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