GIDE IDE Hard Disk Interface for Z-80

[johnhalk]

This GIDE IDE Z-80 interface maybe one of the better pathways to add HDD (and RTC) support to the Exidy Sorcerer.

https://www.autometer.de/gide/
https://sebhc.github.io/sebhc/HeathkitGIDE.html

The PCB plugs directly into the Z-80 processor chip socket and the Z-80 then plugs into the PCB. The PCB should be able to fit inside the Sorcerer 2 mainboard with minimal mods to the PCB.

CF Flash adapter cards can be used instead of a real PATA hard disk drive.

There is some test software and some HDD routines in Z80 assembly. The Dreamdisk CP/M bios would need to be patched to support the HDD I/O routines - there is already some basic HDD support in the Dreamdisk BIOS source listing.

[johnhalk]

Here is a more modern version of the GIDE - Called a UIDE.

https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/UIDE_U ... _computers

The UIDE-8 Z-80 shim pcb should plug straight into the Z80 socket of the Sorcerer (Mk 1 and Mk 2). A short IDE cable then connects the Z-80 shim board
to the actual UIDE-8 interface PCB.