Compatibility

You should read this section to ensure that your Atari Mega ST motherboard is compatible with the SidecarTridge TOS 256KB decoder. The decoder works with any SidecarTridge TOS Emulator whose carrier board has a connector for it. If your motherboard is not listed, or if you have any doubts about compatibility, please contact us for further assistance.

Table of contents
  1. Supported Atari Mega ST Motherboards and Carrier Boards
    1. Carrier boards and cables
  2. List of supported TOS versions tested with the SidecarTridge TOS emulator

Supported Atari Mega ST Motherboards and Carrier Boards

Carrier boards for unsupported motherboards are in active development. Please check the SidecarTridge website for updates.

Carrier boards and cables

The 256KB Decoder + TOS Emulator Combo comes with everything needed. For a TOS Emulator you already have, compatibility depends on the connector for the decoder on its carrier board, and the cable that goes with it. Look at your carrier board, the board in the ROM sockets under the ROM Emulator board, and find the connector for the decoder. It tells you which decoder to order:

Connector on your carrier boardCableOrder
6-pin flat-cable connector6-pin flexible flat cable (FFC)256KB Decoder, For REV 4.0.0
2x3 pin IDC header6-pin flat cable with IDC plugs256KB Decoder, For REV from 2.1.0 to 4.0.0
The two connectors for the decoder, side by side. Left, a 6-pin flat-cable connector: a small white connector holding a thin flexible flat cable, boxed in red on the decoder and on the carrier board. Right, a 2x3 pin IDC header: a grey 6-wire flat cable with black rectangular plugs, boxed in red.
Left, the 6-pin flat-cable connector with its flexible flat cable (FFC). Right, the 2x3 pin IDC header with its flat cable and black plugs.

With a 2x3 pin IDC header, also check that the chip labelled MUX is fitted on the left of the connectors. If it is missing, or if your carrier board has neither connector, the decoder does not work with it as it is: see Upgrading an older Mega ST carrier board, or contact us.

The ROM Emulator board on top does not matter: the decoder only connects to the carrier board.

The discontinued decoders soldered to the CPU have their own installation page, kept for reference.

Motherboard Model NumberNumber of ROMsStatus
C100167-001 Rev. 4.02Supported
C100167-001 Rev. B2Supported
C100167-001 Rev. 5.02Supported
C100501-0012Supported
C103277 Rev 2.22Supported
C103544-0012Supported

If you can’t find your motherboard model number in the list, or have any doubts about compatibility, please contact us for further assistance.

List of supported TOS versions tested with the SidecarTridge TOS emulator

Please read the Compatibility section of the SidecarTridge TOS emulator for a list of supported TOS versions.

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