Got a Tandy 1000 EX...now what ?

[dJOS]

Does the XTIDE use DMA ? Is the DMA really needed ?

Some versions do, the Lo-tech ISA Compact Flash doesnt but using a V20 CPU + BIU mode I get nearly 500 KB's transfer speeds, plenty fast enough.

 

[HoJoPo]

The idea is for it to be a ISA riser, here's an early concept that I was trying to fit 3 ISA slots onto but it left no room on the back side for the Ram and DMA chip.

How about making a 2 ISA card riser, instead using the bottom slot space for the DMA/memory? Or if there is enough space, DMA/memory/XT-IDE with CF slot out the back...

 

[dJOS]

How about making a 2 ISA card riser, instead using the bottom slot space for the DMA/memory? Or if there is enough space, DMA/memory/XT-IDE with CF slot out the back...

Yep, atm it's a 2x ISA slot with the RAM and 8237a on the Back - I'm also exploring using a modern ram chip instead of 256K DRAMS. This idea might not be viable due to differing voltage requirements.

PS adding IDE is possible in theory but I'm not sure it's worth the effort when you have ISA slots to utilise.