I have green light form authors to made DIVIDE PLUS, anybody interested? Promise from me , fully asembled and tested DIVIDE PLUS in plastic case. Quality components and fitting .And also warianty.
The DivIDE is the next batch of interfaces I'm going to produce also.
I have had plans for this for over a few months now, but needed to finish the batch of K-Mouse interfaces first, which are ready for sale now.
Details can be found on my website: www.benophetinternet.nl/hobby.
My price for the DivIDE will be ?35, and for a few euro's more you will get a 512MB CF card and adapter too.
Sorry if I'm going to ruin other people's plans, but I will build some (25 or more) anyway.
It is indeed good news that someone else has come forward willing to make the DivIDE Plus interfaces (in ctontrast to the standard DivIDE which bverstee will be making) - fingers crossed that zaxon will have more success than others who have tried to make the DivIDE Plus.
It is indeed good news that someone else has come forward willing to make the DivIDE Plus interfaces (in ctontrast to the standard DivIDE which bverstee will be making) - fingers crossed that zaxon will have more success than others who have tried to make the DivIDE Plus.
Aha, I'm very sorry I misread.
So I'm still going to produce the standard DivIDE, and you can get the PLUS from Zaxon!
And I want one DivIDE plus too, please ;)
By the way, just out of curiosity: http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk/spectrum/spectrum_storage.html sais: "DUE TO ONGOING ISSUES OVER THE MANUFACTURE OF THESE UNITS, WE HAVE STOPPED SELLING THEM FOR THE TIME BEING UNTIL THE BACKLOG IS CLEARED".
So are you (Zaxon) the owner of that site and now continueing the production of the DivIDE plus?
And another thing: Velesoft released Bs-Dos for DivIDE. Will the DivIDE plus also include that new OS?
I like it, having it on my two MB02+IDE's.
By the way, just out of curiosity: http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk/spectrum/spectrum_storage.html sais: "DUE TO ONGOING ISSUES OVER THE MANUFACTURE OF THESE UNITS, WE HAVE STOPPED SELLING THEM FOR THE TIME BEING UNTIL THE BACKLOG IS CLEARED".
So are you (Zaxon) the owner of that site and now continueing the production of the DivIDE plus?
And another thing: Velesoft released Bs-Dos for DivIDE. Will the DivIDE plus also include that new OS?
I like it, having it on my two MB02+IDE's.
Just to clarify - Zaxon is not the owner of the RWAP Software website (that is me) - he appears to have jumped the gun slightly, as we approached him to see if he would be interested in making the DivIDE Plus units and he agreed to do so. Obviously he wants to be able to sell the interfaces direct, although I would purchase them in bulk, to meet the ever growing list of people who are interested.
Although Zaxon made this announcement, he has not yet constructed an interface - they are very tricky to construct due to the soldering of the CF slot and all the surface mounted components. However, we have to wish him the best of luck in his venture to making them.
The interfaces and manual are copyrighted - Zaxon will have to purchase the programmed GAL chips and cannot distribute the manual - he has not contacted me about this.
BS-DOS has not been tested on DivIDE Plus, so far as I know - it may need amendments to get it working if Velesoft is interested (contact me privately).
Just to clarify - Zaxon is not the owner of the RWAP Software website (that is me)
Okay, hello then.
Obviously he wants to be able to sell the interfaces direct, although I would purchase them in bulk, to meet the ever growing list of people who are interested.
I agree, it's always better if a batch is created, so others that want one later will not be dissapointed.
I have a batch of 25 K-Mouse interfaces, and just got two orders at the moment, but I'm sure I will sell them in long term.
Although Zaxon made this announcement, he has not yet constructed an interface - they are very tricky to construct due to the soldering of the CF slot and all the surface mounted components.
Pity the design doesn't allow it then to have two pinhead connectors where you can decide yourself to put a IDE->CF converter in.
That may be more expensive, but is a lot easier to solder.
But I use litze for those parts: just solder away and delete the solder with litze, so clean connections remain.
The interfaces and manual are copyrighted - Zaxon will have to purchase the programmed GAL chips and cannot distribute the manual - he has not contacted me about this.
It's your choice of course that you don't want to give away the firmware of the GAL's, but I hope you're not wishing very high prices for them then, as it can demotivate enthousiast people.
Although Zaxon made this announcement, he has not yet constructed an interface - they are very tricky to construct due to the soldering of the CF slot and all the surface mounted components.
They shouldn't be - if it's tricky it's not being done in the optimal way :-)
Hot air is your friend (along with solder paste). I do note from pictures of the DivIDE+ that there are some chips on the bottom of the board - if there is SMD on both sides it makes them unnecessarily hard to construct because it makes reflow soldering difficult (and hotplate soldering impossible). However, you will find if you solder the trickiest components (probably the CF card slot, the rest looks like SOIC which isn't all that hard to hand solder - but is a lot neater with hot air/solder paste) using solder paste and reflow with hot air, you'll find you get much more repeatable results.
I also note a little bit of "green wiring" on the DivIDE+ photographs, perhaps modifying the PCB layout will get rid of a lot of aggro.
The Spectranet is all fine pitch SMD with the exception of the buffer and voltage regulator. I made the first couple by hand soldering, but the rest were reflowed with an inexpensive hot air gun and solder paste which made it far easier and gave much more repeatable and reliable results. I tried to design it to be assembled reasonably easily - components only on one side of the board for instance, so they can be reflowed by any low-cost reflow method, and components positioned such that they can be placed by hand without any trouble.
Installation .TAP file of BS-DOS work on original DivIDE and MB02+ also. See menu....
DivIDE+ use MB02 memory paging = BS-DOS can work also on DivIDE+. But I don't know if DivIDE+ contain allram mode feature as original Divide.
Ok,thanks for answer so, let's do this. Consultation and job in progress, working devices expecting in next 1 max 2 weeks depend for my money and time condition, :lol:.
Please add me to the list for a DivIDE plus. I haven't had my real speccys out for years and getting one of these would probably make me use them again.
(although in practical terms, the really important difference which isn't mentioned there is "the DivIDE+ is more expensive and significantly harder to build, and anyone who agrees to build a batch invariably disappears off the face of the earth shortly afterwards".)
Hello , quick report, DIVIDE plus in progres, today i fit first pcb but i still waiting for some parts, (maybe tommorrow) in next few days i testing, made changes before i start made it on bigger scale.tart
Also i looking for cheap zx +3 (faulty no problem, no floppy no problem, incomplete no problem, power supply no problem, ) for testing units. I have few zx 48, ZX plus, zx plus 2black , but for full testing i looking for +3 and plus 2 grey.
Hello , quick report, DIVIDE plus in progres, today i fit first pcb but i still waiting for some parts, (maybe tommorrow) in next few days i testing, made changes before i start made it on bigger scale.tart
what is the actual difference between the DivIDE and DivIDE + ?
Original DivIDE use external memory ram 32kB+8kB eeprom. Last DivIDE version contain also allram mode(similar as MB02+ memory)and can use software enabling/disabling of NMI button !
DivIDE+ is based on old DivIDE version(without DivIDE allram and NMI disabling feature) but contain MB02 compatible memory 512kB ram+512kB(?) flash eprom. This extra memory is actually used only for system RESIDOS.
DivIDE+ = original DivIDE with extra memory and battery backup. Extended memory is compatible with MB02+. But Divide+ is based on old DivIDE version.
DivIDE (original) use small memory, but contain also additional 16kB allram paging similar as MB02+. From year 2007 exist DivIDE with new modified GAL chips (more features). Actually is developped new BIOS using virtual memory extension 2MB on HDD (512x 4kB page). This virtual memory is easy file on any filesystem. BIOS after reset/power-on find bootable file on HDD/CF/SD card and load full 48kB memory to ZX ram. Actually this file contain 2kB code with comfortable BOOT menu for DivIDE and DivIDE+. Can be used as FIRMWARE selector on DivIDE+. All binary files with DivIDE systems is on HDD and will loaded in BOOT menu. With new BIOS need your DivIDE/DivIDE+ only 8kB rom + 16kB ram....next extra memory 2MB will swapped on HDD/CF/SD.
Comments
what sale price are you thinking ?
The DivIDE is the next batch of interfaces I'm going to produce also.
I have had plans for this for over a few months now, but needed to finish the batch of K-Mouse interfaces first, which are ready for sale now.
Details can be found on my website: www.benophetinternet.nl/hobby.
My price for the DivIDE will be ?35, and for a few euro's more you will get a 512MB CF card and adapter too.
Sorry if I'm going to ruin other people's plans, but I will build some (25 or more) anyway.
Ben Versteeg
Chris
www.rwapsoftware.co.uk
www.sellmyretro.com
Been wanting one for ages as just upgraded my +3 to a +3e :-)
divide plus that is
:(............................
Thanks :-)
So I'm still going to produce the standard DivIDE, and you can get the PLUS from Zaxon!
And I want one DivIDE plus too, please ;)
By the way, just out of curiosity: http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk/spectrum/spectrum_storage.html sais: "DUE TO ONGOING ISSUES OVER THE MANUFACTURE OF THESE UNITS, WE HAVE STOPPED SELLING THEM FOR THE TIME BEING UNTIL THE BACKLOG IS CLEARED".
So are you (Zaxon) the owner of that site and now continueing the production of the DivIDE plus?
And another thing: Velesoft released Bs-Dos for DivIDE. Will the DivIDE plus also include that new OS?
I like it, having it on my two MB02+IDE's.
Just to clarify - Zaxon is not the owner of the RWAP Software website (that is me) - he appears to have jumped the gun slightly, as we approached him to see if he would be interested in making the DivIDE Plus units and he agreed to do so. Obviously he wants to be able to sell the interfaces direct, although I would purchase them in bulk, to meet the ever growing list of people who are interested.
Although Zaxon made this announcement, he has not yet constructed an interface - they are very tricky to construct due to the soldering of the CF slot and all the surface mounted components. However, we have to wish him the best of luck in his venture to making them.
The interfaces and manual are copyrighted - Zaxon will have to purchase the programmed GAL chips and cannot distribute the manual - he has not contacted me about this.
BS-DOS has not been tested on DivIDE Plus, so far as I know - it may need amendments to get it working if Velesoft is interested (contact me privately).
Wait and see is probably the message!
www.rwapsoftware.co.uk
www.sellmyretro.com
DivIDE+ use MB02 memory paging = BS-DOS can work also on DivIDE+. But I don't know if DivIDE+ contain allram mode feature as original Divide.
Okay, hello then.
I agree, it's always better if a batch is created, so others that want one later will not be dissapointed.
I have a batch of 25 K-Mouse interfaces, and just got two orders at the moment, but I'm sure I will sell them in long term.
Pity the design doesn't allow it then to have two pinhead connectors where you can decide yourself to put a IDE->CF converter in.
That may be more expensive, but is a lot easier to solder.
But I use litze for those parts: just solder away and delete the solder with litze, so clean connections remain.
It's your choice of course that you don't want to give away the firmware of the GAL's, but I hope you're not wishing very high prices for them then, as it can demotivate enthousiast people.
Thanks for the info!
- IONIAN-GAMES.com -
They shouldn't be - if it's tricky it's not being done in the optimal way :-)
Hot air is your friend (along with solder paste). I do note from pictures of the DivIDE+ that there are some chips on the bottom of the board - if there is SMD on both sides it makes them unnecessarily hard to construct because it makes reflow soldering difficult (and hotplate soldering impossible). However, you will find if you solder the trickiest components (probably the CF card slot, the rest looks like SOIC which isn't all that hard to hand solder - but is a lot neater with hot air/solder paste) using solder paste and reflow with hot air, you'll find you get much more repeatable results.
I also note a little bit of "green wiring" on the DivIDE+ photographs, perhaps modifying the PCB layout will get rid of a lot of aggro.
The Spectranet is all fine pitch SMD with the exception of the buffer and voltage regulator. I made the first couple by hand soldering, but the rest were reflowed with an inexpensive hot air gun and solder paste which made it far easier and gave much more repeatable and reliable results. I tried to design it to be assembled reasonably easily - components only on one side of the board for instance, so they can be reflowed by any low-cost reflow method, and components positioned such that they can be placed by hand without any trouble.
Hi.
One more try: can it save TAP files?
http://mister_beep.republika.pl/
Thanks.
No, but BS-DOS is TAP compatible. LOAD/SAVE routines in ZX rom(in BS-ROM) work with virtual 2MB disc. On PC can be your 2MB image converted to TAP file:
http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/showpost.php?p=363392&postcount=10
what is the actual difference between the DivIDE and DivIDE + ?
http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk/spectrum/spectrum_storage.html
(although in practical terms, the really important difference which isn't mentioned there is "the DivIDE+ is more expensive and significantly harder to build, and anyone who agrees to build a batch invariably disappears off the face of the earth shortly afterwards".)
Also i looking for cheap zx +3 (faulty no problem, no floppy no problem, incomplete no problem, power supply no problem, ) for testing units. I have few zx 48, ZX plus, zx plus 2black , but for full testing i looking for +3 and plus 2 grey.
http://picasaweb.google.com/zaxoniec/Spectrum#5351615714632375026 spectrum warehouse :lol:
Who are you calling a tart? :)
Original DivIDE use external memory ram 32kB+8kB eeprom. Last DivIDE version contain also allram mode(similar as MB02+ memory)and can use software enabling/disabling of NMI button !
DivIDE+ is based on old DivIDE version(without DivIDE allram and NMI disabling feature) but contain MB02 compatible memory 512kB ram+512kB(?) flash eprom. This extra memory is actually used only for system RESIDOS.
DivIDE (original) use small memory, but contain also additional 16kB allram paging similar as MB02+. From year 2007 exist DivIDE with new modified GAL chips (more features). Actually is developped new BIOS using virtual memory extension 2MB on HDD (512x 4kB page). This virtual memory is easy file on any filesystem. BIOS after reset/power-on find bootable file on HDD/CF/SD card and load full 48kB memory to ZX ram. Actually this file contain 2kB code with comfortable BOOT menu for DivIDE and DivIDE+. Can be used as FIRMWARE selector on DivIDE+. All binary files with DivIDE systems is on HDD and will loaded in BOOT menu. With new BIOS need your DivIDE/DivIDE+ only 8kB rom + 16kB ram....next extra memory 2MB will swapped on HDD/CF/SD.
Will it have a pass through in order to connect another interface too ?