Atari SIO2USB User manual

The SIO2USB-
Interface
User Manual
Version 1.00, as of October 21st 2007
for ATARI™ 400/800/XL/XE Computers
by ABBUC-RAF (ABBUC Regional Group Frankfurt)

Advice and Warnings
✖! ! before first connecting and starting up the SIO2USB
! ! please read chapter 2.5!
The sign ✖means ATTENTION, WARNING! Pay special attention here.
Examples, Inputs and Output on the screen of the SIO2USB are written in
this font:
Example Input
You read this on the screen
Important instructions are printed in bold.
ATARI™ and the ATARI-Logo are trademarks of the company ATARI Inc. (U-
SA), respectively ATARI Europe, respectively of the company Infogrames En-
tertainment.
See their webpages for further information:
Infogrames http://corporate.infogrames.com/
Website ATARI Germany http://www.atari.de
TurboDOS is © ATARI Bit Byter Club (ABBUC) e.V.
Use is allowed by courtesy of ABBUC e.V.
2 Advice, Contents!SIO2USB User Manual

!Contents
.........................................................Welcome to the SIO2USB!!5
________________________________________Shipment!5
______________________________________Specification!5
________________________________Information Sources!6
___________________________________User Manual!6
________________________________Web-Ressources!6
_______________________________Technical Support!6
..................................................................The SIO2USB Device!7
_______________________________________Connectors!7
______________________________Indicators and Display!7
____________________________________________Keys!7
___________________________________Internal Memory!7
________________________________________Warnings!8
_________________________________Display Adjustment!9
...........................................................Connecting the Interface!11
______________Connecting the SIO2USB to the Computer!11
______________Connecting an USB-Stick to the SIO2USB !11
....................Operation of the SIO2USB via Keys and Display !13
______________________________________Main Screen!13
__________________________________Call the menu!13
_________________Activating disks / deactivating disks!13
______________________________Swap Disk Images!14
_____________________________________Menu Screen!14
_____________________________________Mount Screen!15
_____________________________________Select Screen!16
.....................................................SIO2USB Operation via Shell!17
________________________Starting the SIO2USB-SHELL!17
___________________Copy the SIO2USB-SHELL to a Disk!18
__________________Copy Diskettes/Files to the SIO2USB!18
____________________Copy Disk Images to the SIO2USB!19
......................................................................................The Shell!21
_________________________________________Overview!21
_______________________________________Commands!21
..............................................................Updating the Firmware!29
___________________Operation of the FLASHER software!29
______________________________Non-working Firmware!29
_______________Restore an older Version of the Firmware!30
.........................................................Error Codes and Glossary!31
__________General Information concerning Error Messages!31
_______________________________________Errorcodes!31
_________________________________________Glossary!33
SIO2USB User Manual!Advice, Contents 3

.................................................................................Background!35
___________________________________The Developers!35
_______________________The Stoy behind the SIO2USB !35
............................................................................................Notes!38
4 Advice, Contents!SIO2USB User Manual

1.!Welcome to the SIO2USB!
1.1. Shipment
1. A SIO2USB-Interface with attached SIO cable
2. One USB-Stick with software and user manual in electronic form
3. This user manual
4. A supplementary leaflet with warnings
5. A reference card for the SIO2USB-Shell-software
6. A cardboard box
1.2. Specification
The SIO2USB-Interface is a compact device capable to simulate up to three
disk stations on the user's ATARI™ computer. Instead of real 5 1/4" diskettes,
as in former times, the user can load and use disk images in ATR format sto-
red on USB Flash drive in PC-format. Additionally the SIO2USB-Interface con-
tains an internal memory where disk images can also be stored. This memory
should be used for copies only, the work media is the USB Flash drive. The
SIO2USB can operate in High-Speed mode at a transfer rate of 56.000 baud -
long load times are history!
The SIO2USB-Interface is powered from the SIO-Bus - no external supply is
needed. Neither a driver is necessary to be loaded into the ATARI™. The A-
TARI™ computer does not recognize that instead of a real 810, 1050 or XF551
disk station the SIO2USB is working absolutely tranparent. As well a PC is not
needed to make full use of the SIO2USB-Interface.
The selection and exchange of diskettes can be done by using the four buttons
while the built in display shows the disknames or the menue. Alternative to the
use of keys these and other funtions as creating disk images or subdirectories,
delete/rename/copy of images can be done by use of the delivered ATARI™
software.
The software of the SIO2USB-Interface can be updated by using the update
program without additional means. So functional upgrades or bug fixes are
possible without need of special hardware or shipping back the interface.
SIO2USB User Manual!Chapter 1 Welcome! 5

1.3. Information Sources
1.3.1. User Manual
This manual contains all important information necessary to operate the
SIO2USB interface.
This Manual will be stored on the USB-stick as a PDF file (in the current versi-
on).
1.3.2. Web-Ressources
On the website www.abbuc-raf.de you can find the latest software for the
SIO2USB interface, the Shell software for using the SIO2USB via the ATARI™
computer and the latest version of the printed materials (this manual, reference
card).
1.3.3. Technical Support
A technical support is available via email:
[email protected]
Please remember that the developers are hobbyists but not a company. Plea-
se do not contact the developers via phone. Please send in your questions via
email or use the web-address.
6 Chapter 1 Welcome!!SIO2USB User Manual

2.!The SIO2USB Device
2.1. Connectors
On the right side of the device case is a SIO interconnection cable fixed.
On the left side of the device case is a USB connector fixed to plug in a USB
Flash drive (power consumption max. 100mA).
2.2. Indicators and Display
On the upper left side of the SIO2USB-Interface four LEDs are installed.
•POWER: the most upper LED lights up green when the device is powered
via the SIO bus.
•ERROR: the second LED from top lights up red when a error occures. See
the error codes in chapter 8.
•MEMORY: the third LED from top flashes yellow when read or write access
to the USB Flash drive or internal memory is performed.
•SIO: the fourth LED from top flashes yellow when data are transfered on the
SIO bus.
In the middle of the SIO2USB device is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) with
four lines installed (in the following named display). The menu or the installed
virtual disks and the functionality of the keys are shown there.
2.3. Keys
Directly right to the display are five keys installed. The function of the upper
four keys depends on the displayed menu. Below them is another shorter key
installed to reset the SIO2USB-Interface.
2.4. Internal Memory
Within the SIO2USB an internal memory is installed, that is permanently a-
vailable. How to access and operate the internal memory is described in the
chapters 4 and 5. Access to this memory is always possible even when no
USB Flash drive is connected.
SIO2USB User Manual!Chapter 2 The SIO2USB Device 7

2.5. Warnings
✖All data on the USB Flash drive and internal memory are left at owner's
risk. The user itself is responsible for backup copies of his data.
✖If the SIO2USB-Interface is opened or modified the support will become
void immediately.
✖The maximum power consumption of the USB Flash drive must not ex-
ceed 100mA. Only devices supporting "Bulk transfer only" mode and operating
in "SCSI transparent" mode are appropriate. Most devices on the market
should support this.
✖Only USB Flash drives with the given specification can be used.
✖The power consumption of the SIO2USB-Interface is approximately
150mA plus the power consumption of the USB Flash drive. If your ATARI™
computer is not upgraded e.g. with a RAM disk, a stronger power supply is
necessary for your ATARI™ computer (min. 2.5A at 5V).
✖The operation with a too weak power supply will lead to a overheated po-
wer supply, system crashs or boot problems of the computer.
✖No USB hubs shall be connected!
Never connect USB hard drives or CD/DVD drives that are powered by
the USB port! This can distroy the SIO2USB-Interface and the ATARI(tm)
computer.
✖Don't disconnect the SIO2USB or switch off the computer as long as one
of the yellow LEDs is on. This can lead to data loss.
✖Disconnect the USB Flash drive only when no data are transfered visible
when non of the yellow LEDs is on. Otherwise data can get lost.
The ATARI(tm) computer must not be switched off as long as data are transfe-
red. This is visible by the flashing yellow LEDs.
8 Chapter 2 The SIO2USB Device!SIO2USB User Manual

2.6. Display Adjustment
On the rear side of the SIO2USB-Interface two openings are installed. Behind
them two potentiometers for adjustment of the display brightness and contrast
can be found. The hole on the left side near the USB plug is for contrast ad-
justment, the hole on the right side near the SIO cable is for brightness ad-
justment.
To adjust contrast and brightness carefully slide in a screw driver in size
1.8mm or 2.5mm and turn it until the blade fits to the potentiometer.
Turning the screw driver counter clockwise reduces brightness and contrast,
turning the screw driver clockwise increases brightness and contrast. Setting
the potentiometers to the middle position should normally give good readability
of the display.
SIO2USB User Manual!Chapter 2 The SIO2USB Device 9

3.!Connecting the Interface
3.1. Connecting the SIO2USB to the Computer
1. Switch off the computer.
2. Connect the SIO cable of the SIO2USB to the computer. It is possible to
connect the SIO cable to any free SIO connector of a disk station which is
connected to a computer.
3. Insert the USB-Stick (“USB mass storage”) into the connector on the left
hand side of the SIO2USB interface.
4. Power on the computer. LED 1 “Power” should light up green and the dis-
play on the SIO2USB should show the time and date, alternatingly.
3.2. Connecting an USB-Stick to the SIO2USB
Inserting an USB stick is possible while the system is powered on (hot plug-
ging). In some cases this could cause a reset/restart in the SIO2USB. The
ATARI™ computer is not affected by this.
SIO2USB User Manual!Chapter 3 Connecting the Interface 11

4.!Operation of the SIO2USB via Keys
and Display
The main functions of the SIO2USB interface can be used by pressing the built
in keys. To use all the functions of the SIO2USB the “Shell” utility program is
needed, see chapter 5 and chapter 6.
4.1. Main Screen
14:28:47 M
D1# D1
D2=DEMOS D2
D3#TDOS21 D3
(example main screen)
In the main screen you see the time and date (alternating) in the upper left
corner. The three line below show the virtual disks stations D1 to D3 and the
mounted disk images (if mounted) and their activation state.
4.1.1. Call the menu
If you press key 1 (the uppermost, to the right of the display) you will call the
menu; on the display you see a “M” for menu next to the key.
4.1.2. Activating disks / deactivating disks
The keys 2-4 are labelled “D1” to “D3”. If you press one of them, the moun-
ted disk image will be activated or deactivated/disabled (the same as switching
a real disk station on or off). The symbols “=” and “-” mean activated, the sym-
bols “#” and “+” mean deactivated/disabled.
“=” means drive active, all characters of the path and disk image name are
shown
“#” means drive deactivated/disabled, all characters of the path and disk image
name are shown
“-” means drive active, because of the limited length of the display only the last
chracters of the path and the file name will be shown
“+” means drive deactivated/disabled, because of the limited length of the dis-
play only the last chracters of the path and the file name will be shown
SIO2USB User Manual!Chapter 4 Operation of the SIO2USB via Keys 13

4.1.3. Swap Disk Images
If you want to exchange the positions of two disk images, press the correspon-
ding key of the first disk image and hold it, then press the corresponding key of
the second disk image and release both of them. The disk images have ex-
chaged their positions.
✖The SIO2USB only answers to disk input or output while the main
screen is on. Otherwise you will get an ERROR 138 (device NAK).
4.2. Menu Screen
- Select action: - Esc
Set S2USHELL as D1 ↵
(Un)Mount ATR-File ↵
(example menu screen)
In the menu screen you can select and mount disk image via the keys.
Key 1: “- Select Action: Esc -”: press this key to go back to Main
screen, see above
Key 2: “Set SHELL as D1”: the disk image \INT\S2USHELL.ATR on
the internal memory will be mounted and activated on disk station 1 (the image
contains a DOS and the program S2USHELL.COM. For a description of funti-
ons see next chapter); then the SIO2USB jumps back to the main screen (see
main screen in the previous chapter). If that does not work, please check if the
file S2USHELL.ATR is present in the directory \INT and if it is not accidentially
mounted on disk station 2 or 3. In the latter case, use the keys 1 and 2 or 3 to
swap the file.
Key 3: “(Un)Mount file”: if you press this key, the SIO2USB will call
the mount screen, see next chapter.
14 Chapter 4 Operation of the SIO2USB via Keys!SIO2USB User Manual

4.3. Mount Screen
PATH=INT Esc
<<Unmount File>> ↑
TEST1 <DIR> ↵
TDOS21.ATR ↓
(example mount screen)
This screen shows the beginning of the directory/subdirectory “root” (USB-
Stick, if plugged in) of of the internal memory (if no USB-Device plugged in).
The path is shown in line one. If it does not fit into line one because it it too
long “..” will be shown in front to indicate that.
Lines two to four show filenames or directories. Only mountable files and direc-
tories will be shown.
Key 1:!ESCAPE - back to main screen
Key 2:!scroll up (if possible)
Key 3:!choose entry in line 3
Key 4:!scroll down (if possible)
Scroll the filename you want to mount to line three, then press button three.
If you want to unmount a disk image, scroll the line <unmount file> to line
three, then press button three.
If a name is selected which denotes a directory, subdirectory or parent directo-
ry (“..”), pressing key three leads to the same screen but the contents of the
chosen directory will be shown
If the name is a file, the next screen (select screen) will show up.
SIO2USB User Manual!Chapter 4 Operation of the SIO2USB via Keys 15

4.4. Select Screen
- Select drive: - Esc
D1
TDOS20.ATR D2
D3
(example select screen with filename selected)
The file chosen in the mount screen stays visible in line three. Now you have
to select in which disk station the file shall be mounted.
Key 1: ESCAPE - back to main screen
Key 2: Mount in D1 - back to main screen thereafter
Key 3: Mount in D2 - back to main screen thereafter
Key 4: Mount in D3 - back to main screen thereafter
- Select drive: - Esc
D1
<<Unmount File>> D2
D3
(example select screen with <<unmount file>> chosen)
If <<Unmount file>> was chosen, the you have to select which disk station to
unmount.
Key 1: ESCAPE - back to main screen
Key 2: Unmount D1 - back to main screen thereafter
Key 3: Unmount D2 - back to main screen thereafter
Key 4: Unmount D3 - back to main screen thereafter
16 Chapter 4 Operation of the SIO2USB via Keys!SIO2USB User Manual

5.!SIO2USB Operation via Shell
The following chapter is an introduction into the usage of the SIO2USB with
the Shell program complete with examples of frequently used procedures. A
detailed description of all commands can be found in chapter 6.
5.1. Starting the SIO2USB-SHELL
First mount the image S2USHELL.ATR using the keys on the SIO2USB (see
chapter 4).
You only need two keystrokes for that: press key 1 to go to main screen. Then
press key 2 to “Set Shell as D1” and the image with the Shell will be
mounted as D1.
If you want to go on using a disk previously mounted on D1 just swap it to D2
or D3 before mounting the Shell image on D1 (use the keys to swap images,
see chapter 4.1.3).
After a reboot/coldstart of your computers the Shell is automatically started.
✖Another device being present on the SIO-BUS configured as D1 must be
switched off before reboot (e. g. disk station 1050, SIO2PC or similar)! The
data transfer will be disturbed, because two devices would answer as D1:
when the ATARI™ sends commands.
✖The file S2USHELL.ATR in the directory “\INT” must not be deleted! O-
therwise the function described above would not be possible any more!
✖The file SIO2USB.CFG in the directory “\INT” as well as the file
SIO2USB.CFG in the directory root “\” on the USB-stick must not be deleted.
They contain settings about which images are mounted and activated. If an
USB-stick is plugged in the file from the stick is used. If no stick is plugged in,
the file from the directory “\INT” is used.
SIO2USB User Manual!Chapter 5 SIO2USB Operation via Shell 17

5.2. Copy the SIO2USB-SHELL to a Disk
We advise you to copy the Shell program to a diskette and store that diskette
in a safe place and do not use it for everyday use.
Mount the Shell as described in chapter 5.1. After that swap the images D1
and D2 (command “SWA 1 2“ using the Shell; or use the keys, see chapter
4.1.3).
✖D1 must not be mounted or active. Now switch on your disk drive D1 or
your SIO2PC.
Leave the Shell using the command QUI. Start a disk copy program which
supports two drives simultanously (e. g. DISKCOPY.COM which comes with
TurboDOS on the S2USHELL.ATR image) as D1 and insert a blank disk into
disk station D1. Please refer to the instructions that came with the DOS or pro-
gram on how to use the copy program.
5.3. Copy Diskettes/Files to the SIO2USB
To copy real diskettes to disk images do as follows:
As described above, connect the SIO2USB and boot the computer. The Shell
will be started.
Create a new image with the command MAK <name>.ATR xD”. For xD please
state SD, MD or DD as the density you want. For “<name>” please state a
name of your choice for the image, not more than 8 characters long.
Mount the newly created image with “MOU <name>.ATR x”, where x is the
number of the disk station and <name> is the name of the image. Use 3 for x,
so 1 is kept free for your real disk station (or SIO2IDE or SIO2PC etc.) and 2 is
kept for the virtual disk with the SIO2USB-Shell.
Now leave the shell using the command “DOS”. You will be transferred to DOS.
Format the disk image in the correct density which you have chosen two steps
before. Do not forget to put a DOS on the disk if needed. Now you can copy
files or whole diskettes from the real disk station number 1 (or from SIO2PC or
from SIO2IDE etc.) to the virtual diskette in disk station 3. The disk image will
be updated. When you want to change the image to another image, use the
Shell (see chapter 5) or the keys (see chapter 4).
18 Chapter 5 SIO2USB Operation via Shell!SIO2USB User Manual

5.4. Copy Disk Images to the SIO2USB
To copy whole disk images in ATR-format from the harddisk of a PC or Mac to
the USB-stick, you can plug the USB-stick into a PC or Mac computer. Then
you can copy the images files from the hard disk to the USB-stick using Micro-
soft Windows, Apple MacOS X or Linux.
Another way would be to mount the images via SIO2PC, then create and
mount a new image with the same size and density on the SIO2USB and then
copy the files via DOS or diskcopy program.
Just imagine that the SIO2USB acts as three normal disk stations. Create i-
mages with the MAKE comand in the Shell, mount them with MOUNT and ac-
tivate them with ENABLE if needed. Then you can access files or whole disket-
tes like real diskettes. Remember to format the images first in the correct den-
sity.
SIO2USB User Manual!Chapter 5 SIO2USB Operation via Shell 19