CPCWiki - THE Amstrad CPC encyclopedia! - User contributions [en]

Drive Compatibility

2011-07-04T19:50:47Z

TechnoPenguin: Added exhaustive information about Shugart, Ready/Disk Change, Drive Select and Density Select.

==Drive compatibility==

The CPC disk drive connector follows the original Shugart standard, and has a "Ready" signal in pins 33-34 (pins 1-2 in CPC connector as in the manual). A logical low means the drive is ready, "Has disk".
Currently all modern PC 3.5" drives follow a newer standard, which has a "Disk change"-signal in pins 33-34. A logical low means "No disk" so these drives will not work with the CPC, and it will display a "Disc Missing" message. A workaround to this is to jumper pins 33-34 in the cable, forcing the drive to think there is a disk inside.

Some older drives can be configured with jumpers to provide the "Ready" -signal, so you don't need the jumper in the cable. This is usually marked by RY/DC (Ready/Disk change).

All modern PC drives are also hardwired to be the drive 1 (A:-drive in the PC world). This means the drive will act as B-drive in CPC. Some drives have the option to change this behavior (jumpers DS1 and DS0 or D1 and D0) which allows you to use the drive as A-drive. Or you can jumper pins 13-14 in the cable to force the drive to be DS0. This will halt CPC at the start though so do it after starting.

There can also be a jumper for the disk density. This should be set to LOW or LD so the drive is forced to low density mode. This way you don't have to tape over the hole in the disk.

===Working===

* Panasonic JU-256, HD drive, needs jumper at 33-34 to force "Ready"

===Non-working===

* TEAC FD235HF-217U, (reason? Was not because of the "Disk change"-signal)
* TEAC FD235HF-240U, as above

===Particular models of interest===

* TEAC FD-235F or HF, any except the two above - These drives are usually low-density ones and have the jumpers to provide automatic "Ready"-signal.
* TEAC FD-235HF-3240-U - This drive has a 4x7 matrix of jumpers and can be configured in almost any way possible. Very good for various projects.

===Useful links===

[http://unixpc.taronga.com/documents/3.5faq 3.5" floppy FAQ] - UnixPC FAQ about 3,5" disk drives.

[http://www.freewebs.com/computolio/amiga_floppy_compatibility.html Amiga Floppy Drive Compatibility List] - A lot of this applies to CPC also.

[http://pinouts.ru/Storage/InternalDisk_pinout.shtml Floppy Diskdrive connector pinout] - Both Shugart and the newer pinout explained

Drive Compatibility

2011-07-02T08:36:33Z

TechnoPenguin: Initial compatibility list with helpful links

==Drive compatibility==

===Working===

* Panasonic JU-256, HD drive

===Non-working===

* TEAC FD235HF-217U, has "Disk change"-signal on pins 33-34 instead of "Ready"
* TEAC FD235HF-240U, as above

===Useful links===

[http://unixpc.taronga.com/documents/3.5faq 3.5" floppy FAQ] - UnixPC FAQ about 3,5" disk drives.

[http://www.freewebs.com/computolio/amiga_floppy_compatibility.html Amiga Floppy Drive Compatibility List] - A lot of this applies to CPC also.

DIY

2011-07-02T08:28:15Z

TechnoPenguin: /* Floppy Drives */

== DIY Hardware Projects ==

Do-it-yourself (DIY) projects...

=== Communication - RS232 / PC Connection ===
* [[AMSSIO|AMSSIO RS232 interface]]
* [[CPCI RS232 Interface|CPCI RS232 Interface]]
* [[Z80 STI RS232 interface]]
* [[Z80-SIO dual ports RS232 interface for CPC (French)]]

=== Floppy Drives ===
* [[ABBA switch]] (swap drive A: and B:)
* [[Guide on how to connect a 3.5|Connecting a 3.5" drive to a CPC6128/664]]
* [[Guide on how to connect a 3.5" drive to a CPC6128/664|Connecting a 3.5" drive to a CPC6128/664 (with photos)]]
* [[Connecting a Disc Interface to CPC464+]]
* [[Modify PC floppy drives|Modify PC floppy drives to work on a CPC]]
* [[DDI_Modification|Modify a DDI-1 for use with 3.5" Drives]]
* [[Side Select Switch]] (force AMSDOS to use Side B)
* [[Drive Compatibility]]

=== HID ===
* [[PS2Mouse|AMX Compatible PS/2 and USB Mouse Adapter]]
* [[Atari-ST mouse adapter]]
* [[CPCKey|Attaching an AT keyboard to the CPC]]

=== Joysticks ===
* [[Joystick_Autofire|Joystick Autofire Circuit]]
* [[Joystick Y-cables|Joystick Y-cables]]
* [[Joystick_Splitter|Joystick Splitter Circuit]]

=== Mass Storage ===
* [[DIY_464_External_Audio_Socket|DIY Tape/CD Socket for CPC464]]
* [[DIY_Plus_Tape_Socket|DIY Tape Socket for CPC6128+]]
* [[HxC_SDCard_Internal|How To Build An Internal HxC SDCard Drive]]
* [[HxC_Floppy_Emulator|HxC Disc Emulator using PC as Storage Medium]]
* [[HxC_Standalone_Floppy_Emulator|HxC Disc Emulator using SDCard]]
* [[SDiskEmul|SD Card Disc Drive Emulator]]

=== Power Supply ===
* [[Powering a CPC 6128 from a Sinclar Spectrum +3 PSU|Powering a CPC 6128 from a Sinclar Spectrum +3 PSU]]

=== Printer ===
* [[8bit Printer Ports]]
* [[Simple RS232 for Printer usage|Simple RS232 for Printer usage]]
* [[DB-25 Printer Port Adapter]]

=== Real Time Clocks ===
* [[ACU_Real_Time_Clock_(DIY)|ACU Realtime Clock]] (without year counter)
* [[Real Time Clock|CPCI Real Time Clock]] (note: incomplete instructions / schematics due to low-resolution scans)

=== ROM / RAM Expansions ===
* [[ACU_Romboard_(DIY)|ACU Romboard]] (ACU)
* [[CPC4MB|CPC4MB - 4 MB memory expansion]] ([[Yarek]])
* [[DIY_Cartridge|DIY Plus Cartridge]] (Bryce)
* [[Inicron RAM-Box|Inicron RAM-Box]] (Inicron)
* [[Inicron ROM-RAM-Box|Inicron ROM-RAM-Box]] (Inicron)
* [[MITM|Man In The Middle Cartridge]] (Bryce)
* [[MegaROM|MegaROM]] (Bryce)
* [[Multi_Cartridge|Multi-Cartridge]] (Bryce)
* [[Amstrad ROM Expander|Practical Electronics ROMBoard Project]] (Simon Dean)
* [[Ramcard 128]] ([[RAM7]])

=== Sound ===
* [[Digiblaster|Digiblaster Sound Card]] (8bit DAC on printer port)
* [[SP0256_on_Printer_Port_(DIY)|SP0256 Speech Synthesizer for Printer Port]]

=== TV / Monitors ===
* [[Convert an MP1 into an MP2|Converting an MP1 into an MP2]]
* [[LCD And Plasma TV Solution|Getting a CPC to work with an LCD or plasma TV]]
* [[PCAI_Video_Texting_(DIY)|PCAI Video Modulator]]
* [[RGB_SVideo|RGB to S-Video Converter]]
* [[TV SCART cable|TV SCART cables]]

=== Others ===
* [[6 MHz CPC]]
* [[Ambug|Ambug Robot]]
* [[PCAI_A/D_Converter_(DIY)| PCAI Analogue to Digital Converter]]
* [[Schneiderware]] (a series of DIY projects that were released in [[CPC Schneider International]] magazine)
* [[Reset_Button|Reset Button]]
* [[Expansion Converter|UK/DE Expansion Converter]]

== Hardware Repair ==

* [[Changing the drive belt|Changing the drive belt]]
* [[Keyboard Membrane Repair/Replacement Guide]]
* [[Joystick_Repair|A Guide To Repairing Digital Joysticks]]

== How to's / Tutorials ==

* [[A guide to running software on a real Amstrad CPC/CPC Plus computer|A Guide to running software on a real CPC!]]
* [[Transfering Alkatraz protected tapes and most games!|Transfering Alkatraz protected tapes and most games!]]
* [[Willem Programmer|Willem Programmer]] - how to program eproms using the Willem eprom programmer.

[[Category:DIY| ]] [[Category:Hardware| ]]

DIY

2011-07-02T08:23:30Z

TechnoPenguin: /* Floppy Drives */

== DIY Hardware Projects ==

Do-it-yourself (DIY) projects...

=== Communication - RS232 / PC Connection ===
* [[AMSSIO|AMSSIO RS232 interface]]
* [[CPCI RS232 Interface|CPCI RS232 Interface]]
* [[Z80 STI RS232 interface]]
* [[Z80-SIO dual ports RS232 interface for CPC (French)]]

=== Floppy Drives ===
* [[ABBA switch]] (swap drive A: and B:)
* [[Guide on how to connect a 3.5|Connecting a 3.5" drive to a CPC6128/664]]
* [[Guide on how to connect a 3.5" drive to a CPC6128/664|Connecting a 3.5" drive to a CPC6128/664 (with photos)]]
* [[Connecting a Disc Interface to CPC464+]]
* [[Modify PC floppy drives|Modify PC floppy drives to work on a CPC]]
* [[DDI_Modification|Modify a DDI-1 for use with 3.5" Drives]]
* [[Side Select Switch]] (force AMSDOS to use Side B)
* [[Tested_drives|Tested 3.5" Drives]]

=== HID ===
* [[PS2Mouse|AMX Compatible PS/2 and USB Mouse Adapter]]
* [[Atari-ST mouse adapter]]
* [[CPCKey|Attaching an AT keyboard to the CPC]]

=== Joysticks ===
* [[Joystick_Autofire|Joystick Autofire Circuit]]
* [[Joystick Y-cables|Joystick Y-cables]]
* [[Joystick_Splitter|Joystick Splitter Circuit]]

=== Mass Storage ===
* [[DIY_464_External_Audio_Socket|DIY Tape/CD Socket for CPC464]]
* [[DIY_Plus_Tape_Socket|DIY Tape Socket for CPC6128+]]
* [[HxC_SDCard_Internal|How To Build An Internal HxC SDCard Drive]]
* [[HxC_Floppy_Emulator|HxC Disc Emulator using PC as Storage Medium]]
* [[HxC_Standalone_Floppy_Emulator|HxC Disc Emulator using SDCard]]
* [[SDiskEmul|SD Card Disc Drive Emulator]]

=== Power Supply ===
* [[Powering a CPC 6128 from a Sinclar Spectrum +3 PSU|Powering a CPC 6128 from a Sinclar Spectrum +3 PSU]]

=== Printer ===
* [[8bit Printer Ports]]
* [[Simple RS232 for Printer usage|Simple RS232 for Printer usage]]
* [[DB-25 Printer Port Adapter]]

=== Real Time Clocks ===
* [[ACU_Real_Time_Clock_(DIY)|ACU Realtime Clock]] (without year counter)
* [[Real Time Clock|CPCI Real Time Clock]] (note: incomplete instructions / schematics due to low-resolution scans)

=== ROM / RAM Expansions ===
* [[ACU_Romboard_(DIY)|ACU Romboard]] (ACU)
* [[CPC4MB|CPC4MB - 4 MB memory expansion]] ([[Yarek]])
* [[DIY_Cartridge|DIY Plus Cartridge]] (Bryce)
* [[Inicron RAM-Box|Inicron RAM-Box]] (Inicron)
* [[Inicron ROM-RAM-Box|Inicron ROM-RAM-Box]] (Inicron)
* [[MITM|Man In The Middle Cartridge]] (Bryce)
* [[MegaROM|MegaROM]] (Bryce)
* [[Multi_Cartridge|Multi-Cartridge]] (Bryce)
* [[Amstrad ROM Expander|Practical Electronics ROMBoard Project]] (Simon Dean)
* [[Ramcard 128]] ([[RAM7]])

=== Sound ===
* [[Digiblaster|Digiblaster Sound Card]] (8bit DAC on printer port)
* [[SP0256_on_Printer_Port_(DIY)|SP0256 Speech Synthesizer for Printer Port]]

=== TV / Monitors ===
* [[Convert an MP1 into an MP2|Converting an MP1 into an MP2]]
* [[LCD And Plasma TV Solution|Getting a CPC to work with an LCD or plasma TV]]
* [[PCAI_Video_Texting_(DIY)|PCAI Video Modulator]]
* [[RGB_SVideo|RGB to S-Video Converter]]
* [[TV SCART cable|TV SCART cables]]

=== Others ===
* [[6 MHz CPC]]
* [[Ambug|Ambug Robot]]
* [[PCAI_A/D_Converter_(DIY)| PCAI Analogue to Digital Converter]]
* [[Schneiderware]] (a series of DIY projects that were released in [[CPC Schneider International]] magazine)
* [[Reset_Button|Reset Button]]
* [[Expansion Converter|UK/DE Expansion Converter]]

== Hardware Repair ==

* [[Changing the drive belt|Changing the drive belt]]
* [[Keyboard Membrane Repair/Replacement Guide]]
* [[Joystick_Repair|A Guide To Repairing Digital Joysticks]]

== How to's / Tutorials ==

* [[A guide to running software on a real Amstrad CPC/CPC Plus computer|A Guide to running software on a real CPC!]]
* [[Transfering Alkatraz protected tapes and most games!|Transfering Alkatraz protected tapes and most games!]]
* [[Willem Programmer|Willem Programmer]] - how to program eproms using the Willem eprom programmer.

[[Category:DIY| ]] [[Category:Hardware| ]]