From: ojagpal@cix.compulink.co.uk Subject: Press Release from Arxe Systems Date: 4 Jan 93 10:06:46 GMT ============================================================================ PRODUCT RELEASE ANNOUNCMENT FROM ARXE SYSTEMS LTD ============================================================================ ALPHA SERIES EXPANSION CARDS Arxe Systems have just released the Alpha Series range of expansion cards. The cards is part of our Incremental Interface Series. The design is modular and permits the user to be able to select the card in one of several configurations. If the card chosen is not of the maximum configuration possible, then the user is able to upgrade the card at a later date. The Alpha Series offer a verstile expansion option to users with either limited expansion facilities (as per A3000) or who find themselves running out of expansion slots. In particular the card allows users to have full A5000/4000 & A3010/20 compatibility on the floppy disc format with support for High Density drives (both 1.6MB ADFS and 1.44MB DOS). The Alpha Series cards are primarily based on the previously released Arxe Systems High Density Interface. Following user feedback and comments the card was modified and the following cards released. ALPHA 16 BIT SCSI ================= Fast 16 bit SCSI controller, allowing the user to have upto 7 SCSI devices connected to their system. The card is fully RISC OS 2/3 Compliant. As well as using hard discs the card is fully compatible with CD ROM, flopticals, magneto optic drives, scanners and other SCSI devices. The card is supplied with cables (for internal drive), formatter utility and user manual. ALPHA HIGH DENSITY CARD ======================= High density interface card. Fully RISC OS 3 Compliant. Support for all disc formats as supported on the A5000 (including 1.6MB ADFS, 1.44MB DOS) The disc controller used now also supports 4MB drives so, a future upgrade will allow 3.2MB ADFS and 2.88MB DOS discs to be used. In addition the system also provides the option for use of PC tape streamers. The card is compatible with the PC Emulator (1.60/1.70). By use of a small utility that allows QuadFS to emulate ADFS. We hope to release a patched version of the emulator that will allow direct support for the interface. The package consists of the controller card, cables (for internal drive) 2MB internal drive, 1.6MB disc with release notes & utilities, registration card and user manual. The software supplied is for RISC OS 3. If anyone wishes to use RISC OS 2, please specifiy this when ordering. ALPHA DUAL (Combined 16bit SCSI+High Density Interface) ======================================================= This card includes all the features listed for both the products described above, all fitted onto a standard single width card. ALPHA 3000 (A3000 internal card) ================================ An A3000 (internal) version of Alpha Dual is planned for the new year. The standard Alpha Dual can be used on the A3000 externally, however, alot of people have expressed an interest in an internal card. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ========================== HOW COMPATIBLE IS IT? All unprotected software works without any problems. An ADFS emulation utility is included and this allows a large majority of games to work which are ADFS drive 0 specific. Some games, however, do not work due to hardware specific protection. WHAT ABOUT 1.2MB DISCS The card is configured to accept drive 0 and 3.5" high density & drive 1 as 5.25" high density. The RISC OS filer only supports DOS (1.2MB) on this format, there is no accepted Acorn 5.25" high density format. DO I LOOSE THE USE OF MY EXISTING DRIVES? No. The high density filing system uses a filing system called QuadFS, which whilst fully ADFS compatible, will normally run quite happily alongside ADFS. So it is possible to have 4 ADFS drives and 2 high density drives. QuadFS, has built into it the KillFS option, which will close down ADFS and then re initialise QuadFS as ADFS. This option is needed for software which is ADFS specific. CAN I HAVE THE DRIVES FITTED EXTERNALLY? Yes. Add 25ukp to the interface cost and you will be supplied an external housing which the drive can be mounted in. IS IT RISC OS 3 COMPATIBLE Yes. All current software developments are being directed at RISC OS 3, and updates to RISC OS 2 are unlikely. Automatic DOS recognition is not supported under RISC OS 2. Instead a separate filer MultiFS is provided, which provides support for 1.44MB DOS discs. IS THE HIGH DENSITY INTERFACE AVAILABLE WITHOUT A DRIVE? Yes. The drive supplied is a 2MB Citizen OSDA 20C. AVAILABILITY All cards except the A3000 internal version are available now. The A3000 version although complete, will be released early in the new year. All prices exclude VAT. VAT charged at 17.5% for UK, overseas VAT at 0%. Postage in mainland UK is at cost. Please phone for furthur details. email : ojagpal@cix.compulink.co.uk or Jax(#377) on Aracde BBS Dealer inquiries welcome. Educational discounts available to educational establishments and all students (NUS members). ============================================================================ Arxe Systems Ltd: P.O.Box 898, London, E7 9RG, England Tel: 081 534 1198 ============================================================================