3rd Party File Management Hardware

{Recovered Atari Sector}
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I've created this thread with the intention of providing an info-only resource.

The OP has no personal recommendations included - just what I know to be "out there". Some of them may be long gone, others are fairly recent creations.
Anyhow, what follows is a (hopefully one day) complete inventory of all of the 3rd party hardware available for the Atari8 range, whose primary function is file management.

The only criteria for inclusion in this section, is that hardware should be designed as an alternative to dealing with actual physical atari media (ie disks/tapes).

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4MB Flash MegaCart

The 4MB Flash MegaCart cartridge can even work with Multidisk ATR Images - once grouped adding disk number to end of filename.
Uses MegaCart Studio software to generate bootbale ATR files of 512kb and 4mb.
Supports: COM, BIN, EXE, XEX, ROM, ATR​

DIY 128k/512k Multicart

a low-cost 128k or 512k cartridge, and it is designed to fit in a grey XL/XE style cartridge case.
It uses standard 5v 32 pin flash EEPROMs. The cartridge is read-only - you need some way of programming the EEPROM (see below).
Bank switching is carried out by a Xilinx CPLD. I've posted the files to support either the Atarimax 1mbit or 8mbit banking schemes.
Supports: ROM, CAR, XEX​

IDE (KMK/JZ)

IDE Interface allows ATA (IDE) hard drive, a CF (Compact Flash) card or an ATAPI device (e.g. a CD-ROM drive) with Atari8 - must have ECI (ie 130xe/800xe and later 65xe). Can be configured as 256 or 512 sector blocks. There are two modes of operation: native mode and emulation mode. The native mode uses a 512-byte physical blocks a logical data sector, the emulation mode uses the physical block to store two 256-byte logical data sectors. ALL existing DOSes require the emulation mode to work properly and limited to 15x 16 MB partitions.​

IDE Plus 2.0 (KMK/JZ)

IDE Interface allows ATA (IDE) hard drive, a CF (Compact Flash) card or an ATAPI device (e.g. a CD-ROM drive) with Atari8 - must have ECI (ie 130xe/800xe and later 65xe). Can be configured as 256 or 512 sector blocks. Features; 96 KB ISP Flash ROM and 32 KB RAM available to the internal PBI BIOS and flashable from the Atari, 512 KB or 1024 KB ISP Flash ROM for SpartaDOS X (or any other cartridge of such type), flashable from the Atari. real time clock
Several different revisions exist; Rev "D", Rev "S", Rev "Ds"​

Karin Maxi Disk Drive

An interface for Atari XE. PBI (parallel) connection allows for the transfer of >20kB/s. Designed for computers with connection ECI. First version, could be bought with an optional upgrade/installation of missing ECI connections or the appropriate adapter from the connector PBI. There is an internal (interface plugs directly into motherboard) version.
Supports: (Dos version dependent) XEX, EXE, ROM, ATR, BIN, CAR, ROM​

Maxflash (Atarimax)

Atarimax Maxflash 1mbit (128k) and 8mbit (1Mb) Flash Cartridges, Maxflash USB Cartridge Programmer and Studio software for Windows
Simplicity of use = design and produce working ready to use flash multi-carts in just minutes!
Maxflash Studio Suite includes a built-in recognition database for 1200+ popular games, - drag and drop game program files into your cartridge workbook and have it work immediately.
Supports: ATR, XEX, CAR, ROM, BIN​

Megamax

flash memory, EPROMs, or SRAM with battery backup (512KBytes, 1MBytes, or 2MBytes.)
8K (Atarimax clone) and 16K (Megacart clone) address space. Like the AtariMax MaxFlash cartridge the MEGAMAX cartridge´s memory chips are selected through bank switching. Reset Button fitted
Supports: ATR, XEX, CAR, ROM, BIN​

MyIDE][ (Atarimax)

CompactFlash Multi-Cart and interface for the Atari XL/XE computers.
Compact Flash Hardware Interface, with software control and built-in hot-swap. Fully upgradeable via Edge JTAG Interface, and via Maxflash Studio. BIOS driven cart port HDD - no PBI support.
Atarimax FAT32 Loader, includes, 512k onboard user flash memory and 512kb SRAM
Supports: EXE/XEX/COM, FAST ATR Disk Image, 8k/16k ROMs​

MyIDE+ (Atarimax)

Flash Cartridge
The "MyIDE+Flash" Cartridge is compatible with all 64k Atari 8-bit computers.
1Mbit reprogrammable flash cartridge, utilize the interface and hard disk setup in any 64k XL/XE computer, using the built-in boot OS. No need for hardware or OS modifications.IDE connector, reprogrammable flash rom. Superceded by MyIDE][
Supports: XEX​

MyIDE Internal (Atarimax)

Flash Cartridge
Internal Predecessor of MyIDE+/MyIDE][. MyIDE OS in ROM, with easy in-system flash OS changes at any time. Comes in three flavours, xl/xe, 1200xl and xegs. all require very different internal modification.
Supports: XEX​

SDiskEmul

SD Card structure (fat 32, 4kb cluster 512 bytes per sectors / 8 sector), filename 8.3. Two connectors - 1 direct to atari, 2- to pc/other interface)
Only primary partition is read.
configured as either; 1- SdiskEmul disk A/floppy disk B or 2 - SDiskEmul disk B/floppy disk A
Supports: ATR​

SDrive (C.P.U.)

Robert Petružela a Radek Šterba , Bob!k & Raster designed this device that connects to Atari XL/XE's serial (SIO) port and simulates an Atari floppy disk drive with full read/write access to programs and data stored on a SecureDigital flash card (SD). Buffered reads for speedup
Delayed writes for speedup reduced flash write cycling, built-in bootloader, supports executable files of up to 8MB size.
Supported flash cards: SecureDigital up to 2GB size, FAT16 filesystem, Maximum number of drives: 4 (D1: to D4 + 1 special boot drive
Supported SIO transfer rates: 3.5 to 128kb/s (standard 19 and 69kb/s)
Supports: ATR, XFD, size up to 16MB, (128 or 256B sectors) , COM, XEX, BIN​

SDrive-ARM (alsp)

Again, an updated, further developed version of the original C.P.U. SDrive, with the addition of the following, 5V compatible 32bit Cypress CY8C4245AXI ARM processor (48 MHz core, 32Kb Flash, 4Kb RAM). MicroSD card reader, Capacitive buttons (Next drive, Prev drive, Boot drive), 6 LEDs (1 green, 1 red and 4 yellow). Reset button. Each SIO pin connected to ARM I/O pin (Possibility for functionality extension). One RW/RO switch for microSD card. original drive ID's switchng DIPs excluded. Boot menu.
Comes in three flavours; PCB + Case, PCB + Case + pre-programmed ARM + all required components for assembling, fully assembled device.
Supports: ATR, XFD, size up to 16MB, (128 or 256B sectors) , COM, XEX, BIN​

SDrive NUXX

An independant development of the original SDrive. incorporating a different enclosure, SIO connector, and an easier to build design.
Supported flash cards: SecureDigital up to 2GB size, FAT16 filesystem, Maximum number of drives: 4 (D1: to D4 + 1 special boot drive
Supports: ATR, XFD, size up to 16MB, (128 or 256B sectors) , COM, XEX, BIN​

Sic or (Super Inexpensive Cart)

256KBytes or 512KBytes (or 1MByte ?), SRAM with a battery (8K or 16K address space), programmable via Atari.
Sparta Dos X 4.43RC2, Flasher for Flash memory (128, 256, 512KB)
Supports: ROM, BIN​

Side

Flash memory, RTC, CF socket, type I, SDX and SIDE Fat32 loader
simple to use loader that loads direct from FAT32 partition, SDX mode of operation for "power users"
Supports: COM, XEX​

Side2

hard disk functionality via cartridge design. The device features SpartaDOS X, Real-Time Clock, Compact Flash card slot. Switchable loader and SDX modes
Programmable "SIDE button", 256KB external flash application cartridge space
Compatibility means that storage media can be easily shared with other compliant interfaces (currently MyIDE for SDX, Incognito, Ultimate 1MB PBI, and the IDE Plus 2.0 APT Beta BIOS). In used with Ultimate 1mb upgrade is recognised as PBI device (as regular HARD DISK INTERFACE) .
Min 48k to run, and "Side" SpartdosX requires 128k. ATR LOADING only with PBI bios via Ultimate 1MB.
Supports: ATR, COM, XEX​

SIO2IDE

uses std SIO speed of 19200 as well as 52000 (US?Happy), emulates D1-D8 and D9 via h/w jumper. DOS/OS compatible.
used with other SIO devices (disk drivers, printers, modems, SIO2PC, second SIO2IDE etc), easily fitted internally or externally, FDisk utility for config/setup - a simple interface to attach any IDE Disk Drive or CF Card 1 to Atari8 computer . Not compatible with 800.
Supports: ATR​

SIO2PC (Lotharek)

Connects ATARI SIO port with PC/MAC computer via USB PORT.
works as virtual drive, using SIO PERIPHERAL EMULATION in ASPEQT window
Supports: ATR, XEX​

SIO2PC/10502PC Dual-USB (Atari8warez)

functionality of an SIO2PC and a 10502PC in one device, USB connection to the PC, creating a Virtual COM port on the PC for communication with a Peripheral Emulator software ie, AspeQt. happily coexists in SIO chain. When plugged into an Atari disk drive, it switches its operating mode to 10502PC. In this mode it can be used with the new and upcoming atari8warez software ALibPc (and currently with Prosystem from Atarimax) for loading, editing and creating ATR imagesfor later use in SIO2PC mode.​

SIO2PC-Serial (Atarimax)

Using Atari Peripheral Emulator and Prosystem Software works as a virtual atari disk drive reading and writing from/to real atari disk drives.
True Plug-and-Play,High speed SIO, native disk drive rate support, including support for high speed upgrades, Cassette motor control support.
FSK capture and playback of cassette or other SIO data and planned future use of other SIO pins. (Interrupt, Clock, etc).
Interface is compatible with all SIO2PC/APE style software, supporting RI, DSR and CTS signalling.​

SIO2PC-Serial - Dual Port (Atarimax)

Using Atari Peripheral Emulator and Prosystem Software works as a virtual atari disk drive reading and writing from/to real atari disk drives.
True Plug-and-Play,High speed SIO, native disk drive rate support, including support for high speed upgrades, Cassette motor control support.
FSK capture and playback of cassette or other SIO data and planned future use of other SIO pins. (Interrupt, Clock, etc).
Interface is compatible with all SIO2PC/APE style software, supporting RI, DSR and CTS signalling. Dual SIO ports allow for two separate atari drive/device chains to be connected.​

SIO2PC-USB (Atarimax)

Using Atari Peripheral Emulator and Prosystem Software works as a virtual atari disk drive reading and writing from/to real atari disk drives.
True Plug-and-Play,High speed SIO, native disk drive rate support, including support for high speed upgrades, Cassette motor control support.
FSK capture and playback of cassette or other SIO data and planned future use of other SIO pins. (Interrupt, Clock, etc).
Native full speed USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 compatible device with an onboard 48mhz MPU with field upgradeable firmware.​

SIO2PC-USB (Atari8warez)

doesn't offer 10502PC capability but otherwise designed to operate like SIO2PC/10502PC Dual-USB in other respects. for those who don't need disk archival functionality, for copying files and disks between real drives and virtual drives. Won't work with PC software that allows you to connect your Atari drive directly to a PC.​

SIO2PC-USB - Dual Port (Atarimax)

Using Atari Peripheral Emulator and Prosystem Software works as a virtual atari disk drive reading and writing from/to real atari disk drives.
True Plug-and-Play,High speed SIO, native disk drive rate support, including support for high speed upgrades, Cassette motor control support.
FSK capture and playback of cassette or other SIO data and planned future use of other SIO pins. (Interrupt, Clock, etc).
Native full speed USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 compatible device with an onboard 48mhz MPU with field upgradeable firmware. Dual SIO ports allow for two separate atari drive/device chains to be connected​

SIO2SD (Lotharek)

SD/MMC (FAT12,FAT16 and FAT32 formats) densities 128B and 256B sectors (16mb disks) drives 1-8, configured via atari computer.
16x2 LCD display for walkthru menu and various turbo modes (speed index1-16) giving upto 69kb/s
Supports: ATR, XFD, COM, XEX​

SIO2SD (Mega-hz)

load games/applications into any 8-bit Atari XL/XE computers via SIO interface from SD/MMC cards.
SD and MMC(FAT12,FAT16 and FAT32 formats) Drives 1-8, densities 128 and 256B incl 16mb disks. LCD display
Supports: ATR, XFD, COM, XEX​

SIO2SD (pigula_shpoon)

SD/MMC (FAT12,FAT16 and FAT32 formats) densities 128B and 256B sectors (16mb disks) drives 1-8, configured via atari computer.
16x2 LCD display for walkthru menu and various turbo modes (speed index1-16) giving upto 69kb/s
Supports: ATR, XFD, COM, XEX​

SIO2SD (santosp)

load games/applications into any 8-bit Atari XL/XE computers via SIO interface from SD/MMC cards.
SD and MMC(FAT12,FAT16 and FAT32 formats) Drives 1-8, densities 128 and 256B incl 16mb disks. LCD display
Supports: ATR, XFD, COM, XEX​

S/XEGS RAMCART (C.P.U.)

128KB SRAM with battery, 16K address space, Switchable XEGS banking scheme. Can use unmodified S/XEGS, XEGs, 16K and 8K ROM images.
Can be used as a RAMDISK. Programmable via Atari or Atarimax Maxflash Studio/USB programmer.
Supports: ROM, BIN, CAR​

The!Cart (Jac Hias & Others)

flash ram 128MB, SRAM: 512KB, Startmenu with bank-select and mode-select, RESET-button, Internal PHI2-Clock.
Java THE!CART-STUDIO for ROM-Image creation, ATARI FLASH-Tool
Compatible with; 8K (left), 8K (right), 8K+RAM, 16K, MEGACART 16/32/64/128/256/512/1024/2048K
ATARIMAX 128/1024K (1MBit / 8MBit), XEGS 32/64/128/256/512/1024K, SXEGS 32/64/128/256/512/1024K
OSS, SDX 64, Diamond 64K, Express 64K, ATRAX 128K, Williams 64K, Blizzard 16K, SIC! 512K, MEGAMAX 8 / 16K Mode (1024 / 2048K)
64mb flash/512kb sram, 32mb ram/128kb sram and 64mb flash/128kb sram versions discontinued
Supports: BIN, ROM​

Ultimate Cart

The Ultimate Cart is an SD-card based multicart for the Atari 8-bit. Allows access to SD card-based cartridge images from ROM and CAR files from the menu. It supports most ROMs up to 1 megabyte in size, including standard 8k and 16k cartridges, XEGS, AtariMax 1 & 8mbit ROMs, SIC! Cart, Bounty Bob, OSS, SDX & Williams. ROM dumps can be easily converted into CAR format with conversion utility, RomToCar.
Updated firmware also allows XEX files (Atari executables) to be launched.
Supports: ROM, CAR, XEX​

Uno Cart

SD card based browser/loader provided. A stripped-down version of the Ultimate Cart - it's limited by the size of roms (128k max).
No Atarimax support, but does load 8/16k carts, XEGS, AtariMax 1mbit, Williams, Bounty Bob, OSS etc. Cart can be disabled for normal SIO boots - saves damage to cart port, also includes reset switch.
Supports: ROM, XEX, CAR​

IMAGE GALLERY:




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