setting up an 8-bit system: what to do about data storage...?

[happy_comrade]

hello folks

first, I'm new here. So HI!!

Anyhow I'm returning to Atari after many years, and I want to set up an 8-bit computer system, try some game programming and what not.

 

My question: do I need a disk drive for storage? Or would it be better to get an interface to windows PC or memory card? Or maybe disk drive + interface to PC both? And then store files on PC or memory card instead of disk?

 

(I'm a bit of a n00b here, please educate me!)

thanks very much

HC

[Rybags]

Cheapest option is a self made SIO2PC / APE interface which converts Atari serial voltage levels to RS232, and use with APE, Atari810 or Aspeqt software.

 

This uses a PC as a kind of emulated 8 drive system and allows for easy loading/transfer of data.

 

Alternative to that is an official APE RS232 or USB version from http://www.atarimax.com

 

Next up are the "multi drive emulator" stand-alone devices like SDrive and SIO2SD. These use SD cards, and you can put executables and ATR disk images on them via your PC (FAT system).

 

Then there's the IDE class devices, by far the fastest but not the easiest to configure. IDE Plus 2 had a production run recently but I doubt there's any stocks left. SIDE uses Class 1 CF card, and there's a thread that should be on the first page or two here and there might still be a chance to get onboard.

 

But generally, the IDE devices use native Atari File Systems on the media itself so you generally still need another interface such as SIO2PC in order to transfer files across.

Edited September 12, 2011 by Rybags

[svenski]

Rybags has given you a great answer to get you started.

 

You might want to get a disk drive anyway as this will mean you can use any original disks and games you may come across plus you can start moving stuff off disk to your PC or move stuff onto disk if you so wish - using a disk drive with the Atari is a huge part of the experience.

 

Good luck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

hello folks

first, I'm new here. So HI!!

Anyhow I'm returning to Atari after many years, and I want to set up an 8-bit computer system, try some game programming and what not.

 

My question: do I need a disk drive for storage? Or would it be better to get an interface to windows PC or memory card? Or maybe disk drive + interface to PC both? And then store files on PC or memory card instead of disk?

 

(I'm a bit of a n00b here, please educate me!)

thanks very much

HC

[+Philsan]

hello folks

first, I'm new here. So HI!!

Anyhow I'm returning to Atari after many years, and I want to set up an 8-bit computer system, try some game programming and what not.

 

My question: do I need a disk drive for storage? Or would it be better to get an interface to windows PC or memory card? Or maybe disk drive + interface to PC both? And then store files on PC or memory card instead of disk?

 

(I'm a bit of a n00b here, please educate me!)

thanks very much

HC

Topic for newbies

[happy_comrade]

hello folks

first, I'm new here. So HI!!

Anyhow I'm returning to Atari after many years, and I want to set up an 8-bit computer system, try some game programming and what not.

 

My question: do I need a disk drive for storage? Or would it be better to get an interface to windows PC or memory card? Or maybe disk drive + interface to PC both? And then store files on PC or memory card instead of disk?

 

(I'm a bit of a n00b here, please educate me!)

thanks very much

HC

Topic for newbies

 

Thanks everyone for your input.