Cheap SD/MMC Readers

[danielj]

This is a placeholder post for the latest versions of SmartSPI and MMFS. These are bugfixed and more up-to date file system ROMs that work with Martin Mather's MMC reader design, the TurboMMC hardware, and the cheap SD Card Readers available on ebay.

Latest version of SmartSPI: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9208&start=150#p129221

Latest version of MMFS: https://github.com/hoglet67/MMFS/releases

With MMFS, you need to use the correct ROM version - see: https://github.com/hoglet67/MMFS/wiki/Release-structure

Wiring for SD reader to userport: viewtopic.php?t=1919&start=330#p99449

[sirmorris]

If you don't want to solder or otherwise build your own adapter then a compatible inexpensive reader is offered for sale in the trading topic, other inexpensive compatible readers are available

(Feel free to delete this post if inappropriate)

[danielj]

No, that's fine

[lurkio]

Latest version of SmartSPI: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9208&start=150#p129221

If it helps, here's the current latest version (1613) of the SmartSPI ROM-image as a raw data file (inside a zip file) -- and not on a .SSD disc-image:

• http://www.stardot.org.uk/forums/viewto ... pi#p165772

(Scroll down to attachments to first post.)

[steve3000]

I'm setting up a mmc interface for a friend's beeb and thought I'd download a fresh copy of the "beeb.mmb" file pre-filled with games discs, but I'm really struggling to find where I can download this from...

I've tried searching the forum and google without success, the download link which I'm sure I used in the past on this thread appears to be dead, and the beeb.mmb file mentioned here doesn't seem to have a download link at all. Am I missing something obvious?

[lurkio]

I've tried searching the forum and google without success, the download link which I'm sure I used in the past on this thread appears to be dead, and the beeb.mmb file mentioned here doesn't seem to have a download link at all. Am I missing something obvious?

No, it is quite tricky trying to wade through the forums to track down a copy of BEEB.MMB. For now, try this one:

• viewtopic.php?t=13754&start=30#p180828

[hoglet]

Higgy's version is here:
http://stardot.org.uk/files/mmb/higgy_mmbeeb-v1.0.zip

[steve3000]

Ahh, brilliant, I'm not going mad then

Thanks both for those links!

[CMcDougall]

tried searching the forum and google without success, the download link which I'm sure I used in the past on this thread appears to be dead

it's not dead
if you look after the first few edits, then my text, then a further 4 edits below this, the first one is from member 'duikkie'
which still works (222+ other folk must know!! ), as on the forum, not an old upload site

[duikkie]

i uploaded my beeb.mmb a few times by now.
it has not change that much in time because
i don't play games.
and i think most not running games are fixed
for the beeb !!

[SmellyGeekBoy]

It didn't seem worth starting a new thread for this so I thought I'd try tacking it on here - I don't suppose anyone could burn the latest MMFS ROM for me? I have a very basic user port MMC interface that I'm using with my Model B but the ROM is 3 years old now and it seems there's been a lot of active development in this area. Unfortunately I don't have an EEPROM programmer or I'd do it myself!

Thanks!

[Swainy]

Hi guys, I’m thinking of buying a model b beeb and would like to know what my options are when buying an SD card solution. I haven’t got a soldering iron so ideally I would like something easy to install. Cheers.

[Elminster]

There are may MMC/SDC solutions. If you are looking for prebuilt ones with minimum fuss and effort (but more cost), then popular ones include:

GoSDC - John Kortink
Micro SPI MMC - RetroClinic
Turbo MMC - IFEL

But another popular choice these days is the GoTek, again if not wanting to DIY then RetroClinc sells these.

There are others, some are not always in stick, or require some DIY.

Full list on the Hardware List
https://elminster.github.io/hardware

[Swainy]

Nice one, thanks!

[danielj]

If you have a disk interface fitted already, you'll find the gotek to be the most "compatible" solution as so far as the beeb's concerned it's a normal floppy disk drive.

[rmbrowngr]

Micro SPI MMC - RetroClinic
Turbo MMC - IFEL

I've always wondered what the differences are between these two devices to try to determine what are the pros and cons.

[danielj]

They're all based on Martin Mather's MMBeeb which was a freely available design. TurboMMC is a bit faster as it's rejiggled a couple of things. It used to cost £30, not sure how much now (less, I think). The retroclinic one is just a tidy version of the standard design on a PCB that doesn't require any soldering. They both suffer the same issues, namely requiring you to use PC-side software to put disc images into a large file, and that they sometimes don't get on with certain bits of software depending on how that software twiddles the hardware.

To all intents and purposes, the only difference between them is going to be price. You can use MMFS or SmartSPI with either of them (which are both arguably better than the TurboMMC ROM). The speed difference is apparently noticeable, but honestly, 2 seconds here or there isn't going to make anyone start tearing their hair out

d.

[Elminster]

If you have a disk interface fitted already, you'll find the gotek to be the most "compatible" solution as so far as the beeb's concerned it's a normal floppy disk drive.

I agree. More money (as a prebuild kit) but pretty much heading to be the defacto standard as a cross-retro-platform type device and very easy to swap between machines without faff. And if you DIY it you get to watch your video howto

[flaxcottage]

I've used the TurboMMC and the SPI version and on the Electron the MMFS version.

From experience the SPI amd MMFS are the most difficult to use as read/write systems with any disc system. Yes, they can be used but it is difficult to swap whole discs between the card and disc. The quickest and most reliable method for these systems has been to use the PC to copy files. If the BBC has no DFS then either work perfectly well and there is no problem.

TurboMMC would be my preference due to its semi-compatibility with DFS through the use of the copier ROM. This ROM only works with the TurboMMC and needs to be in SWR. However, it is quick, reliable and accurate.

The comment about the GOTEK drive is well made. It just works. It behaves just like a floppy. The only disadvantage I have found with mine is its inability to create a new blank disc from the BBC or Master. I still need to revisit my PC to add blank discs and rename used blanks. Mind you I only need to do that every 20 or so discs I fill as I have a BBCB4W utility I wrote to add blank floppies to my USB stick when needed and that includes ADFS images as well. The GOTEK is great if the number of disc images/directories on the memory stick is small. It would be a real pain if there were lots of them on the one USB stick.

[rmbrowngr]

If you have a disk interface fitted already, you'll find the gotek to be the most "compatible" solution as so far as the beeb's concerned it's a normal floppy disk drive.

I agree. More money (as a prebuild kit) but pretty much heading to be the defacto standard as a cross-retro-platform type device and very easy to swap between machines without faff. And if you DIY it you get to watch your video howto

Totally agree with that. I've never looked back since I got one. I'm even considering buying a second one as I keep swapping the one I have between my B+ and Electrons.

[Mamejay]

HI Everyone. I am very new to a the BBC. Got a model B on its way.
I am handy with a soldering iron and want to make a board. I can make up an eprom but for the board I am a little confused.
Basically I want to be able to use a normal SD or micro SD card 8-16GB as what is available easily.
What is the best eprom image to use.
Also I found an old schematic at https://swhs.home.xs4all.nl/bbc/mmbeeb/
Can this one still be used or is there a better schematic to follow?
Also I see mention of a CD with the PC software to make up the cards but cannot find it. Any links to what I need to download?

Thanks

[tricky]

I think that most homebrew (inc mine) use the cheap (<£ on the slow boat) aduino mmc board. There is a 99p mmc thread with the latest info, but it is a long thread. I think it had links to the windows programs, which can be got from the way back machine from martins original pages.

[danielj]

The connections that need to be made are all outlined in the MMFS github readme:
https://github.com/hoglet67/MMFS

d.

[Wheel_nut]

I've used the TurboMMC and the SPI version and on the Electron the MMFS version.

From experience the SPI amd MMFS are the most difficult to use as read/write systems with any disc system. Yes, they can be used but it is difficult to swap whole discs between the card and disc. The quickest and most reliable method for these systems has been to use the PC to copy files. If the BBC has no DFS then either work perfectly well and there is no problem.

TurboMMC would be my preference due to its semi-compatibility with DFS through the use of the copier ROM. This ROM only works with the TurboMMC and needs to be in SWR. However, it is quick, reliable and accurate.

I too have both the TurboMMC (from Steve Picton - IFEL) and the MicroSPI (from Mark Haysman - RetroClinic)

I can second the view that it is only the TurboMMC which facilitates the copying of Programs and Data from Floppy Disks to the SD Card images using the COP114 Utility which is pre-loaded on the SD Card. You can also switch to the (Floppy) Disk system using the *DISK command and then operate solely on the Floppy DFS. Om ny setup, I have the TurboSPI SD adapter plugged into the User Port and a 1770 Disk Controller with Solidisk's DFS 2.2M Issue 2. The TurboSPI ROM co-exists perfectly well with the DFS 2.2M Issue 2. Also, the Solidisk DFS2.2M Issue 2 works with both the 1770 and 8271 Controllers and reports each controller correctly at Boot-up.

There is only one behaviour that seems not to work correctly. After switching to the Floppy system using *DISK, I have been unable to return to the Card system using *CARD, The Command seems to work but any attempt to access the Card gives the message CARD? The only way back to the Card system is to switch off and on again. EDIT: The explanation for this behaviour is that the *CARD Command is a TurboSPI Command and the *DISK command makes the DFS the "current" Filing System; effectively switching off the TurboSPI.

The MicroSPI does not support the COP114 Utility so in my experience, does not allow copying of files from Floppies to the SD Image. To add SSDs to the BEEB.MMB Image, you can use the MMBImager software provided on the CD that Steve Picton supplies with his TurboSPI. Adding individual files is a little more convoluted as you need a .inf file for each file you are adding.

In summary, it depends on what you want to do with the SD Card system. If all you want to do is use it as a jukebox for the games provided then either will do. If you want to add your Programs and files from Floppy Disk, then I would choose the TurboSPI. Both are as cheap as chips so treat yourself.

[Wheel_nut]

Since this is a "Sticky" Thread, I should add this link to the existence of Dave (hoglet)'s design for a PRINTER PORT attached MMFS SD Card adapter for the BBC B. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17827

If, like me, you need to leave the User Port available for devices like an EPROM Programmer while still using MMFS and an SD Card as the Data medium, you will find this device invaluable.

Details of the hardware modifications and construction of the adapter are fully contained in the referenced thread. as are links to the MMFS Data repository on Github.

[Wheel_nut]

A lot has happened during the Covid19 lockdown era and I would like to summarise these here:

HEADLINES:

1. Martin Mather's release of MMFS2 gains traction and development work undertaken by Bobbi
   1. Development history can be found here viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21061&sid=e8f002f47 ... 07b03be474
   2. Preferred names are now:
      • MMFSv1 - The original version of MMFS that uses a single BEEB.MMB file on the SD Card to store upto 511 200KB .SSD disk images.
      • MMFSv2 - A more recent development that dispenses with the BEEB.MMB container and allows direct access to .SSD and .DSD disk images stored in the Root Directory or sub-Directories on the SD Card
2. Both MMFSv1 and MMFSv2 are now released in a single Github repository by Hoglet67 here https://github.com/hoglet67/MMFS/releases. Currently, Six Interfaces are supported:
   • U: User Port connected "Non-Turbo" interface
   • T: User Port connected "Turbo" interface
   • E: Electron Plus One Printer Port interface
   • P: Beeb/Master Printer Port interface
   • M: MemoryMapped IO interface (typically &FE18, for BeebEm)
   • G: Mega Games Cartridge MKII (in development)
3. New Menu Systems and Games Compendiums developed/ updated and released:
   • Tricky's Compendium and Menu for Gotek viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16070
   • Tricky's Compendium and Menu for MMFSv1 viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16070
   • Tricky's Compendium and Menu for MMFSv2 viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16070
   • RichardFairman's Roll-your-own menu derived from Tricky's Menu System viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21121&p=302463#p302463
   • Ray Harper BBC and Electron Menus viewtopic.php?f=3&t=21708
4. User Port and Printer Port Adapters:
   • TurboMMC adapter from Steve Picton (IFEL) - ctorwy31 on eBay
   • User Port (Non-turbo) from clothes_fairys on eBay
   • User Port Adapter from Tricky
   • User Port pass-through adapter from KenLowe
   • Printer Port adapter from JasonStonier
   • Roll-your own using Arduino MicroSD adapter widely available on eBay and AliExpress
   • Universal (Double Headered) User/ Printer Port Adapter
   • Master Modem Port Adapter - Creates two additional User Ports on the little-used Modem connector inside the Master. https://www.facebook.com/groups/9177152 ... 5322018273

Click on Image below to see a larger view.

This post is work in progress so please PM me if you spot any errors or omissions. Last updated 19 July 2023

[melchett]

[*]Unpacked Beeb.MMB Compendium for MMFSv2
[*]RichardFairman's Roll-your-own menu derived from Tricky's Menu System

Do you have links for these two?

[Wheel_nut]

[*]Unpacked Beeb.MMB Compendium for MMFSv2
[*]RichardFairman's Roll-your-own menu derived from Tricky's Menu System

Do you have links for these two?

Links added, Same thread Roobrb!'s unpacked Beeb.MMV Compendium at top and RFairman's at bottom of thread.

[melchett]

Thank you Wheel_nut - I had already created my own MMFSv2 card image in the meantime from Tricky's Menu Games BEEB.MMB. Wrote something to extract it and number correctly. Will pull the Stairway archive that is linked on the MMFSv2 page.

Can you change the MMFSv2 link to remove the bookmark so it goes direct to the top of the page where the full images are?

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21121&p=302463

[Wheel_nut]

Can you change the MMFSv2 link to remove the bookmark so it goes direct to the top of the page where the full images are?

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21121&p=302463

Done. Could you check that it is now linking correctly. - R