DivIDE Technical Documentation - ZX Spectrum, Retro Computing

The DivIDE Interface
Manufactured by Ben Versteeg

Mass storage interface for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum

"DivIDE is an ATA (IDE) interface which takes your ZX Spectrum computing to a whole new level.
As the time takes its toll on ageing media such as audio tapes or diskettes, many ZX Spectrum enthusiasts simply stick to emulation for better reliability and comfort. With divIDE you can put your software collection to a hard disk, CD-ROM or even CompactFlash card and experience your favourite games, demos and utilities the way the were meant to be run - and even better. Using existing firmwares, many users find their Speccy box again a live platform - time for you to make the switch? ;]" (quoted from http://baze.au.com/divide)

A manual can be downloaded by clicking here.

Availability
Use the Contact Me form on my Blog for ordering information.

Features
- DivIDE is compatible with all ZX Spectrum models: 16, 48, 48+, 128, +2, +2A, +2B, +3 and many clones
- Theoretical transfer speed is 218 KB/sec
- DivIDE has 8 KB of shadow flash ROM that hosts operating system core, leaving your original ZX Spectrum ROM intact.
- DivIDE's auto-mapping feature transparently maps shadow ROM at important entry points, enabling standard tape emulation, BASIC extensions, NMI menu and DISCiPLE/+D or BetaDisk emulation.
- DivIDE's MAPRAM feature helps developers and users to test new software without the need of reflashing their working system in shadow ROM. It can also emulate another 8 KB of ROM if necessary.
- DivIDE works with all ATA-compatible devices (there are no known compatibility issues)
- Available software supports widely used emulator formats (TAP, SNA, Z80, SCR). Just download your all-time favourite games from the web and play!

Jumper settings
Jumper A on the DivIDE must be closed if using with Spectrum +2A, +2B or +3, otherwise leave it open.

Firmware versions
FATWare (default firmware)
FATware natively supports up to 8 standard FAT-16 partitions (including long file names).
It loads TAP, SNA, Z80, SCR and interlaced SCR files. With FATware you just unplug your CompactFlash card from your PC and plug it to your divIDE.
FATware is read only.

Get it here: http://velesoft.speccy.cz/zx/divide/divide-fatware.htm

Esxdos
More advanced users want to choose for Esxdos:
- Supports writing to Compact Flash card (or other devices)
- FAT12/16 and FAT32 support!
- Fantastic extendable BASIC!

Get it here: http://esxdos.org/

Installing the DivIDE (with Fatware firmware)
1. Connect your CF (Compact Flash) memory card or hard disk (IDE device) to the PC (you'll need a card reader or CF-IDE adaptor).

Step 2 and 3 are already performed when your DivIDE was delivered complete with Compact Flash card!

2. Make a FAT16 type partition on the CF card or connected IDE device; maximum size can be 2GB so if you need more capacity, make more partitions but maximum is 8.
3. Format the partition(s) you've made. Make sure you're formatting the right partition to avoid data loss!
4. Copy your ZX Spectrum emulator files (in TAP or Z80 format) to the formatted partition. You can download them from numerous software archives such as www.worldofspectrum.org.
5. Disconnect the CF card or IDE device from PC.

ATTENTION: Connect the DivIDE when your ZX Spectrum is not powered, else there is a big probability of damage both the computer or the interface!

6. Connect the IDE device (hard drives and CD-ROM drives are usually connected by a 40pin ribbon cable, the Compact Flash memory cards need the IDE->Compact Flash adaptor (such as CF-IDE).
7. Insert the DivIDE into the edge connector on the back of your Spectrum and make sure that both connectors are fully and tight inserted.
8. If you are using another device than a CF card, vonnect your IDE device to a power supply.
9. Turn the computer on.
If there is FATware, it should display big DivIDE logo, list some important data
10. (found IDE devices and number of disk volumes) and "Press any key" request.
11. After pressing any key follows a classic reset (black screen and a copyright message after it).

Using the DivIDE (with Fatware firmware)
1. Press the NMI button on the controller; a simple file selector appears.
2. Using cursor keys (CAPS SHIFT+6, CAPS SHIFT+7) locate the requested file with TAP or Z80 extension which you want to work with and press ENTER.
3. Z80 files are executed automatically.
If you use a TAP file, use LOAD "name" command (or just LOAD "") to load the file in just the very same way as from tape, but dramatically faster.

More info
http://baze.au.com/divide
http://velesoft.speccy.cz/zx/divide/divide-soft.htm