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NOTE:   This web site is not some kind of 'official' documentation hub for the XT-IDE card.
It is simply the result of someone who decided to add to the documentation that exists elsewhere.


XTIDE Universal BIOS   (a.k.a. XUB)


XUB RELEASE R622 ON XT-IDE/XT-CF CARDS - ALTERING THE BASE I/O ADDRESS WITHIN THE XUB

This is done whenever the XT-IDE/XT-CF card is switched/jumpered to a different base (starting) I/O address for the 'IDE/CF interface' circuitry.
Normally, you would only do that switch/jumper change if a conflict of I/O ports within the vintage computer is known of, or suspected.


Assumption:  XT-IDE or XT-CF card.  (Not one of the many other types of cards that the XUB supports.)

Assumption:  Within the XUB contained in the ROM of the XT-IDE/XT-CF card, the 'Device type' setting is correct for your XT-IDE/XT-CF card type.  Remember, the scope of this procedure is the base I/O address, nothing else.

Requirement:  The version of XUB in the ROM of the XT-IDE/XT-CF card is release R622 ("v2.0.0β3+ (2021-12-16)").

Requirement:  On the vintage computer that contains the XT-IDE/XT-CF card, XTIDECFG.COM from the XUB R622 software package can be executed.  So, XTIDECFG.COM on the XT-IDE/XT-CF card, or XTIDECFG.COM on a DOS boot floppy.

Requirement:  The BIOS ROM (boot ROM) fitted on your XT-IDE/XT-CF card is an EEPROM type of ROM (rather than an EPROM), or flash ROM.  The 28C64 is an example of an EEPROM.

Requirement:  Your XT-IDE/XT-CF card is functional enough that it will allow reading from and writing to the fitted EEPROM.
Requirement:  There are no address conflicts that will prevent reading from and writing to the fitted EEPROM.

Requirement:  In case you end up in a situation where you cannot boot from the XT-IDE/XT-CF card, a DOS boot floppy/diskette containing XTIDECFG.COM (the one from XUB release R622).


1. [Vintage computer]  If your XT-IDE/XT-CF card has a switch or jumper that enables/disables writing to the EEPROM, ensure that the switch/jumper is in the state that enables writing.  Note that this is not the same as the switch/jumper that simply enables/disables the EEPROM - two different things.
   
2. [Vintage computer]  For the later step 13, you will need to know what the base (starting) address of the EEPROM is.  There are switches/jumpers on your XT-IDE/XT-CF card that control that.  The usual default setting is D0000h.  Take note of what address your card is set for.
   
3. [Vintage computer]  Execute XTIDECFG.COM  (the one from XUB release R622).
   
4. [XTIDECFG]  Arrow down to 'Load BIOS from EEPROM', then press the ENTER key.
5. [XTIDECFG]  Press the ENTER key.
6. [XTIDECFG]  Arrow down to 'Configure XTIDE Universal BIOS', then press the ENTER key.
7. [XTIDECFG]  Arrow down to 'Primary IDE Controller', then press the ENTER key.
8. [XTIDECFG]  Note the 'Base (cmd block) address' setting.  This is the base I/O address.  Change it to match what your XT-IDE/XT-CF card is now switched/jumpered to.
9. [XTIDECFG]  Press the ESC key so that you go back to the Configuration Menu.
10. [XTIDECFG]  Press the ESC key so that you go back to the Main Menu.
11. [XTIDECFG]  Arrow down to 'Flash EEPROM', then press the ENTER key.
12. [XTIDECFG]  Note the 'EEPROM type' setting.  Change it if required.
13. [XTIDECFG]  Note the 'EEPROM address' setting.  This is the base (starting) address that XTIDECFG will expect the EEPROM to be residing at.  Change this setting if it does not match the address that you determined earlier in step 2.
14. [XTIDECFG]  Arrow down to 'Start flashing', then press the ENTER key.  The XUB will now be written/flashed back to the EEPROM.
15. [XTIDECFG]  When complete, press the ENTER key.  The computer will restart.

Sometimes, at this point, as the computer is starting, I do not see what I expect at the XUB spash/banner screen, and the answer is to power off/on the computer  (putting a good 15 seconds between the off and the on).

16. [Vintage computer]  If your XT-IDE/XT-CF card has a switch or jumper that enables/disables writing to the EEPROM, consider altering the switch/jumper so that writing to the EEPROM is now disabled.  Note that this is not the same as the switch/jumper that simply enables/disables the EEPROM - two different things.