SIO2SD and .rom files?

[Atari-Collector]

Just got my SIO2SD today, and starting to figure it out. Seem it's won't load .rom files, which I guess are cartridges on file and meant for emulators, so do that load from the SIO2SD? at this point I suspect not. But I'm welcome to being corrected.

 

Also, I wasn't able to run it on my 800 (tank case) but seems happy on my 600XL (with extra memory mod)

I'm still poking though the manuals, just takes time when it's not all in english..

 

But it seems like quite a nice gadget. As much as I like floppies and spend a lot on drives, I also know that disks aren't going to last forever despite the fact I have some that are from my original 800 30+ years ago..

 

 

 

[Paul Westphal]

You need .xex files. You can can get them at Atarionline.pl.

[Atari-Collector]

You need .xex files. You can can get them at Atarionline.pl.

Thanks. So .rom's are just for emulators then?

 

I'm Dling their complete archive file, should keep me busy for a while:)

[Stefan Both]

A myide 2 can handle rom files. For myselve, i use the Sii2sd

As a big disk, and an easy methode for file exchange.

Althoug my favoured is the myide2.

Stwfan

[ACML]

Also, I wasn't able to run it on my 800 (tank case) but seems happy on my 600XL (with extra memory mod)

 

You have to turn turbo off for it to work on a 400 or 800.

[Paul Westphal]

The Sio to sd isn't so picky, but the atarimax 1 and 8 mb are when it comes to .xex files. Good thing there are multiple versions of the more popular games available.

[Marius]

ROM files are dumps from (original) cartridge titles. Those are not intend for emulators or any other particular use, but simply a dump of a cart. Emulators are able to run those files, because they emulate the cartridge (that's why the emulator sometimes asks what the original format of the cart was, since there are more types of carts with different hardware, but same rom size).

 

There are Atari solutions for rom files, but they are ALL solutions that do plug in the cart port of the atari. This makes sense, since those files 'belong' in the cart port by their nature (being a rom dump of a cart). MyIDE 2 is one of those solutions that indeed runs most ROM files.

 

What you need for Sio2SD are executable files (the so called .XEX files, but they can have other file extensions too like .COM or .BIN or .EXE or whatever) or diskimages (.ATR files). Those are files that do operate in the RAM of your atari (compare that to ROM files; that is different!)

 

Back in time a lot (but not all) games that were released on Cartridge were also released on disk or tape. Most of these games are now available as an executable file (.XEX), and some are only available as a disk conversion (.ATR). Those you can use with your fabulous SIO2SD interface.

 

Indeed turn of the TURBO mode off, so it boots on stock SIO speed (no highspeed loader stack occupying any unwanted RAM in your atari 800, which is not compatible with that anyway).

 

There is a benefit though to use .ROM files in stead of executables. So I'm still happy MyIDE 2 supports this.

Some conversions of the ROM files do need more memory in your atari. The game Barnyard Blaster for instance needs more memory, or the game Commando. Some other games do need a (slow) disk conversion, like Karateka or more memory (also Karateka). When you are able to run ROM files, you could play these games on 64K atari.

 

But don't worry... with your Sio2SD you can play almost any available game. There is only a VERY SMALL AMOUNT of titles that are not available or won't run on Sio2SD.

[Atari-Collector]

OK, that makes sense. I think all the files I DL'd last night will keep my busy without worrying about .rom files.

 

Maybe for I'll just stick to real cartridges instead of .rom files... But then again, I'll take a look at the MyIDE2 thing and droll over what every it does