Project: advanced internal IDE adapter with opt. TOS upgrade/switch

[ParanoidLittleMan]

Features: reliable work with new Compact Flash cards

very fast - up to 3MB/sec reading possible - fastest seen on ST(E)

 

TOS 1.04 - 2.06 for ST machines. 2.06/1.62 switchable for STE.

 

Socket (connector) mounted in machine case , accessible from outside.

 

Cost of adapter self: estimated price is around 40 Euros.

 

Comparing it with UltraSatan and other solutions:

 

Not just connect to machine and use type.

 

Much faster. Not only mass storage - TOS upgrade too. High speed offers some new things.

While other solutions go on usual hard disk drivers like Hddriver, this will work with own, special

driver.

 

Because this needs some solderings, cuttings in machines, I plan for beginning to not sell

kits. Who is interested need to post me machine for upgrade. It costs of course, but beside

adding adapter in machine, I will do some fixes by need. Here thinking on weakened electrolyth

capacitors in machines in first place - what is now, when they are over 20 years old very common problem.

 

Recommended to who :

People wanting to use old, good SW in more advanced/comfortable way than from floppies.

Most of SW can run from hard disk - there is already a lot adapted.

Those who like new solutions, speed.

For people wanting TOS upgrade, old ST(E) machines, needing little fixing.

 

I think that this is more useful than some accelerator, over 4MB RAM upgrade - because

their SW compatibility is pretty limited.

 

Let me know if you are interested.

[anzac]

Well, this is interesting...

 

But if it would involve shipping across the Atlantic, then it would most likely not be worth it....

[mimo]

I was interested right up to the point where I have to mail my St to you. That would or cost prohibitive.

If you change your mind about offering a kit I would be very interested

[Charlie_]

Sounds cool. For my own use, I'd like a solution that plugs into the ACSI port so I can use it with any ST I own, at any moment.

I suspect that would limit the speed and defeat the purpose of your mod.

 

I saw how speed made a huge difference with your video playback. Besides that, what would be the use of so fast a device?

As a ST gamer, even a standard SatanDisk works great. And with SD cards you can do any large amount of copying files at a PC.

 

Not trying to be discouraging, just conversation.

[Goochman]

For cost purposes where would the ST need to be shipped to?

 

Also - would you be able to do a few mods to the STs like upgrade a Mega 2ST to 4mb of memory?

[ParanoidLittleMan]

I'm in Hungary - EU .

Idea behind this is: since manufacturing of CATA still seems not so close - potential manufacturers just respond too slow. To offer something with same speed, but little simpler HW. Then, some people want still to use cartridge port with their adapters, so CATA is not good for them. I see lot of posts about TOS update. Of course, RAM upgrade is possible too - I have stlll 2 x 2MB boards (not good for 4MB bit for 2 machines with 2MB). If still can find old RAM modules like 72 pin SIMS then it will be not problem - except need to solder a lot in machines.

Of course, as said, kit is planned too. But things go not so fast as we would like.

For what, beside video playback high speed may be good ? Who knows. Before 4 months I even did not know that so quality video playback is possible.

Btw. you can do same with Compact Flash cards like with SD cards - just need to get proper card reader - as I see newest one often missing CF slot. I bought recently very fast reader with all possible slots for only 6 Euros.

[nicalejo]

So if I don't missunderstand this mod will give the ST an external slot for CF cards usable as HD. I think an internal HD will be also possible. Am I right? Will this boot directly and recognize the device or is needed a "driver"? As far as I know Satan and Ultrasatan are able to boot directly. The only thing not included is the CF card.

 

Finally, how much (aprox.) would be the cost of shipping and back inside EU?

 

Thanks and excuse me if I don't realize about obvious because I am a newbie with atari world.

[OBO]

Ok... I MAY have a STE to sacrifice to your experiments

[ParanoidLittleMan]

So if I don't missunderstand this mod will give the ST an external slot for CF cards usable as HD. I think an internal HD will be also possible. Am I right? Will this boot directly and recognize the device or is needed a "driver"? As far as I know Satan and Ultrasatan are able to boot directly. The only thing not included is the CF card.

Finally, how much (aprox.) would be the cost of shipping and back inside EU?

Thanks and excuse me if I don't realize about obvious because I am a newbie with atari world.

 

Preferred storage is CF card. Internal HD is possible too - 2.5 inch one, of course. But then you will be not able to transfer data in easy way.

 

For work of hard disk/Flash card 2 things are required actually: driver and autoboot support in TOS. Satans autoboot because there is ACSI support in all TOS versions. For IDE (so CF cards too) there is support only in TOS 2.06. And this is IDE, but not usual AHDI type - because of timing problems with CF cards, I added some logic. What means that for autoboot you need mod in TOS. So, modded ROM is needed. All this increases cost not, because there must be already ROM - for superfast mode it is necessary. I plan to use 2x4Mbit ROMs, what gives space for 2 TOS versions on adapter, switchable. So, as said 1.62 and 2.06 on STE. Or 1.04 and 2.06 on some ST. With added autoboot for AIDE (to call it so).

 

I think that with Satans power supply is not included too Here, no need for it.

I will look about expectable shipping costs inside EU, but it certainly depends much from used service.

 

OBO: you are partially right with "experiments" - we have many diverse PCB layouts of ST machines, so finding proper locations to cut, solder is somekind of experimenting

[nicalejo]

Depending on the final price I would be interested. It would be great but if the comparison with a SatanDisk (I can get it here in Spain for 75€ and lotarek is working on a new Ultrasatan) is too big it is not worth for me.

[ParanoidLittleMan]

I said already in earlier thread here, that 80 Euros is too much for Satandisk - my opinion. You can not compare this with Satandisk, which is very slow (150KB/sec) and can max 1GB (pardon, 2GB with my driver).

Of course, all depends from what who prefers, what SW want to run. Satandisk may be good for gaming and running some not demanding SW.

[oky2000]

I would love an internal 2.5" IDE hard drive solution for my 520STM (not FM) and would make the nicest looking all in one ST possible to use alone without any external floppy drives. Also means I could sell my Atari megafiles etc.

 

I didn't read all the text before sorry but can someone just give me a straight answer to can I autoboot direct from the IDE device or do I need a boot floppy inside the ST disk drive like most other hard drivers. As the 520STM has no internal disk drive I can't use a boot floppy to access the hard drive.

 

I'm sure ICD did a similar internal IDE adaptor called IIRC AddIDE or something.

[+DarkLord]

 

I'm sure ICD did a similar internal IDE adaptor called IIRC AddIDE or something.

 

Hmm, not sure but wasn't that for the Amiga?

[oky2000]

Sits in the A1000/500/2000 DIL 68000 CPU socket and maybe someone mod'd them, but seen at least 1 ST has been sold on ebay used for an internal 2.5" HDD. Maybe 90% sure is what I should've said

Edited January 13, 2013 by oky2000

[+DarkLord]

Mario Becroft did an internal IDE device, IF I remember correctly. Unfortunately, he

has long since left the Atari scene. He made some really great/neat stuff too!

[ParanoidLittleMan]

I would love an internal 2.5" IDE hard drive solution for my 520STM (not FM) and would make the nicest looking all in one ST possible to use alone without any external floppy drives. Also means I could sell my Atari megafiles etc.

I didn't read all the text before sorry but can someone just give me a straight answer to can I autoboot direct from the IDE device or do I need a boot floppy inside the ST disk drive like most other hard drivers. As the 520STM has no internal disk drive I can't use a boot floppy to access the hard drive.

I'm sure ICD did a similar internal IDE adaptor called IIRC AddIDE or something.

 

I had in past (1992-) internal 2.5 IDE in my 520STFM (with 2,5MB). There was TOS 2.06 too, so it autobooted from IDE drive. But it is possible to autoboot from any TOS if you add IDE support for autoboot - what I already solved. This is one of the reasons why I think that sending machine may be good - then can upgrade ROMs in machine too. Of course, you can load driver from floppy too.

ICD built only adapters for external SCSI drives.

Mario Bencroft made IDE, but as I know only for STE. Maybe was good for STs with PLCC 68000 too .

I have project for older type internal IF on my site.

[ParanoidLittleMan]

Page with little more infos:

 

http://atari.8bitchip.info/advide.php

[mimo]

OK, I still want one, but I'm not signing up for another forum just to tell you again.

I won't be posting my ste either. Kit or nothing

[ParanoidLittleMan]

OK, I still want one, but I'm not signing up for another forum just to tell you again.

I won't be posting my ste either. Kit or nothing

 

That's OK. I know that shipping costs a lot. Kit will be available by time. Rushing with this would just increase price.

[delvis]

I like the one I saw on another forum. Made by Alan H for the STE.

[delvis]

I went ahead and ordered this one from Alan.

 

http://www.fairlite.co.uk/FreeMiNT/ide/ide.html

 

Also ordered the IDE to mSATA board off Ebay to use with it.

[+Firedawg]

I went ahead and ordered this one from Alan.

 

http://www.fairlite....NT/ide/ide.html

 

Also ordered the IDE to mSATA board off Ebay to use with it.

 

Thanks for the information delvis. I went and ordered one as well. The board looks solid and will definitely give my STFM some new life.

[Waltermixxx]

I ordered one today as well for my 4096STE (1040ste with 4megs) (thanks for the link)

if I can get a keyboard working for my Mega ST 2, i will order one for that as well...

but I first have to get a keyboard working or build an Eiffel interface...

 

say, what are you guys going to use as storage for it?

sd or mmc ? also if you get a handle on 44pin ide cables let me know

Edited July 15, 2013 by Waltermixxx

[delvis]

Alan also builds the Eiffel 3. This would save you from doing it. I also ordered one of those from him.

 

http://www.fairlite.co.uk/FreeMiNT/eiffel/eiffel.html

 

I plan to try a mSATA SSD via an IDE to mSATA interface. If not I will take it from there.

[delvis]

Got a shipping notice the IDE interface is in the mail. Today I got this IDE to mSATA card to use with the ST. I mounted a 62GB mSATA on it and connected it to an external USB adapter. I wanted to make sure it works right before the IDE board gets here. I am doing an exFAT format in Windows right now.

 

Link to photos.

 

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108120967529688951081/albums/5901000371739565073