Changes between Version 5 and Version 6 of WikiStart

Timestamp:

Mar 30, 2021, 5:32:09 PM (4 years ago)

Author:

Krister Nordvall

Comment:

--

WikiStart

@@ -1 +1 @@
 = Download =
-XTIDE Universal BIOS can be downloaded from the [http://www.xtideuniversalbios.org/binaries/ Pre-built Binaries Download Centre].
+'''Please note!
+
+All BIOS binaries available here must be properly configured with the configuration tool XTIDECFG.COM before flashing/programming to ROM. In addition to configuring the BIOS file for use with your specific hardware you must also make sure the file is checksummed by saving the file to disk as that will create the padding and checksum required for installation in a computer.
+
+Always use the version of XTIDECFG.COM supplied together with the BIOS files.
+
+'''If you haven't read the documentation available here then you are strongly encouraged to do so first before proceeding to the [http://www.xtideuniversalbios.org/binaries/ Pre-built Binaries Download Centre].'''
 
 
@@ -76 +82 @@
 The most convenient way to use XTIDE Universal BIOS is to use an [http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showwiki.php?title=XTIDE+Rev2 XTIDE card] or [http://www.lo-tech.co.uk/ Lo-tech XT-CF]. They can be used on any PC with a free 8-bit ISA slot. You might not want to connect any drives to them in 16- or 32-bit systems since 8-bit transfers will be very slow. Using these cards allows in-system EEPROM programming so it is really easy to update XTIDE Universal BIOS.
 
-Another option is to use any card with a free option ROM socket. Official XUB builds are meant for 8 kiB or 16 kiB ROMs but you can use larger ROMs if you append enough zeroes to the end (only append zeroes so checksum does not change). Many network cards have unused ROM sockets and there are also a few multi I/O cards and IDE controllers with ROM sockets. These cards remain fully usable even if you place a ROM with XTIDE Universal BIOS on them.
+Another option is to use any card with a free option ROM socket. Official XUB builds are meant for use with 4 kiB, 8 kiB or 16 kiB ROMs depending on the size of the BIOS you intend to use. Many network cards have unused ROM sockets and there are also a few multi I/O cards and IDE controllers with ROM sockets. These cards remain fully usable even if you place a ROM with XTIDE Universal BIOS on them.
 
 You don't need an EPROM/EEPROM programmer if you already have an XTIDE card. The XTIDE card can be used to flash additional EEPROMs (8 kiB 2864) that can then be moved to EPROM (8 kiB 2764) sockets.
@@ -157 +163 @@
   * Full operating mode [default=No for XT builds, not available for AT builds][[BR]]
   "Full operating mode" reserves a bit of Conventional memory for XTIDE Universal BIOS variables. Disabling this will reduce the maximum number of supported IDE controllers to 2 and place the variables in a memory area reserved for IBM ROM Basic (30:0h). You should always enable this option unless:[[BR]]
-     * You don't need to use IBM ROM Basic or any BIOS or software (e.g. Turbo BASIC) that requires that memory area.
+     * You don't need to use IBM ROM Basic or any BIOS or software (e.g. Turbo BASIC, BASICA) that requires that memory area.
      * You have a Tandy 1000 with 640k or less RAM (see "kiB to steal from RAM" for a way around this problem).
      * You really need the 1 kiB of Conventional memory that "Full operating mode" requires.
@@ -278 +284 @@
 = Boot Menu =
 
-Using the Boot Menu is optional and it is only included in the Large official builds. It does not offer any more functionality than Hotkeys except to display drive information. Drives can be selected with Up and Down arrows. Home, End, PgUp and PgDn keys can speed up selection if there are many drives in the menu. Press Enter to boot from selected drive. Note! Some people want the Boot Menu to be displayed automatically without pressing F2 - this is the way older versions of XTIDE Universal BIOS behaved. In such a scenario creating a custom build with MODULE_BOOT_MENU but without MODULE_HOTKEYS will have the desired effect of an always-on Boot Menu.
+Using the Boot Menu is optional and it is only included in the Large official builds. It does not offer any more functionality than Hotkeys except to display drive information. Drives can be selected with Up and Down arrows. Home, End, PgUp and PgDn keys can speed up selection if there are many drives in the menu. Press Enter to boot from selected drive.
+
+Note! Some people want the Boot Menu to be displayed automatically without pressing F2 - this is the way older versions of XTIDE Universal BIOS behaved. In such a scenario creating a custom build with MODULE_BOOT_MENU but without MODULE_HOTKEYS will have the desired effect of an always-on Boot Menu.
 
 == Boot menu drive information ==
@@ -353 +361 @@
 
 === Data corruption on the IBM PC/AT and IBM XT Model 286 machines ===
-Data corruption will occur on the harddrive(s) when using an XTIDE card (any revision) with XTIDE Universal BIOS in an IBM PC/AT (5170) or an IBM XT Model 286 (5162) with the IBM system BIOS. The reason for this incompatibility is currently unknown but there are two workarounds. Either use a regular 16-bit IDE controller instead with the XTIDE Universal BIOS (the recommended solution since using an 8-bit XTIDE card would be less than ideal from a performance standpoint) or install a non-IBM system BIOS in the machine. See more [http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/xtide/XT-IDE%20-%20Problems.htm here].
+Data corruption will occur on the harddrive(s) when using an XTIDE card (any revision) with XTIDE Universal BIOS in an IBM PC/AT (5170) or an IBM XT Model 286 (5162) with the IBM system BIOS. The reason for this incompatibility is currently unknown but there is a workaround; install a non-IBM system BIOS in the machine. See more [http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/xtide/XT-IDE%20-%20Problems.htm here].
 
 === Flashing sometimes fails on a Pentium system ===