Last Updated: Wednesday, April 7, 1999 by West Bay Web
This is a description of the MicroDrive/Turbo Card, including ordering information.

Copyright © ///SHH Systeme, Joachim Lange.

You may distribute this document freely as long as it remains unchanged (spelling corrections welcome)


///SHH Systeme

Dipl. Ing. Joachim Lange
Bergstrasse 95
82131 Stockdorf
Germany

phone & fax Germany - 89 - 8577040
(fax 19.00 to 23.00 CET only)
Internet: jlange@tasha.muc.de  (Preferred)
CompuServe: 73370,3106

"We make IDE Hard Drives RAMFast !!"
"We make Vulcan Hard Drives RAMFast !!"

Original Release Date: Version 1.0 / January 1997

MicroDrive/Turbo Card Gif image of the MicroDrive/Turbo Card

Top-featured IDE DMA hard disk controller for the Apple II

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The MicroDrive/Turbo Card is a highly sophisticated IDE hard
disk controller for the Apple IIGS and Apple IIe. It allows the
use of _all_ kinds of IDE hard drives with Apple II computers.
 
 
The MicroDrive/Turbo Card is intended to be used either
 
 
1)  As a controller to connect one or two _external_ IDE
    hard disks to the Apple.
 
    --  or  --
 
2)  As a "hard-disk-in-a-slot" solution:
 
   A filecard to carry a single 2.5 inch ("notebook style")
   IDE hard disk. This configuration allows you to keep up to
   2 (two) Gigabytes of hard disk storage inside your Apple,
   in a single slot, without the need for an external hard
   disk case and power supply.
 
 
New features not available with any earlier IDE card: 
-------------------------------------------------------
 
-  2 GBytes addressable hard disk space for each drive.
 
-  Freely and virtually unlimited (!) adjustable partition
   sizes, up to 2 GBytes (= maximum size of hard disk).
   Fulfills the demands for the HFS file system.
 
-  Up to 16 partitions available on a single hard drive.
 
-  Any of the 16 partitions can be booted (by default
   adjustment or by choice directly at boot time)
 
-  Universal and comfortable installer (ProDOS 8 SYSTEM file)
   supports the Turbo IDE Card, MicroDrive Card and the
   MicroDrive/Turbo Card in a single program.
 
-  Extremely small design, the smallest DMA hard disk
   controller ever built for the Apple II family.
 
-  Extremely low-power design: all C-MOS circuitry gives
   you the lowest power consumption currently available:
   Only 120 milliamperes during full DMA R/W operation.
 
-  In work: New GS/OS driver for the new standard in diskette
   storage - the upcoming 120 MB disk drives (LS-120 ATAPI drives).
   Using these new drives, you can read/write 120 MB diskettes
   and read the well known 1.44 MBytes standard MS-DOS disks.
 

Main Features
--------------
 
- This is the fastest hard disk controller ever built for
  the Apple II. (see data transfer rate)
 
- The only IDE hard disk controller (except its predecessor
  Turbo IDE Card) for the Apple II that supports DMA (Direct
  Memory Access) for fastest disk access.
 
- Fully PRODOS and GS/OS compatible.
 
- Works in any slot except slot 3.
 
- Compatible with Apple IIGS and Apple IIe enhanced.
 
- Supports two hard drives up to 2 (two) GBytes capacity each.
 
- Very high data transfer rate: 0.65 msec/block for linear reads
  (using ProSel-16, Statistics on Disc Access). This is 1.5 times
  faster than the fastest DMA SCSI hard disk controller!
 
- Fast startup: boots a minimum GS/OS System 6 in ten seconds, with
  accelerator in eight seconds (boot message to Finder Desktop).
 
- Boots PRODOS 8 in less than one second.
 
- Wastes no time for self-initialitation compared to SCSI interfaces!
  Gives a very short warm-up time. You are up and running as soon as
  the hard disk is ready.
 
- High-speed GS/OS driver with GS/OS caching support included.
 
- Fully compatible with any existing hardware such as: ZIP GS,
  Transwarp GS, PC Transporter, RAM Cards from Apple, Applied
  Engineering, CV-Tech, Harris, Sequential Systems, Q-Labs etc.
 
- The MicroDrive/Turbo Card supports up to 8 (eight) MBytes of
  expansion RAM on the IIGS.
 
- Up to 16 partitions on one drive, or 8 partitions on each drive
  in a master/slave (2 drives) configuration, no size limit on
  any partition.
 
- You can boot from _any_ partition which carries a valid operating
  system (hold down an Apple Key and press 1 through 9, A through G
  or set up a default boot volume with the configuration program).
 
- Support for the PRODOS 8 and the SmartPort protocol (standard &
  extended calls). Under ProDOS 8, the SmartPort protocol enables
  mapping of any possible number of partitions (volumes) into all
  slots available.
 
- The DMA feature can be disabled by software to be compatible
  with non-DMA-capable hardware as the ZIP Chip, the Original
  Transwarp and some IIGS memory expansion cards.
 

Easy Installation:
-------------------
 
- Automatic installation procedure with auto-recognition of the
  hard drive's geometry. Fast and easy partitioning provided by a
  comfortable partition editor.
 
- All types of IDE hard disk drives can be used. There are no
  restrictions in the number of sectors per track, number of
  heads or number of cylinders. The MicroDrive/Turbo Card
  software supports any combination of numbers that an IDE hard
  disk can represent.
 
 Firmware options for your specific needs 
------------------------------------------
 
Specific ROM code for Apple IIe and Apple IIGS available (same 
hardware for both machines):
 
-  Apple IIe firmware: 65C02 code only, also works on any Apple IIGS.
 
-  Apple IIGS firmware: 65C816 code, fully speed optimized for this
   machine. Speed advantages (compared to Apple IIe firmware) when
   using ProDOS 8 applications, when booting into GS/OS, and when
   using no GS/OS driver. Due to 65C816 coding, the Apple IIGS
   firmware cannot be used on Apple IIe machines.
 

Additional FileCard Features
-----------------------------

- Plug-and-play solution. Find a free slot and install your files.
 
- Complete hard disk solution occupies only one slot! Any other
  slot is available for your needs.
 
- Uses existing internal power supply of an Apple IIe or Apple IIGS.
  Power to the hard disk is provided via the controller card.
 
- No additional cables required, simply plug and play.
 
- Very quiet hard drive operation.
 
- Big and hassle-free storage _inside_ your Apple computer.
 
 
Other Features
---------------
 
- The MicroDrive/Turbo Card was developed according to
  Apple's Interface Card Design Guidelines.
 
- Developed, tested and made in Germany.
 
- High quality industry standard board with gold edge
  connector and high quality solder resist.
 
- Standard MS-DOS-type 40-pin IDE connector allows the use
  of inexpensive standard IDE flat ribbon cables.
 
- Additional 2-pin standard connector for hard disk power supply.
 
- One year limited warranty on materials and workmanship.
 
- Thirty day money back guarantee on the card's value.
 
- Free support for all products from ///SHH Systeme via internet
  e-mail or in the Compuserve Apple II Users forum.
 
 

================================================
  Vulcan & Vulcan Gold Controller Replacement:
================================================

 If you have an Applied Engineering Vulcan internal hard drive
system, and you want to upgrade your system with a bigger hard disk,
your Vulcan controller most likely won't allow to install a new one
because your new hard disk most likely won't exist in the Vulcan's
internal drive table.
 
 The MicroDrive/Turbo Card can replace your Vulcan controller card
and allows you to install _any_ IDE drive in your Vulcan case. The
MicroDrive/Turbo Card is fully pin-compatible with Vulcan hard disk
controllers (-- in addition, it supports even those IDE bus signals a
Vulcan controller erroneously didn't support).

Compatibility
--------------
 
We have tested the MicroDrive/Turbo Card successfully and haven't 
found any problems when using hard drives of the following 
manufacturers:
 
Conner:           CP20xxx series, CP30xxx series,
                  CFNxxx series, CFSxxx series, CFAxxx series 
Hitachi:          all kinds
Maxtor:           all kinds
Quantum:          GoDrive Series
Seagate:          ST3xxxx series, ST9xxx series
Toshiba:          all kinds
Western Digital:  All drives manufactured in 1993 or later,
                  especially all drives from the Caviar series
 

Hard Disk Speed - The Facts
Why is the MicroDrive/Turbo Card faster than any SCSI card? 
------------------------------------------------------------
 
Basically there are two kinds of SCSI cards for the Apple II: caching
cards and non-caching cards.
 
  The caching cards do have an extra processor which requires to
transfer data twice: one time from the hard disk to the card's
processor cache memory, another time from the processor to the Apple
II memory. This means considerable overhead and requires too much
time for the hardware to be equal or faster in speed than our IDE
card.
 
  The non-caching cards do not have an extra processor, so data can
be transferred directly from the hard disk to the Apple memory. This
is considerably faster, however these cards are suffering from the
big overhead of SCSI command transfer and SCSI bus arbitration.
Everything needs to be done by the Apple processor, which slows down
overall data transfer speed.
 
  By contrast, the MicroDrive/Turbo Card combines all speed
advantages from the above: direct data transfer via DMA (without an
extra processor) from the hard disk to Apple memory. There is _very_
low overhead for IDE command processing and there is no bus
arbitration required. Due to the fact that today's hard drives do
have their own and highly optimized caching algorithm, there is no
need for a cache implementation on the hard disk controller side.
 
 
 
Ordering Information
---------------------
 
  This document is _not_ a pre-announcement. The MicroDrive/Turbo
Card is available _now_. Thus, you can get a card or a plug-and-play
hard drive system immediately.
 
  The MicroDrive/Turbo Card carries a one year limited warranty
against defects in materials and workmanship. Software and ROM
updates (if needed) will be available via internet e-mail.
 
 
The MicroDrive/Turbo Card basic package consists of
 
   - the controller card
   - the installation disk with Universal Installer,
     GS/OS caching driver, installer script, icons and
     additional test programs
   - the user's manual (English language)
 
 
Accessories available:
 
   - IDE 40-pin flat ribbon cable, 3 ft. long,
     with two 0.1 inch plugs for standard IDE connectors.
 
   - 2.5 inch mounting kit with power supply cabling,
     i.e. a complete set for mounting your 2.5" drive
     on a MicroDrive/Turbo card.
     (short IDE flat ribbon cable with special
     2mm plug for 2.5 inch drives and standard
     0.1 inch plug for MicroDrive/Turbo IDE connector,
     metallic mounting strips and M3 metric screws)
 
 
 
MicroDrive/Turbo Card Pricing
------------------------------
 
MicroDrive/Turbo Card basic package     US $129      DM 209.00
2.5 inch mounting Kit                   US $27       DM  38.00
IDE 40-pin flat ribbon cable 3 ft.      US $10       DM  15.00
 
 
Shipping and handling for basic package
(with or without Mounting Kit):
                                     Additional s/h fee
                                     for 3 ft. cable
Europe                DM 18                 --         (surface mail) 
USA                   US $14                $5         (air mail)
all other countries   US $14                $5         (air mail)
 
 
 
MicroDrive/Turbo Filecard Pricing
-----------------------------------
 
Complete INTERNAL hard drive systems, ready for use, "plug and play".
 
                              Europe           USA & others
                            ----------       ----------------
 
MicroDrive/Turbo  256 MB
MicroDrive/Turbo  512 MB    (please ask for current pricing) 
MicroDrive/Turbo 1040 MB
 
 
Shipping and handling for the MicroDrive/Turbo FileCard:
 
Europe                 DM 18    (surface mail)
USA                    US $19   (air mail)
all other countries    US $19   (air mail)
 
The MicroDrive/Turbo Filecard carries a one year limited warranty
against defects in materials and workmanship. The thirty day money
back guarantee on the card's value is not applicable on complete hard
drive systems (i.e. filecards).
 
 
 
Warranty
---------
 
A one year limited warranty on materials and workmanship applies to
all products from ///SHH Systeme.
 
 
 
Payment
--------
 
  Payment must accompany your order. All overseas orders must be
prepaid in US currency or Deutsche Mark. All orders from Europe must
be prepaid in Deutsche Mark. Cash (bills), certified checks (accepted
by a German bank), money orders, travellers check and international
money transfer via post office accepted. Sorry, no credit cards
accepted.
 
IMPORTANT: If payment is by check or money order, an additional fee
of US $3 or 4.50 Deutsche Mark (formerly US$12/DM 20) is required for
each order. We have to pay this amount to get cash for the check. For
European orders we recommend paying by EuroCheck because _no_
additional fee is required for EuroChecks.
 
  If you want to send cash, just be sure to send it via _registered_
mail. This is a very safe way and probably the cheapest solution for
overseas payment. Remember, when ordering more than one card (even
mixed orders, BlueDisk/ MicroDrive), you can get a discount and the
shipping charges are lower for each card if shipped together.
 
  Since the Dollar exchange rates are changing from day to day, the
pricing may not be stable for a long time. Please try to get latest
US$ pricing for the MicroDrive/Turbo Card on GEnie or via Internet
e-mail. Also, if you want to order more than one item, please send
your inquiry via e-mail and ask for a combo offer with appropriate
shipping charges. If you have received this document by e-mail
_directly_ from ///SHH Systeme, you can assume valid pricing.
 
 
In your order please specify for your computer:
 
       - Universal Firmware for Apple IIe and Apple IIGS
   or  - Special Firmware for Apple IIGS only
 
       - Utilities disk size  5.25"  (Disk5.25 format)
   or  - Utilities disk size:  3.5"  (Disk3.5 format)
 
 
///SHH Systeme
Joachim Lange

=====================================================================

Other products available from ///SHH Systeme
for the Apple IIe and Apple IIGS:
 
 
*  MicroDrive Card
 
Fast, small and highly inexpensive hard disk controller for all kinds
of IDE drives and especially for notebook style hard drives. Allows to
build a slot-based internal hard disk (hard card in a slot). Bare card
and complete plug-and-play drives available. Same size as the
MicroDrive/Turbo Card, but cheaper due to non-DMA design.
 
 
*  BlueDisk Card
 
Floppy disk controller for using inexpensive MS-DOS-type floppy disk
drives with your Apple under ProDOS & GS/OS (including Mac HFS &
MS-DOS FST). You can use all your Apple data and applications with
BlueDisk as if it were an original Apple drive. Up to 1.72 MBytes
capacity on regular High Density disks, up to 2.88MB capacity on
Extra Density disks. Includes MS-DOS-transfer and maintenance
utilities, allows _writing_ to MS-DOS volumes from the Apple side.
 
 
*  TransWarp GS 32K cache
 
If you still have the 8K cache on your TransWarp GS, you will need
this. Since the original manufacturer has gone out of business, we
are the source for the 32K cache. Same high quality and much cheaper
than the original version.
 
 
*  Applied Engineering Double Density Drive Upgrades to High Density
operation (fully compatible to Apple Superdrives, works with Apple
IIGS and Macintosh).
 
 
Send your inquiry by e-mail if you are interested in one of these
products.
 
More products for the Apple II family to come.

=====================================================================
-- End of MicroDrive/Turbo description --

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