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SYMBiFACE II

2006-12-31T17:37:18Z

81.90.42.39:

== Introduction ==

[[Image:Cpc-ide.jpg|200px|thumb|Prototype of the CPC-IDE interface]]

In autumn 2004 the CPC-IDE was developed by [[Dr.Zed]] with support by [[Octoate]], [[Tolkin]] and [[TFM]]. It is the first hardware solution ever that allowed connection of IDE-harddrives and CF-cards to the CPC with the maximum possible data transfer speed. Technically the CPC-IDE interface was based on the GIDE IDE interface by Tilmann Reh.

It was fully working, but still had a prototype state, so only 10 pieces have been produced.

During the production of the CPC-IDE [[Prodatron]] joined the team and created IDE-support in [[SymbOS]] for [[Disc_format|FAT]]16 and FAT32 harddiscs until Xmas 2004.

After working successfully, [[Dr.Zed]] and [[Prodatron]] made plans for a second version, which includes a lot of more extensions. So the '''SYMBiFACE II''' is not only an IDE interface anymore. It merges the CPC with current PC technology.

== Features ==

[[Image:Symbiface2.gif|400px|thumb|SYMBiFACE II with description]]

CPC SYMBiFACE II contains the optimal solution for connecting a CPC with an IDE harddisc. It provides the maximum - both for the performance and for the simpleness in accessing the harddisc.

''IDE Features''

* Supports IDE-Harddiscs with up to 128GB
* Bigger HDDs or CD/DVD drives support possible with drivers
* Simultaneous operation of two harddiscs (master and slave):for a total of up to 256GB on your CPC!
* Transfer speed of 162KByte/s: That's as fast as copying memory inside the CPC with LDIR. In practice (loading FAT16/32 files) the speed is still about 130KB/s ([[SymbOS]]-FAT-driver).
* External power supply required: no extra load for the CPC's internal PSU
* No timing problems: Interrupts don't need to be disabled during the data transfer with the harddisc. The harddisc can operate while you play sound or doing other things with your CPC (multitasking etc.).
* Traffic activity display via a LED on the board

'' Additional Features''

* 512KB RAM extension, which is fully compatible with the CPC [[6128]] and the [[dk'tronics]] ram extension
* 512KB rewriteable ROM. You can upload up to 32 ROMs, which are persistant. You can also use the ROM space as an additional RAM extension. ROMs can be switched on or off via switches or via software.
* PS/2 mouse connector. This makes it possible to connect wireless and optical mouses to your CPC.
* Realtime clock, which is fully PC compatible and provides additional 128 byte persistant RAM, which can be used to store config data.

== Rom-Manager ==

[[Image:sf2romman.gif|thumb|320px|SYMBiFACE II rom manager]]

SYMBiFACE II includes a rom manager software, which runs under [[SymbOS]]. This tool is needed for displaying, loading, saving and deleting of the 32 x 16K ROMs.

* A preview of a program with the same name ("[[ROManager]]") is available for [[FutureOS]]. It allows the complete backup and restoration of all 32 ROMs and loading, saving, testing, copying, shifting, erasing and (un)parking single ROMs. It supports the languages German, English, French and Spanish.

== See also ==

* [[Programming:SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II documents]]
* [http://www.symbos.de/sf2.htm SYMBiFACE II homepage]

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

Talk:Stream2

2006-08-11T20:00:23Z

81.90.42.106:

Hey, this looks ace! Where can we download it? [[User:Gryzor|Gryzor]] 08:58, 9 August 2006 (CEST)
:Yeah, I would like to know that, too... Unfortunately it was never free and very well copy protected. I got my one as a rom version of a friend, but he is afraid, that his personal data could be encrypted in the rom. -- [[User:Prodatron|Prodatron]] 10:08, 9 August 2006 (CEST)
::Well, can it be considered abandonware? Could we upload it somewhere? [[User:Gryzor|Gryzor]] 10:22, 10 August 2006 (CEST)
:::Did somebody already try to get in contact with the programmers to ask if they are ok to copy the whole thing? --[[User:Villain|Villain]] 17:44, 10 August 2006 (CEST)
::::Yes, [[Mr.Ams]] did it now and received a positive feedback today. I already sent Gryzor the stuff :-) -- [[User:Prodatron|Prodatron]] 17:46, 10 August 2006 (CEST)
:::::It's not the whole thing, it's just a set of ROMs created by the installer for the ROM-RAM-Box and the Applications. I've found no way to make a copy or an image of the installdisc for the RRB and the disc version. [[User:Almasys|Almasys]] 10 August 2006 (CEST)

Talk:Stream2

2006-08-11T19:59:53Z

81.90.42.106: