Congratulations on the purchase of the CSS XF551 Update! This is the upgrade that all XF551 owners should have.

The operating system for the drive has been completely rewritten so as to eliminate the problems and incompatibilities associated with the XF551 drive. The new operating system runs more commercial software, changes density properly, supports true Ultra Speed data transfer (actually, slightly faster than the 1050 Ultra Speed), and has an optimized interleave in high speed formats to produce the fastest possible operation.

The other feature of this upgrade is the IBM/ST Transfer Utility. This program reads 360kB 5.25" disks formatted on Atari ST and IBM computers. This is useful in transporting text files, GIF picture files, and any other data you might have need of reading.

Bear in mind this does NOT mean you can run ST or PC programs on your 8-bit! It does mean that you can transfer text and data files. You could, for example, download 8-bit files on your PC or ST, then use this utility to transfer them to the 8-bit to run them. You can also take a document file written on a PC or ST and saved in ASCII form, and use this program to transfer it to the 8-bit and import it into an 8-bit word processor.

Read through the installation section before attempting installation. Remember, we provide free installation of our products. The only charge is the shipping, so it may be worth your while to pursue this option. Please call before sending anything in!

While installation is simple for a person familiar with circuit board soldering, please keep in mind that CSS will install any of its products (when purchased from us) at NO CHARGE. CSS is not responsible for damage done to the drive or the conversion when installed by the customer.

1. Remove 4 screws on the bottom of the XF551. Remove top half of case and set it aside. Remove the 4 bottom (not side) securing screws that hold the 5.25" mechanism to the bottom of the case.

2. Disconnect the power connector and the 34-pin card edge connector from the rear of the 5.25" drive mechanism.

3. Lift the 5.25" drive mechanism off of its 4 plastic posts.

The IBM/ST Transfer Utility allows your upgraded XF551 drive to read the 512 byte sectors used in the disk formats of the IBM PC and compatibles, and the Atari ST computers. It will automatically adapt to either single sided or double sided formats, and supports the increased sector density of the 'twister' ST disk formats.

Simply load the file IBMREAD.COM from the Transfer Utility disk as a binary file. The menu will be displayed. After each function, the program will give you the 'Command: ' prompt, without displaying the menu. Simply press [?] for the menu.

To do a directory of an Atari-formatted disk, press the drive number, then [RETURN] for a directory of the main directory. If you wish to view a subdirectory, type in the directory name (terminated with a '>') before pressing RETURN. All files (*.*) are assumed by default, but if you want a directory of only files ending in .ARC for example, type "*.ARC" before pressing RETURN.

To view the directory of an ST or IBM disk, hold [SHIFT] while pressing the drive number. The same rules for subdirectories and masks apply here as with Atari directories. Remember that the IBM directory gives the file sizes in bytes, not sectors. To convert bytes into sectors, divide by 125 for single density, and divide by 253 for double.

Before converting any files, make sure you have a destination disk with enough free space. Its a good idea to format a disk in double density, so that you have the most space available. Use the [ESC] key to exit to DOS for formatting disks, then reload the program.

You may convert one or all files in any given directory at a time, without having to enter each filename separately. Selecting [A] will convert all files that match the filespec you enter. Selecting [B] will prompt you for a Yes/No for all files that match the filespec.

When entering the source name, use the format Dn:[path>][mask]. For example: D2:*.*, or D1:UTIL>*.ARC. Remember the source is your IBM/ST disk.

You will now be prompted for the destination drive number/path. If you wish to simply write to the main directory on a drive, type that drive number and [RETURN]. You may use the same drive for source and destination disks - the program will prompt you automatically for disk changes. If you wish to place the converted file(s) in a subdirectory, enter the pathname. Some examples: 2, or D3:JUNK>. You may also view files by using E:, or print them by using P:.

IBM and ST text files differ from Atari 8-bit files in the characters used for tabs and returns. If you are reading a text file and wish to convert it to ATASCII (Atari Ascii) format, Use the [C] command instead of the [A] command to convert. If you selected [B] for Convert with Query, type [C] instead of [Y] at the prompt for the desired filename. This conversion should be used only for text files, NOT for compressed or executable files.

If you have our Ultra Speed Plus OS or our Black Box, your drives will read and write 3 to 5 times faster than normal.

If you have any problems installing the conversion, please call us and we will try to help you out. Remember that installation is FREE from CSS. For free installation, phone CSS at (585) 429-5639. Arrangements can be made that time.

All units are checked and operated before shipping. Damage resulting from improper handling or connections may result in a repair/replacement cost to you.

Most importantly, enjoy your conversion!