Download CfHdxP1 version 2.2 now
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Download CF7A+ parallel to serial interface for Arduino Uno now
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CfHdxP1 is a file / program manager special for the Cf7A+ card and is derived from Diskmanager 2000. The main feature of CfHdxP1 is that it can communicate with the Ti99Hdx server over the parallel port so that in an easy way files can be copied to and from the Cf7a+'s CompactFlash card.

See also the Diskmanager 2000 (or Dm2k) manual.

And this program also supports:

• Mount another volume for DSK1 (ctrl-1), DSK2 (ctrl-2) or DSK3 (ctrl-3)
• Select the next volume (ctrl-D) if DSK1, DSK2 or DSK3 is the source device
• Select the previous volume (ctrl-S) if DSK1, DSK2 or DSK3 is the source device

But this program doesn't support:

• Formatting of floppy disks
• Printing of catalogs
• Copy / Move / Delete directory structures

To use the Cf7a+ device (both old and new version) for the Ti99Hdx project only a single wire must be added to the board and a cable for the parallel port of the Cf7a+ must be created to connect to a parallel port of the PC or an Arduino Uno can be used as a parallel to serial converter. The program CFHDXP1 (parallel version) can be used for transferring files to and from the PC.

WARNING: Do not start this if you are not absolutely sure that you are able do this.

You are a few steps away to complete succes or total disaster

1. You have been warned!
   
2. Add a wire to the Cf7a+ card from the controller chip of the Cf7a+ card to pin #14 of the PIO connector. This signal is used as a read write signal for the Ti99Hdx program running on the PC.
   
   
3. Create a parallel cable as shown in the schematic. Not all ground signals are necessary. For the prototype I only used ground signal #18. Beware: This cable has a TI and a PC side!
   
   
4. Enjoy ...

Parallel cable

For connecting your Cf7a+ interface to the LPT1 port of a PC you can use a parallel cable like the one here:

Click here to view a schematic for the Cf7a+ PIO cable.

Arduino Parallel to Serial converter

If your PC does not have a parallel port it is also possible to create your own parallel to serial converter with an Arduino Uno and a protoshield.

Only twelve 330 ohm resistors and one LED must be soldered on the protoshield and 12 wires must be added and connected to a 25 pin SUB-D male connector. The resistors are used to prevent direct connection of two outputs during communication between the TI99/4A with Cf7a+ and the Arduino Uno and the LED is used to show any activity during communication.

      Arduino                             25P male Sub-D connector
      -------                             ------------------------
             Pin#        Resistors                Pin#
      D0      2 ---------[330E]--------<>--------  2    D0
      D1      3 ---------[330E]--------<>--------  3    D1
      D2      4 ---------[330E]--------<>--------  4    D2
      D3      5 ---------[330E]--------<>--------  5    D3
      D4      6 ---------[330E]--------<>--------  6    D4
      D5      7 ---------[330E]--------<>--------  7    D5
      D6      8 ---------[330E]--------<>--------  8    D6
      D7      9 ---------[330E]--------<>--------  9    D7
      Busy   10 ---------[330E]--------->-------- 11   -Busy
      Strobe 11 ---------[330E]--------<---------  1   -Strobe
      R/W    12 ---------[330E]--------<--------- 14    R/W (added wire on Cf7a+)

      LED    13 ---------[330E]----|>|----.
      GND       --------------------------+------ 18    GND

The Cf7a+ Parallel to Serial converter with Arduino Uno and protoshield could look like this: