Getting Started

Table of contents
  1. Quick summary
  2. Prerequisites
  3. Step 1 — Understand the two power/mode options
  4. Step 2 — Connect to your computer (Volume / ROMEMUL mode)
  5. Step 3 — Inspect ROMEMUL contents
  6. Step 4 — Copy ROM images
    1. macOS
    2. Windows
    3. Linux
  7. Step 5 — Select the active image
  8. Step 6 — Boot the target system (Emulation mode)
  9. Next steps

Quick summary

The SidecarTridge ROM Emulator is a module that must be integrated into host hardware (typically by soldering it onto a custom carrier board).

A first end-to-end workflow looks like this:

  1. Verify hardware integration (carrier board + soldering + power).
  2. Boot into Volume (ROMEMUL) mode from USB‑C and copy ROM images.
  3. Select which image should be active (exact method depends on firmware).
  4. Boot the target system in Emulation mode.

Prerequisites

  • ROM Emulator module integrated into your carrier board.
  • A target system designed to accept the emulated ROM/EPROM/EEPROM device.
  • USB‑C cable (to access ROMEMUL).

Step 1 — Understand the two power/mode options

The ROM Emulator can be powered in two ways (and the power source determines the startup mode):

  • Carrier +5V → starts in EMULATION mode (ready to run inside the target motherboard).
  • USB‑C +5V → starts in Volume (ROMEMUL) mode (ready to manage files from a computer).

It is safe to power both at the same time. If USB‑C power is detected, Volume (ROMEMUL) mode prevails.

Step 2 — Connect to your computer (Volume / ROMEMUL mode)

  1. Connect the ROM Emulator to your computer using USB‑C.
  2. The ROMEMUL volume should appear.

If ROMEMUL does not appear, check your cable and power, and see:

Step 3 — Inspect ROMEMUL contents

Typical files you may see in the root of ROMEMUL:

  • INDEX.HTM — opens documentation.
  • INFO.TXT — firmware version/date and board info.
  • CONFIG.TXT — advanced configuration.
  • DEFAULT.TXT / RESCUE.TXT — default/rescue image selection (when supported).

Step 4 — Copy ROM images

Copy your ROM images onto ROMEMUL.

As a rule of thumb, ALWAYS eject/unmount ROMEMUL after making changes.

macOS

Drag & drop works, but if you hit issues with hidden/temp files, use Terminal:

cp -R /path/to/ROM\ Images/* /Volumes/ROMEMUL/

Windows

Drag & drop usually works.

Linux

Mount point varies by distro:

cp -R /path/to/ROM\ Images/* /media/username/ROMEMUL/

Step 5 — Select the active image

How you select the active ROM image depends on the firmware and the integration:

  • File-based selection (when supported): edit DEFAULT.TXT.
  • Host-side tooling (product specific): e.g. switcher applications.
  • Firmware API: select the active image programmatically.

See:

Step 6 — Boot the target system (Emulation mode)

Power the ROM Emulator from the carrier +5V (or power the target motherboard normally, if that is how the carrier supplies +5V). In EMULATION mode, the emulator starts immediately and should behave like the target ROM/EPROM/EEPROM device.

If the target does not boot, see:

Next steps

Previous: Introduction Main Next: Hardware Integration