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Solid state storage for vintage hardware

PostPosted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:02 pm
by lizardb0y
Continuing the discussion started in the Apple II - Compact Flash thread, I thought I'd cover some of the other devices I've found in my wanderings.

DivIDE for ZX Spectrum

This provides an IDE interface for Compact Flash or PATA HDD or CD-ROMs. Multiple firmwares are available with different capabilities, but the default FATWare can access multiple FAT16 partitions on a device, and includes a handy menu for navigating drive contents.

I have one of these and it does everything it says on the box.

RWAP Software sell an enhanced version called the DivIDE+.

HxC Floppy emulator

This device can be plugged into a standard FM/MFM floppy interface to allow the use of SD cards for bulk storage. Works as a replacement for 8", 5.25", 3.5" and 3" drives on multiple systems including Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Spectrum +3, MSX2, Commodore 1581, TI 99/4A, TRS-80, Acorn/BBC, Kaypro and PC. Uses FAT32 partitions and has a built-in native application for some platforms including Amstrad CPC.

This looks like a great device and is likely to be a future purchase of mine.

CFFA 3000 for Apple II series

As mentioned in another thread this card allows the use of CF cards (and some other PATA devices) as well as USB sticks as storage for the Apple II series. As I understand it the CF/IDE interface appears like a Profile drive and is ProDOS formatted. A USB stick can hold multiple floppy disk images, and a button press lets you cycle between the disk images.


AtariMax MAxflash for Atari 8 bit computers

Available in multiple capacities these flash cartridges look just like a normal ROM cartridge for the Atari series. You can load muliple cartridge ROMs and select which one to run on boot. Can be programmed from an Atari or by PC using a USB programming kit. Not the cheapest solution I've seen, but very well designed.


SIO2SD for Atari 8 bit

The SIO2SD does exactly what it sounds like - it has an SIO socket on one side and an SD slot in the other, allowing an Atari 8 bit to use it just like a 1050 floppy drive. Accesses FAT12,16 and 32 partitions, but does not read SDHC cards.


SD2IEC for Commodore 64


There are many flash storage interfaces for the C64, such as the 1541 Ultimate and 1541-III, but the best of them seems to be the SD2IEC. Based on an Atmel ATmega644 microcontroller it is said to have the best performance of the lot. Can be bought built-up from NKC Electronics. This board emulates a 1541 disk drive and uses SD cards for bulk storage.

Re: Solid state storage for vintage hardware

PostPosted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 10:41 pm
by tezza
The Lisa has the IDEFIle and the X/ProFile. I have the latter.

Re: Solid state storage for vintage hardware

PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:40 pm
by nama
I for one personally love the idea of modern storage for old machines. These floppy disks certainly won't last for ever.

I own a divIDE for the Spectrum, two CFFA cards (the older models, work great!) for my Apple II's, a CFFA1 for my Apple 1 (Obtronix clone), Xprofile for my Lisa (and an IDEfile for the Lisa too), uIEC (SD2IEC based interface) for my Vic 20 and Pet 64, and like Terry, I'm getting a couple of these new SD card storage systems for my CBM Pets.

I have even purchased a S100 bus IDE/CF board (bare board) thinking I could get a modern CF card solution working for my 1976 SOL-20.

http://www.s100computers.com/My%20Syste ... 20Card.htm

Building the hardware is easy I think, but unfortunately I have discovered that the compiling of CP/M for the Sol and the IDE/CF card is far beyond my programing skill level :-(

Unfortunately I do miss the buzzing and whirring of the old equipment, be it old floppy drives or hard drives, but nothing beats the convenience of having all the software you'll ever need on one SD for CF card.

Phil

Re: Solid state storage for vintage hardware

PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 11:19 pm
by coogie
Ok adding to the list a few more Apple II Options:

IIgs MicroDrive/Turbo IDE Controller & MicroDrive IDE Controller (normally available from):
http://www.reactivemicro.com/index.php?cPath=1
https://ultimateapple2.com/projects.html

BlueFlash - Bluetooth, USB, CF Controller
http://vinchysky.angelfire.com/ not quite finished yet...

///SHH Systeme - Various Storage Options
http://boycot.no-ip.com/apple2/a2shh1.htm

Re: Solid state storage for vintage hardware

PostPosted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:53 pm
by tezza
lizardb0y wrote:HxC Floppy emulator

This device can be plugged into a standard FM/MFM floppy interface to allow the use of SD cards for bulk storage. Works as a replacement for 8", 5.25", 3.5" and 3" drives on multiple systems including Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Spectrum +3, MSX2, Commodore 1581, TI 99/4A, TRS-80, Acorn/BBC, Kaypro and PC. Uses FAT32 partitions and has a built-in native application for some platforms including Amstrad CPC.

This looks like a great device and is likely to be a future purchase of mine.


Thanks for making me aware of this one. I agree. This looks great, and it is now on my wanted list too.

Re: Solid state storage for vintage hardware

PostPosted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 6:35 pm
by nama
Oh, one more I forgot to mention that I also own is the ZXpand for the ZX81, and should be included in this list.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvgdcpwp ... r_embedded

Philip

Re: Solid state storage for vintage hardware

PostPosted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 6:57 pm
by lizardb0y
nama wrote:Oh, one more I forgot to mention that I also own is the ZXpand for the ZX81, and should be included in this list.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvgdcpwp ... r_embedded


Yes! I don't have one yet but it's on my list.

The ZXpand is available from RWAP Software.