What is the problem with CD or DVD? I use them when needed.

Something like this?
https://shop.tattiebogle.net/product/prod_EkTnv3Tk2Trxhf
https://www.zuluide.com/

PicoGUS is exactly what you want.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkzHC6B1bKY

https://picog.us/

I think Ian Scott is working on an IDE cdrom emulator and it is due soon...

https://picoide.com/

marxveix wrote on 2025-10-30, 11:31:

What is the problem with CD or DVD? I use them when needed.

I use them too. However, it does seem like the 52x era CD-ROM drives have a finite lifespan before they start getting picky with which discs to read and not, whether to eject, etc. So even if I don't use these projects, I'm glad the exist, because someday I probably will.

Not USB, but the ZuluIDE supports hot-swapping SD cards.

You can attach a micro SD card extension cable to it and run the cable outside your PC to make accessing it easier.

They just released a slightly cheaper V2: https://www.zuluide.com/

You could also go the network card route using mtcp, that's how I transfer files.

Lots of input, many thanks.
I am looking for a hot swap option. I am not sure how my old 486 will respond when running DOS, if I simply take out the secondary CF card (non-system), write stuff on it and stick it back in.
Has anyone tried this? Because if that would work and be non destructive to components, it would suffice. It would not change the drive geometry. But would DOS notice in the idle time and would it act up?

Maybe I have a wrong idea, but what is the max file size I can store on a Gotek? 1.44MB? Or can I make them bigger? What transfer speed will a Gotek deliver? How long does it take for 1.44MB?

marxveix wrote on 2025-10-30, 11:31:

What is the problem with CD or DVD? I use them when needed.

The problem is that it takes too long for my taste to burn a CD-RW for just a few files. I would like to have a USB port for hot swap, quick transfer. But with DOS, I don't think that is an option.

zuldan wrote on 2025-10-30, 11:47:

PicoGUS is exactly what you want.

It sounds great, given the versatility and the fact that I have a free 8 bit slot.
BUT ... can I hot swap the stick? Because if not, I can cold swap the CF-card anyway (rear slot).
And while this may be great to move stuff to the 486, how would I move it back off? It can't write to CD in DOS.
While the PicoGUS may not solve my problem, it is a nice gadget to not worry about CDs any more.

jh80 wrote on Today, 05:50:

Not USB, but the ZuluIDE supports hot-swapping SD cards.
You can attach a micro SD card extension cable to it and run the cable outside your PC to make accessing it easier.
They just released a slightly cheaper V2: https://www.zuluide.com/

While I like the fact that it hooks up to IDE, I was surprised by the 3-digit price tag. The PicoGUS is actually cheaper and brings a soundcard too.

Guld wrote on Today, 11:19:

You could also go the network card route using mtcp, that's how I transfer files.

My last attempt to transfer files through my home network to a win98 machine was cancelled by win11 paranoia. There is a thread here somewhere about it. Would have been nice.
Given the few moments a hot swap is desired, it seems that a gotek might be a wise investment, if it is hot swappable.

And what about simply ripping out the CF card? It might be a subject for another thread.