makes sense, but perhaps the option to enable both would be useful. Would it be possible with this type of arrangement to allow the UltimateCart - or even a real cartridge - to bring a programming language and then the SIDE2 also be attached at the same time to offer SDX and a hardrive to store source code and programmes on? I would guess there might need to be some change in the programming of both though to allow that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunstar Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 (edited) Don't see how both would fit in the same cartridge address space. Remember this is tied to Cartridge A address space on XL/XE. I'd have to provide some kind of glue logic to allow both at the same time. The only instance I see of needing both at the same time, would be in the case of cartridges like SDX that have pass-thru ports so a cart can be plugged in to it and used, but that's what the pass-thru is for...so...I guess in the rare instance where someone wants to use the second port in place of the pass-thru so they don't have a cartridge tower. But if a device like this is to be made, why not go ahead and put half a dozen or so ports on it with switches or buttons to select the cartridge to be used, just like the 2600 Romcenter? That's the only reason I would want one, as I don't have an XE to worry about plugging carts in the rear. Edited August 30, 2016 by Gunstar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Would it be possible with this type of arrangement to allow the UltimateCart - or even a real cartridge - to bring a programming language and then the SIDE2 also be attached at the same time to offer SDX and a hardrive to store source code and programmes on? I would guess there might need to be some change in the programming of both though to allow that. Just tested it using a 1200XL PBI adapter and the disabling of the SIDE's external cart by the PBI driver (a necessary step) also appears to mask the cart ROM in the second slot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEditor Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 If I remember correctly, wish I could find the one I had years ago, the MIO one could have two carts on it, one taking the space of each cart port in RAM. Having something like that or at least something to allow say the SpartaDOSx cart, and a language cart to be used and not be a tower would be nive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+David_P Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Or act as a poor man's 1090xl and permit you to have a USB cart and a Dragon ethernet cart connected at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillC Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 If I remember correctly, wish I could find the one I had years ago, the MIO one could have two carts on it, one taking the space of each cart port in RAM. Having something like that or at least something to allow say the SpartaDOSx cart, and a language cart to be used and not be a tower would be nive. That may have been to allow the RT8 to always be plugged in, and using the second slot for other cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEditor Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 I think you are right BillC. I seem to remember a friend having the SDX cart with BASICXL one port and the RTime8 on the other. I would love to see someone remake this board and have both slots usable at once or selectively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillC Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 (edited) I think you are right BillC. I seem to remember a friend having the SDX cart with BASICXL one port and the RTime8 on the other. I would love to see someone remake this board and have both slots usable at once or selectively. I know MEtalGuy66 made a run of MIO XE adapters at one point, I don't know if he has any available or will make more. He does sell a reproduction of the MIO, updated to a 30-pin SIMM and having PC type modem and printer connectors. http://atariage.com/forums/user/8775-metalguy66/ http://www.rasterline.com/ Edited August 30, 2016 by BillC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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