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  3. Does anyone know how to talk to a memory stick?

Does anyone know how to talk to a memory stick?

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  • C Offline
    C Offline
    CodeWraith
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    I mean the low level protocol, not some framework, API or driver. In my ongoing quest to interface modern devices to very old 8 bit computers I have stumbled over this: DEBO USB TTL: Raspberry Pi -USB-TTL-Schnittstellenwandler, CH340G bei reichelt elektronik[^] Not really rocket science. With this I can send and receive bytes from a USB device with a simple UART. This would solve a few problems at once. A simple cheap memory stick would be all the hard disk' an 8 bit computer would ever need. Don't worry about speed. Mass storage is for many reasons a relatively slow affair on 8 bit computers, beginning with their low bandwith on the bus. Remember what Commodore did with the C64's floppy drives? I could also use a USB keyboard or a mouse. So, with that converter and a UART I can now talk to USB devices. Can I also hook up a USB hub to it and access several USB devices over the same UART? How do I select devices? How do I request or send bytes? Some kind of USB protocol with an embedded device specific protocol?

    I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

    G D R P R 16 Replies Last reply
    0
    • C CodeWraith

      I mean the low level protocol, not some framework, API or driver. In my ongoing quest to interface modern devices to very old 8 bit computers I have stumbled over this: DEBO USB TTL: Raspberry Pi -USB-TTL-Schnittstellenwandler, CH340G bei reichelt elektronik[^] Not really rocket science. With this I can send and receive bytes from a USB device with a simple UART. This would solve a few problems at once. A simple cheap memory stick would be all the hard disk' an 8 bit computer would ever need. Don't worry about speed. Mass storage is for many reasons a relatively slow affair on 8 bit computers, beginning with their low bandwith on the bus. Remember what Commodore did with the C64's floppy drives? I could also use a USB keyboard or a mouse. So, with that converter and a UART I can now talk to USB devices. Can I also hook up a USB hub to it and access several USB devices over the same UART? How do I select devices? How do I request or send bytes? Some kind of USB protocol with an embedded device specific protocol?

      I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

      G Offline
      G Offline
      glennPattonWork3
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      Looks neat, I just know PS2 ports are tough, never killed one, USB on the other hand I have blown up several occasions. I haven't tried low level reading with USB, I'm guessing it standard serial (bit in, shifted, byte full?) just a higher speeds... If memory serves Microchip did do a PDF on their web site that was quite helpful also Jan Axelsons USB complete is good, try looking at [Jan Axelson's Lakeview Research](http://janaxelson.com/) She is quite good with communications stuff...

      C 1 Reply Last reply
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      • C CodeWraith

        I mean the low level protocol, not some framework, API or driver. In my ongoing quest to interface modern devices to very old 8 bit computers I have stumbled over this: DEBO USB TTL: Raspberry Pi -USB-TTL-Schnittstellenwandler, CH340G bei reichelt elektronik[^] Not really rocket science. With this I can send and receive bytes from a USB device with a simple UART. This would solve a few problems at once. A simple cheap memory stick would be all the hard disk' an 8 bit computer would ever need. Don't worry about speed. Mass storage is for many reasons a relatively slow affair on 8 bit computers, beginning with their low bandwith on the bus. Remember what Commodore did with the C64's floppy drives? I could also use a USB keyboard or a mouse. So, with that converter and a UART I can now talk to USB devices. Can I also hook up a USB hub to it and access several USB devices over the same UART? How do I select devices? How do I request or send bytes? Some kind of USB protocol with an embedded device specific protocol?

        I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

        D Offline
        D Offline
        dan sh
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        I talk to it sometimes. Something along these lines: "Just get in to the slot you little..."

        "It is easy to decipher extraterrestrial signals after deciphering Javascript and VB6 themselves.", ISanti[^]

        L D 2 Replies Last reply
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        • C CodeWraith

          I mean the low level protocol, not some framework, API or driver. In my ongoing quest to interface modern devices to very old 8 bit computers I have stumbled over this: DEBO USB TTL: Raspberry Pi -USB-TTL-Schnittstellenwandler, CH340G bei reichelt elektronik[^] Not really rocket science. With this I can send and receive bytes from a USB device with a simple UART. This would solve a few problems at once. A simple cheap memory stick would be all the hard disk' an 8 bit computer would ever need. Don't worry about speed. Mass storage is for many reasons a relatively slow affair on 8 bit computers, beginning with their low bandwith on the bus. Remember what Commodore did with the C64's floppy drives? I could also use a USB keyboard or a mouse. So, with that converter and a UART I can now talk to USB devices. Can I also hook up a USB hub to it and access several USB devices over the same UART? How do I select devices? How do I request or send bytes? Some kind of USB protocol with an embedded device specific protocol?

          I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

          R Offline
          R Offline
          RJOberg
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Something along the lines of "We both know you've been in a lot of different slots over the years. It is a miracle you are still virus free."?

          C OriginalGriffO 2 Replies Last reply
          0
          • D dan sh

            I talk to it sometimes. Something along these lines: "Just get in to the slot you little..."

            "It is easy to decipher extraterrestrial signals after deciphering Javascript and VB6 themselves.", ISanti[^]

            L Offline
            L Offline
            Lost User
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            you realize they're all made overseas, they're pretty simple ... they don't understand English.

            this internet has become nothing but fake news. ... time to fix it, time to get back to the fax!

            1 Reply Last reply
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            • R RJOberg

              Something along the lines of "We both know you've been in a lot of different slots over the years. It is a miracle you are still virus free."?

              C Offline
              C Offline
              CodeWraith
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              How dare you! That old computer has lived in perfect celibacy over the last 41 years! In Rome they already have it on their list for sainthood, but it's not dead yet and maybe we also need to perform one more miracle. :-)

              I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

              1 Reply Last reply
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              • R RJOberg

                Something along the lines of "We both know you've been in a lot of different slots over the years. It is a miracle you are still virus free."?

                OriginalGriffO Offline
                OriginalGriffO Offline
                OriginalGriff
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                That's why I insist my USB sticks always wear a condom.

                "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

                "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
                "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt

                1 Reply Last reply
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                • C CodeWraith

                  I mean the low level protocol, not some framework, API or driver. In my ongoing quest to interface modern devices to very old 8 bit computers I have stumbled over this: DEBO USB TTL: Raspberry Pi -USB-TTL-Schnittstellenwandler, CH340G bei reichelt elektronik[^] Not really rocket science. With this I can send and receive bytes from a USB device with a simple UART. This would solve a few problems at once. A simple cheap memory stick would be all the hard disk' an 8 bit computer would ever need. Don't worry about speed. Mass storage is for many reasons a relatively slow affair on 8 bit computers, beginning with their low bandwith on the bus. Remember what Commodore did with the C64's floppy drives? I could also use a USB keyboard or a mouse. So, with that converter and a UART I can now talk to USB devices. Can I also hook up a USB hub to it and access several USB devices over the same UART? How do I select devices? How do I request or send bytes? Some kind of USB protocol with an embedded device specific protocol?

                  I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

                  P Offline
                  P Offline
                  phil o
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  Very gently.

                  "Five fruits and vegetables a day? What a joke! Personally, after the third watermelon, I'm full."

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • C CodeWraith

                    I mean the low level protocol, not some framework, API or driver. In my ongoing quest to interface modern devices to very old 8 bit computers I have stumbled over this: DEBO USB TTL: Raspberry Pi -USB-TTL-Schnittstellenwandler, CH340G bei reichelt elektronik[^] Not really rocket science. With this I can send and receive bytes from a USB device with a simple UART. This would solve a few problems at once. A simple cheap memory stick would be all the hard disk' an 8 bit computer would ever need. Don't worry about speed. Mass storage is for many reasons a relatively slow affair on 8 bit computers, beginning with their low bandwith on the bus. Remember what Commodore did with the C64's floppy drives? I could also use a USB keyboard or a mouse. So, with that converter and a UART I can now talk to USB devices. Can I also hook up a USB hub to it and access several USB devices over the same UART? How do I select devices? How do I request or send bytes? Some kind of USB protocol with an embedded device specific protocol?

                    I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

                    R Offline
                    R Offline
                    RickZeeland
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    Quote:

                    Stick 'm up punk!

                    :-\

                    C 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • G glennPattonWork3

                      Looks neat, I just know PS2 ports are tough, never killed one, USB on the other hand I have blown up several occasions. I haven't tried low level reading with USB, I'm guessing it standard serial (bit in, shifted, byte full?) just a higher speeds... If memory serves Microchip did do a PDF on their web site that was quite helpful also Jan Axelsons USB complete is good, try looking at [Jan Axelson's Lakeview Research](http://janaxelson.com/) She is quite good with communications stuff...

                      C Offline
                      C Offline
                      CodeWraith
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      PS/2 would be the other option for keyboard and mouse. It also uses a serial protocol, but in the lower kHz frequencies. I could probably program a PIC16FXXX to do that, but hooking up a PIC to an 8 bit bus is awkward. With 20 MHz the PIC is to slow to respond to signals on the bus in time. Still, I would try this if everything else fails. In the old days memories were to slow and had to delay the processor. Now it's slowpoky microcontrollers who need the same treatment. Nothing ever changes. As for the mass storage: Serial ATA is a good candidate here. It's very much a direct read or write access from a 16 bit(!) bus to the drive's controller. With only an 8 bit bus things get slightly more complicated. Not that I want to dig out old obsolete hard disks. Compact flash memory cards use the serial ATA interface as well. One way or the other, I want a SSD for my old computer. :-) Edit: Look at this datasheet! A simple 8 bit parallel interface one one side and USB sticks or SD cards on the other. The commands to access the stick are also documented.

                      I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • R RickZeeland

                        Quote:

                        Stick 'm up punk!

                        :-\

                        C Offline
                        C Offline
                        CodeWraith
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        Put away Dirty Harry's .44 something! We are not in Texas here!

                        I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

                        R 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • C CodeWraith

                          I mean the low level protocol, not some framework, API or driver. In my ongoing quest to interface modern devices to very old 8 bit computers I have stumbled over this: DEBO USB TTL: Raspberry Pi -USB-TTL-Schnittstellenwandler, CH340G bei reichelt elektronik[^] Not really rocket science. With this I can send and receive bytes from a USB device with a simple UART. This would solve a few problems at once. A simple cheap memory stick would be all the hard disk' an 8 bit computer would ever need. Don't worry about speed. Mass storage is for many reasons a relatively slow affair on 8 bit computers, beginning with their low bandwith on the bus. Remember what Commodore did with the C64's floppy drives? I could also use a USB keyboard or a mouse. So, with that converter and a UART I can now talk to USB devices. Can I also hook up a USB hub to it and access several USB devices over the same UART? How do I select devices? How do I request or send bytes? Some kind of USB protocol with an embedded device specific protocol?

                          I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

                          H Offline
                          H Offline
                          honey the codewitch
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          I don't know that a UART interface (RS232 or a variant?) would be fast enough to handle multiple sticks so that might be that your hardware adapter doesn't support device enumeration and always selects device 0. Not that an 8 bit device can keep up at the full rate anyway, but i'm more thinking from the manufacturer's standpoint here, not how you're using it particular. All speculative, but it's something to stick a mental pin in maybe. I don't remember how to select devices with the USB protocol although i know the specs are available online (i've perused them before), much less over your adapter. Sorry. I just thought i'd add the caveat above that it might not be possible with your interface, as i would hate to see you wind up on a wild goose chase.

                          When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

                          C 1 Reply Last reply
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                          • H honey the codewitch

                            I don't know that a UART interface (RS232 or a variant?) would be fast enough to handle multiple sticks so that might be that your hardware adapter doesn't support device enumeration and always selects device 0. Not that an 8 bit device can keep up at the full rate anyway, but i'm more thinking from the manufacturer's standpoint here, not how you're using it particular. All speculative, but it's something to stick a mental pin in maybe. I don't remember how to select devices with the USB protocol although i know the specs are available online (i've perused them before), much less over your adapter. Sorry. I just thought i'd add the caveat above that it might not be possible with your interface, as i would hate to see you wind up on a wild goose chase.

                            When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

                            C Offline
                            C Offline
                            CodeWraith
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            It's a standard UART, as you would use for RS232, but without +/- 15V level shifting. This USB converter takes the TTL/CMOS level signals of the UART directly. Speed surprisingly is not much of a problem. This particular UART, a CDP1854, is specified to allow a whopping 200 kbit/sec as max. bitrate. Double that when you raise its second supply voltage to 10V. Not bad for a device from 1976. Back then they actually thought that CMOS was slow.

                            I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

                            H 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • C CodeWraith

                              It's a standard UART, as you would use for RS232, but without +/- 15V level shifting. This USB converter takes the TTL/CMOS level signals of the UART directly. Speed surprisingly is not much of a problem. This particular UART, a CDP1854, is specified to allow a whopping 200 kbit/sec as max. bitrate. Double that when you raise its second supply voltage to 10V. Not bad for a device from 1976. Back then they actually thought that CMOS was slow.

                              I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

                              H Offline
                              H Offline
                              honey the codewitch
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              Wow, that's better than I expected. But your little 8bit monster can't keep up with that unless your clocking is insane haha. I ran a 56k baud modem in an old XT once just for grins (one of the rare ones that was small ISA) and the poor thing couldn't even operate at 33.6 :laugh:

                              When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

                              C 1 Reply Last reply
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                              • D dan sh

                                I talk to it sometimes. Something along these lines: "Just get in to the slot you little..."

                                "It is easy to decipher extraterrestrial signals after deciphering Javascript and VB6 themselves.", ISanti[^]

                                D Offline
                                D Offline
                                dandy72
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                lw@zi wrote:

                                I talk to it sometimes. Something along these lines: "Just get in to the slot you little..."

                                Has it ever responded with, "wrong way - flip me over"?

                                D F M O 4 Replies Last reply
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                                • D dandy72

                                  lw@zi wrote:

                                  I talk to it sometimes. Something along these lines: "Just get in to the slot you little..."

                                  Has it ever responded with, "wrong way - flip me over"?

                                  D Offline
                                  D Offline
                                  dan sh
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  That would be scary at first and then helpful. I can almost see another useless IoT device in the making.

                                  "It is easy to decipher extraterrestrial signals after deciphering Javascript and VB6 themselves.", ISanti[^]

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • C CodeWraith

                                    I mean the low level protocol, not some framework, API or driver. In my ongoing quest to interface modern devices to very old 8 bit computers I have stumbled over this: DEBO USB TTL: Raspberry Pi -USB-TTL-Schnittstellenwandler, CH340G bei reichelt elektronik[^] Not really rocket science. With this I can send and receive bytes from a USB device with a simple UART. This would solve a few problems at once. A simple cheap memory stick would be all the hard disk' an 8 bit computer would ever need. Don't worry about speed. Mass storage is for many reasons a relatively slow affair on 8 bit computers, beginning with their low bandwith on the bus. Remember what Commodore did with the C64's floppy drives? I could also use a USB keyboard or a mouse. So, with that converter and a UART I can now talk to USB devices. Can I also hook up a USB hub to it and access several USB devices over the same UART? How do I select devices? How do I request or send bytes? Some kind of USB protocol with an embedded device specific protocol?

                                    I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

                                    D Offline
                                    D Offline
                                    Daniel Pfeffer
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    Memory sticks use the USB protocol, which is available at [www.usb.org](http://www.usb.org). The higher-level software protocol is typically USB attached SCSI (UAS), available from the same place. I don't know what protocol is used for mice, keyboards, or hubs, but I'm sure that you can find it on the site as well.

                                    Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows. -- 6079 Smith W.

                                    D 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • C CodeWraith

                                      Put away Dirty Harry's .44 something! We are not in Texas here!

                                      I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

                                      R Offline
                                      R Offline
                                      RickZeeland
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      Sorry, was in a bad mood because so called "bugs" were reported that turned out to be part of the functionality, well they know how to keep me busy. Good that I did not have a .44 at hand :-\

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • C CodeWraith

                                        I mean the low level protocol, not some framework, API or driver. In my ongoing quest to interface modern devices to very old 8 bit computers I have stumbled over this: DEBO USB TTL: Raspberry Pi -USB-TTL-Schnittstellenwandler, CH340G bei reichelt elektronik[^] Not really rocket science. With this I can send and receive bytes from a USB device with a simple UART. This would solve a few problems at once. A simple cheap memory stick would be all the hard disk' an 8 bit computer would ever need. Don't worry about speed. Mass storage is for many reasons a relatively slow affair on 8 bit computers, beginning with their low bandwith on the bus. Remember what Commodore did with the C64's floppy drives? I could also use a USB keyboard or a mouse. So, with that converter and a UART I can now talk to USB devices. Can I also hook up a USB hub to it and access several USB devices over the same UART? How do I select devices? How do I request or send bytes? Some kind of USB protocol with an embedded device specific protocol?

                                        I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats. His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.

                                        R Offline
                                        R Offline
                                        realJSOP
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        Whatever you do, during the conversation, don't mention it's size. Memory sticks hate that. Also, avoid the question "Does my capacity look big in this USB port?" It's a trick question that can never be answered to the memory stick's satisfaction.

                                        ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                                        -----
                                        You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                                        -----
                                        When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013

                                        C 1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • D dandy72

                                          lw@zi wrote:

                                          I talk to it sometimes. Something along these lines: "Just get in to the slot you little..."

                                          Has it ever responded with, "wrong way - flip me over"?

                                          F Offline
                                          F Offline
                                          Forogar
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          Quote:

                                          "wrong way - flip me over"?

                                          I had a girlfriend say that to me once, long, long ago.

                                          - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

                                          C D 2 Replies Last reply
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