md432151@longs.LANCE.ColoState.Edu (Michael Donahue) (06/20/91)
I was wondering if there exsists a hard drive (10 Meg or so) that can be attached either to the serial port or, preferably, the parallel port. Also, while on the subject of parallel ports, does anyone know where I may find the pin-out of the parallel port on the 800XL? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Mike Donahue Please e-mail responses to md432151@longs.lance.colostate.edu
dwj@sactoh0.sac.ca.us (Daniel W. James) (06/21/91)
(Michael Donahue) writes: >I was wondering if there exsists a hard drive (10 Meg or so) that can >be attached either to the serial port or, preferably, the parallel port. I have yet to see a parallel or serial hard drive (which could conceivably attach to *any* machine, provided that a driver exisited for that machine). However, the machine that I use at home has a parallel 3.5 floppy drive, and it is soooo slow that it is unbearable to use for anything other than to move rarly used programs on to for storage purposes. Of course, a serial drive would be even slower. Normally, hard drives connect to the machine directly through the hardware bus which ties in directly to the processor. There are several devices for the 8-bit which connect to the hardware bus (which is what you see on the back of the 800XL if you remove the small plastic panel) which act, among other things, as a hard drive controller. The Black Box is one, and the MIO (which is one of the things that ICD is blowing out for 50% off). I have little knowledge of the Black Box, but I know that the MIO also gives you two serial ports, a parallel port, either 256K or 1Meg upgrades (partitioned as RAM drives), plus it has an internal expansion slot which was intended to be used to hold a never released 80 Column card. Evidently, the MIO's power supply was mounted next to this area, and generated too much heat, and caused too many problems with the interface card. >Also, while on the subject of parallel ports, does anyone know where I >may find the pin-out of the parallel port on the 800XL? Again, the port on the rear of the 800XL is not a parallel port, but rather the hardware bus. >Please e-mail responses to md432151@longs.lance.colostate.edu I posted this to the net because I think things of this nature are of general interest, and besides, their isn't too much traffic in here to discurage discussions of any sort. -- _________________________________________________________________________ Some folks try to multiply from sunrise to | dwj@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US Sunset--leave behind more of their kind so | ames!pacbell!sactoh0!dwj no one will forget -- Level 42 | ucbvax!csusac!sactoh0!dwj
scale@abode.ttank.com (Luis Outumuro) (06/24/91)
Hi Michael, Just to add to what Daniel has already mentioned. Unless you are willing to spend $300 to $500 (possibly!) adding a hard drive to your 8-bit system, there is a less expensive option. You could a 720k 3.5" floppy drive to your 8-bit for much less money. Granted it is not as fast or as much storage as a hard drive, it does on the other hand cost alot less than a hard drive! You can build your own 8-bit 3.5" floppy drive by aquiring an Atari XF551 drive, then modifying it with Bob Wolley's XF35 kit (available from CSS I believe). Hopefully someone has the addresses and phone numbers for either Bob Wolley or CSS (Bob Puff's company). Bye................ Luis
slackey@bbn.com (Stan Lackey) (06/24/91)
In article <1991Jun21.062751.20562@sactoh0.sac.ca.us> dwj@sactoh0.sac.ca.us (Daniel W. James) writes: >MIO (which is one of the things that ICD is blowing out for 50% off). I got all excited when I read this too, called them, and found out that the MIOs are the only thing that is not marked down. At $100 I'd think about it, but $199 is too much to pay for 256KB at today's memory prices. -Stan
CharlieBrown@cup.portal.com (Charles F Schieber) (06/29/91)
Supra made a Supra Hard Disk 10 meg drive which connected to a 800 XL with a 50 connector ribbon interface to the back of the 800XL.The box which is 3 1/2 by 7 inches also has a parallel printer connector outlet.Many of the old 8 bit BB Systems used the Supra.I still have two of them.I have seen them from time to time at Atari dealers still getting up to $300 for them.