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Sd2bbc User Guide v1.2

The SD2BBC User Guide provides instructions for setting up the SD2BBC device, including checking power supply capacitors, installing the Smart SPI ROM, connecting the device, and preparing an SD card with the BEEB.MMB file. It details the installation process for different BBC models and troubleshooting tips for common issues. The guide also includes commands for accessing disk images and switching filing systems.

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Tracey Wildego
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49 views2 pages

Sd2bbc User Guide v1.2

The SD2BBC User Guide provides instructions for setting up the SD2BBC device, including checking power supply capacitors, installing the Smart SPI ROM, connecting the device, and preparing an SD card with the BEEB.MMB file. It details the installation process for different BBC models and troubleshooting tips for common issues. The guide also includes commands for accessing disk images and switching filing systems.

Uploaded by

Tracey Wildego
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SD2BBC USER GUIDE thefuturewas8bit.

com
OVERVIEW
In order to get your SD2BBC up and running, this is what you need to do. Each of these tasks are explained in more detail
below
1. Make sure the X2 mains suppression capacitors in your power supply have been replaced
2. Install the Smart SPI ROM
3. Connect the SD2BBC
4. Prepare an SD card with BEEB.MMB file

1 - MAKE SURE THE X2 MAINS SUPPRESSION CAPACITORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED


Before we go any further, it is important to check that the two Rifa brand X2 class mains suppression capacitors in the BBC
power supply unit have been replaced. These dry out and crack over time, and then have a tendency to fail shortly after
power is applied. The last thing you need when you have just dug your BBC out of the loft is to have a room full of smoke.
You have been warned.

2 - INSTALL THE SMART SPI ROM


The SD2BBC is supplied with a 16K ROM containing the Smart SPI filing system by Duikkie. This needs to be installed in one
of the spare ROM sockets in the BBC. The BBC has an MOS ROM and up to 16 additional ROMs. These can be filing system,
language or utility ROMs. The language and filing system in the highest priority slots are selected at boot (there is more
control of this on the BBC Master - see below). The language is usually BASIC, but the filing system depends on the disk
controller fitted to your machine. If there is no disk controller, or you no longer have a floppy drive, or don't plan to use
one anymore, you can remove any DFS or ADFS ROMs, or move them to a lower priority slot. The filing system choice will
not be affected by language ROMs such as BASIC, Wordwise, View etc. Remember to obverse sensible anti-static measures
when installing the ROM chip.

BBC MODEL B
The Model B has five ROM sockets on the bottom right hand side of the board.
These are under the keyboard, so you need to remove the keyboard to install the
ROM (remember to reconnect the keyboard even to test as the BBC will not boot
without it). The leftmost socket always contains the OS ROM the Smart SPI
ROM should be installed in the closest available socket.

BBC MODEL B+
The B+ has six ROM sockets on the top
left of the board. The combined OS and
BASIC ROM needs to be top left of
this group, and the Smart SPI ROM
should be installed in the closest
available socket to that.

BBC MASTER / COMPACT


There are four ROM sockets on the
right hand side of the BBC Master
board, five on the BBC Master
Compact. The third one down is usually
the choice for the Smart SPI ROM in
both cases. If that is in use, one of the
others should be used, but these need to
be enabled by jumpers - refer to the
BBC Master User Guide.

www.thefuturewas8bit.com
V1.2 2019-07-09
SD2BBC USER GUIDE thefuturewas8bit.com
3 - CONNECT THE SD2BBC

BBC MODEL B / B+ / MASTER


The SD2BBC has a 20 way connector on the end, this will fit in the User Port slot underneath the machine. The notch on the
connector should line up with the slot in the machine, facing towards the machine. The clips on the side of the connector
are used to lock it in place. The cable can be run out to either side or to the back.

BBC MASTER COMPACT


Plug the cable from the SD2BBC into the joystick port on the back of the Master Compact.

4 - PREPARE AN SD CARD WITH BEEB.MMB FILE

The SD2BBC accesses a single file on the SD card. It is best to start with a new or formatted card and dedicate its use to the
SD2BBC. The file BEEB.MMB should be the only file on the card. This file contains up to 512 disk images. Pre-populated
BEEB.MMB files are available to download from various sites on the internet, a blank one is available in the TFW8b
download pack (we cannot supply the full version due to copyright issues).

COMMANDS

If all is well, you will see your normal boot screen, with the line Smart SPI added.

BBC B / B+
If you have downloaded a pre-built BEEB.MMB file, then all you need to do is use SHIFT+BREAK to boot the menu on the
first disk.

BBC MASTER / COMPACT


The main system ROM on the BBC Master ragne comes with DFS and ADFS built in, with ADFS selected by default. When
you boot up, you will probably see ADFS on the boot screen. If you type *ROMS this will show the list of installed ROMs.
On that list should be the entry for the Smart SPI ROM (listed as ‘SPI’), usually showing as number 8 if you have used the
socket advised. To select this filing system at boot type *CONFIGURE FILE 8 (Change 8 to match the number found
above if different). If you have downloaded a pre-built BEEB.MMB file, then all you need to do is use CTRL+SHIFT+BREAK to
boot the menu on the first disk or type *MENU

MULTIPLE FILING SYSTEMS


If you have multiple filing systems installed in your BBC and it boots up to DFS or ADFS, you can use the command *CARD
This will switch to the Smart SPI filing systems. Use the command *DIN 0 to select the first disk image and then run as
normal with *MENU

DISK ACCESS COMMANDS


At bootup, the first disk image is automatically selected, and you can access this like a normal DFS disk, using *. etc.
*DCAT - this will list all the disk images stored in the BEEM.MMB file
*DIN n - this will select disk image n from the list
*HELP DUTILS - this will list the other disk commands available

TROUBLESHOOTING

If you do not see Smart SPI, check the ROM installation.


If you see DFS or ADFS, you can use *CARD to switch to the SD card device, or rearrange your filing system ROMs so
Smart SPI is the highest priority filing system.
If you see Card ? check your connections and your SD card - you may need to use the SD card formatter utility if your SD
card has been used elsewhere. If you still have problems, try an older / slower / smaller SD card.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
SD2BBC is compatible with MMBEEB and other similar BBC micro SD card readers, other than TurboMMC.
Smart SPI is written by Duikkie and has been published as freeware.

www.thefuturewas8bit.com
V1.2 2019-07-09

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