HD Question

[Inky]

Is it physically possible to get a hard drive for the ST, and make it so that either the ST OR my 8-bit could access it (not neccesarily at the same time, as I wouldn't be running both).

[jens]

I don't really know. But I know a few things that have to be given to make a thing like that possible:

The computers have to have the same hardware interface.

The computers must be able to handle the filesystem.

 

With these two things I think all is said. As I don't know anything about the pre-ST-ataris I can't tell you nothing more.

So to your question: It is possible but perhaps makes a lot of work to develop interfaces and software.

An example: The HdDriver by Uwe Seimet has the possibility to use any filesystem to which it got specific information. It knows Fat16, Fat32 and some unix and linux systems. If someone writes a driver for HFC (Macintosh) you could use Macintosh drives directly with your atari. I asked Uwe Seimet for that but he said it's a lot of work.

[Ayreon]

For the ST are various SCSI interfaces. If my memory doesn't cheat, The link I & II by ICD are one of the most known. For the 8-bits there's something called the black box. I don't know enough about it to give any info on that, but i thought it was supporting IDE drives.. or maybe SCSI??

[jens]

I think the main problem will be the filesystem. It is possible to use ide or scsi-drives on atari st's, and it seems to be possible to use at least one or the other on 8-bit ataris.

[krupkaj]

I think there is no possibility to have both filesystems on one drive.

 

But you can use ST as "image server" for Atari 8 bit. XLST-link or XLDJ can do the same as APE for PC. Just plug your SIO2PC to your ST serial port.

[jens]

Do they have different filesystems? That's what I don't know. If the 8-bit-ataris use the same filesystem as the ST's (and so on...) it should be possible to use the same harddisk.

[krupkaj]

no, the filesystem is very different. The ST use standard FAT (or VFAT under Magic or Minix, ext2 under MiNT) On 8bit there is special filesystem which is not compatible with anything on ST. This is the reason why I suggest using images with drive emulator.

[Nick Harlow]

You might like to try one of the 8 Bit emulators which run on the St series, I believe they had 8BIt HD support (not sure of this tho)... suggest you try http://www.emulators.com/

[krupkaj]

emulators on ST are very slow. Even standard Falcon is not fast enough to emulate 8bit Atari at 100%. We tried atari800 on CT60 falcon and the result was around 90% of 8bit.

[Inky]

Let me ask this then: I know of the SIO2PC for the 8-bit that allows one to load stuff from your pc's HD. Is there a similar item for the ST?

[krupkaj]

Yes, there are at least 2 applications for ST. XLST-link and XLDJ . I think it is possible to find them both on Atari ftp sites. if not just pm me.

[Inky]

Thru what, a null modem cable?

[krupkaj]

the cable is the same as for SIO2PC. Only if you have a Falcon you have to make new serial port into it.