Madi

You are right, many people got confused by the naming Atarimax used for their interfaces. Atarimax SIO2PC/Prosystem is actually, SIO2PC/10502PC Dual interface. When the interface is used with Ape software, (needs Atari computer) it acts as a disk drive. If the interface is used with Prosystem part of the software, you will be able to write and read directly to the disk drive fro PC. No Atari computer is required. The Ape/Prosystem software has more features of course. madi

I recommend that you get one of Atarimax Universal SIO2PC/ProSystem interface since you bought Ape software. If you enjoy "do it yourself" projects, I recommend that you obtain the Sparkfun FTDI Basic Breakout 5V. it costs $15 but you will not worry about bricking cloned FT232RL. Based on your request, I thought it will be good idea to use the same FTDI breakout board you provided the link (eBay) to make the modifications/Connections. What I did, is I drew the needed connections on the same board you provided in the link to make 10502PC and also to configure it as SIO2PC device (if desired). Please note that it is "counterfeit" Breakboard. You must not install FTDI drivers newer than 10, otherwise the chip will be bricked. With genuine FTDI board, you do not need to add D1 for SIO2PC version. The Diode is only needed for the cloned FTDI Breakout board. See attached pictures for both SIO2PC and 10502PC. madi

When the SIO2PC/10502PC Dual-USB device is used as SIO2PC, it will act as another drive similar to Atarimax device. There is no need to disconnect any drive/peripheral in the line that is connected to Atari computer. All what you mentioned above regarding Atarimax SIO2PC will apply here. Aspeqt/Respeqt and pclink.sys will be used in the same manner. The SIO2PC/10502PC Dual-USB device will autosense the setup. It will detect Atari computer along the line and will act as a drive/storage device. However, to use SIO2PC/10502PC Dual-USB device as 10502PC device (communicates between the PC and the 1050/810 drive), things get different. First, Aspeqt/Respeqt can not be used. The device must be directly plugged into 1050/810 drive and Atari computer must be disconnected. Atarimax ProSystem is used to transfer data from PC to the drive. I don't have Atarimax SIO2PC device. Can you use ProSystem program to write to drive directly from PC (10502PC) while the Atari computer is ON and connected? In my case, I can use the device via loading ProSystem and transfer the data to the drive (10502PC) if the device is connected to the PC and the drive only. The device will not work as 10502PC if the Atari computer is connected. madi

I quoted the following from Ray's site with little modification to the original as the CTS is the only handshaking method the mini-brakeoutboard is providing: SIO2PC/10502PC Dual-USB device will automatically detect the operation mode depending on where its Atari end is connected. When connected to an Atari computer the device will act as an SIO2PC, and when it's connected to a 810/1050 drive it will act as a 10502PC. This mode detection occurs at the hardware level and is not software dependent. Hardware level mode detection means you can simply unplug the device from the peripheral and plug it into your Atari (or vice versa) and it will immediately assume it's new role. No need to power cycle it either, so you can just leave it connected to your PC while you perform the switch. When in 10502PC mode you must disconnect your Atari from the SIO chain and remove all unnecessary SIO cables, otherwise the device will not detect your disk drives. SIO2PC/10502PC Dual-USB device connects the serial port signal line CTS in SIO2PC mode, and the signal line DTR in 10502PC mode to the Atari SIO command line (SIO7) to communicate with the PC software. USB device on the other hand utilizes only the CTS signal as it doesn't have a 10502PC mode. So the emulator software you use must offer these lines for handshaking. Note: The jumper wires that are seen in my build are used as direct connections to the computer/drive SIO because I had no free SIO plug. madi

This is 6 pin/connections only breakout board (FTDI clone). If used as is (no additional components), it may be used as: SIO2PC only device by utilizing CTS for handshaking (connected to SIO7-command), while RXD and TXD are used for data IN/OUT. Or It can be used as 10502PC only device by utilizing DTR line to be connected to SIO7 (command line), while RXD and TXD are for data transfer IN/OUT. Note: +5V (selected via jumper) and Ground source are present on the breakout board. This mean that it can be used either as SIO2PC or 10502PC but not both at the same time. If you would like to utilize it as 10502PC only, you could built it inside the 1050 drive. As seen in the picture, this mini breakout board lacks external connections for RX and TX LEDs. CTS is the only method available for handshaking. madi

Atarimax sells Universal SIO2PC/ProSystem interface that is completely auto-sensing, auto-switching and jumperless. Also, Ray (atariwarez) used to sell SIO2PC/10502PC Dual-USB devices. Building your own device is not that difficult. I made my own using FTDI breakout board and some other easy to obtain components: Building the not so expensive SIO2PC/10502PC Dual-USB device madi

Since you had an access to another 800XL machine, it would had been wise if you swabbed the RAM chips before ordering new ones. Now, you have he new ram chips. Just install them on the other XL computer (if it is socketed), just to ensure that they all working before jumping to other options. After swapping the RAM chips, start swapping the other chips one at a time Do not speculate. madi

I would prefer to buy brand new dynamic ram 256K 1Bit. They are much cheaper and are found everywhere. They could be handy if you decide to upgrade to 256K later-on madi

Works normal under my system: Windows 10 64bit, but have two displays: Intel® HD Graphics 4600 (Integrated - default) NVIDIA GeForce 710M card (for 3D global) madi

Nice topic about 74000 series: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7400_series Here is a good labeling code summery

I am not completely sure of what you mean. There is a simple way to "ENTER" a listed program or data from a disk or cassette, etc. into an executed basic program (without losing the executed program) through the use of an immediate mode command. e.g. POKE 842,13:STOP ... .... CONT For more info, refer to Mapping The Atari, Revised Edition, Page 83.

Suppose, you need to extract a basic file named "BOOT2.BAS) form ATR disk image, need to load it via Altirra. 1. "File" --> "Disk Drives..." and press the little box arrow as seen in the next image: 2. Select "Explore Disk..." 3. Look for the file need to extracted "BOOT2.BAS" as in the next image: 4. Just press the mouse left bottom on the file and drop it in any place you like (folder, desktop etc.) --------------------- If you want to run that extracted basic file as a stand alone file, just start Altirra and drop the extracted file. Be sure that Basic is enabled if the file is .BAS or .LST types.

Loaded Diskey with Altirra 2.80 test 37 under Atbasic 1.51. Diskey runs normal. May be the issue with Diskey's copy itself. Attached the Diskey disk image used for the test. madi Diskey.atr

Do the same for "Altirra.chm" file, which is the help file. Just ensure that it is Unblocked. Edit: Sorry, didn't see rdea6 reply.

Yes, it is an early version of SIO2IDE. Link http://www.mathyvannisselroy.nl/special%20stuff.htm#sio2ide and :http://atariarea.krap.pl/sio2ide/ madi

Welcome to life

When capturing Altirra window using Copy Frame to Clipboard with Scanline option or VBXE options enabled, the image size = 672 X 448 pixels (17.78 X 11.85 cm) But when Scanline or VBXE options are disabled, the captured image size = 336 X 224 pixels (8.89 X 5.93 cm) The case is valid for Altirra versions 2.5 upto 2.8 Captured images have different sizes. Is it meant to be this way? madi

Hi mr-atari ; I guess, serj is referring to the tape (.CAS) versions. None of the .CAS images run properly and he is correct. Maybe someone fix them for archival purposes. madi

You are right. All MULE versions do not go beyond the mainmenu except for the HOMSOFT version, which crashes upon landing on planet. It looks that the images are bad. I tested them under several Altirra vesions (2.5, 2.6 and 2.7) with same results. I will search for a good image and upload it when I find it madi

The above are not SIO2USB. They are called SIO2PC -USB. There are true SIO2USB you can get more info searching the site. As you mentioned, there are too much info regarding this subject that might lead to confusion. Rybags gave a very good summery. The only thing I might add is that you can make your own SIO2PC device if you want (easy to make). madi

M.U.L.E loads from all CAS versions and runs normally. (load image and drop-in methods). Tested under Altirra 2.8 test 6 (Windows 10 x64) madi

Help is working normally in Altirra 2.8 test 6 (Windows 10 x64). Tested in SELF TEST, Ultimate 1MB (to enter Ultimate setup) and ARABIAN OS (switching character set). madi

Madi’s mentality: By the time "Parasites" are able to break the protection of my Software Gems, the sale target will be accomplished. The “PIRATES” may finally defeat the protection, but I would have milked the sales to the last possible penny (win/win). Possible scenario? Fact: Every one has the right to protect his/her work against illegal misuse/abuse. madi

I believe the modified shell design is HERE (Beta 3D Atari Cartridge Files2). It is the fourth item to choose in the Downloads section (to the right). madi

Most of us were born as numbers in this life. Few who are lucky enough to leave a positive things behind when they leave. ProWizard is a great loss to our small "ATARI" community because he never was just a number, that is for sure. Now, if we are not able to bring him back and continue to lose such great members, then, I will have to agree that it is macabre. Sorry, words will not convey what I want to say. madi