CompactFlash ATA-IDE native FAT16 support

Por sd_snatcher

Prophet (3642)

imagem de sd_snatcher

05-12-2009, 22:31

Hi all,

I was wondering: There are many MSX disk cartridges that already have native FAT16 support (which means you can boot FAT16 partitions also), like the LPE-MMC-V6, the Sharksim's SD/MMC interface and even the OCM internal MegaSD interface. But the CompactFlash ATA-IDE still doesn't.

Without this built-in FAT16 support we still have to use a combination of FAT12+FAT16 that is not compatible with todays PCs. If the FAT16 support was built-in, we could just pop the card from the PC card reader and plug it directly on the MSX (and vice-versa), speeding up a lot the file exchange process. Currently the only way to do this is to use a second CF card, which is both expensive and overkill.

Why the CompactFlash ATA-IDE still don't have the native FAT16 support? Is it that hard to implement? Wouldn't it just be a matter of using the BIOS from one of the other interfaces together with the ATA-IDE drivers?

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Por RetroTechie

Paragon (1563)

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06-12-2009, 02:10

Don't confuse "todays PCs" with "Windows" or "incomplete implementations".

If I'm reading this forum right, MS Windows doesn't deal well with removable flash media, only recognizing the 1st partition on a flash card? If true (I don't care since I use Linux for day-to-day tasks), that's a problem with Windows, not with today's PCs. Linux deals with this fine, so do Mac machines (or so I'm told). Btw: is it possible to work around this by putting a FAT16 partition (for PC data interchange) first, followed by a FAT12 partition (and mark that bootable, for use as MSX startup drive)? Question That would basically fix the issue for Sunrise CF interfaces, wouldn't it? If somebody tried that: findings please?

Secondly, Sharksym's SD/MMC bios only supports cards formatted as a single volume (bios v3.x at least, probably also for 4.x). That is, no support for multiple partitions on one card. That's a limitation of the bios for this interface, not a limitation of the interface itself. Nor is it caused by a user that chooses to put more than 1 partition on a card. The mechanisms / formats (MBR, bootsectors) for doing so are stone age, and well known/documented by now.

Currently the only way to do this is to use a second CF card, which is both expensive and overkill.
Overkill yes, but expensive? QuestionQuestion At least in most 'western' countries, an hours worth of minimum wage buys you a CF card that can hold all MSX software you'll ever use. A bigger problem is that if you normally 'need' to have 2 cards inserted, you don't have a free slot to plug in another user's card (or a 2nd FAT16 formatted one).

Also a good reason for native FAT16 support is that is does away with running a FAT16 patch at bootup. That is, it simplifies boot procedure / configuration, and that's never a bad thing... Smile

Por djh1697

Paragon (1695)

imagem de djh1697

06-12-2009, 20:49

Why the CompactFlash ATA-IDE still don't have the native FAT16 support? Is it that hard to implement? Wouldn't it just be a matter of using the BIOS from one of the other interfaces together with the ATA-IDE drivers?

Quite true, find a small CF card for slot one, with DOS and FAT16 drivers, then another one in slot two with everything you might want in FAT16. Very easy, that is how i used to have my system configured.

Por sd_snatcher

Prophet (3642)

imagem de sd_snatcher

06-12-2009, 21:00

A bigger problem is that if you normally 'need' to have 2 cards inserted, you don't have a free slot to plug in another user's card (or a 2nd FAT16 formatted one).

Well remembered. That's a problem too.


Quite true, find a small CF card for slot one, with DOS and FAT16 drivers, then another one in slot two with everything you might want in FAT16. Very easy, that is how i used to have my system configured.

Yes, this works well as a workaround to the fact it doesn't have built in FAT16 support. But my question is: Is it that hard to implement on a CompactFlash than it was on the SD/MMC interfaces?

Por muffie

Paladin (933)

imagem de muffie

10-12-2009, 21:11

Snatcher... I need to send you an invitation. Can you give me your e-mail or send one to muffie@lavabit.com ?

Regards,