Farb

My problem with the VAPI format is I haven't seen a way to actually create images. I have a bunch of PRO images that I've created using ProSystem that I'd like to use outside of APE.

@Rybags: That would be pretty cool. However, at the moment I don't have the slightest idea how to even approach it :-) Another update: I spent some time reverse engineering the PRO format and got a simple PRO disk image to boot. It doesn't support any copy protection yet, but I'll see what I can do. It seems like bad sectors and CRC errors shouldn't be too difficult to emulate... it's duplicate and phantom sectors that will probably be difficult.

@eeun, @sloopy: Thanks, I hope people will find eventually find it useful and hopefully contribute to it since the hardware is so readily available. @Rybags: Can SIO even alter the display at all? I haven't done anything with DD images yet. I will have to find (or make) a few and try it out.

I've created an official thread for the device (now named SIO2Arduino) here: http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/192209-sio2arduino/

Hi all, I've decide to give the device I'm working on the very unimaginative name of SIO2Arduino. It currently supports reading/writing/formatting of SD/ED ATR and XFD images. My test setup is an Arduino Mega 2560 with an Ethernet Shield. For debugging purposes, I'm currently changing disk images by hooking up a switch to Arduino pin 8. This will basically cycle between all the valid disk images at the root of the SD card (directory support will come a bit later). I plan to add some sort of remote capability so the device can be controlled by the Atari and become more generally useful. I'm still deciding what the best solution for that is. Once that's complete, I can modify it to work with the less expensive Arduino Uno which should allow the device to run on much smaller hardware. I basically figured now was a good milestone to start using source control and allow others to see it. The GPL'd code is available here: https://github.com/w...are/SIO2Arduino I will continue to work on enhancing it and hopefully you SIO experts out there can let me know if I'm doing anything terribly wrong in the code (quite likely). Just be gentle -- I'm still learning Arduino as well as Atari SIO :-) Comments and feedback welcome! ->Dan

Hi everyone, Happy New Year! I've spent some more time on this and now have support for writing to disk images as well as support for SD/ED ATR/XFD files. I've also done some research into how SDrive and SIO2SD implement their on-screen disk image handling. As I suspected, it's additional devices/commands in the SIO protocol. I don't see why I couldn't implement support for one of these protocol extensions into my device (assuming they are sufficiently documented) so that no one will have to re-invent the wheel on the Atari side. ->Dan

Hi Rybags, Thanks for the information. I do have delays in there but it's probably not as accurate as it needs to be. I won't pretend to fully understand your suggestion about testing with a different screen setup. When I get a bit further along, I'll have to ask you to explain it in more detail. I did find the cause of the error I thought was timing related and it was actually just a bug. I will still be examining the SIO bus with the logic analyzer once I get it to tweak my timings and make sure it's adhering to the spec. I just spent the last few hours refactoring the code to take it from prototype C code mess into a well-structured C++ set of classes (well, mostly). So now it's on to PutSector and handling ATR images other than SD ones :-)

Hi Steve, I'm actually trying to do this without creating any sort of custom shield. I'm just using an off-the-shelf Arduino Ethernet Shield with an Arduino Uno (actually, I'm using an Arduino Mega for testing since it gives me more than one hardware UART): I like your SDrive and I like the idea of these devices being easily installed inside the computer itself. Thanks for the pointer to the RBBB Arduino board -- that looks like a good possibility for getting it as small as possible. I now have other disk images booting after fixing a bug in my file seek code. So far only reading is implemented; I will have to work on writing next. This is my first stab at creating any sort of Atari hardware from scratch and I never even knew how the SIO protocol worked prior to this so it's been an interesting project thus far. I do seem to have a timing issue that pops up when I turn off debug logging so I've ordered a logic analyzer (http://www.saleae.com/logic/) to see if I can figure out what's going on.

I was just able to boot an ATR of MULE on my 130XE from a microSD card and the Arduino. I'm sure I'm doing 100 things wrong but it's at least a start! Is anyone aware of any documentation on how byte 2 of the GET STATUS command's status frame should be set? The SIOspecs.pdf says that it should be the inverted value of the status register of the FD1771 Floppy Disk Controller. I did a quick Google search but wasn't able to find anything particularly useful.

Well, Arduino boards can get pretty small. This board: http://www.arduino.c...rduinoBoardNano coupled with this SD card reader: https://www.adafruit.com/products/254 would make for a pretty small device :-) That's one of the nice things about this approach - it would give people some choice. As far as Atari control of the device, I don't have the knowledge on the Atari-side to do it but I'd be happy to work with someone who does. Could it be as simple as creating an additional SIO command that the device can watch for and then send its data back to the Atari serially? One possibility when using the Ethernet shield would be to simulate a TCP/IP-based modem that would allow the Atari to get out to the Internet. ->Dan

I've been doing work with Arduino recently and thought it might be fun to try and create an SIO2SD/SDrive-type device using it. I realize there are already several such solutions but none that I'm aware of that use Arduino. This would allow anyone to use off-the-shelf parts to create one of these devices with very little technical knowledge. I'd also want to make the micro controller code freely available so anyone could extend it (e.g. to support new disk formats, etc). I think the cost of parts would be around $30-$80 depending on what features it had. My first thought is to use an Arduino Uno and Arduino Ethernet Shield: http://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/arduinoBoardUno http://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoEthernetShield I'm debating whether to use an LCD display or web-based interface to browse/assign disk images to drives. Does this seem like a worthwhile project to the community or just another me-too device? ->Dan

Thanks, ThumpNugget! Your commitment to preserving this stuff is extraordinary! Here are some scans that I've done as well: Canyon Climber Manual Miner 2049er Manual Pacific Coast Highway Manual

Hmm... never played it. I'll have to fire it up in an emulator and check it out!

Hi all, I have some Atari ST software up for auction on eBay (all starting at $0.99): Gauntlet by Mindscape (still in shrinkwrap) eBay Auction -- Item Number: 250804536658 Test Drive by Accolade eBay Auction -- Item Number: 250804537184 Adventures of Mad Dog Williams eBay Auction -- Item Number: 250804538369 There will be more to come!

Hi all, I've put some Atari 8-bit software up on eBay: Embargo & Firebird Cartridges by Gebelli Software eBay Auction -- Item Number: 250803235230 ]Worm War I Cartridge by Sirius Software eBay Auction -- Item Number: 250803235780 Super Sketch Cartridge by Practical Peripherals eBay Auction -- Item Number: 250803236490 ]Alien Hell Diskette & Manual by Syncro Software eBay Auction -- Item Number: 250803237009 Floyd of the Jungle Diskette & Manual by Microprose Software eBay Auction -- Item Number: 250803237637

I have it but it's too big to attach on this forum. I've put it up on my website temporarily so download it soon... F-15 Strike Eagle Manual

Sold.

The current high offer is $300 so please no offers lower than that.

If you guys don't want to wait... http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/179694-fs-css-black-box-and-floppy-board/

Hi all, Is there any interest in buying a working CSS Black Box with Floppy Board? PM me with offers if interested.

I have a few more Atari 8-bit disc software I'd like to gauge interest on before I put them on eBay: 1. Floyd of the Jungle - Microprose (disk + manual) 2. Alien Hell - Syncro (disk + manual) 3. Gomoku - Artsci (disk complete) 4. Reversi - Artsci (disk complete) Shoot me any reasonable offers if interested.

I have edited the post and removed the rarity numbers. Thanks for the info :-)

Hi all, I thought I'd gauge interest here on some rarer Atari 8-bit computer cartridges before I put them up on eBay. I have attached pics as well. Here's what I'm selling so far (more to come): 1. Worm War I by Sirius with manual in great condition 2. Dance Fantasy by Fisher Price with box in great condition (box still has shrinkwrap but is open; piece of masking tape is on shrinkwrap only) 3. Monkey Wrench by Eastern House with manual 4. Logic Levels by Fisher Price complete and in great condition (box still has shrinkwrap but is open) 5. Powerstar by Pandora Software complete in box 6. Super Sketch (Graphic-Master) by Personal Peripherals (cart only) 7. Embargo by Gebelli (cart only) 8. Firebird by Gebelli (cart only) Please make an offer on any or all of them. Thanks!

That auction was what motivated me to sell it There's a big price gap between new and good condition!

Thanks! I haven't played it either although I'll make an image of the disc before I ship it