Changes

[[Image:Dktronics vision 1.jpg|thumb|343px|right|256K Silicon Disc and 256K expansion (used as plain RAM , without the additional ROM cartridge here)]] The '''Memory Expansions by Expansion''' and '''Silicon Disc''' from [[Dk'tronics]]are both RAM expansions. The Silicon Disc additionally comes with a ROM which contains RAM-Disc functions.

=== Memory Expansions === [[Dk'tronics]] produced 2 different memory expansionsMemory Expansions, a 64K and a 256K which were compatible with all (non Plus) CPCs.

The available memory could === Silicon Discs === These were intended to be switched used as RAM disc, made in 64K and out of the Z80 64K address block in banks of 16K using either RSX (bar) commands within basic or within an assembly code program256K versions, too.

=== Bank Numbers Internal 64KB in 6128 and External 64KB RAM ===

* 64K Expansion and 64K Silicon Disk use only one 64K This uses 1 bank (, the bank 0)* 256K Expansion uses eight 64K banks (bank 0.is mirrored through the entire 512KB range.7)* 256K Silicon Disc uses eight 64K banks (bank 8e.g.15)The 256K Expansion and 256K Silicon Disc can be used togetherc4, resulting in a total of 512K RAM in sixteen banks (bank 0..15)c5,c6,c7 access the same ram as cc,cd,ce,cf.

x =ignoreds == Versions ===selection (0-7)

* The 64K versions (of both Memory Expansion and === External 64KB Silicon Disk) were made only for CPC 464/664. On CPC 6128 they would be useless (replacing the 2nd internal 64K by external 64K).* The 256K versions (of both Memory Expansion and Silicon Disk) were made in separate versions for 464/664 and 6128 (they should be compatible at software side, possibly the differ only cosmetically...?)* All 64K/256K Memory Expansions, and the 64K Silicon Disc consist of a single cartridge. The 256K Silicon Disc is a special case: It consists of two cartridges shipped together (one contains the ROM, the other contains the RAM).===

Dk'tronics also made the "[[Dk'tronics Silicon Disc]]" === 256KB RAM Disc. '''Not sure if/how it differs from the "Dk'tronics memory expansion" ?'''===

<gallery caption="64k RAM Dktronics for CPC 464 and 664">ImageThe decoding looks like this:64K Dk'tronics for 464 Front Cover.jpg|Front CoverImage:2 - 64Ks - 04 .jpg|PCB (normal and SMD version)Image:64K for 464 - 01.jpg|Case</gallery>

<gallery captionb ="256k bank (bank 0 is ignored on 6128 so that internal RAM Dktronics for CPC 6128">Image:256K Dk'tronics for 6128 Front Coveris visible, 1,2,3 are from the 256KB RAM).jpg|Front CoverImage:256k RAM Dktronics s = selection (0- Disc.jpg|Dk'tronics 256k RAM for 6128</gallery>7)

<gallery caption="64k On 6128 you get 256KB RAM + internal 64KB base RAM Silicon Disc for CPC 464/664">Image:NoPicture.gif</gallery>

<gallery caption="256k RAM == 256KB Silicon Disc for CPC 464/664">Image:Silicon disk.JPG|Box and Manual</gallery>Disk ===

<gallery caption="256k RAM Silicon Disc for CPC 6128">Image:Silicon disc front2This uses 4 banks (effectively 4-7), the banks are not mirrored.jpg|A closeup The RAM doesn't conflict with the internal RAM of the 6128 version</gallery>OR the 256KB RAM. The decoding looks like this:

<gallery captionb ="Bank Switch Software">banks = selection (0-7)

Image:256k On 6128 you get 256KB RAM Dktronics - Disc.jpg|Dk'tronics 256k + 64KB internal extra RAM+ 64KB internal base RAM for 6128Image:Bank Switch Software 1 (tape).jpg|Version 1 for 464/664Image:Bank Switch Software 2 (tape).jpg|Version 2 for 464/664Image:Bank Switch Software 3 (tape).jpg|Version 3 for 464/664

<=== Bank Numbers === * 64K Expansion and 64K Silicon Disk use only one 64K bank (bank 0)* 256K Expansion uses four 64K banks (bank 0..3)* 256K Silicon Disc uses four 64K banks (bank 4..7) The 256K Expansion and 256K Silicon Disc can be used together, resulting in 512K RAM in eight banks (bank 0..7). Plus, the 64K internal RAM is used (so total RAM is 576K). === Memory Expansion vs Silicon Disc === Both are basically the same hardware, both contain RAM, use same I/galleryO ports, and both are not battery-backed.* The Memory Expansions are intended as general purpose RAM, and software is included on cassette or disc.* The Silicon Discs are intended as RAM Disc, software is included on ROM. The 256K version uses special bank numbers (see above). === Versions === * The 64K versions (of both Memory Expansion and Silicon Disk) were made only for CPC 464/664. On CPC 6128 they would be useless (replacing the 2nd internal 64K by external 64K). --- Although, reportedly 64K versions DO exist for 6128 (apparently mapping the 64K to a location where it doesn't overlap the internal RAM. Details are unknown?)* The 256K versions (of both Memory Expansion and Silicon Disk) were made in separate versions for 464/664 and 6128 (they should be compatible at software side, possibly they do differ only cosmetically...?)* All 64K/256K Memory Expansions, and the 64K Silicon Disc consist of a single cartridge. The 256K Silicon Disc is a special case: It consists of two cartridges shipped together (one contains the ROM, the other contains the RAM). == Pictures == [[Image:2 - 64Ks - 04 .jpg|thumb|right|150px|Normal and SMD version]][[Image:2 - 64Ks - 04 .jpg|thumb|left|150px|Normal and SMD version]]<center><br>There are too many different versions to list all photos on this page.

See <big><big>[[Dk'tronics Memory Expansion Gallery]].</big></big></center><br style="clear:both;">

== Manuals CPM ==

* [[Media:Dkt64kDk'tronics Bank Switch software comes with NEWCPM.pdf|64Kb COM CP/M program which installs a 61K TPA CPM2.2 which uses the Dk'Tronics RAM Expansions DKtronics Manual]] (pdf).* See [[Media:256K RAM Expansions DKtronics Manual.pdf|256Kb RAM Expansions DKtronics ManualDkTronics_CPM]] . The manual also describes how to patch CPM+ (pdf)* [[Media:256K which is already compatible with Dk'Tronics RAM Expansions DKtronics (Spanishto run on 464/664) Manual.pdf|256Kb RAM Expansions DKtronics (Spanish) Manual]] (pdf) == Reviews == * 256K Silicon Disc reviewed in ACU May 1986, [[Media:DKTronics_Silicon_Disk_ManualFile:ACU8605-039.pdfjpg|64K and 256K Silicon Disc Manualpage 39]] (pdf).

* An article in [[Amstrad Action ]] ([[Amstrad_Action,_Issue_46,_Jul_1989|Issue 46, July 1989]], [[:File:AmstradAction046-16.jpg|page 16]] and [[:File:AmstradAction046-17.jpg|17]]) described how a Silicon Disk can be converted into a 256K memory expansion.  == Manuals == * [[Media:Dkt64k.pdf|DK'Tronics 64Kb RAM Expansions Manual]] (pdf) {{EN}}* [[Media:256K RAM Expansions DKtronics Manual.pdf|DK'Tronics 256Kb RAM Expansions Manual]] (pdf) {{EN}}* [[Media:256K RAM Expansions DKtronics (Spanish) Manual.pdf|DK'Tronics 64K and 256Kb RAM Expansions Manual]] (pdf) {{ES}}* [which article is that?[Media:DKTronics_Silicon_Disk_Manual.pdf|DK'Tronics 64K and 256K Silicon Disc Manual]] (pdf) {{EN}}* [[Media:DK'Tronics Peripheral - Technical Manual (Edition 1).pdf|DK'Tronics Peripheral - (Edition 1) Technical Manual]] (pdf) {{EN}}* [[Media:DK'tronics Manuel de Utilisation de la RAM d'Extension.pdf|DK'Tronics Manuel de Utilisation de la RAM d'Extension]] (pdf) {{FR}}

* [[Media:Dk'tronics 256k Bank Switch (disc).zip|DkDK'tronics Tronics 256k Bank Switch (disc).zip]] (DSK for Emulators) * [[Media:Dk'Tronics Bank Switch Software (tape).zip|DkDK'Tronics Bank Switch Software (tape).zip]] (CDT for Emulators)* [[Media:SilDsc11.rom|DK'Tronics Silicon Disc 1.1 ROM]] * [[Media:Dk'tronicsSiliconDiscRomImage.zip|DK'Tronics Silicon Disc 1.3 ROM]] * [[Media:SD212.ROM|Dk'tronics Silicon Disc 2.12 ROM]]* [[Media:SiliconDisc64.zip|DK'Tronics 64Kb Silicon Disc 0.3 ROM]] - none such? (might be one or two versions existing, for 64K and 256K)

[[Category:Hardware]] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Memory expansions]] [[Category:Manual]]