User:Computerdoc - Revision history

Carney: /* Miscellaneous */

2024-08-19T15:54:31Z

Miscellaneous

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:54, 19 August 2024
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	== Miscellaneous ==		== Miscellaneous ==
	*All suggestions for 6809 and 6309 microprocessor based projects and ~~Coco~~ projects are welcome. Please keep them both positive and helpful.		*All suggestions for 6809 and 6309 microprocessor based projects and CoCo projects are welcome. Please keep them both positive and helpful.
	*Thank you for visiting my little corner of the Wonderful World of the ~~Coco~~ 1, 2, 3, the 6809 and 6309 microprocessors.		*Thank you for visiting my little corner of the Wonderful World of the CoCo 1, 2, 3, the 6809 and 6309 microprocessors.
	*Starfleet out! End Transmission! Qaplah! Shalom! Keep Having Fun!		*Starfleet out! End Transmission! Qaplah! Shalom! Keep Having Fun!
	--[[User:Computerdoc\|Computerdoc]] ([[User talk:Computerdoc\|talk]]) 21:09, 6 April 2013 (CDT)The Computer Doc		--[[User:Computerdoc\|Computerdoc]] ([[User talk:Computerdoc\|talk]]) 21:09, 6 April 2013 (CDT)The Computer Doc

Carney: /* Burning Eproms With My Color Burner */

2024-08-19T15:53:54Z

Burning Eproms With My Color Burner

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:53, 19 August 2024
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	== Burning Eproms With My Color Burner ==		== Burning Eproms With My Color Burner ==
	October 3, 2013		October 3, 2013
	*Many years ago when I was much younger I wanted to burn a customized version of ADOS for my ~~Coco~~ 1. Of course back then in the early to mid 1980's there was no internet to research anything on and the only resources available were books and magazines in local colleges and universities. I scoured all the computer books, magazines and journals I could find in search for an eprom burner which I could use on my ~~Coco~~ 1. Since that was the only computer I owned back then, I had to look for an ~~eprom~~ burner interface which run on my ~~Coco~~ 1 setup.		*Many years ago when I was much younger I wanted to burn a customized version of ADOS for my CoCo 1. Of course back then in the early to mid 1980's there was no internet to research anything on and the only resources available were books and magazines in local colleges and universities. I scoured all the computer books, magazines and journals I could find in search for an eprom burner which I could use on my CoCo 1. Since that was the only computer I owned back then, I had to look for an EPROM burner interface which run on my CoCo 1 setup.
	*At that point in time my ~~Coco~~ 1 had a Multipak Interface and at least one floppy controller, maybe two. Chronologically speaking though I don't remember what else I might have owned. As I have been collecting ~~Coco~~ related parts once again all the memories about the good ole days of learning on and using my ~~Cocos~~ came flooding back to the forefront of my mind. I found something called the Color Burner in a magazine somewhere which was right down my alley! All I do remember is that I built my own interface to burn my own ~~eproms~~ for my ~~Coco~~ 1.		*At that point in time my CoCo 1 had a Multipak Interface and at least one floppy controller, maybe two. Chronologically speaking though I don't remember what else I might have owned. As I have been collecting CoCo-related parts once again all the memories about the good ole days of learning on and using my CoCos came flooding back to the forefront of my mind. I found something called the Color Burner in a magazine somewhere which was right down my alley! All I do remember is that I built my own interface to burn my own EPROMs for my CoCo 1.
	*I was racking my brains trying to remember how I had setup my ~~eprom~~ burner, but all I could remember was creating some type of custom interface on one of the Color Computer Cartridge Prototype printed circuit boards (PCBs) that Radio Shack use to sell decades ago. That custom card plugged into my Multipak Interface with a ribbon cable connected to that card and running down to another card laying on the table where the ~~eprom~~ burning actually took place. I also remember having personality modules for different types of ~~eproms~~ made from 16 pin DIP headers that plugged into a 16 pin IC DIP socket on the Color Burner.		*I was racking my brains trying to remember how I had setup my EPROM burner, but all I could remember was creating some type of custom interface on one of the Color Computer Cartridge Prototype printed circuit boards (PCBs) that Radio Shack use to sell decades ago. That custom card plugged into my Multipak Interface with a ribbon cable connected to that card and running down to another card laying on the table where the EPROM burning actually took place. I also remember having personality modules for different types of EPROM made from 16-pin DIP headers that plugged into a 16-pin IC DIP socket on the Color Burner.
	*Recently a discussion started on the ~~Coco~~ Email List about the Green Mountain Micro Color Burner originally designed by Dennis Bathory-Kitsz who also administers ~~1the Coco~~ Email List. This again sparked my interest in my little Color Burner that I had enjoyed using so many years ago, so I went looking for it again.		*Recently a discussion started on the CoCo Email List about the Green Mountain Micro Color Burner originally designed by Dennis Bathory-Kitsz who also administers the CoCo Email List. This again sparked my interest in my little Color Burner that I had enjoyed using so many years ago, so I went looking for it again.
	*I had ran across it a year or so ago in the midst of looking for something else. You know how it happens that you can usually find everything in the world EXPECT what you are currently looking for. Well, that day I found a whole box of ~~Coco~~ related cartridges, disk controllers, etc. including a Burke and Burke MFM Hard Drive Controller which actually used an 8-BIT Winchester MFM Hard Drive Controller Card with an ISA bus from some old IBM PC/XT/AT computer. I seemed to find everything but that Color Burner. I ran across other boxes with more ~~Coco~~ related accessories as well. I continued to look everywhere again and again, but I could not remember the spot around my workbench where I had put the Color Burner for safe keeping. Finally I found my Color Burner after remembering I had pulled it out and set it aside so I could possibly use it later on. I was very happy to finally find my wonderful little Color Burner and took some pictures of it so you all can see what I use to burn ~~eproms~~ with. :) As it is very late and I'm going bug-eyed trying to see these little words on my laptop, I'm going to have to go to bed for now. I will be posting those pictures very soon. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures with my Cocos!		*I had ran across it a year or so ago in the midst of looking for something else. You know how it happens that you can usually find everything in the world EXPECT what you are currently looking for. Well, that day I found a whole box of CoCo-related cartridges, disk controllers, etc. including a Burke and Burke MFM Hard Drive Controller which actually used an 8-BIT Winchester MFM Hard Drive Controller Card with an ISA bus from some old IBM PC/XT/AT computer. I seemed to find everything but that Color Burner. I ran across other boxes with more CoCo-related accessories as well. I continued to look everywhere again and again, but I could not remember the spot around my workbench where I had put the Color Burner for safe keeping. Finally I found my Color Burner after remembering I had pulled it out and set it aside so I could possibly use it later on. I was very happy to finally find my wonderful little Color Burner and took some pictures of it so you all can see what I use to burn EPROMs with. :) As it is very late and I'm going bug-eyed trying to see these little words on my laptop, I'm going to have to go to bed for now. I will be posting those pictures very soon. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures with my Cocos!
	October 4, 2013		October 4, 2013
	*Well I'm sitting here in my favorite hangout in my "office" in Mickey D's going over my email. I took out my MicroSD memory card from my cell phone expecting to see some pictures of my Color Burner last night. I remember laying out the Color Burner on the table and arranging the cable, but they were not to be found. Hmmmm. This is very strange. I reckon I will have make time to take those pictures and post them here. Take care my friends. :)		*Well I'm sitting here in my favorite hangout in my "office" in Mickey D's going over my email. I took out my MicroSD memory card from my cell phone expecting to see some pictures of my Color Burner last night. I remember laying out the Color Burner on the table and arranging the cable, but they were not to be found. Hmmmm. This is very strange. I reckon I will have make time to take those pictures and post them here. Take care my friends. :)

Carney: /* Floppy Drive Woes */

2024-08-19T15:51:08Z

Floppy Drive Woes

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:51, 19 August 2024
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	*I have now fully tested the two 40 track DSDD 360KB floppy drives on my CoCo 3 as well as the two 40 track SSDD floppy drives. I'm happy to report that all four drives function correctly!		*I have now fully tested the two 40 track DSDD 360KB floppy drives on my CoCo 3 as well as the two 40 track SSDD floppy drives. I'm happy to report that all four drives function correctly!
	*I had been messing with floppy cables and connectors and managed to mess up my original floppy cable kludge setup, so I ended up ordering a ribbon cable connector crimper so I now I can make all the ribbon cables I need. I made a floppy cable for three 3.5" 1.44MB floppy drives, another floppy cable to fit inside the horizontal brick to connect to the two 40 track SSDD 180KB floppy drives, and a third cable to connect to the two 40 track DSDD 360KB floppy drives. The three 3.5" drives are connected to a floppy controller in Slot 4 of the MPI. The two 360KB drives are connected to a floppy controller in slot 2 and the two 180KB drives are connected to a floppy controller in slot 1.		*I had been messing with floppy cables and connectors and managed to mess up my original floppy cable kludge setup, so I ended up ordering a ribbon cable connector crimper so I now I can make all the ribbon cables I need. I made a floppy cable for three 3.5" 1.44MB floppy drives, another floppy cable to fit inside the horizontal brick to connect to the two 40 track SSDD 180KB floppy drives, and a third cable to connect to the two 40 track DSDD 360KB floppy drives. The three 3.5" drives are connected to a floppy controller in Slot 4 of the MPI. The two 360KB drives are connected to a floppy controller in slot 2 and the two 180KB drives are connected to a floppy controller in slot 1.
	*Now I can specify which floppy controller and associated floppy drives I wish to use with my basic program menu that boots off the Compact Flash card of the SuperIDE controller in Slot 3 on power up. Remember the one I described earlier? I'm getting sleepy and my eyes are very tired, so I will sign off for now and complete this narrative shortly. Take care my friends and stay turned for more ~~excited~~ news on this and other activities with my CoCo Data Center!		*Now I can specify which floppy controller and associated floppy drives I wish to use with my basic program menu that boots off the Compact Flash card of the SuperIDE controller in Slot 3 on power up. Remember the one I described earlier? I'm getting sleepy and my eyes are very tired, so I will sign off for now and complete this narrative shortly. Take care my friends and stay turned for more exciting news on this and other activities with my CoCo Data Center!
	November 15, 2013		November 15, 2013
	*Though I have not found my 5.25" 720KB floppy drives in storage, I found three reasonably priced ones on ebay, so I can now round out my floppy drive setup with 2 - 5.25" 80 track DSDD 720KB floppy drives in my horizontal brick to replace the two 40 Track SSDD 180KB floppy drives that it currently holds. I will also be creating a 3 floppy drive mix for the express purpose of transferring software from older floppy media to newer floppy media in an effort to preserve the man years of software I have collected and created over the years. This floppy drive setup will consist of 1 - 3.5" 80 track DSDD 1.44MB, 1 - 5.25 40 track DSDD 360KB, & 1 - 5.25" 80 Track DSHD 720KB floppy drives. This way I will be able to transfer old software from the old 5.25" floppy media to newer 3.5" floppy media. As my Drivewire 4 server does not currently run on my desktop computer, I will have to employ an even older HP mini-tower Windows XP computer system to provide the Drivewire 4 File Server needed for my CoCo 3 and CoCo 1. Eventually I plan on creating virtual floppy images of all my old CoCo software, but for the present, I will be picking choice selections of OS-9 disks to backup to 3.5" disks so I can retrieve the drivers I need to operate all my cool Disto cartridges on my CoCo 3 and CoCo 1.		*Though I have not found my 5.25" 720KB floppy drives in storage, I found three reasonably priced ones on ebay, so I can now round out my floppy drive setup with 2 - 5.25" 80 track DSDD 720KB floppy drives in my horizontal brick to replace the two 40 Track SSDD 180KB floppy drives that it currently holds. I will also be creating a 3 floppy drive mix for the express purpose of transferring software from older floppy media to newer floppy media in an effort to preserve the man years of software I have collected and created over the years. This floppy drive setup will consist of 1 - 3.5" 80 track DSDD 1.44MB, 1 - 5.25 40 track DSDD 360KB, & 1 - 5.25" 80 Track DSHD 720KB floppy drives. This way I will be able to transfer old software from the old 5.25" floppy media to newer 3.5" floppy media. As my Drivewire 4 server does not currently run on my desktop computer, I will have to employ an even older HP mini-tower Windows XP computer system to provide the Drivewire 4 File Server needed for my CoCo 3 and CoCo 1. Eventually I plan on creating virtual floppy images of all my old CoCo software, but for the present, I will be picking choice selections of OS-9 disks to backup to 3.5" disks so I can retrieve the drivers I need to operate all my cool Disto cartridges on my CoCo 3 and CoCo 1.

Carney: /* Floppy Drive Woes */

2024-08-19T15:50:42Z

Floppy Drive Woes

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:50, 19 August 2024
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	=== Floppy Drive Woes ===		=== Floppy Drive Woes ===
	October 4, 2013		October 4, 2013
	*Inspiration struck two nights ago and I finally figured out why my 40 track DSDD and 80 track DSHD drives did not work. Well, they were not what I thought they were. Actually they are 1.2MB 80 track DSHD drives! How could I have missed that one! Ugh! I did find two 360K drives in my collection and fully tested them on my Workbench PC and they passed all tests with flying colors! I installed them in my vertical brick and tested them on my ~~Coco~~ 3 setup in my Data Center and they worked great under HDB-DOS! I can now read all those old 35 track and 40 track SSDD and DSDD floppies in storage. I literally have hundreds, maybe even thousands! That my friends in NOT an exaggeration!		*Inspiration struck two nights ago and I finally figured out why my 40 track DSDD and 80 track DSHD drives did not work. Well, they were not what I thought they were. Actually they are 1.2MB 80 track DSHD drives! How could I have missed that one! Ugh! I did find two 360K drives in my collection and fully tested them on my Workbench PC and they passed all tests with flying colors! I installed them in my vertical brick and tested them on my CoCo 3 setup in my Data Center and they worked great under HDB-DOS! I can now read all those old 35 track and 40 track SSDD and DSDD floppies in storage. I literally have hundreds, maybe even thousands! That my friends in NOT an exaggeration!
	*I also found two 180K 40 Track SSDD drives as well. When I was testing those on my workbench PC, I had not found out what they were yet, so I was stabbing in the dark with the DOS format command parameters. After I returned to the house, while talking with a fellow ~~Coco~~ buddy on Skype he figured out that they were 180K drives which means they are not 35 track drives as I thought, but 40 track SSDD drives! I had forgotten why flippy floppies were ever born. Duh, to use both sides of the floppies in a single sided drive. Well, I need to go take care of a computer customer, so I'll stop for now. I'll be taking a few more pictures of these two dual drive bricks as well. Take care my friends.		*I also found two 180K 40 Track SSDD drives as well. When I was testing those on my workbench PC, I had not found out what they were yet, so I was stabbing in the dark with the DOS format command parameters. After I returned to the house, while talking with a fellow CoCo buddy on Skype he figured out that they were 180K drives which means they are not 35 track drives as I thought, but 40 track SSDD drives! I had forgotten why flippy floppies were ever born. Duh, to use both sides of the floppies in a single sided drive. Well, I need to go take care of a computer customer, so I'll stop for now. I'll be taking a few more pictures of these two dual drive bricks as well. Take care my friends.
	October 24, 2013		October 24, 2013
	*I have now fully tested the two 40 track DSDD 360KB floppy drives on my ~~Coco~~ 3 as well as the two 40 track SSDD floppy drives. I'm happy to report that all four drives function correctly!		*I have now fully tested the two 40 track DSDD 360KB floppy drives on my CoCo 3 as well as the two 40 track SSDD floppy drives. I'm happy to report that all four drives function correctly!
	*I had been messing with floppy cables and connectors and managed to mess up my original floppy cable kludge setup, so I ended up ordering a ribbon cable connector crimper so I now I can make all the ribbon cables I need. I made a floppy cable for three 3.5" 1.44MB floppy drives, another floppy cable to fit inside the horizontal brick to connect to the two 40 track SSDD 180KB floppy drives, and a third cable to connect to the two 40 track DSDD 360KB floppy drives. The three 3.5" drives are connected to a floppy controller in Slot 4 of the MPI. The two 360KB drives are connected to a floppy controller in slot 2 and the two 180KB drives are connected to a floppy controller in slot 1.		*I had been messing with floppy cables and connectors and managed to mess up my original floppy cable kludge setup, so I ended up ordering a ribbon cable connector crimper so I now I can make all the ribbon cables I need. I made a floppy cable for three 3.5" 1.44MB floppy drives, another floppy cable to fit inside the horizontal brick to connect to the two 40 track SSDD 180KB floppy drives, and a third cable to connect to the two 40 track DSDD 360KB floppy drives. The three 3.5" drives are connected to a floppy controller in Slot 4 of the MPI. The two 360KB drives are connected to a floppy controller in slot 2 and the two 180KB drives are connected to a floppy controller in slot 1.
	*Now I can specify which floppy controller and associated floppy drives I wish to use with my basic program menu that boots off the Compact Flash card of the SuperIDE controller in Slot 3 on power up. Remember the one I described earlier? I'm getting sleepy and my eyes are very tired, so I will sign off for now and complete this narrative shortly. Take care my friends and stay turned for more excited news on this and other activities with my ~~Coco Date~~ Center!		*Now I can specify which floppy controller and associated floppy drives I wish to use with my basic program menu that boots off the Compact Flash card of the SuperIDE controller in Slot 3 on power up. Remember the one I described earlier? I'm getting sleepy and my eyes are very tired, so I will sign off for now and complete this narrative shortly. Take care my friends and stay turned for more excited news on this and other activities with my CoCo Data Center!
	November 15, 2013		November 15, 2013
	*Though I have not found my 5.25" 720KB floppy drives in storage, I found three reasonably priced ones on ebay, so I can now round out my floppy drive setup with 2 - 5.25" 80 track DSDD 720KB floppy drives in my horizontal brick to replace the two 40 Track SSDD 180KB floppy drives that it currently holds. I will also be creating a 3 floppy drive mix for the express purpose of transferring software from older floppy media to newer floppy media in an effort to preserve the man years of software I have collected and created over the years. This floppy drive setup will consist of 1 - 3.5" 80 track DSDD 1.44MB, 1 - 5.25 40 track DSDD 360KB, & 1 - 5.25" 80 Track DSHD 720KB floppy drives. This way I will be able to transfer old software from the old 5.25" floppy media to newer 3.5" floppy media. As my Drivewire 4 server does not currently run on my desktop computer, I will have to employ an even older HP mini-tower Windows XP computer system to provide the Drivewire 4 File Server needed for my ~~Coco~~ 3 and ~~Coco~~ 1. Eventually I plan on creating virtual floppy images of all my old ~~Coco~~ software, but for the present, I will be picking choice selections of OS-9 disks to backup to 3.5" disks so I can retrieve the drivers I need to operate all my cool Disto cartridges on my ~~Coco~~ 3 and ~~Coco~~ 1.		*Though I have not found my 5.25" 720KB floppy drives in storage, I found three reasonably priced ones on ebay, so I can now round out my floppy drive setup with 2 - 5.25" 80 track DSDD 720KB floppy drives in my horizontal brick to replace the two 40 Track SSDD 180KB floppy drives that it currently holds. I will also be creating a 3 floppy drive mix for the express purpose of transferring software from older floppy media to newer floppy media in an effort to preserve the man years of software I have collected and created over the years. This floppy drive setup will consist of 1 - 3.5" 80 track DSDD 1.44MB, 1 - 5.25 40 track DSDD 360KB, & 1 - 5.25" 80 Track DSHD 720KB floppy drives. This way I will be able to transfer old software from the old 5.25" floppy media to newer 3.5" floppy media. As my Drivewire 4 server does not currently run on my desktop computer, I will have to employ an even older HP mini-tower Windows XP computer system to provide the Drivewire 4 File Server needed for my CoCo 3 and CoCo 1. Eventually I plan on creating virtual floppy images of all my old CoCo software, but for the present, I will be picking choice selections of OS-9 disks to backup to 3.5" disks so I can retrieve the drivers I need to operate all my cool Disto cartridges on my CoCo 3 and CoCo 1.

	== Burning Eproms With My Color Burner ==		== Burning Eproms With My Color Burner ==

Carney: /* My Combined CoCo 3 & CoCo 1 Computer Data Center! */

2024-08-19T15:48:29Z

My Combined CoCo 3 & CoCo 1 Computer Data Center!

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:48, 19 August 2024
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	*I was just reviewing my entire web page and realized I didn't finish sharing about the update to the autoexec.bas program on my CoCo 3.		*I was just reviewing my entire web page and realized I didn't finish sharing about the update to the autoexec.bas program on my CoCo 3.
	*Below is a picture of the Boot Screen as the Autoexec.bas program now stands.		*Below is a picture of the Boot Screen as the Autoexec.bas program now stands.
	[[File:~~CoCo~~ 3 Autoexec Boot Screen for SuperIDE and 3 Floppy Controllers.jpg\|1000px]]		[[File:Coco 3 Autoexec Boot Screen for SuperIDE and 3 Floppy Controllers.jpg\|1000px]]

	*In an effort to be fully compatible with ALL of my old CoCo floppies in various formats of which there are many, I have added two 80trk floppy drives to the mix.		*In an effort to be fully compatible with ALL of my old CoCo floppies in various formats of which there are many, I have added two 80trk floppy drives to the mix.

Carney: /* My Combined Coco 3 & Coco 1 Computer Data Center! */

2024-08-19T15:47:56Z

My Combined Coco 3 & Coco 1 Computer Data Center!

Computerdoc: /* Computer Repair Service Available in Manning, SC */

2016-11-06T22:37:52Z

Computer Repair Service Available in Manning, SC

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:37, 6 November 2016
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	== Computer Repair Service Available in Manning, SC ==		== Computer Repair Service Available in Manning, SC ==
	* First, the business aspects of my life.		* First, the business aspects of my life.
	*I'm a Computer Consultant and ~~also~~ offer ~~computer repair for Manning~~, ~~Sumter~~, ~~Florence, Charleston and Columbia~~ in South Carolina. You can contact me with your specific needs at my email address by referring to the Contact section of this web page.		*I'm a Computer Consultant by trade and offer Computer Repair Services, PCB building, Network Services in the Southeastern area of South Carolina. You can contact me with your specific needs at my email address by referring to the Contact section of this web page.

	== EPROM Burning Service Available ==		== EPROM Burning Service Available ==

Computerdoc: /* Adding An IDE Interface to the 68000 SBC Version 2 */

2016-10-29T04:07:05Z

Adding An IDE Interface to the 68000 SBC Version 2

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:07, 29 October 2016
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	[[File:68K_IDE_SBC_V2.jpg\|1000px\|My 2nd 68K SBC. Added 1MB of Flash memory storage and an IDE Interface.]]		[[File:68K_IDE_SBC_V2.jpg\|1000px\|My 2nd 68K SBC. Added 1MB of Flash memory storage and an IDE Interface.]]
	* Here is the 2nd board powered up and running.		* Here is the 2nd board powered up and running.
	[[File:68K_IDE_SBC_V2_on.jpg\|1000px\|My 2nd 68K SBC powered up and running.]		[[File:68K_IDE_SBC_V2_on.jpg\|1000px\|My 2nd 68K SBC powered up and running.]]
	* I'm currently running the 2nd board at 8MHZ, but I will be ordering 12MHZ and 16MHZ oscillators soon. I want to see how fast this board will run. The 68000 CPU part number is MC68000P12F and and the 2nd line is a marking of 16MHZ on the chip itself. I wonder if the 68000 will run reliably at 16MHZ. Inquiring minds want to know! Once I get my 2nd 68K board running at the fastest reliable speed, then I will work on upgrading the speed of my 1st board.		* I'm currently running the 2nd board at 8MHZ, but I will be ordering 12MHZ and 16MHZ oscillators soon. I want to see how fast this board will run. The 68000 CPU part number is MC68000P12F and and the 2nd line is a marking of 16MHZ on the chip itself. I wonder if the 68000 will run reliably at 16MHZ. Inquiring minds want to know! Once I get my 2nd 68K board running at the fastest reliable speed, then I will work on upgrading the speed of my 1st board.

Computerdoc: /* Adding An IDE Interface to the 68000 SBC Version 2 */

2016-10-29T04:03:32Z

Adding An IDE Interface to the 68000 SBC Version 2

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:03, 29 October 2016
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	=== Adding An IDE Interface to the 68000 SBC Version 2 ===		=== Adding An IDE Interface to the 68000 SBC Version 2 ===
	'''September 16, 2016'''		'''September 16, 2016'''
	* I am very excited about this next version of ~~Platform~~. This version has all the features of the 1st version of ~~this~~ 68K board ~~with~~ the addition of an IDE Interface port that will support a CF to IDE Adapter Card. So far only CF adapter cards have been used, but I imagine a real hard disk drive will work as well as an SD to IDE Adapter Card the last of which I will hopefully be testing ~~soon~~. I have to build this board 1st!		* I am very excited about this next version of the platform. This version has all the features of the 1st version of the 68K board plus the addition of an IDE Interface port that will support a CF to IDE Adapter Card. So far only CF adapter cards have been used, but I imagine a real hard disk drive will work as well. May be even an SD to IDE Adapter Card the last of which I will hopefully be testing at some point. I have to build this board 1st!
	* As always I gathered up all the resistors and capacitors needed by this board, installed and soldered them onto the 2nd version of this 68K Board.		* As always I gathered up all the resistors and capacitors needed by this board, installed and soldered them onto the 2nd version of this 68K Board.
	* Next, I soldered machined female headers for sockets which saves quite a bit in the funds department. :)		* Next, I soldered machined female headers for sockets which saves quite a bit in the funds department. :)
	* Once all the sockets were installed, I went through the rest of my parts and ICs to see what parts I have on hand before I put in an order to Digikey. I was able to find quite a bit actually. I am holding off installing the 68HC000 16MHZ chip and the 2 - 4Mbit, 512KB Flash Memory chips until after everything else on the 68K Board is complete. A picture of the IDE Version of this 68K Board is at the following url. [https://www.dropbox.com/s/14tbblgf5ey6mp8/Pic_0915_570.jpg?dl=0 My 68K Board with IDE after installing all the parts I have on hand] This picture shows the 68K Board with all the parts I have on hand soldered into place. After double and triple checking the parts list I have entered at Digikey, I will be submitting the order for the rest of the parts needed to complete this board.		* Once all the sockets were installed, I went through the rest of my parts and ICs to see what parts I have on hand before I put in an order to Digikey. I was able to find quite a bit actually. I am holding off installing the 68HC000 16MHZ chip and the 2 - 4Mbit, 512KB Flash Memory chips until after everything else on the 68K Board is complete. A picture of the IDE Version of this 68K Board is at the following url. [https://www.dropbox.com/s/14tbblgf5ey6mp8/Pic_0915_570.jpg?dl=0 My 68K Board with IDE after installing all the parts I have on hand] This picture shows the 68K Board with all the parts I have on hand soldered into place. After double and triple checking the parts list I have entered at Digikey, I will be submitting the order for the rest of the parts needed to complete this board.
			* The rest of the build description is forthcoming.
			* This is a picture of the finished 68K SBC V2 board.
	[[File:68K_IDE_SBC_V2.jpg\|1000px\|My 2nd 68K SBC. Added 1MB of Flash memory storage and an IDE Interface.]]		[[File:68K_IDE_SBC_V2.jpg\|1000px\|My 2nd 68K SBC. Added 1MB of Flash memory storage and an IDE Interface.]]
			* Here is the 2nd board powered up and running.
			[[File:68K_IDE_SBC_V2_on.jpg\|1000px\|My 2nd 68K SBC powered up and running.]
			* I'm currently running the 2nd board at 8MHZ, but I will be ordering 12MHZ and 16MHZ oscillators soon. I want to see how fast this board will run. The 68000 CPU part number is MC68000P12F and and the 2nd line is a marking of 16MHZ on the chip itself. I wonder if the 68000 will run reliably at 16MHZ. Inquiring minds want to know! Once I get my 2nd 68K board running at the fastest reliable speed, then I will work on upgrading the speed of my 1st board.

	== My Altair 8800! ==		== My Altair 8800! ==

Computerdoc: /* Adding An IDE Interface to the 68000 SBC Version 2 */

2016-10-28T02:08:29Z

Adding An IDE Interface to the 68000 SBC Version 2

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:08, 27 October 2016
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	* Next, I soldered machined female headers for sockets which saves quite a bit in the funds department. :)		* Next, I soldered machined female headers for sockets which saves quite a bit in the funds department. :)
	* Once all the sockets were installed, I went through the rest of my parts and ICs to see what parts I have on hand before I put in an order to Digikey. I was able to find quite a bit actually. I am holding off installing the 68HC000 16MHZ chip and the 2 - 4Mbit, 512KB Flash Memory chips until after everything else on the 68K Board is complete. A picture of the IDE Version of this 68K Board is at the following url. [https://www.dropbox.com/s/14tbblgf5ey6mp8/Pic_0915_570.jpg?dl=0 My 68K Board with IDE after installing all the parts I have on hand] This picture shows the 68K Board with all the parts I have on hand soldered into place. After double and triple checking the parts list I have entered at Digikey, I will be submitting the order for the rest of the parts needed to complete this board.		* Once all the sockets were installed, I went through the rest of my parts and ICs to see what parts I have on hand before I put in an order to Digikey. I was able to find quite a bit actually. I am holding off installing the 68HC000 16MHZ chip and the 2 - 4Mbit, 512KB Flash Memory chips until after everything else on the 68K Board is complete. A picture of the IDE Version of this 68K Board is at the following url. [https://www.dropbox.com/s/14tbblgf5ey6mp8/Pic_0915_570.jpg?dl=0 My 68K Board with IDE after installing all the parts I have on hand] This picture shows the 68K Board with all the parts I have on hand soldered into place. After double and triple checking the parts list I have entered at Digikey, I will be submitting the order for the rest of the parts needed to complete this board.
	68K_IDE_SBC_V2.jpg		[[File:68K_IDE_SBC_V2.jpg\|1000px\|My 2nd 68K SBC. Added 1MB of Flash memory storage and an IDE Interface.]]

	== My Altair 8800! ==		== My Altair 8800! ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:47, 19 August 2024
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	*I had successfully assembled my own working copy of HDB-DOS v1.4 DW4 Coco2 rom image, burnt it into an eprom, installed the eprom into my favorite floppy disk controller, booted my Coco 1 64KB computer and successfully accessed a 3.5" floppy drive! Of course I will test it with a Coco 1 version of NitrOS-9, but the outlook is good thus far. More exciting things to come. :)		*I had successfully assembled my own working copy of HDB-DOS v1.4 DW4 Coco2 rom image, burnt it into an eprom, installed the eprom into my favorite floppy disk controller, booted my Coco 1 64KB computer and successfully accessed a 3.5" floppy drive! Of course I will test it with a Coco 1 version of NitrOS-9, but the outlook is good thus far. More exciting things to come. :)

	=== My Combined ~~Coco~~ 3 & ~~Coco~~ 1 Computer Data Center! ===		=== My Combined CoCo 3 & CoCo 1 Computer Data Center! ===

	'''April 27, 2013'''		'''April 27, 2013'''
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	*I now have officially created a permanent home for my Coco 3 and my Coco 1 computers in my newly created Computer Data Center reserved for the Radio Shack & Tandy line of Color Computers. How is that for a long introduction. :)		*I now have officially created a permanent home for my Coco 3 and my Coco 1 computers in my newly created Computer Data Center reserved for the Radio Shack & Tandy line of Color Computers. How is that for a long introduction. :)
	*On the left side of the picture is a CM-8 Analog RGB Monitor connected to my Coco 3 into which the ~~Coco~~ 3 compatible MultiPak Interface is plugged into its cartridge port/slot.		*On the left side of the picture is a CM-8 Analog RGB Monitor connected to my Coco 3 into which the CoCo 3 compatible MultiPak Interface is plugged into its cartridge port/slot.
	**The first slot is empty for now.		**The first slot is empty for now.
	**The second slot has a Disto Super Controller installed which is connected to one 5.25" 40 Trk DSDD Floppy drive. The card edge connector on the second floppy drive is positioned differently so it cannot be connected to the floppy drive interface cable at this time.		**The second slot has a Disto Super Controller installed which is connected to one 5.25" 40 Trk DSDD Floppy drive. The card edge connector on the second floppy drive is positioned differently so it cannot be connected to the floppy drive interface cable at this time.
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	**In the fourth slot is installed a Hard Drive Specialist Floppy Drive Controller which is connected to three 3.5" Floppy Disk Drives.		**In the fourth slot is installed a Hard Drive Specialist Floppy Drive Controller which is connected to three 3.5" Floppy Disk Drives.
	*Immediately above the controllers in the MultiPak Interface are the three 3.5" floppy disk drives on the shelf above with the 4GB hard disk drive laying on top of the floppy disk drives. The ATX Power supply is powering all three 3.5" floppy drives and the 4GB hard disk drive.		*Immediately above the controllers in the MultiPak Interface are the three 3.5" floppy disk drives on the shelf above with the 4GB hard disk drive laying on top of the floppy disk drives. The ATX Power supply is powering all three 3.5" floppy drives and the 4GB hard disk drive.
	*On the right side of the computer data center desk is a modified ~~Coco~~ 1 with a J&M Floppy Disk Drive Controller installed in the cartridge port/slot.		*On the right side of the computer data center desk is a modified CoCo 1 with a J&M Floppy Disk Drive Controller installed in the cartridge port/slot.
	**No floppy drives are connected to this controller at this time due to the fact that all my PC floppy disk drive cables have a little piece of plastic blocking the opening so it cannot be plugged into the J&M controller. The card edge connector in the controller does not have a slot cut into the PCB between contact fingers 3&4 and 5&6. The card edge connector on the PC floppy drive cable does have a piece of plastic in that location of the connecter making connection between the two parts impossible.		**No floppy drives are connected to this controller at this time due to the fact that all my PC floppy disk drive cables have a little piece of plastic blocking the opening so it cannot be plugged into the J&M controller. The card edge connector in the controller does not have a slot cut into the PCB between contact fingers 3&4 and 5&6. The card edge connector on the PC floppy drive cable does have a piece of plastic in that location of the connecter making connection between the two parts impossible.
	*On the shelf above the ~~Coco~~ 1 is a Radio Shack Dual floppy drive case with two 40 TRK DSDD floppy drives in it. Because the card edge connector is positioned differently in the second floppy drive than the first floppy drive, it cannot be connected to the floppy drive interface cable.		*On the shelf above the CoCo 1 is a Radio Shack Dual floppy drive case with two 40 TRK DSDD floppy drives in it. Because the card edge connector is positioned differently in the second floppy drive than the first floppy drive, it cannot be connected to the floppy drive interface cable.
	*To the right off the floppy drives is a Color Composite Video Monitor in which is plugged the color composite video output of the ~~Coco~~ 1. The ~~Coco~~ 1 you say?!? In a word, Yes! The ~~Coco~~ 1 has installed a custom Color & Monochrome Composite Video Output Card with a Sound output as well mounted within. Actually it is mounted right on top of the top metal clip top of the shielded RF output unit. The bottom of the PCB is covered with black electrical tape and mounted with a double stick thick foam pad to the top of the RF can.		*To the right off the floppy drives is a Color Composite Video Monitor in which is plugged the color composite video output of the CoCo 1. The CoCo 1 you say?!? In a word, Yes! The CoCo 1 has installed a custom Color & Monochrome Composite Video Output Card with a Sound output as well mounted within. Actually it is mounted right on top of the top metal clip top of the shielded RF output unit. The bottom of the PCB is covered with black electrical tape and mounted with a double stick thick foam pad to the top of the RF can.
	*Running in the J&M Controller is C-DOS v2.3. In my Disto controller in the third socket is installed an eprom with C-DOS v2.4. I have no documentation for C-DOS, so if one of you out there in the ~~Coco~~ Community have a copy of the manual for C-DOS and wouldn't mind scanning and emailing me a copy, I would be extremely grateful. Thank you in advance.		*Running in the J&M Controller is C-DOS v2.3. In my Disto controller in the third socket is installed an eprom with C-DOS v2.4. I have no documentation for C-DOS, so if one of you out there in the CoCo Community have a copy of the manual for C-DOS and wouldn't mind scanning and emailing me a copy, I would be extremely grateful. Thank you in advance.
	*I have modified the Autoexec.bas file in virtual drive 0 of the HDB-DOS partition Block of the compact flash card to include a Menu asking the user to select which set of floppy drives to activate. Answering "1" will activate the set of three 3.5" floppy drives and answering 2 will activate the set of 40 TRK DSDD floppy drives. Just as soon as I find a second 40 TRK DSDD floppy drive with the card edge contacts in the right position so as to be connectable to the floppy drive interface cable, I will be running two drives.		*I have modified the Autoexec.bas file in virtual drive 0 of the HDB-DOS partition Block of the compact flash card to include a Menu asking the user to select which set of floppy drives to activate. Answering "1" will activate the set of three 3.5" floppy drives and answering 2 will activate the set of 40 TRK DSDD floppy drives. Just as soon as I find a second 40 TRK DSDD floppy drive with the card edge contacts in the right position so as to be connectable to the floppy drive interface cable, I will be running two drives.
	[[File:Modified AUTOEXEC.BAS File Running Off Virtual Drive 0.jpg\|1000px]]		[[File:Modified AUTOEXEC.BAS File Running Off Virtual Drive 0.jpg\|1000px]]
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	'''July 26th, 2013'''		'''July 26th, 2013'''

	*I was just reviewing my entire web page and realized I didn't finish sharing about the update to the autoexec.bas program on my ~~Coco~~ 3.		*I was just reviewing my entire web page and realized I didn't finish sharing about the update to the autoexec.bas program on my CoCo 3.
	*Below is a picture of the Boot Screen as the Autoexec.bas program now stands.		*Below is a picture of the Boot Screen as the Autoexec.bas program now stands.
	[[File:~~Coco~~ 3 Autoexec Boot Screen for SuperIDE and 3 Floppy Controllers.jpg\|1000px]]		[[File:CoCo 3 Autoexec Boot Screen for SuperIDE and 3 Floppy Controllers.jpg\|1000px]]

	*In an effort to be fully compatible with ALL of my old ~~Coco~~ floppies in various formats of which there are many, I have added two 80trk floppy drives to the mix.		*In an effort to be fully compatible with ALL of my old CoCo floppies in various formats of which there are many, I have added two 80trk floppy drives to the mix.
	*Now my MultiPak Interface for the ~~Coco~~ 3 is Full!		*Now my MultiPak Interface for the CoCo 3 is Full!
	[[File:MultiPak with 3 Floppy Drive Controllers and SuperIDE Controller.jpg\|1000px]]		[[File:MultiPak with 3 Floppy Drive Controllers and SuperIDE Controller.jpg\|1000px]]

	*Each 5.25" drive's motor turns on and it's LED lights up properly when I try to access the drives one at a time, but they still can not read any ~~Coco~~ disks. Shoot! I have to go to my old PCs and see if any of those old 5.25" floppy drives still work. I'll let you all know how this challenge gets resolved.		*Each 5.25" drive's motor turns on and it's LED lights up properly when I try to access the drives one at a time, but they still can not read any CoCo disks. Shoot! I have to go to my old PCs and see if any of those old 5.25" floppy drives still work. I'll let you all know how this challenge gets resolved.

	*This is a picture of my 80 track floppy drives.		*This is a picture of my 80 track floppy drives.
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	[[File:My Coco Setup with 7 Floppy Drives Online.jpg\|1000px]]		[[File:My Coco Setup with 7 Floppy Drives Online.jpg\|1000px]]

	*No ~~Coco~~ 2s in the mix yet. As soon as I populate my Composite Video/Component Video Monitor Driver PCB, I'll be testing one of my ~~Coco~~ 2s as well. I can hardly wait.		*No CoCo 2s in the mix yet. As soon as I populate my Composite Video/Component Video Monitor Driver PCB, I'll be testing one of my CoCo 2s as well. I can hardly wait.
	*What I need now is a bunch of RAM in my ~~Coco~~ 3, a serial cable and off I go into the Wild Blue yonder of Drivewiring! The PC is already setup ready to go and sits on the floor underneath my ~~Coco~~ Data Center!		*What I need now is a bunch of RAM in my CoCo 3, a serial cable and off I go into the Wild Blue yonder of Drivewiring! The PC is already setup ready to go and sits on the floor underneath my CoCo Data Center!
	*Below the ~~Coco~~ 1, underneath the desk, on a shelf is my Cisco Network. On the Upper left of the stack is a Printer Spooler with a parallel port that is connected to my Canon Laser Printer.		*Below the CoCo 1, underneath the desk, on a shelf is my Cisco Network. On the Upper left of the stack is a Printer Spooler with a parallel port that is connected to my Canon Laser Printer.
	*To the right of the white printer spooler is a Cisco PIX 506E Firewall Appliance which protects the entire computer network from viruses.		*To the right of the white printer spooler is a Cisco PIX 506E Firewall Appliance which protects the entire computer network from viruses.
	*Underneath both devices is a Cisco 3500XL 48 Port Ethernet Switch with Power On Ethernet capability with Virtual LAN features.		*Underneath both devices is a Cisco 3500XL 48 Port Ethernet Switch with Power On Ethernet capability with Virtual LAN features.
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	*Well that about does it for now. If you want further details about anything on this web page just send me an email.		*Well that about does it for now. If you want further details about anything on this web page just send me an email.


	=== Floppy Drive Woes ===		=== Floppy Drive Woes ===