Rabanik wrote on 2026-02-14, 08:38:

Ok. So is it possible to swap the CS/S/M header by the SPDIF MPC and put CS/S/M header behind it? Or use 3-row 's CS/S/M pin h […]
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polpo wrote on 2026-02-14, 07:09:

Sorry, that is not possible with the current design. The PCB is in an enclosure that takes up width, and the Berg connector needs to have room to allow for the overhang of the mating connector over the sides.

Ok. So is it possible to swap the CS/S/M header by the SPDIF MPC and put CS/S/M header behind it?
Or use 3-row 's CS/S/M pin header. Thisway you can reach other 2.54mm for the overhang of the power supply connector.
I am sorry that I bother you with it. I really like your solution the most of all ODEs
because of everything is placed on a single PCB and with a nice 3.5" panel...
I think I am not alone who desires for digital outputs on your PicoIDE.

The hardware is finalized as it is heading into production so there will be no changes for this version. Like I said the “ext btn” pin header is present and it’s likely possible to get SPDIF output on it. You’ll just have to use a DuPont cable instead. But I am focused on stable drive emulation first before considering adding SPDIF output on those pins. Of course once the source is released I welcome the community to help out with implementing things like that, or even designing variants with different form factors.

polpo wrote on 2026-02-14, 15:40:

Rabanik wrote on 2026-02-14, 08:38:

Ok. So is it possible to swap the CS/S/M header by the SPDIF MPC and put CS/S/M header behind it? Or use 3-row 's CS/S/M pin h […]
Show full quote

polpo wrote on 2026-02-14, 07:09:

Sorry, that is not possible with the current design. The PCB is in an enclosure that takes up width, and the Berg connector needs to have room to allow for the overhang of the mating connector over the sides.

Ok. So is it possible to swap the CS/S/M header by the SPDIF MPC and put CS/S/M header behind it?
Or use 3-row 's CS/S/M pin header. Thisway you can reach other 2.54mm for the overhang of the power supply connector.
I am sorry that I bother you with it. I really like your solution the most of all ODEs
because of everything is placed on a single PCB and with a nice 3.5" panel...
I think I am not alone who desires for digital outputs on your PicoIDE.

The hardware is finalized as it is heading into production so there will be no changes for this version. Like I said the “ext btn” pin header is present and it’s likely possible to get SPDIF output on it. You’ll just have to use a DuPont cable instead. But I am focused on stable drive emulation first before considering adding SPDIF output on those pins. Of course once the source is released I welcome the community to help out with implementing things like that, or even designing variants with different form factors.

OK. No problem. I understand. I will wait for next redesigned version. Thank you.

I get that there are other benefits for having an optical drive emulator, but is it really getting hard to find IDE optical drives? At least where I live it looks like IDE CD drives are readily and cheaply available at second hand market.

Mike_ wrote on 2026-02-14, 20:15:

I get that there are other benefits for having an optical drive emulator, but is it really getting hard to find IDE optical drives? At least where I live it looks like IDE CD drives are readily and cheaply available at second hand market.

I've personally been having difficulty finding ones that work well, and the ones I do have are dropping like flies.

Mike_ wrote on 2026-02-14, 20:15:

I get that there are other benefits for having an optical drive emulator, but is it really getting hard to find IDE optical drives? At least where I live it looks like IDE CD drives are readily and cheaply available at second hand market.

Then you also need to run disks. Do you trust your originals in some random drive?

For the most part you can get around needing the disk for most games, but ones that utilize CD audio had no good solution in pure DOS mode.

This is purely a convenience thing. It's not for everyone. But Polpo's previous work on getting CD emulation with working CD audio was great. This lets you have an external interface to control it.

Consoles have had flash carts and ODEs for a long time. This will finally fill that hole for the PC without being a limited and insanely priced device like in the past. It uses inexpensive Raspberry Pi micro controllers, and the design and firmware will be open source. Which makes it an excellent starting point for people to adapt to other systems as well that might have a shape or connector.

SScorpio wrote on 2026-02-14, 23:43:

Then you also need to run disks. Do you trust your originals in some random drive?

Is it really common for drives to actually damage CDs instead of just not working? I'd imagine that would be rather rare.

SScorpio wrote on 2026-02-14, 23:43:

For the most part you can get around needing the disk for most games, but ones that utilize CD audio had no good solution in pure DOS mode.

This is purely a convenience thing. It's not for everyone. But Polpo's previous work on getting CD emulation with working CD audio was great. This lets you have an external interface to control it.

Consoles have had flash carts and ODEs for a long time. This will finally fill that hole for the PC without being a limited and insanely priced device like in the past. It uses inexpensive Raspberry Pi micro controllers, and the design and firmware will be open source. Which makes it an excellent starting point for people to adapt to other systems as well that might have a shape or connector.

But yes, this surely adds convenience. Plus it's probably a fun hobby project. 😀

Mike_ wrote on 2026-02-15, 18:18:

SScorpio wrote on 2026-02-14, 23:43:

Then you also need to run disks. Do you trust your originals in some random drive?

Is it really common for drives to actually damage CDs instead of just not working? I'd imagine that would be rather rare.

Not quite rare, I have seen this happen especially with consoles and some specific optical drives for computers.

Cheers,

Mike_ wrote on 2026-02-15, 18:18:

Is it really common for drives to actually damage CDs instead of just not working? I'd imagine that would be rather rare.

It's not that uncommon, scratches and other lite wear occur in perfectly workings drives.

The CDs also aren't getting any younger. There are issues with bitrot due to the materials breaking down.

Doing a single full read to create an image lets you verify the disk is free of errors. And then put it away and not have it spinning for hours on end at several thousand RPM as you play the game.

I see. Using an emulator is definitely more convenient than having to burn a copy of the original disk for sure.

I could see the ODE working out pretty well with Win98 quick install. And after you install, you can copy the VHD image for easy snapshot backups & restores. I guess you could also use the wireless to backup your images, but what? 60 minutes to backup a 16gb file?

Amazing that this thing is now close to 500% funded on crowdsupply. Looks like it's really caught the hearts and minds of the retro boys.

tomcattech wrote on 2026-02-10, 22:44:

I'm imagining a small overpowered Win98 gaming machine in a Shuttle XPC case with a GoTek Floppy emulator and this Pico-IDE sitt […]
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I'm imagining a small overpowered Win98 gaming machine in a Shuttle XPC case with a GoTek Floppy emulator and this Pico-IDE sitting in the front bays!

Only reason why i bought a small desktop chassi with two 3.5" bays for PicoIDE and Gotek 😉

I thought this update was interesting--

https://www.crowdsupply.com/polpotronics/pico … ming-the-ibm-at

It is already 600% funded and growing! 😀

At this point it's a hit before it's even been released. Over 1,300 orders.

I have not had time to order mine yet but looks like a great new product.. will definitely fill a need and I will order at some point.

Thanks for all your hard work on this to keep the old dreams alive 😀

As of now 1,002% funded! WOW!

Q: So delux version sports ESP32-C3 with following specs:
• Complies with IEEE 802.11b/g/n
• Supports 20 MHz and 40 MHz bandwidth in 2.4 GHz band
• 1T1R mode with data rate up to 150 Mbps

I wonder if it could mount and share network drive(s) over wi-fi at some point.

tabm0de wrote on 2026-02-24, 11:25:

Only reason why i bought a small desktop chassi with two 3.5" bays for PicoIDE and Gotek ;) https://i.imgur.com/PtKCz6N.png […]
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Only reason why i bought a small desktop chassi with two 3.5" bays for PicoIDE and Gotek 😉

Does it have an ISA slot?