Author Topic: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project  (Read 69473 times)

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Offline djosTopic starter

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #100 on: July 28, 2017, 11:52:18 pm »
Put buffer/driver ICs to drive the extension?

That would likely do it, a bit beyond my current digital logic knowledge tho.

Offline bitseeker

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #101 on: July 28, 2017, 11:53:46 pm »
That's OK. Add it to the "things to explore" list. ^-^
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Offline djosTopic starter

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #102 on: July 28, 2017, 11:59:03 pm »
That's OK. Add it to the "things to explore" list. ^-^

Indeed.  :-DMM

Offline bitseeker

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #103 on: July 29, 2017, 08:47:49 am »
Had you seen my video (posted just the other day) about using a floppy emulator to get 2.5mb floppy images on the Tandy 1000 EX? I used a $17 USD Gotek with 10 euro HxC firmware.  Also there is a video about using a 3.5" floppy internally on the EX. (Any 3.5" HD drive will do. The cable needs a small modification.)

That's a neat emulator. The HxC firmware says it supports over 8000 1.44MB images. With the Gotek emulator's 3-digit display, can you go past 999 (i.e., does it roll over)?
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Offline djosTopic starter

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #104 on: July 29, 2017, 11:14:10 am »
Have you tested the IDE controller to see that it actually works?

So as per my more recent posts, the answer to this question is yes - I've got it working in my EX very nicely using c800h for the bios address and the XTP R566 Bios version for V20's and up (the stock XT bios also works).

Offline djosTopic starter

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #105 on: July 30, 2017, 04:54:55 am »
So I've had a fairly productive afternoon and completed both the Tandy 1000 Printer Adapter and PLUS-ISA/R Adapter v1.1:

Printer Adapter - Front:


Printer Adapter - Rear:


PLUS-ISA/R Adapter v1.1 - Front:


PLUS-ISA/R Adapter v1.1 - Rear:


I guess I just need to order some parts now! :D

Offline djosTopic starter

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #106 on: July 31, 2017, 02:17:24 am »
I've had to make a minor change to the PLUS-ISA/R Adapter v1.1, I realised the solder pads where too close to the PLUS Socket (which is almost 2mm wider than it needs to be) by about 1.9mm and have tweaked it accordingly.



I've now placed an order for the Tandy Printer Adapter and PLUS-ISA/R Adapter v1.1 PCB's and the Tandy Printer Adapter components (34p edge connectors & DB25 Female Sockets).

Offline DavinD

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #107 on: July 31, 2017, 05:47:16 pm »
That's awesome!  I saw Adrian's video as well and I ordered the firmware to flash my Gotek.  These are going to be some souped up Tandys.  I want to send you money.
 

Offline DavinD

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #108 on: July 31, 2017, 05:56:15 pm »
If the IDE controller had a right-angle connector, things would probably fit better.
 

Offline djosTopic starter

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #109 on: July 31, 2017, 08:35:54 pm »
If the IDE controller had a right-angle connector, things would probably fit better.

Yeah I've been thinking I might just make a right angle IDE PCB to solve that problem and allow the c.f. Card to be accessed from the rear of the case.  :-/O

Offline DavinD

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #110 on: July 31, 2017, 08:37:16 pm »
I'm ok with the way it is, though.  I'm not too worried about the case closing.
 

Offline djosTopic starter

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #111 on: July 31, 2017, 08:38:58 pm »
That's awesome!  I saw Adrian's video as well and I ordered the firmware to flash my Gotek.  These are going to be some souped up Tandys.  I want to send you money.

My initial run of the ISA adapters will be about 20 units so I should be able to cover the current expressed demand fairly easily.  8)

Offline djosTopic starter

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #112 on: July 31, 2017, 09:11:59 pm »
I'm ok with the way it is, though.  I'm not too worried about the case closing.

Sorry but my OCD won't let me sell folks something I'm not happy with, the new PCB's will arrive in less than 2 weeks and I already have all the required connectors to build them.

So if you can please be patient with me I think it'll be worth the wait.  8)

Offline DavinD

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #113 on: July 31, 2017, 09:36:43 pm »
I'm ok with the way it is, though.  I'm not too worried about the case closing.

Sorry but my OCD won't let me sell folks something I'm not happy with, the new PCB's will arrive in less than 2 weeks and I already have all the required connectors to build them.

So if you can please be patient with me I think it'll be worth the wait.  8)

No worries.  Thanks for figuring this out!
 

Offline djosTopic starter

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #114 on: July 31, 2017, 10:03:15 pm »

No worries.  Thanks for figuring this out!

My pleasure, it's been a fun learning experience.  :-DMM

Offline djosTopic starter

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #115 on: August 02, 2017, 03:25:22 am »
For those without Ram expansions in their EX / HX machines:

I had a chance to do some testing last night, I pulled my ram expansion out and installed my Lo-tech Compact Flash IDE board directly into the main-board .... and it worked great with no issues at all. The same went for a dual port ISA serial card, it worked fine too. My EX was definitely not as responsive but im not sure how much of that was caused by only having 256k of ram.

Anyhoo, I'll proceed with finishing the design of what I'm now calling the "PLUS-ISA Riser Card v1.0".  8)

Offline DavinD

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #116 on: August 04, 2017, 09:11:36 pm »
For those without Ram expansions in their EX / HX machines:

I had a chance to do some testing last night, I pulled my ram expansion out and installed my Lo-tech Compact Flash IDE board directly into the main-board .... and it worked great with no issues at all. The same went for a dual port ISA serial card, it worked fine too. My EX was definitely not as responsive but im not sure how much of that was caused by only having 256k of ram.

Anyhoo, I'll proceed with finishing the design of what I'm now calling the "PLUS-ISA Riser Card v1.0".  8)

That's awesome.  I have the memory expansion, but this will be helpful for those that don't.
 

Offline djosTopic starter

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #117 on: August 05, 2017, 09:19:12 am »
Sooo, I think the Tandy 1000 PLUS-ISA Riser v1.0 board is done - space is a real issue so I've made the following compromises:

1/ There is less space between the bottom slot and the middle slot - the idea is that a very slim card like a Lo-tech ISA CompactFlash IDE would go on the bottom.

2/ The middle slot would be ideal for a slightly thicker card like an original ISA Serial Card

3/ the top slot would be ideal for a slim card like a lo-tech ram card that doesn't require rear access.







I'm happy to entertain others opinions on this design as I wont be needing one myself.

Offline bitseeker

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #118 on: August 05, 2017, 08:43:07 pm »
Congrats djos. Is this your first PCB-based "product"?
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Offline djosTopic starter

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #119 on: August 05, 2017, 10:04:37 pm »
Congrats djos. Is this your first PCB-based "product"?

Thanks Mate.

Technically my Tandy 1000 EX /HX Floppy cable replacement is the first PCB based product I've actually sold (shipped about 3 so far):




Offline bitseeker

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #120 on: August 05, 2017, 10:34:36 pm »
Oh, didn't know you had already shipped them. So, these are the first and second, then. :)
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Offline djosTopic starter

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #121 on: August 05, 2017, 10:41:15 pm »
Oh, didn't know you had already shipped them. So, these are the first and second, then. :)

Yep, and some folks asked me to make a Parallel port adapter too as most Tandy 1000's used an edge connector for that too. So that's about 4 products I think.  :o



PS, most of the Tandy fan boys I've met live over here.

Offline bitseeker

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #122 on: August 05, 2017, 10:45:19 pm »
Alas, the only Tandy I currently have is my CoCo1. But, I'm enjoying your projects.
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Offline djosTopic starter

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #123 on: August 05, 2017, 11:47:19 pm »
Alas, the only Tandy I currently have is my CoCo1. But, I'm enjoying your projects.

Great little machine, I've thought about collecting a CoCo3 but every time I collect something I didnt own back in the day, it gets neglected or upgraded and sold off.

Offline bitseeker

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Re: Tandy 1000 ex/hx PLUS Expansion to 8-Bit ISA Riser card project
« Reply #124 on: August 06, 2017, 07:00:10 am »
Yeah, it's not quite the same.
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