hard disc in a cpc 6128

[Munchausen]

rpalmer - that's awesome! I have the same question as Bryce - where can I download the main HDOS ROM? I'd like to give it a whirl on my CPC.

[rpalmer]

People,

I had been selling the main HDOS Rom with the IDE interface, since I had put a lot of my time into it.
But that was some 2 years ago, so for those people who want a copy just message me your email address and i will sent it to you.

The next version which willl have a few improvements, like auto settings for FAT16/32 IDE will be included in the next version. The next version will have to be bought since I would like to make some money for my efforts.

I am also in the process of creating a new mass storage interface which will have:

a.  SD card interfaces (may 4 of, but at least 2),
b.  Ethernet interface, and
c.  Memory expansion up to 2Mb

The reason for this that IDE hard drives are not easily available, since all computer component stores here in AUS only sell SATA drives (or USB variants).

rpalmer

[Gryzor]

Are you really going to make these? Wow. Put me down for a couple...

[rpalmer]

gryzor,

Yes, I will be making them as the original ethernet interface (I built and tested to work) which uses the CS8900 chip is harder to source while another chip which uses the SPI interface (same as SD cards) are available now. This is why both SD cards and the ethernet combo would be possible.

The addition of the memory is so that the CPC web browser which is nearing to completion requires at least 256K for itself, while the TCP/IP interface also uses 64K.
The Real CPC I have can only be expanded to 256K with the Dk'Tronics Silicon Disk pack.

The browser itself has for the moment been occupying the most of my time.

I will start a new topic to details more about this interface when I have more info to contribute.

rpalmer

[Bryce]

Seriously cool project! I'll take one too

Bryce.

[robcfg]

In the end, TFM is going to be a visionary, and the 4MB memory expansion for the CPC will be really of use... 


Jokes aside, great work!

[steve]

I have the feeling that memory cards do not have long term reliability, and when they fail you could lose gigabytes of data, so maybe you could consider having 2 memory cards in a raid 1 type arrangement.

[awergh]

well raid isn't really a backup its for redundancy and adding extra hardware in is bound to make it more expensive to build.
I think its much better to just back it up manually.
I do like the idea of an Ethernet interface though, I'm sure the 464+GT64 would be the ideal way to play some MUDs  .

[steve]

well raid isn't really a backup its for redundancy and adding extra hardware in is bound to make it more expensive to build.
I think its much better to just back it up manually.
I do like the idea of an Ethernet interface though, I'm sure the 464+GT64 would be the ideal way to play some MUDs  .

Is there a difference?, raid 1 gives you instant backup, no chance of suffering a failure before your scheduled backup.

[Munchausen]

It looks as though rpalnmers HDOS does support a sort of RAID1 for hard discs/compact flash. Whether this works for all interfaces, and for FAT16/32 as well as the native file format, I'm not sure.


BTW, I got a copy of HDOS. I will test it with my symbiface soon and report back.

[TFM]

c.  Memory expansion up to 2Mb

About the 2 MB of RAM: Do you intend to stay compatible to the 2 MB expansion of RAM7 and the 4 MB expansion of Yarek? Also TotO's new RAM expansions are compatible to them.

[rpalmer]

TFM,

At the moment, the 2Mb RAM expansion of RAM7 uses bits 8/9 to get more memory available with out impacting existing expansions. Address bits 8/9 are for the PPI (i.e 8255) port selection when the PPI is being addressed and since i am not referencing the PPI these bits are available for me to get more memory available.

By using these bits for which 512K 'chunk' to work with we get 4 x 512K Dk'Tronics expansions, so yes I understand that it would be compatible with existing programs which expect memory expansion to use the same I/O address bits.

My biggest issue is not the memory expansion, but putting it all together and programming a GAL for the memory management. The local electronics supplier (RS, Element14) can supply a 2Mb SRAM chip (5V variety), so it is just a matter of which PCB tracks go where.

I can already make changes to the existing IDE/8255 interface to use SD cards and the ethernet interface with voltage level converters to provide the required SPI interfaces.

I envisage that the new card would have on one side the 8255 with the SD slots and ethernet socket, while on the reverse the memory expansion would be soldered as SMD components.

rpalmer

[TFM]

That sounds really good! Keep us updated. 

[FRAGKI-2012]

I M VERY CLOSE TO CREATE THE PROJECT!!!!!
I  m just waiting my electronics components so I can built the cpc hard disc interface and im very exiting !!!!
is a gift for my first computer that works perfect after 30 years!!!!!!during this period I change a lot of pcs with out thinking about themes but my 6128 is always my first computer !!!!
thanks to rpalmer and bruce  you are the best !!!!!!!!

[RockRiver]

I got a copy of HDOS. I will test it with my symbiface soon and report back.

Some people try it in Spain without success...  Symbiface + HDOS (Amsdos with FAT16...) din't work.
And seems that HDOS was hard to work...difficult to understand commands

Maybe now with new SymbOS beta version (MSX) , next Dr.Zed boards, and some other new CPC hardware expansions is the time for try new HDOS/drivers version

Please Rpalmer, Munchausen inform us.

[OCT]

Maybe now with [...] next Dr.Zed boards, and some other new CPC hardware expansions is the time for try new HDOS/drivers version

Are you hinting at a SymbiFace 3 after all these yearsdecades it's been annouced in Hardwareentwicklung | Dr. Zed's evil Lab ("at long last" would be an understatement, given that these were the words he used in 2008 already )?

[rpalmer]

RockRiver,

The HDOS version has to be able to handle multiple devices (SymbiFace, IDE8255, RAMdisk, CF and possible custom devices). This means that there are many commands to cater for them.

It is important to be aware that HDOS also had to be able to be a version of AMSDOS for CPC464 users who don't have a floppy interface attached, along with the need to allow for 6128 owners to not be impacted by HDOS being used along side with AMSDOS/ParaDOS.

HDOS also allows for the use of FAT16/32 file systems from within AMSDOS. This means that the device has to be setup first to allow for this to occur and that means selecting which device and partition AMSDOS is going to refer to.

A default partition was not considered, since a HDD may have more than one partition.

As for the use with SymbiFace, I have stated that the drivers could not be tested on real hardware as I don't have one.

The documentation supplied/available on request does have some BASIC to demonstrate HDOS. There is also assembly version as well to help developers use HDOS within there own code.
If this documentation is lacking then PLEASE let me know 'where', 'what', 'why' and even 'how' needs to be improved to make it easier to use. There is always a know problem with documentation by developer's "a developer always documents with prior knowledge assumed" and this means I might have assumed users understand what I may say. I always do my best to avoid it, but there are times when i fail to avoid it.

If anyone has difficulty using HDOS, PLEASE do contact me so that we can get the issue addressed. If you don't have my email address PM me and let start communicating.
So far no one has and I assume all is going okay for those who use it. Let me say again, I am more than willing to help.

rpalmer