Help with MK Public Domain SCSI interface

Champion (260)

23-04-2015, 15:23

I have the MK SCSI interface and a SCSI harddisk lying around.
Problem is that I don't have a manual for the MK SCSI interface so I don't know how to use it.
Is there someone who has the same interface and could help me out.

When the SCSI interface is inserted and connected to the harddisk, I get:

"SCSI 1.1 (1990) WAIT...."

and than the computer jumps to basic.
I don't know if the harddisk is still okay cause I don't have a scsi on my PC so I can't check it.
Any help would be much appreciated.

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Par mtn

Champion (269)

24-04-2015, 00:16

did you check Hans Ottens page?

http://msx.hansotten.com/index.php?page=msxscsi

Par Gregory

Champion (260)

24-04-2015, 08:20

Hi,

yes I had a look at that page and the one I have isn't listed there.
I think the BERT is the follow up of the one I have but the links at the bottom of the page about the BERT interface don't seem to work.

Par Gregory

Champion (260)

24-04-2015, 08:24

But it says that all harddrives require MSX DOS 2 in a cartridge, so I think I need to get that first.

Par raymond

Hero (643)

24-04-2015, 09:38

Yes, you will need to insert MSX-DOS 2 in a lower slot for the SCSI-interface to work. The older SCSI-interfaces didn't have MSX-DOS 2 build in.

Par Jipe

Paragon (1614)

24-04-2015, 19:57

find on THE ULTIMATE MSX FAQ

MK SCSI interface (by MK (Martin Kruit) Public Domain and Digital KC (Kees Folst), 1992?)

original design, by Bert Hoogenboom and Digital KC
based on the Zilog Z5380 SCSI controller, which is more flexible and caused less problems with running on different clock speeds as the WD controller
latest ROM version is 2.36
to prevent copying of the ROM, some data- and address lines of the EPROM were swapped
later continued as BERT, see below
built in Microtechnology or Philips cartridge (which is big)

[MK SCSI]
MK SCSI interface.
B.E.R.T. (by Hardware Partners Nederland (Hans Oranje), the Netherlands, 1993)

design is from MK SCSI interface, but now in `Konami sized' cartridge and made with SMD components, modifications done by Hans Oranje and Richard Uittenbogaard)
improved in 1995: smaller layout and better fitting in the cartridge
the first 100 pieces were made by Kees Folst, the others by Hans Oranje
not the fastest interface (35 kB/s (@3.58 MHz) or 70 kB/s (@7.16 Mhz), for ROM version 2.7), but very versatile
very reliable (stable at many clock speeds, e.g.)
fdisk program written by Maarten Verheijdt (version 3.0)
no driver to handle CD ROM
built in MSX DOS 2
ROM versions 2.6, 2.7 or 3.0 beta.
supports LUN targets and can handle RAID
supports SCSI expander (for 49 units) on target 0 (which means a total of 49× 606 partitions of 32MB = 950208 MB on your MSX!)
supports networking on the SCSI bus with a rights system
it is still being sold. Check out the HPN web site also for the circuit diagram.
You can read the BERT User Guide
You can download the BERT Utilities

Par Zilogger

Resident (39)

26-04-2015, 10:44

Gregory,

My Demon pages are off-line.
See: www.hansoranje.nl
I'll post more help files.

Par o.geerdink

Hero (588)

26-04-2015, 16:08

SCSI adapters will show all scsi devices with their scsi I'd. The adapter has it's own I'd. So you need to see 2 id's at startup. Check the power, cable and listen to the drive if it spins. If it does not show up it won't matter if you use a PC or msx.

It's cheap to find a SCSI disk but might need an adapter uw scsi to normal scsi.

Par Zilogger

Resident (39)

15-09-2016, 13:35

Jipe,

A question for you.
You helped Bastion Rebel last year to reverse engineering an old B.E.R.T. SCSI interface,
from the first batch, with a Version 2.6 ROM.
He succeeded with building a working batch, of his, version of the B.E.R.T. SCSI interface.

Better be good nicked than poorly conceived ._,
Can i expect also a driver for a CD-ROM drive from France ?

Par Jipe

Paragon (1614)

15-09-2016, 16:47

sorry i can help for harware but i am light for the software

Par Zilogger

Resident (39)

15-09-2016, 18:14

Why making a poor copy out of it ?
The original version is still available with gold plated contacfingers.
And with more design features.

Bastion Rebel never asked us, if he may produce a copy of the B.E.R.T. SCSI interface.
I know that many copied the B.E.R.T. SCSI interface or the MK SCSI interface for their own use.
But not in batches.

When you made a copy out of something, make always a better copy instead of a poor one.
Showing the world, that you made it better than the original, not poorer.
Thats I'm not ammused.