Description
This is a bootable storage adapter specifically for the Yamaha C1 music computer. The C1 was supplied either with dual floppy drives, or one floppy and an MFM HDD. This adapter can be used in either machine and has a special customized ROM to enable the machine to boot from the device. Any 16-bit ATA media can be attached (standard hard drives, SD-Cards via an adapter, or CompactFlash). The PCB itself is a through-hole design and replaces the Yamaha MFM controller daughter board (fitted in HDD equipped models).
We used a Startech 3.5″ Drive Bay IDE to CF adapter in our Yamaha C1. A custom power cable will need to be made or a male floppy splitter cable may be used to power both the floppy as well as the CF adapter. Any other standard IDE to CF adapter will work fine as well. There is not much clearance to install the IDE cable on the IDE adapter. The cable restraint for the ribbon cable will need to be removed for proper clearance. You may also need to insulate the back of the IDE board from the metal shielding. Our C1 had a piece of foam installed to isolate the existing hard drive controller, but it may not be present in all machines. A thick piece of foam, mylar, or other insulation must be used to prevent the board from shorting. We have these items pictured, but they are not included. The package includes the IDE controller as well as the XTIDE updated system ROMs, but you will need to provide the IDE cable and CF adapter.
JP1 – Enable Disk in Use Signal Generation – Lights C1 HDD Activity light – Default: Closed
JP2 – Enable IDE Reset from host system – Default: Closed
JP3 – IDE Reset Source: Default 1-2:ISA Bus 2-3:Power Failure
JP4 – Enable IDE Power on Pin 20 – Close to enable for supported device – Default: Open
The board uses standard ATA register mapping and uses the XT-IDE Universal BIOS configured for generic 16-bit IDE controller at 1F0h. The XTIDE Universal BIOS itself (R600) has been integrated into the custom system ROM images.
Please visit the Lo-tech wiki page for more details on how to use this board.
Here is the development thread started by James on the Vintage Computer Federation forums.
