Sunrise release MSX1 compatible driver for IDE and CF

Sunrise have released version 2.40 of the driver for their IDE and Compact-Flash interfaces. As of this version the interface can be used on MSX1 as well. When using this version on MSX1, the system does have the following requirements:

A disk drive
A memory-mapper
A slot expander (depending on the number of slots required)

The FDISK tool still needs to be adjusted for 40 columns. At this moment it was tested successfully with the Leonardo Padial 4 MB mapper with the TMS4174000DJ-70 chipset. To complete the list of mappers supported on MSX1 and experiences with the 80 columns cartridge on MSX1, Rob Hiep would like to hear from users about this.

At this moment you can only get this version by contacting Rob Hiep by e-mail.

Relevant link: Sunrise

Comments (19)

By snout

Ambassador (5381)

26-03-2005, 09:48

Now THIS is great news!

By BiFi

Prophet (3142)

26-03-2005, 09:58

Indeed. Rob told me about this on the phone about 2 days ago, though I didn't expect it to be a release this soon.

By BiFi

Prophet (3142)

26-03-2005, 10:56

And for the record... the requirements for MSX1 are necessary ones.

By jpgrobler

Expert (123)

26-03-2005, 11:01

Great news!!
I know it has been asked for a long time ago, so I wonder if Beer202's newly aquired interest sped up the Sunrise developement! Just shows multiple hardware developments is good, not profitable, but good!

By makinavaja

Rookie (21)

26-03-2005, 13:07

That's really cool. Let's see if if I'm able to test it as soon as possible with the memory mapper I've got on my hb-55p computer

By Grauw

Paladin (1010)

26-03-2005, 14:40

2.40? The Sunrise site says 2.21...

By djh1697

Paladin (681)

26-03-2005, 15:13

Read the post.... 2.40 is obtained by emailing rob. What ever happened to version 2.3 ?

By sunrise

Paladin (800)

26-03-2005, 15:17

A lazy websmaster , in reply to both and you had explain all first so that it is understandable

By [WYZ]

Master (135)

26-03-2005, 18:10

What about cassette port to CF loading programs?

By cax

Scribe (1721)

26-03-2005, 21:08

WYZ, I still don't own a CF interface, but I feel it can be done using MicroWAVer by loading RAM-disk and MSX-DOS on it.

I also was told that on MSX2 it doesn't require disk drive, is it the case with MSX1 too ?

By Algorythms

Master (179)

27-03-2005, 00:06

Great one, Sunrise!

By sunrise

Paladin (800)

27-03-2005, 07:51

In case of msx-2 you also need a diskdrive, but since 90% of msx-2 has one built in and turbo-r we have left that out of the specs.
As Wav-file who knows if it works and I would save a cartridgeslot also.
But remember it has ofcourse priority to fix first the fdisk to a 40 colums access.
After that I think it is maybe useful to see if it can be done

By cax

Scribe (1721)

27-03-2005, 09:35

sunrise,

in case of ex-USSR where about all MSX machines are Yamaha-MSX, you can find disk drive only on 10% of computers, so if you consider selling to this market as well, you'd better to think about diskless scenarios.

By sunrise

Paladin (800)

27-03-2005, 12:08

I never close any option but before we handle those is the 40 colums one of the priorities.
Therefore I ask also for testing things also.
It is well known that the available slotexpanders are rare, mappers that function good in slotexpanders or not, 7 mhz support on mappers etc.
And even think of price aspects.
I can think further of adapting the design of the ide itself to add ram , but that is most unlikely but also not to be excluded.
This are just thoughts nothing more nothing less ...

By snout

Ambassador (5381)

27-03-2005, 16:54

Even though there perhaps are more important things, my feature request would b e including FDISK in the BIOS of the interfaces, just for the coolness factor

By adrcunha

Resident (41)

27-03-2005, 18:05

What's the point of this version 2.4? A IDE BIOS for MSX1 that requires memory mapper can't be called a "MSX1 version" for me. 80-columns-only IDEFDISK is still the major point then using Sunrise IDE with a MSX1 machine.
I helped a brazilian MSX user, Marlos, using Sunrise IDE with his Expert 1.1 (a MSX1 machine). It was necessary adding a memory mapper to the machine, patching the MSX ROM to initialize the mapper pages and patching the IDE ROM to boot MSXDOS2 even if the machine is a MSX1. IDEFDISK was runned in "blind mode" (run it on openMSX, write down the right keys you must press; run IDEFDISK on MSX and press the keys you wrote).
So, I don't see too much value added to version 2.4, except for a single "RET Z" changed to "NOP" on IDE ROM. What would be great is a 40-column IDEFDISK.

By adrcunha

Resident (41)

27-03-2005, 19:40

Reading my previous reaction, I think I overreacted a bit.
Let me clear two things: 1) Sunrise IDE is great, that's why I own two of it; 2) Sunrise IDE BIOS is very well designed, so good that it runs on a MSX1 machine with a simple byte change.
Rob's work is great, and my comments about his work is: let's go for 40-column IDEFDISK, that's what MSX1 users are expecting to get the full power of Sunrise IDE. Keep up this great work!

By sunrise

Paladin (800)

27-03-2005, 20:54

Overreacting Adriano, no since you are right.
And I donot write it personally since Jon de Schrijder writes the driver.
I am only try to be the stimulating factor. As said it is a step and certainly not the final one. I also never stated that it is the driver for msx-1.
I see it more as a step to extend the number of MSX types that can use it.
We donot make just a driver for the so called coolness but for functionality.
We work further and bring products step by step taking into account what is possible according to the time available

By iamweasel2

Master (138)

29-01-2006, 14:58

Hello, what happened with the 40 column FDISK ? Is it still being developed or people don't think its worth doing it?