GIDE IDE Hard Disk Interface for Z-80
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2025 10:23 am
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.
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.