CPC-CompactFlash...

[ZbyniuR]

DivIDE for CPC? - I think we misunderstand each other. When I said I'm jealous, I was meant, I want something like this, but for CPC.
Improve me if I wrong, cause maybe I miss something, but as I know IDE for CPC working with CP/M, SymbOS and FutureOS, but with Amsdos aplication not so good. Especially can't start program from DSK files on partition.

The appearance and operation of Sym and FOS are impressive, and with all due respect for skill and effort of their creators, without compatibility with Amsdosem, usefulness of these systems for average user who longs for old days is close to zero. Curiosity makes him to start it maybe once, for one hour, thats it. But will not use this whenever Amstrad turn on, how to do owners of DivIDE and Spectrum. Because for this is needed compatibility and some simple GUI with a list of files. A magnified and movable windows and multitasking is superfluous. Ideally would be if ROM supports partition, boot starter program which allows you to run any game, demo, utility, music, and view pictures, texts and anim files by mouse without touching keyboard.
For Speccy latest DivMMC uses SD cards, and we patiently wait.

I feel jealous to C64 users too, because this: 

C64 Nuvie-Videos (103 -2 .reu files) - YouTube

[TotO]

Something like that? 

X-MASS, an IDE Flash Drive for Xmas? - Cent Pour Cent

[Bryce]

If I could put 50 likes on that I would!

Bryce.

[Prodatron]

Something like that? 

X-MASS, an IDE Flash Drive for Xmas? - Cent Pour Cent

When does MASS production start? 

[Prodatron]

but as I know IDE for CPC working with CP/M, SymbOS and FutureOS, but with Amsdos aplication not so good.

It's only working with SymbOS and Amsdos till this day.

What is missing is FAT support for Amsdos, which is hopefully available in the next monthes.

[CraigsBar]

Wow, TotO that is some Christmas gift to the community. You will let us know when the pre/order is open right?

[TotO]

Sure, I will let you know... It's the idea, no? 
But, we have some works and tests to achieve before. Stay tuned.

[radu14m]

    Thanks TotO !

[CraigsBar]

OK As is typical with these things a set of Questions have arisen (And that is just from me!!)

Looking at the picture, is that a 44pin IDE connector?


In which case will all devices and sizes be supported?


I mean rather than the supplied 128mb drive could a 44pin IDE to SDcard device be used, thus allowing upto 64 gig drive space to be available for much less than an official 64gig 44 pin flash drive?


Is this card Symbos Compatible as a simple and available IDE controller?


Many thanks


Craig

[jbaudrand]

Amazing...
Very impressed...

hope it will work on amsdos

[CraigsBar]

Amazing...
Very impressed...

hope it will work on amsdos

I am guessing (Only guessing mind) that AmsDOS support will be provided with the FW 3.XX expansion rom. At least Ideally it will be 

[Poliander]

Looking at the picture, is that a 44pin IDE connector?

Flash drive specs attached

[Prodatron]

So it seems that the Flash drive can be removed and replaced with other (external) IDE devices?

[TotO]

Yes, the connector is 2" 44-pin IDE.
Yes, the flash drive can be removed from the connector.
Yes, you can plug a bigger capacity flash drive.

No, you can't use an external harddrive because the CPC can't power it. It's not a steam machine.
No, you can't use 64GB storage, because the CPC can't manage it itself. (formating... 74 days left)

The idea is to make the CPC autonomous and use good sized capacities... We have not added 2GB RAM? 
you can be sure that 128MB is huge for this 4MHz computer. It's the equivalent of 368 DATA floppies...
It's far more reliable than an USB pen or a SD Card for your critical data.

[radu14m]

No, you can't use 64GB storage, because the CPC can't manage it itself. (formating... 74 days left)

It take some days

[CraigsBar]

No, you can't use 64GB storage, because the CPC can't manage it itself. (formating... 74 days left)

Is time the only factor here? Would we not say have a 16gb image with the entire CPC catalogue on it. WHis could be written to an SD card on a PC or Mac and then used in the CPC via this adaptor in a similar way that we use the HxC today.. Only faster and better because it has Amsdos access to the FS and MORE games (The whole catalogue and not just 15 slots) LOL.


Imagine a CPC Games CD release that you can actually copy the games to a SD card and run on a real CPC.... Sweetness of the highest order.

[Poliander]

The idea is to make the CPC autonomous and use good sized capacities... We have not added 2GB RAM? 
you can be sure that 128MB is huge for this 4MHz computer. It's the equivalent of 368 DATA floppies...

I *really* appreciate this way of designing extensions. From now on, 6128 means: 128 MB of storage!

[TotO]

Is time the only factor here? Would we not say have a 16gb image with the entire CPC catalogue on it. WHis could be written to an SD card on a PC or Mac and then used in the CPC via this adaptor in a similar way that we use the HxC today.. Only faster and better because it has Amsdos access to the FS and MORE games (The whole catalogue and not just 15 slots) LOL.

You can use the HxC for that... 
Here, is absolutly not the device usage... It's a SSD for working, not a 65536-IN-1 game card.
64GB, is more than I use on my MacBook everydays. 

[SyX]

Imagine a CPC Games CD release that you can actually copy the games to a SD card and run on a real CPC.... Sweetness of the highest order.

But the CPC Games CD is only 370 MBs of CPC games in files, including Bionic Command and other favourite speccy ports, jejeje.

[CraigsBar]

But the CPC Games CD is only 370 MBs of CPC games in files, including Bionic Command and other favourite speccy ports, jejeje.

Which would leave plenty of space for apps/games and system files for Symbos and Future OS.


Allowing the use of a larger flash device seems logical, especially with Prodatron and TFM working on 2 very good replacement OS options for the CPC/Plus range of computers (OK, and MSX PCW Enterprise for Symbos)

[Prodatron]

No, you can't use an external harddrive because the CPC can't power it. It's not a steam machine.

Would powering external (non-mechanical) devices still a problem, if the optional power supply is connected to the MotherX4?

No, you can't use 64GB storage, because the CPC can't manage it itself. (formating... 74 days left)

At least there is a 16GB version of the flash drive behind the link Poliander posted, and so my plan would be to connect it first to a PC, format and fill it with data and then use it in the X-MASS card.
It's always nice to have some additional storage for some non-classic CPC stuff like videos (the VID files for SymbOS are already larger than 128MB), large sound and picture collections and maybe at one day in the future MP3s like on the MSX, and so I am very glad, that the X-MASS can be expanded!
And sometimes it's fun to show off with such a display on your 8bit:
[attach=2]

[TotO]

Peoples buids boards, and users does what they wants with...
If you can enjoy it using xxGB drive for SymbOS, it's not a problem at all.
Just, that you should reach the maximum FAT files entries before filling more than few GB of files. 

And please, don't plug drives that require more than 2A currents on the MotherX4!

[Gryzor]

Holy. Crap.

Preorders open yet?

[TotO]

You are late Gryzor, all was sold. 

[Gryzor]

Time to reconsider suicide then...