v1.0.1

Release 1.0.1 (2024-12-19) - Maintenance Release

This maintenance release for the Sidecartridge firmware v1.0.1 includes bug fixes and improvements to enhance the overall stability and performance of the firmware.

Changes

• Config Flash parameters expanded to 8KB: The Config Flash parameters have been expanded to 8KB to accommodate additional features and configurations in future releases. This change is transparent to users.

New features

• "What's new" screen now displays the latest added Floppy images in the Public Floppy Database: In the Configurator, in the "Download from the Floppy Images database" section you can see the latest added floppy images. Press the "_" (underscore) key to see the latest added images. It's the default behavior when you enter the Floppy Images database.
• Y2K patches for the RTC module: The user now can select if the RTC module will be Y2K compliant or not. This is a new option in the Configurator menus under the RTC and GEMDRIVE section. The default value is Y2K compliant. This option is ignored when a EmuTOS TOS is used, as EmuTOS is Y2K compliant by default.

Fixes

• Issue #142: Fixed misleading information when copying files in TOS 2.06 with GEMDRIVE.
• Issue #144: RTC module now correctly works for all TOS versions, including EmuTOS.
• Other minor bug fixes and improvements to enhance the overall stability and performance of the firmware.

Known issues

• Issue #143#: STOS error when loading .bas files when GEMDRIVE is active.

v1.0.0

Release 1.0.0 (2024-10-31) - Final Release

We're excited to announce the final release of Sidecartridge firmware v1.0.0! This release consolidates all features and improvements developed throughout the beta phase, ensuring stability across all Atari ST models. The firmware is now feature-complete and ready for general use.

Changes

• Built with the latest atarist-toolkit-docker v1.0.0 toolchain: Toolkit Docker Image
• Nightly builds now available for ongoing updates: Nightly Releases
• Updated network stack for improved WiFi consistency in low-signal areas.
• Removed “SidecarT” references due to trademark concerns; now officially SidecarTridge or Multi-device.
• Floppy Emulation mode’s web interface is now labeled EXPERIMENTAL and is disabled by default; enable it via the Configurator menu.
• The Configurator menu is now more responsive, with key commands made asynchronous for speed.

New Features

• Issue #138: GEMDRIVE now supports running programs in the AUTO folder when no floppy drive is attached. Check out [F]ake Floppy in the GEMDRIVE menu: Hard Disk Emulation Setup
• Static IP configuration support: Static IP Setup
• Power management for WiFi module: Power Management
• Display RSSI signal strength for both network lists and the connected network: Display RSSI
• GEMDRIVE has moved out of experimental status.
• GEMDRIVE boot can now bypass the RTC check by pressing the ESC key.

Fixes

• Fixed issue where an invalid BOOT_FEATURE value would cause errors; now defaults to CONFIGURATOR mode.
• Resolved error when the FsFirst command was called with filenames containing trailing spaces.
• Improved sanitation of 8.3 DOS filenames.
• Corrected hostname setting on WiFi module.
• Smoothed out stuttering in the blinking exclamation mark indicator.

Known Issues

• Issue #142: Misleading Information When Copying Files in TOS 2.06 with GEMDRIVE

Nightly Build - v1.0.1

Disclaimer: This is an automated nightly build generated on a daily basis. It may contain unstable or untested changes and is not guaranteed to work. Use at your own risk.

Release Notes:

• Build Date: 2025-02-18 05:05:33 UTC
• Version: v1.0.1

beta-v0.0.18b: SDSC Card Support Re-enabled

BETA 0.0.18b (2024-09-25) - SDSC Card Support Re-enabled

This release is a hotfix for version 0.0.18, bringing back support for SDSC cards. These cards were inadvertently disabled in the previous version due to an upgrade of the no-OS-FatFS-SD-SDIO-SPI-RPi-Pico library to version 2.6.0. In this release, the library has been reverted to version 1.2.4 to restore SDSC compatibility.

The upcoming v1.0.0 release will also remain pinned to version 1.2.4 to ensure SDSC support. However, starting from v2.x.x, we will officially drop SDSC support and upgrade the library to version 2.6.0 or higher.

beta-v0.0.18a: Multi-floppy support and web management

BETA 0.0.18 (2024-09-13) - Multi-floppy support and web management

This version will be the last Beta before the final v1.0.0 release. This version has major changes and improvements, specially in the Floppy Emulation mode. It has been tested throughly, but please report any issues you find. We can consider this version as a Release Candidate, so only minor changes to the codebase will be made before the final v1.0.0 release.

Changes

• Issue #123: Changed ROM catalog from JSON to CVS format for performance reasons.
• Issue #134: Mass Storage device now only detected when powered on in configurator mode.
• The Floppy Emulation code has been recoded to improve performance and stability.
• All memory swapping routines have been rewritten to improve performance and stability.
• New httpd server for the web management interface in Floppy Emulation mode.
• All memory management routines have reviewed to solve memory leaks and improve performance.

New Features

• Issue #51: Added dual virtual floppy drive support. Now you can switch between two floppy images in the Floppy Emulation mode.
• Issue #92: Checksum verification at protocol level in GEMDRIVE and Floppy Emulation mode.
• Issue #105: Floppy Emulation mode now supports any combination of virtual and physical floppy drives.
• Issue #124: Added a new web management interface for the Floppy emulation. Now you can insert and eject floppy images from the web interface.

Fixes

• Issue #77: Fixed problem opening floppy directories in TOS 1.00 and TOS 1.02.
• Issue #122: Fixed duplicate filename errors when copying files in GEMDRIVE mode.
• Issue #125: Fixed failed floppy emulation under EmuTOS 1.x.
• Issue #133: Fixed error in the maximum WiFi password length in the Configurator.
• Error concatenating string in the ROM download url

beta-v0.0.17 - Mass Storage Device Support

BETA 0.0.17 (2024-06-18) - Mass Storage Device Support

Changes

• Issue 106: Improved the CHECKSUM algorithm in GEMDRIVE writing to boost performance. Thanks to the work of Peter Nyman, reading performance is now 50% faster.
• Introduced new SD_BAUD_RATE_KB parameter to increase the speed of the SD card. The default value is 12500, but it can be increased to 25000 for high-quality SD cards. This can also help troubleshoot issues with some microSD cards.

New Features

• Issue 96: Added the name of the floppy image to the list view in the Floppy Database.
• Issue 112: Added support for EmuTOS 1.3.0.
• Issue 111: Added Mass Storage device support. Now you can use the Sidecartridge as a mass storage device to transfer information faster to your Atari ST. For setup instructions, please consult the user guide.

Fixes

• Issue 108: Added support for MegaSTE 16Mhz and Cache enhancement in GEMDRIVE mode.
• Issue 109: Fixed the issue with the overlap of drive units in GEMDRIVE mode.
• Issue 113: Fixed an issue when loading the first image available in the floppy images folder.
• Issue 115: FDelete function in GEMDOS and f_delete of FatFS now work as GEMDOS expects.
• Issue 104: Rewritten FsFirst and FsNext functions in GEMDOS to match the GEMDOS specification.
• Issue 94: Fixed broken links in documentation.
• Issue 118: Fixed renaming behavior in GEMDRIVE to match GEMDOS specification, which is critical to support AUTO folder sorting.

beta-v0.0.16: GEMDRIVE hard disk emulation

BETA 0.0.16 (2024-04-04) - GEMDRIVE Hard Disk Emulator

Changes

• Issue 89: Introduced a new parameters page featuring pagination.
• Revamped the start and configuration menu screen for the Emulate Floppy feature.
• Adjusted the download process from the floppy database to now redirect users to the Emulate Floppy menu.
• RP2040 Overclock and power management enhancements to avoid bus synchronizations glitches.

New Features

• Issue 18: Launched the GEMDRIVE hard disk emulation mode. For setup instructions, please consult the user guide and refer to the detailed blog post here.
• Issue 38: Added the ability to configure Floppy emulation mode directly from the Configurator menu.
• Issue 97: Introduced an option to enable or disable the boot sector during startup in floppy emulation mode.
• Issue 100: Implemented a new Dark mode option for the Configurator for enhanced user experience.
• Issue 98: Added compatibility for using GEMDRIVE hard disk emulation mode alongside other hard disk drivers.

Fixes

• Issue 101: Toggle function for displaying file count on the microSD card in Configurator mode.

beta-v0.0.15 - Network stability release

BETA 0.0.15 (2024-02-16)- Network stability release

Changed

• Issue #85: Change FLOPPY_DB_URL and ROMS_YAML_URL to sidecartridge.com.

New Features

• Issue #79: Add a configurable timeout when downloading ROMs or Floppy images.
• Issue #80: Add a configurable polling parameter for network status detection.
• Issue #81: Add a per-country configuration of the Wifi.
• Issue #87: Open the floppy database repository to all users.
• Issue #90: Enhance Wi-Fi Configuration Menu with Comprehensive Network Information.

beta-v0.0.14: Mega STE support and floppy stability release

BETA 0.0.14 (2023-12-19)- Mega STE support and floppy stability release

Fixed

• Issue #71: New reload floppy image after reset now keeps opened descriptors.
• Issue #72: Enhanced Reliability of Floppy Image Read/Write Routines.

Changed

• Issue #73: Domain Change from sidecart.xyz to sidecartridge.com enhancement.

New Features

• Issue #69: Support for MegaSTE 16Mhz and Cache enhancement.
• Issue #70: Toggle Hooked XBIOS Calls in Floppy Emulation Mode enhancement.
• Issue #74: Display context information from remote ROM and floppy catalogs enhancement.
• Issue #75: New crackers crews collections uploded.

beta-v0.0.13: Rescue mode and stability improvements

BETA 0.0.13 (2023-11-30)- Bugs and stabilization release

Fixed

• Issue #23: The number of elements in the lists now can be up to 32KBytes.
• Issue #61: Added delays and extra checks when changing functions after reset/reboot.
• Issue #62: Memory handling of the TOS process improved. Enhanced memory management.
• Issue #66: Documentation of the Atari ST floppy database updated to fix a placeholder field not documented.

Changed

Overal stability of the system improved, also key handling and memory management.

New Features

• Issue #45: Start in 'Rescue mode', booting a selected ROM image file after power on/reset.
• Issue #60: Configure the password for the WiFi in a configuration file of the SD card.