X-MEM, a new memory expansion for all CPC.

[Prodatron]

So I was wondering as I have a 464 + DDI is there someway I can still use both this and the DDI? or do I have to wait for Bryce to develop a DDI-2 which has a passthrough so that other devices can be attatched after the DDI?

You can also try this:
MotherX4 Board - Cent Pour Cent

[awergh]

I was thinking that the MotherX4 Board would be nice but I would need two edge connectors and it only offers one for sale with it unless I'm missing something?

[Bryce]

Has anyone ever had a batch of reversiboards made up recently?

I made two or three of them last year because I happened to have a few suitable edge PCBs left over, but no other batch has been made as far as I know. I found (and lost again) a source for the PCB a while back.

Bryce.

[pelrun]

Couldn't you just add the appropriate IDC connector to the middle of the DDI-1 cable? Then it'd just plug into the passthrough on the back of the MX4, without sacrificing the original connector or needing a rare edge adapter.


Or am I mistaken and the MX4 has a different pinout to the expansion port?

[Bryce]

The DDI-1 doesn't have a cable, it's connected directly to the back of the CPC.

Bryce.

[TotO]

The MX4 don't have an Edge pass-through to avoid contact problems.
An idea is to plug a male/male pcb on an edge ribbon cable to invert the gender. (I have to done it)

[MacDeath]

I guess a Motherx4 compatible card with all those floppy controller extras and possibility to connect at least 2 standard Floppies (3"1/2, 3" or 5"1/4) drives or HxC could be nice, would be usefull for any 464 owner, not for 664/6128 though... still.

[IanS]

Are we all talking about the same thing. This is what I mean:-
[attach=2]
(This shows 2 boards, both sides shown).

It can be inserted in an IDC connector added on a 50-way ribbon cable, to reproduce the edge connector on the cpc. With just straight through tracks, the signals end up on the wrong side.

[TotO]

Yes, exactly that. 
(easy to build and should be sold around 2€ each, may be less... Depending the quantity)

[TFM]

Well, I can only strongly suggest to move to 50 pin Centronics connectors like German CPCs had, and later on the 6128 Plus too.
The reason is that PCB edge contacts are always submitted to corrosion.

[Bryce]

It can be inserted in an IDC connector added on a 50-way ribbon cable, to reproduce the edge connector on the cpc. With just straight through tracks, the signals end up on the wrong side.

That depends how you intend to use the PCB. I used a straight through version to make this: Expansion Converter - CPCWiki

Bryce.

[MacDeath]

Well, I can only strongly suggest to move to 50 pin Centronics connectors like German CPCs had, and later on the 6128 Plus too.

not everyone would be willing to modify a collector machine...

Anyway As I said, TotO just need to produce a FDC card that would be simply compatibeule with the Motherx4, then any standard disk solution and standard (non edge connector) cable may work well... the FD1 for 464 may then go to museum and 464 possessors would simply use HxC, cheap Chinses or 3"1/2 or bare 3" disk drive solutions.

Is there still free room inside the big programable chip on those X-Mem to add the FDC feature ?
sorry, don't know how this work so it may not be possible of course, just a suggestion.

[Bryce]

The FDC functionality is just 16K preferably in ROM slot 7, so yes, there is no problem adding the OS. However, it would be better to include the OS on the FDC PCB so that it doesn't depend on other expansions to work.

If you mean adding all the FDC circuitry to the X-MEM CPLD, this wouldn't be possible, the X-MEM would need a lot of additional hardware to become a floppy controller.

Bryce.

[TotO]

Yes, the FDC board have to provide its own Firmware. (AMSDOS or other if needed)
I have made some schematic tries, but I don't plane to release an MX4 FDC board actually.

[MacDeath]

However, it would be better to include the OS on the FDC PCB so that it doesn't depend on other expansions to work.

Well, a 464 would need both Extra RAM and FDC/Disk to be suitable to my taste...

such FDC card + X-MEM on a Motherx4 combo would be mandatory to turn any 464 into a proper CPC anyway. 

But hey, TotO must be quite busy building all those X-Mem that were purchased... thats a lot of pieces to craft.
And a lot of 64kers turned into 576kers already... i guess...

[TFM]

not everyone would be willing to modify a collector machine...

Not the machine.    But anything "after" it .

[TotO]

A little update... 
X-MEM preorders (updated) - Cent Pour Cent

[Gryzor]

Damn, when did I preorder?

[TotO]

On the firsts... Your board is ready. :p

[TFM]

A little update... 
X-MEM preorders (updated) - Cent Pour Cent

Awesome site! Absolutely professional!!!

[TotO]

Thank you for the compliment, but... this place will stay a convenience.
Don't forget that, because it's a hobby. Like building the boards, notices, floppies.
Back in good old 1985 Marty! 

[Gryzor]

On the firsts... Your board is ready. :p

How cool is that! Does it have my name on it?

[TotO]

How cool is that! Does it have my name on it?

I can try to engrave it, but that should cut some tracks... 

I have put the "final" version of the X-MEM Get Started! notice online.
All the others downloads will follow... Just check the bottom page of each boards.

[Gryzor]

I can try to engrave it, but that should cut some tracks... 

From the looks of it it's got plenty of tracks, I'm sure not ALL of them are needed?

[TotO]

Absolutely! 
Most of them are only here to justify its indecent price[nb]See spanish forum...[/nb] and fight against Tipiaks[nb]Pirates!!![/nb].