Noob TF536 questions.

[olivier.jan]

Hi everyone,
I post here as I’m a total noob concerning TF cards and I’m trying to understand a bit more the options for an Atari.

Over the past few days I’ve been looking at dozens of posts but I’m not sure I have a clear view.

From what I understand, there are currently two possibilities:
1. original TF536r2 with a specific Atari Firmware
2. Exxos TF536r5

The main differences seems to be:
- Original TF536 requires a TOS 2.06 but has working IDE interface.
- Exxos TF536 integrates the TOS decoder but IDE is not yet working.

Are there any other differences I missed ?
Last question : is Alt-ram working properly in a MegaSTE as there might be conflicts with VME bus like with the “MonSTer”?

[DoG]

Yup. You got it.

[coonsgm]

One more thing here is that the original TF536r2 while it has the IDE interface, I don't believe it works under TOS 2.06. I can verify that it works wonderfully using EMUTOS right out of the box. At least that's been the experience I've had with mine.

[olivier.jan]

Thanks a lot for your answers.
So I guess I will try the Exxos version in an STF (or H5) and the original one in an STE (with proper PLCC adapter) then.

[Icky]

The Exxos TF536 works at 50mhz all the time, the original TF536 only ran at 50Mhz on alt-ram access.

So the Exxos version gives a extra boost in general and has “ST-fixes” as @exxos called them to make it more stable on ST stuff including running TOS206.

More info here - https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/last/TF536/index.htm

[TomJr]

Is the ST536 REV5 still available?

I just watched this and now wish to pursue these upgrades on my Mega ST4:



Maybe I missed it, can someone help me with this? Thanks!

[coonsgm]

Glad you liked the video! In this case, this is a standard TF536 flashed with the latest Atari ST version of the firmware. The accelerator with IDE works wonderfully under EmuTOS, but not TOS 2.06.

In the case of the ST536, I've not been able to get it to run stably in my Mega ST. I've learned over the years that Mega ST's are special beasts and seem to be a lot more sensitive to stability issues.

The ST536 Rev 5 works great in a 520ST (no internal floppy drive) and a Phoenix H5 remake Atari ST board. It might work in someone else's Mega ST but not mine.

[szeremiocki]

In this case, this is a standard TF536 flashed with the latest Atari ST version of the firmware. The accelerator with IDE works wonderfully under EmuTOS, but not TOS 2.06.

In the case of the ST536, I've not been able to get it to run stably in my Mega ST.

Likewise, and I am now avaiting tf536 card; would you mind pointing us to this latest Atari ST firmware version?

Regards,
Przemek Szeremiota

[coonsgm]

In this case, this is a standard TF536 flashed with the latest Atari ST version of the firmware. The accelerator with IDE works wonderfully under EmuTOS, but not TOS 2.06.

In the case of the ST536, I've not been able to get it to run stably in my Mega ST.

Likewise, and I am now avaiting tf536 card; would you mind pointing us to this latest Atari ST firmware version?

Regards,
Przemek Szeremiota

Check out this thread here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3442&hilit=tf536+atari+firmware