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SIO2USB with a FTDI basic breakout board


netbeui

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I've got it cased up and have been putting it through its paces with AspeQt..

 

I had mentioned before that I couldn't get lower than Pokey 3 or 4 using AspeQt and Sloopy's SIO2USB ( ;) ) device. I was able to get to zero with this FTDI board and the high-speed code of the IDE+2. I did get several files trashed at zero using my HD backup program written in Action!. So zero looks like it may be a bit too much for this setup. Maybe a better sector copier might do better. But anyway, I'm very pleased with the results.

 

-Larry

 

I use Hias's hi-speed patch with DOS 2.5 (or the hi-speed OS that came with U1MB which is already patched, with SDX 4.45) and haven't had any problems with divisor 0 so far. At that divisor AspeQt shows 125KB operating speed (read). With SDX I have a CONFIG.SYS file with DEVICE SIO /A line in it. /A tells SDX to use OS's SIO routines rather than the one built-in SDX. This way divisor 0 is possible without problems. Also having a fast PC seems to make a difference. I believe SDX manual suggests setting the divisor as low as 3 to have a stable operation when using SDX's SIO routines.

 

I haven't used Sloopy's cable but mine (the one I build and sell) is also based on FT232Rx chip (like sloopy's) and it has no problems at divisor 0 (in fact that chip is rated up to 3Mbaud) so the bottleneck is usually the software not the hardware.

Edited by atari8warez
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I re-ran my backup program at Pokey "1" and "2." At "1" I still got one scrozzled file (down from 4 or 5 at Pokey "0"). With "2," none. Ran it again at "2" with the same error-free results. I'm good with Pokey "2." As Drac030 reported, he got good results at "1" so your mileage may vary... One feature that I particularly like about AspeQt is the continuous sector count update.

 

I used hot melt to anchor the board in my little project box, which of course can be removed with Isopropyl Alcohol if I need to change something.

 

-Larry

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 year later...
  • 2 weeks later...

I had a similar issue where I required a serial port to dial in a thermal printer prior to trying to implement it into my atari. I also recently purchased an aruino uno and mega2560 and I am trying my hand at that arena as well.

 

This unit cost 6$ at Digikey. I have set it up and Windows sees the board and now its time to see if I can use the printer. I am using Hardware handshaking

 

http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/DataSheets/Modules/DS_UMFT234XF.pdf

 

Good Luck!

 

Douglas

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I tried this with a FT232R breakout board but it doesnt work, the tx led flashes for awhile as the Atari boots but then it stops as it shows the ready screen, I tried with APE and AspeQt and various ATR images, none boot.

 

I think I may have a similar issue. I tried AspeQt under Linux and most ATR images don't boot for me. I either get the memo pad, or it partially loads the image. What OS are you running on the PC side?

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A note for those shopping for a FT232 board on ebay: some retailers are using a title of "FT232" on their auctions, but in the details the board is actually a PL2303. It'll work (I have one working with my 800), but some users report it's not as good as the FT232. The PL2303 also has compatibility issues with Windows 8 on the PC side.

Edited by eeun
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Guys, there are fake/counterfeit FTDI FT232R/RL chips in circulation, and this is not just a fairy tale it is true. I personally received 20 faulty chips from a Chinese distributor recently as some of you may know I build and sell SIO2PC devices, that was one f the reasons why my 4th run of the SIO2PC/10502PC Dual-USB delayed a bit. I since RMA ed those chips to FTDI and they will look at them and confirm whether they are counterfeit or simply defective.

 

I am not saying the chips in your breakout devices are faulty or fake but that's a possibility too, so be careful when picking your supplier. I personally from now on will source all of my chips from Digikey to be on the safe side, saving a few bucks on parts only made the whole device more costly at the end :)

Edited by atari8warez
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A note for those shopping for a FT232 board on ebay: some retailers are using a title of "FT232" on their auctions, but in the details the board is actually a PL2303. It'll work (I have one working with my 800), but some users report it's not as good as the FT232. The PL2303 also has compatibility issues with Windows 8 on the PC side.

 

Prolific chips are high risk for SIO2PC use, I would suggest staying away from them. SIO2PC timings are critical and I wouldn't use anything but a genuine FTDI chip if stable operation is an objective

Edited by atari8warez
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  • 3 months later...

FTDI board finally arrived from HK today:

 

post-21964-0-18525600-1400183081_thumb.jpg

 

post-21964-0-51946100-1400183085_thumb.jpg

 

post-21964-0-85503900-1400183091_thumb.jpg

 

Light conductor works quite well, although it doesn't quite reach the SMD LEDs:

 

 

Eventually I'll glue a dummy screw head and nut into the recesses of the molex plug. Not bad for 2GBP and an hour's work. :)

 

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  • 2 years later...

Sorry for bringing this thread back to life..

 

But That item you built Flashjazz is that just an sio2pc.. or can this whole thing be used as a drive 2 pc device?

 

I am just not sure what these boards are able to do... many like this http://www.ebay.ca/itm/FT232RL-3-3V-5-5V-FTDI-USB-to-TTL-Serial-Adapter-Module-for-Arduino-Mini-Port-/381374421597?hash=item58cbafda5d:g:jk8AAOSwrklVMjIpare available.. so I am wondering if I am trying to get both sio2usb and drive2pc .. can this work for me?

 

James

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Sorry for bringing this thread back to life..

 

But That item you built Flashjazz is that just an sio2pc.. or can this whole thing be used as a drive 2 pc device?

 

I am just not sure what these boards are able to do... many like this http://www.ebay.ca/itm/FT232RL-3-3V-5-5V-FTDI-USB-to-TTL-Serial-Adapter-Module-for-Arduino-Mini-Port-/381374421597?hash=item58cbafda5d:g:jk8AAOSwrklVMjIpare available.. so I am wondering if I am trying to get both sio2usb and drive2pc .. can this work for me?

 

James

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

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And Lotharek also sells an SIO2PC-USB for 19.99 EUR.

 

001_s.jpg

 

- Michael

 

Unfortunately this device does not work as a drive2pc (or 10502pc) it only works the other way around.. or at least according to what I can read. I have sio2pc.. its drive to pc I am trying to get working.

 

James

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