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NOTE:

This web site is not some kind of 'official' documentation hub for the XT-IDE card. It is simply the result of someone who decided to add to the documentation that exists elsewhere.

VCF XT-IDE  -  Basics


Scope

The scope of this web page is the XT-IDE series of cards produced by the Vintage Computer Federation Forums (VCF)
To date, there have been four releases: revision 1 (rev 1), revision 2 (rev 2), revision 3 (rev 3), and revision 4 (rev 4).


Purpose / Description

It was recognised long ago that the MFM type hard drives associated (period correct) with the IBM XT (and clones), were becoming scarcer due to failure, and that replacement hard drive functionality was needed.

Although 8-bit IDE drives (and matching IDE cards) for the XT can still be sometimes found (on eBay, etc.), the quantity is very very low.

About 2009, members of the VCF decided to take advantage of the large numbers of 16-bit IDE drives (AT type of IDE) that exist (including CF cards and DOMs).  They designed a card, named the XT-IDE, which interfaces 16-bit IDE drives to the 8-bit expansion bus of the IBM XT.  Click here to see a diagram.   (Similar cards had already existed years earlier, an example being JDR's MCT-IDE-8.)

Like other XT-class hard disk controllers, the XT-IDE has what is known as a 'BIOS expansion ROM' (also known as a 'BIOS ROM' or 'boot ROM').  That ROM contains software, the 'XTIDE Universal BIOS', software that was developed for the XT-IDE card.  Rather than using a ROM of type EPROM, the XT-IDE designers chose instead to wire the card for an EEPROM.  That enables the contents to be updated/changed via a DOS program.

If a CF-to-IDE adapter is used, a CF card can be attached instead of a hard drive.


Copies and Derivations

Over the years, some companies and individuals have designed products containing similar/copied functionality.

Some do not have a 34-pin IDE interface, but a socket for a (compatible) CF card instead.  Those are typically referred to as XT-CF rather than XT-IDE.

Some of the information on this web page may not apply to these non-VCF produced products.

Examples are shown at here.


Hardware

The card consists of two distinct hardware functionalities:
1.  EEPROM and its support circuitry - the BIOS ROM  ('BIOS expansion ROM')  ('boot ROM')  (which hosts the XTIDE Universal BIOS software)
2.  IDE interface

From a hardware perspective, for versions 1 and 2 of the VCF XT-IDE, the two hardware functionalities are completely separate; two circuits put onto one card.  Versions 3 and 4 of the VCF XT-IDE are slightly different in that resistor pack 2 (RP2) is shared between the two hardware functionalities.  Click here to see a diagram.

If desired, you could build a VCF XT-IDE card omitting the EEPROM and its supporting circuitry.  You would then put XTIDE Universal BIOS code (that you have configured) into a ROM, then placing that ROM into either:
 • a BIOS expansion ROM socket of a different card; or
 • a motherboard ROM socket that supports BIOS expansion ROM's.

Revision 2 of the VCF XT-IDE card is unique in that it has a third functionality (which is optional), a custom serial port ('UART'), so that if desired, a remotely hosted serial drive can be booted from.


Software

1.	XTIDE Universal BIOS.  Also known as XUB.  As stated before, the XTIDE Universal BIOS resides in the XT-IDE card's EEPROM.
2.	A DOS based configuration program, named XTIDECFG.COM (IDECFG.COM in early XUB versions), is supplied to:     • Configure the XTIDE Universal BIOS     • Make an adjustment to create the required 8-bit checksum     • Write the configured XTIDE Universal BIOS into the EEPROM on the XT-IDE card Use the configuration program supplied with the particular XUB version that you are using (it is tailored for that version of XUB).

16-bit computers

The XT-IDE card will work in some 16-bit computers, but note that the primary target of the XT-IDE is 8-bit PC-class and XT-class computers.

Per here, in some cases, to get an XT-IDE card to work in an IBM 5170 (IBM AT), the motherboard's IBM BIOS may need to be upgraded, or swapped for something else.

In a 16-bit computer, the norm is to use a 16-bit hard disk controller, for performance reasons (complete data path is 16-bit).  See bottom row of here.


I/O port range used by the IDE interface

The default base (starting) I/O port is 300 hex.  If you decide to change it, it is critical to know that it needs to be changed in two locations:
  • XT-IDE card jumpers/switches
  • Configuration of XTIDE Universal BIOS (XUB), so that the XUB knows which I/O ports to use.

Be sure not to use I/O ports that will conflict with I/O ports used elsewhere in your computer (either I/O ports on the motherboard, or I/O ports on other expansion cards).

>>> RECONFIGURATION OF XUB VERSIONS 1.x.x

For 1.x.x versions of the XTIDE Universal BIOS (XUB), you use IDECFG.COM to reconfigure the XUB (read existing configuration, make change, write new configuration).
For example, the base I/O address area of IDECFG.COM for version 1.1.5 of the XTIDE Universal BIOS is shown at here.
The IDECFG.COM program is not generic - to play safe, use the IDECFG.COM that is supplied with the particular XUB version that you are using (it is tailored for that version of XUB).

>>> RECONFIGURATION OF XUB VERSIONS 2.x.x AND Rxxx

For 2.x.x/Rxxx versions of the XTIDE Universal BIOS (XUB), you use XTIDECFG.COM to reconfigure the XUB (read existing configuration, make change, write new configuration).
For example, the base I/O address area of XTIDECFG.COM for version '2.0.0 Beta 3+ R622' of the XTIDE Universal BIOS is shown at here.
The XTIDECFG.COM program is not generic - to play safe, use the XTIDECFG.COM that is supplied with the particular XUB version that you are using (it is tailored for that version of XUB).


Address range used by the BIOS ROM (boot ROM)

Can be changed via jumpers/switches.  The default base (starting) address of the ROM is D0000 hex.

Be sure not to use addresses that will conflict with addresses used elsewhere in your computer.
For example, C8000 is known to conflict with:
• Some VGA cards - see here;  and
• Most XT-class hard disk drive controllers.


CF cards

Using a CF-to-IDE adapter, a CF card can be used in place of a 16-bit rotating-media IDE drive.  An example adapter is pictured at here.  Another is pictured at here.

Such adapters require power, so ensure that they get power.

Do not expect all CF cards to work.  There are reports of incompatibilities.  For example, I have two 32 MB cards (same make-model) that misbehave attached to an XT-CF-Lite V4.1 but work 100% attached to an XT-IDE Rev 4.

There are also reports of reliability problems in some CF-to-IDE adapters made in China (probably all made there these days).  Some do not even work from day one.  Therefore, it is prudent to purchase a few units in case one (or more) does not work properly.

A common problem with some newly purchased CF cards is that they contain non-standard boot code in their MBR (master boot record), causing a boot problem.  Discussed at here.


Disk-On-Module (DOM)

A flash based device.  A suitable DOM can be used in place of a 16-bit rotating-media IDE drive.

Required is the PATA/IDE type of DOM, with 40 pins.   (Do not mistake the 44-pin variety for 40-pin.)

DOMs require power, so ensure that they get power.

Do not expect all DOMs to work.  There are reports of incompatibilities.


Coexistence with an MFM hard drive controller card

This is possible.  See here.


Incompatibilities/Problems

Some incompatibilities exist, mainly due to the fact that XT clones are never 100% copies.

Some known problems/issues are shown at here.