== Introduction ==SYMBiFACE II is a multi-function expansion, developed by [[Dr.Zed]], with financial and initial software support from [[Prodatron]]. Portions of the design are based on the [[CPC-IDE]] prototype. Detailed documentation can be found here: [[Programming:SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II documents]]
[[Image:Cpc-ide.jpg|200px|thumb|Prototype of the CPC-IDE interface]]== Availability ==
In autumn 2004 About 200 units of the "CPCSYMBiFACE II have been built and shipped between 2006 and 2012. Today it is only available in the second-hand market. The RAM/ROM and the IDE" was developed feature of the SYMBiFACE II can be replaced by the [[Dr.ZedX-MEM]] with financial support of and the [[OctoateX-Mass]] and hardware created by [[TolkinTotO]]. It , which is the first hardware solution ever that allowed connection of IDE-harddrives and CF-cards to the CPC with the maximum possible data transfer speed. Technically the CPC-IDE interface was based on the GIDE IDE interface by Tilmann Rehstill available today (2016).
It was fully working, but still had a prototype state, so only 10 pieces have been produced. Some people should write software first, before the final version would be released. So fully IDE-support for [[Disc_format|FAT]]16 and FAT32 harddiscs has been implemented in [[SymbOS]] until Xmas 2004.== Features ==
After working successfully, [[DrImage:Symbiface II.Zedjpg|thumb|400px|SYMBiFACE II]] and [[Prodatron]] made plans for a second version, which includes a lot of more extensionsImage:Symbiface2. So the '''gif|thumb|400px|SYMBiFACE II''' is not only an IDE interface anymore. It merges the CPC with current PC technology.description]]
== Features ==CPC SYMBiFACE II provides one solution for connecting a CPC with an IDE hard disc. You can use a master and a slave device.
[[Image:Symbiface2.gif|400px|thumb|SYMBiFACE II with description]]''IDE Features''
CPC SYMBiFACE II contains the optimal solution *Supports IDE hard discs with up to 128 GB.*Bigger HDD or CD/DVD drive support possible with drivers.*Simultaneous operation of two hard discs (master and slave) for connecting a total of up to 256 GB on your CPC! *Transfer speed of 162 KByte/s. That's as fast as copying memory inside the CPC with an IDE harddiscLDIR. It provides In practice (loading FAT16/32 files) the maximum speed is still about 130 KB/s ([[SymbOS|SymbOS]]- both FAT-driver).*External power supply provided: no extra load for the performance and for CPC's internal PSU.*No timing problems: Interrupts don't need to be disabled during the simpleness in accessing data transfer with the hard disc. The hard disc can operate while you play sound or doing other things with your CPC (multitasking etc.). *Traffic activity display via a LED on the harddiscboard.
''IDE Additional Features''
* Supports IDE-Harddiscs 512 KB RAM extension, which is fully compatible with up to 128GB * Bigger HDDs or CD/DVD drives support possible with drivers* Simultaneous operation of two harddiscs (master and slave):for a total of up to 256GB on your CPC! * Transfer speed of 162KByte/s: That's as fast as copying memory inside the CPC with LDIR. In practice (loading FAT16/32 files) the speed is still about 130KB/s ([[SymbOS6128|6128]]-FAT-driver).* External power supply required: no extra load for and the CPC[[Dk's internal PSUtronics|dk'tronics]] RAM extension * No timing problems: Interrupts don't need 512 KB rewriteable ROM. You can upload up to be disabled during 32 ROMs, which are persistent. You can also use the data transfer with the harddiscROM space as an additional RAM extension. The harddisc ROMs can operate while you play sound be switched on or doing other things with off via switches or via software. *PS/2 mouse connector. This makes it possible to connect wireless and optical mice (PC compatible, therefore inexpensive) to your CPC (multitasking etc.). * Traffic activity display via a LED Real time clock, which is fully PC compatible and (as seen on the board photo) provides additional 128 byte persistent RAM, which can be used to store config data.
'' Additional Features''[[Image:Sf2romman.gif|thumb|400px|SYMBiFACE II ROM manager]] [[Image:RM-Info.jpg|thumb|400px|SYMBiFACE II ROManager]]== ROM-Manager ==
* 512KB RAM extension, which is fully compatible with the CPC Under [[6128BASIC]] and the you can use [[dk'tronicsROManager BASIC]] ram extension * 512KB rewriteable ROM. You can upload up to manage all 32 ROMs, which are persistantof the SYMBiFACE II. You It can also use the load/save all 32 or one 16 KB ROM space as an additional RAM extension. ROMs Further you can be switched on or off via switches or via software. * PS/2 mouse connector. This makes it possible to connect wireless and optical mouses to your CPC.* Realtime clockcopy, move, which is fully PC compatible and provides additional 128 byte persistant RAMerase, which can be used to store config datapark, unpark or check ROMs.
== Rom-Manager ==*The simulated ROMs of the SYMBiFACE II can also be handled by a ROM manager which runs under [[SymbOS|SymbOS]]. This tool allows displaying, loading, saving and deleting the 32 x 16K ROMs.
[[Image:sf2romman.gif|thumb|320px|*The most comprehensive application for the SYMBiFACE II rom manager]] SYMBiFACE II includes a rom manager software, which runs under [[SymbOS]]. This tool is needed for displaying, loading, saving and deleting of the 32 x 16K ROMs. * A preview of a program with the same name (ROM management "[[ROManager|ROManager]]") is available for runs under [[FutureOS|FutureOS]]. It allows you to display the complete backup and restoration of existing ROMs, load or save one or all 32 ROMs and loading, savingtest a ROM, testingadapt the checksum, copyingcopy, shifting, erasing paste and (un)parking single delete ROMs. It supports the languages German, English, French and Spanishetc.
== See also ==
* [http://www.symbos.de/sf2.htm SYMBiFACE II homepage]
[[Category:HardwarePeripherals]] [[Category:PeripheralsMemory expansions]][[Category:Expansion ROM]] [[Category:SymbOS]] [[Category:Memory expansionsFutureOS]][[Category:DATA Storage]][[Category:Input Device]]