Changes
/* Schneider PCW machines */
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| http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Xdriver_PCW_suite_0.1.zip || Zip file containing uIDE utilities and the PCW driver FID file. You don't need this if you are using the uIDE-PCW.img file. || [[UIDE_Universal_IDE_adapter_cards_for_Z-80_computers#Drivers|Drivers]]
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| http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Xdrv_n.zip || Zip file containing uIDE xdrv.fid v1.11 variants that allocate different numbers of uIDE drives (from 1-12), for use in situations where having many drives slows the PCW down (such as when starting up Locoscript), or you find that CP/M Plus does not have enough memory to support the full compliment of drives, devices and applications you need to run (not a problem I've encountered yet!). || See http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/nc100-nc200-pcw-pda600/locoscript-and-fid-files/msg173804 for discussion.
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| http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/nc100-nc200-pcw-pda600/announce-pcw-xdriver-suite-v1-11-for-uide-users/ || Announcement thread for the later driver with download and discussion of repair procedure to fix possible problems with the earlier formatter. Use this instead of the v0.1 driver. || [[UIDE_Universal_IDE_adapter_cards_for_Z-80_computers#Drivers|Drivers]]
These cards allow connection of a uIDE card to the 50 way expansion port on the back of the machine. They are designed to support the PCW edge connector type port, but the European Centronics type port might be accommodated if a suitable connector exists (50 way Centronics, 2.54 header pitch). In addition they provide access to the PCW's 5v and 12v power supply, as well as other signals from the card edge connector. One variant has a small composite video circuit so that you can connect an external monitor to the PCW.
=== Schneider PCW variants ===
You can connect uIDE-8 to a Schneider PCW expansion plug using a 50 way Centronics to 50 way IDC cable.
{| class="wikitable"
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|[[File:Schneider adapter cable.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Schneider adapter cable]]
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You also need a modified PCW expansion port adapter card, with a 50 way IDC header installed instead of the 50 way edge connector. The Schneider cable plugs into this, and you then connect the uIDE to it in the usual fashion.
{| class="wikitable"
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|[[File:Schneider adapter cable fitted.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Schneider adapter cable fitted, with uIDE and DOM, in an enclosure]]
|}
=== CPC 6128 ===
* The IDE device can plug directly into the uIDE board. Angled IDC connectors are recommended when building the board.
* A DOM is recommended as it is the only device I have tested the uIDE prototype with. Unfortunately, I can't guarantee that specific Compact Flash cards will be compatible but if you let me know what works and what doesn't we can build a compatibility list on this page.
* uIDE-8 cannot be used on the 6128CPC6128 as it uses 16 bit I/O addressing. Choose uIDE-16. === Special notes for uRTC-8 users ===* You can connect uRTC-8 to your computer by choosing any two options from the first two columns.* uRTC-8 cannot be used on the CPC6128 as it uses 16 bit I/O addressing.
== Information for self builders ==
|[[File:8512 uIDE.JPG|thumb|Correct way to fit the expansion port adapter and uIDE to the back of a PCW 8256: LED at the top. (Picture shows a uIDE-16 but the orientation of the uIDE-8 with respect to the cable is the same.)]]
|}
'''Note: On the red adapter board, the Z80 bus cable is on the other side of the expansion port, but the red light is still at the top.'''
=== PCW 9000 series machines ===
|[[File:9512 uIDE.JPG|thumb|Correct way to connect expansion port adapter and uIDE to a 9512 expansion port: Adapter's LED on the RIGHT. (Picture shows a uIDE-16 but the orientation of a uIDE-8 is the same with respect to the cable.)]]
|}
=== Schneider PCW machines ===
The Schneider expansion port is different to the Amstrad PCW edge connector. To connect to it you need a 50 way Centronics to IDC ribbon cable and a Schneider-specific expansion port adapter (this has a 50 way IDC header on it rather than an edge connector).
The cable and connection is shown on this page: http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/UIDE_Universal_IDE_adapter_cards_for_Z-80_computers#Schneider_PCW_variants
I can supply the Schneider specific Expansion port adapter, but not the Centronics to IDC cable.
=== CPC6128 machines ===
man dd
..and be aware that dd is also known as the "disk destroyer" because if you get it the ''-of'' wrong your hard disk may be wiped. I use GParted (under Ubuntu Linux) to ensure I have the correct device by loading it up and looking in the dropdown for the list of disks. One of them will be 125MB and that is the DOM. You'll see it is named as "/dev/[something]" - that's what your dd ''-of'' argument should be.
==== To transfer the uIDE disk image under Windows ====
|[[File:Z80 bus board layout.PNG|thumb|Z80 bus board layout]] || |[[File:Z80 bus board 3D.PNG|thumb|Z80 bus board 3D view]]
|}
It needs a quick rethink though, because I would like to add some additional lines for special host pins such as are found on the PcW.
=== PCW Serial / parallel port ===
|[[File:CPS8256 clone.png|thumb|CPS8256 clone PCB layout]] || [[File:CPS8256 3D.PNG|thumb|CPS8256 clone 3D view]]
|}
=== uRTC-8 Real Time Clock ===
This board is an external RTC that enables the host computer to maintain the time and date even when switched off.
Please see [[URTC-8 Universal RTC for Z80 computers]] for more details.
=== PCW uIDE boot card ===
This board would enable the PCW to boot directly from the uIDE board. A bit complicated but I intend to have a go at it... It's special in that it requires access to the "unused" pins of the PcW expansion port adapter - these are /REFSH, /NMI, /HALT, /MDIS, 3.2Mhz respectively (the boot card really needs /MDIS as far as I know). Others have implemented hard drive booting on the PCW, and I need to find out how - then I can build this card.
=== Other expansions ===
== Prices ==
This is a summary of the prices I have posted to the forum so far.
{| class="wikitable"
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| PCW expansion port adapter with composite video output (assembled) || £29.00
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| Schneider expansion port adapter with composite video output (assembled) || £26.00
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| PCW expansion port adapter "lite" (without composite video output) || £3.00
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| PCW Schneider expansion port adapter "lite" (without composite video output, assembled) || £18£15.00
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| CPC 6128 expansion port adapter || £3.00
| 128MB DOM suitable for use with uIDE-8 and uIDE-16 || £7.95
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| Z80 bus cable (40 way IDC-IDC ribbon) || n/a, buy from an auction site: "40 way IDC cable"
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| UK postage & packing boards only || £3.50
The shipping prices are a reasonable estimate and should allow a tracked service. Please contact me if you would like shipping insurance. All shipping will be via UK Royal Mail services.
Please note, you will also need a Z80 bus cable. This is a standard 40 way IDC female to female ribbon commonly found in PCs to connect the motherboard to an IDE HDD, so if you have one lying around you don't need my offering. But if you decide to order one, please contact me to discuss the length of the cable. I guess it depends on the machine and where you want to position the uIDE card.
== More information ==
[http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?57196-uIDE-on-the-Superbrain Superbrain uIDE discussion thread on VCF Forum]
[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2L62b7tPEXut4B3zgTygFQxfKM3o-x99 Superbrain QD uIDE demonstration videos]
[[File:IDE SPEC.PDF|200px||left|]] - IDE Specification document
== How to contact me. ==
I am member "JonB" of the VCF and CPC Wiki Forums. If you need support or have any comments,
please start a new thread on the uIDE thread in the VCF CP/M forum here:
http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?56162
Or on the relevant CPCWiki / Amstrad.ES forum liked linked to above. You could also PM me.. :)
Note: Forum registration is required.
