Mother X4 tape port board?

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Hello guys!

Today I was talking with Craigsbar, that did that useful mod to add the tape port to the 6128 Plus and he offered me to send some components if he has them around ( ). Then, a few hours later I was thinking a bit more about this and I wondered how difficult would be to make a board for the Mother X4 to add this functionality. I do not know, maybe it is not very interesting because there is a relative small number of 6128 plus around, but I would really buy one of these if they were available. Truth is that by chance I have several of these computers and something like that would be much better than modding all of them! 

What do you think?

[TFM]

Well, the TAPE port gets its data from one pin of the PIO, which is part of the ASIC in case of the Plus. Now question is: Does this connection also end up on the expansion port?

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I actually do not know at all  , but I guess that if we can connect the X-MASS it should be possible to connect a tape somehow, although maybe some conversion is needed in the way 

[gerald]

I actually do not know at all  , but I guess that if we can connect the X-MASS it should be possible to connect a tape somehow, although maybe some conversion is needed in the way 

Anything on the MotherX4 would be an "alien" to the FW or games.
So adding a tape port would require to patch the OS and all game using it to use that external tape port instead of the internal one.
Not worth the effort.

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Wow, definitely if that is the only option it does not seem worth the effort at all  I mean, patching the firmware seems serious enough, but if it is necessary to patch the games as well, then it sounds crazy. 

[CraigsBar]

I will check for parts tonight. I had to order 5 relays and I think I've only used 1 in my 6128 plus and sent 2 kits, so I should have 2 left. Everything else I have multiple spares.

[CraigsBar]

Before we go looking for an external tape connection can I vote for a amsTos ROM to return tape functionality to fw 3.1x and above.

[CraigsBar]

I will check for parts tonight. I had to order 5 relays and I think I've only used 1 in my 6128 plus and sent 2 kits, so I should have 2 left. Everything else I have multiple spares.

OK, I have everything you need. Resistor, transistor, diode, relay, wire, 8 pin header and connector. Shit no 5 pin din socket! Can you live without that? Or source one locally?

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For sure I can! 

[CraigsBar]

For sure I can! 

OK, I'll package it up and post it Friday, after the paddies day Guinness has been enjoyed to the full tomorrow!

Craig

Sent from my A3-A30 using Tapatalk

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Thank you!!