SD2IEC LCD - User Manual commodore

A user manual for SD2IEC - from preparing the SD card to archiving floppy disks onto it.

1. Introduction

SD2IEC is an SD card reader designed for Commodore computers.
It works with Commodore 64, C64C, C128, C128D, VIC-20, C16, C116, Plus/4 and SX-64 computers.
It can read and write *.D64, *.D71, *.D81, *.PRG and *.P00 files.
This version of SD2IEC features an LCD display and a real-time clock (RTC).

2. Preparing the SD card

If the SD card was supplied together with the SD2IEC, you can skip this step.
SD2IEC supports SD cards up to 32 GB.
Before use, the card must be formatted with the FAT32 file system.

You can download the SD2IEC file pack here:

SD2IEC displays files and folders in the order they were copied onto the SD card.
If the first file on the card is FB, you can load the file browser with the command:

LOAD "*",8

instead of:

LOAD "FB",8

You can then copy folders in the order you want them to appear.
Copy files such as FB16, FB20 etc. last - they will appear at the bottom of the list.

3. Connecting

Connect the serial cable to the C64 and SD2IEC. It doesn’t matter which SD2IEC port you use.
You can connect another device to the second port, e.g. a 1541 drive.

SD2IEC requires 5 V DC power.
You can power it from any USB charger or from the cassette port using the included adapter.

You change the device number with the switch on the back of the SD2IEC case.
The current device number is shown on the LCD.
By default, SD2IEC is set to device number 8.
Note: some games only work with device number 8.

4. First boot

After starting the computer, type:

LOAD "*",8

or

LOAD "FB",8

where 8 is the device number.

Press RETURN, then type:

RUN

and press RETURN again.
The file browser will launch.

5. Multi-disk games

Some games span several D64 images.
When a game asks you to insert the next disk, you can switch the D64 image using the buttons on the front of the case.
For the buttons to work, the folder containing the game must include an autoswap.lst file.
This is a text file listing the names of the D64 images in that folder.
All games in the c64 multi d64 folder come with an autoswap.lst file.

6. T64 files

SD2IEC does not support T64 files.
You can, however, export a supported PRG file from them.
Use DirMaster for the export:

After installing, open the T64 file.
Right-click the line with the correct PRG file.
Then left-click Export.

7. RTC - Real-time clock

This version of SD2IEC has a built-in real-time clock.
It allows programs such as C64 OS to display the current time.
The time can also be read with a BASIC command, enabling you to use the RTC in your own programs.
Files saved to the SD card receive the correct creation date.

Open the SD2IEC by separating the two halves of the case from the back.
Inside you will find a blue RTC module with a battery holder.
To use the RTC, insert a CR2032 battery - it should last several years.

Then set the time using the configurator.prg or set rtc.prg program found in the TOOLS folder.

You can read the time from the RTC with a simple BASIC program:

10 OPEN15,8,15,"T-RA"
20 GET#15,A$:T$=T$+A$:IFST<>64THEN20
30 PRINT T$:CLOSE15

Video about using RTC with C64 OS:

8. Software archiving

To use the Datasette tape drive and SD2IEC at the same time, power the reader from any USB charger.

Copying software from tapes or individual PRG files from disks is very straightforward.
First load the file into the computer’s memory.
To save the file to the SD card, use the command:

SAVE"filename.prg",9

where 9 is the SD2IEC device number.

The photo above shows a game loaded from a 1541 drive set to device number 8, then saved to an SD2IEC set to device number 9.

To copy a whole disk, use an empty D64 image.
You can download empty images here:

Copy the file to the SD card and rename it.
Then launch the dc64.prg program from the TOOLS folder.
There you can select your 1541 drive and the empty file.
To start copying, press F8 (SHIFT + F7).

Warning: do not write the empty image to a floppy disk. This will overwrite the contents of the disk.

Do you have questions about SD2IEC, need help, or want to report an error on the page?
Write to me - I’ll be happy to help.