Disk drives - Revision history

MacDeath at 09:49, 10 March 2015

2015-03-10T09:49:51Z

MacDeath at 09:49, 10 March 2015

2015-03-10T09:49:18Z

Jonathanen: /* AMSDOS & Double sided drives */

2014-10-20T00:20:34Z

‎AMSDOS & Double sided drives

Arnoldemu: /* Density of the media it can read */

2011-06-16T11:49:10Z

‎Density of the media it can read

Arnoldemu: /* AMSDOS & Double sided drives */

2011-06-16T11:46:20Z

‎AMSDOS & Double sided drives

Arnoldemu: /* Number of Tracks */

2011-06-16T11:44:35Z

‎Number of Tracks

Arnoldemu: /* Number of Sides */

2011-06-16T11:42:54Z

‎Number of Sides

Arnoldemu: /* Amstrad parts numbers */

2011-06-16T10:53:47Z

‎Amstrad parts numbers

MacDeath at 12:47, 5 January 2011

2011-01-05T12:47:43Z

Arnoldemu: /* Existing models */

2010-05-07T10:42:55Z

‎Existing models

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
-*Amstrad CPC464: This computer lacks the disc controller hardware and the software to use a disc drive. To use discs on an Amstrad CPC464 the most compatible interface is the DDI-1 (this includes AMSDOS ROM). Normally this interface came with one FD-1 3" disc drive.
+*'''Amstrad CPC464''': This computer lacks the disc controller hardware and the software to use a disc drive. To use discs on an Amstrad CPC464 the most compatible interface is the DDI-1 (this includes AMSDOS ROM). Normally this interface came with one FD-1 3" disc drive.
-*Amstrad 464+: This computer lacks the disc controller hardware and the software to use a disc drive. The PCB of the 464+ is the same as the 6128+ but with the components removed. So it is possible to add all the extra components required to get a disc interface and Amstrad Action published an article about how to do this. However finding all the components is not so easy now. A DDI-1 can be fitted to the 464+, but you will probably need a conversion cable; to convert the connector on the expansion to the old edge connector on the DDI-1, but also the DDI-1 interface needs modifying to be compatible.
+*'''Amstrad 464+''': This computer lacks the disc controller hardware and the software to use a disc drive. The PCB of the 464+ is the same as the 6128+ but with the components removed. So it is possible to add all the extra components required to get a disc interface and Amstrad Action published an article about how to do this. However finding all the components is not so easy now. A DDI-1 can be fitted to the 464+, but you will probably need a conversion cable; to convert the connector on the expansion to the old edge connector on the DDI-1, but also the DDI-1 interface needs modifying to be compatible.
-*Amstrad CPC664, CPC6128, 6128+: These computers all come with disc interface and AMSDOS ROM integrated into the computer. In addition they all come with an internal 3" disc drive.
+*'''Amstrad CPC664, CPC6128, 6128+''': These computers all come with disc interface and AMSDOS ROM integrated into the computer. In addition they all come with an internal 3" disc drive.
 Disks are one of the easiest way to use programs on the Amstrad.

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
-Amstrad CPC464: This computer lacks the disc controller hardware and the software to use a disc drive. To use discs on an Amstrad CPC464 the most compatible interface is the DDI-1 (this includes AMSDOS ROM). Normally this interface came with one FD-1 3" disc drive.
+*Amstrad CPC464: This computer lacks the disc controller hardware and the software to use a disc drive. To use discs on an Amstrad CPC464 the most compatible interface is the DDI-1 (this includes AMSDOS ROM). Normally this interface came with one FD-1 3" disc drive.
-Amstrad 464+: This computer lacks the disc controller hardware and the software to use a disc drive. The PCB of the 464+ is the same as the 6128+ but with the components removed. So it is possible to add all the extra components required to get a disc interface and Amstrad Action published an article about how to do this. However finding all the components is not so easy now. A DDI-1 can be fitted to the 464+, but you will probably need a conversion cable; to convert the connector on the expansion to the old edge connector on the DDI-1, but also the DDI-1 interface needs modifying to be compatible.
+*Amstrad 464+: This computer lacks the disc controller hardware and the software to use a disc drive. The PCB of the 464+ is the same as the 6128+ but with the components removed. So it is possible to add all the extra components required to get a disc interface and Amstrad Action published an article about how to do this. However finding all the components is not so easy now. A DDI-1 can be fitted to the 464+, but you will probably need a conversion cable; to convert the connector on the expansion to the old edge connector on the DDI-1, but also the DDI-1 interface needs modifying to be compatible.
-Amstrad CPC664, CPC6128, 6128+: These computers all come with disc interface and AMSDOS ROM integrated into the computer. In addition they all come with an internal 3" disc drive.
+*Amstrad CPC664, CPC6128, 6128+: These computers all come with disc interface and AMSDOS ROM integrated into the computer. In addition they all come with an internal 3" disc drive.
 Disks are one of the easiest way to use programs on the Amstrad.

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 For both drives:
 * Use another DOS on CPC, one which can read/write 2 sided discs (ParaDOS, ROMDOS etc). The disc formats supported by the other DOS each have their own capacity.
-* Install a side switch. This gives you manual control over which side is accessed. With standard AMSDOS format you now have 2 * 178K for each disc.
+* Install a [[Side Select Switch|side switch]]. This gives you manual control over which side is accessed. With standard AMSDOS format you now have 2 * 178K for each disc.
 ===Number of Tracks ===

@@ Line 109: / Line 109: @@
 * 1.44MB 3.5" PC MS-DOS formatted discs
-The Amstrad disc controller can only read Double density discs.
+The Amstrad's disc controller can only read Double density discs. AMSDOS is limited to it's own disc formats so it can't read PC formatted discs, the filesystems are not compatible.
 The density of the media determines the total capacity of the drive.

@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 AMSDOS is designed for single sided drives. This means it will only read 1 side of a double sided disc.
 For 5.25" drives:
-* You can cut another write-protect notch on the other side. Then you can turn the disc over and insert it the other way up.
+* You can cut another write-protect notch on the other side. Then you can turn the disc over and insert it the other way up.  With standard AMSDOS format you now have 2 * 178K for each disc.
 For both drives:
-* Use another DOS on CPC, one which can read/write 2 sided discs (ParaDOS, ROMDOS etc).
+* Use another DOS on CPC, one which can read/write 2 sided discs (ParaDOS, ROMDOS etc). The disc formats supported by the other DOS each have their own capacity.
-* Install a side switch. This gives you manual control over which side is accessed.
+* Install a side switch. This gives you manual control over which side is accessed. With standard AMSDOS format you now have 2 * 178K for each disc.
 ===Number of Tracks ===

@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 The number of tracks determine the total capacity that this drive can access.
 NOTE: It is possible to read a disc created on a 40 track drive in an 80 track drive.
 === Rotational Speed ===

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:53, 16 June 2011
Line 27:		Line 27:


		+
		+	== Technical Information ==
		+
		+	Characteristics of a disc drive:
		+
		+	* Number of sides
		+	* Number of tracks
		+	* Rotational speed
		+	* Ready signal
		+	* Density of the media it can read
		+	* Disc format
		+	* Capacity
		+
		+	=== Number of Sides ===
		+
		+	Number of sides is 1 (single sided) or 2 (double sided).
		+
		+	AMSDOS is designed for single sided drives. This means it will only read 1 side of a double sided disc.
		+	To use both sides of a double sided disc you need another DOS (ParaDOS, ROMDOS etc).
		+
		+	The number of sides determines the total capacity that this drive can access.
		+
		+	===Number of Tracks ===
		+
		+	Number of tracks is either 40 or 80.
		+
		+	The number of tracks determine the total capacity that this drive can access.
		+
		+	NOTE: It is possible to read a disc created on a 40 track drive in an 80 track drive.
		+
		+	=== Rotational Speed ===
		+
		+	The rotational speed is either 300rpm or 360rpm, and it is the speed at which the disc is rotated within the drive when the motor is active.
		+	The speed of the motor doesn't affect data transfer rate.
		+
		+	=== Ready signal ===
		+
		+	The CPC floppy disc controller requires a "ready" signal from the drive.
		+
		+	The drive is ready when:
		+	* the disc motor is on,
		+	* the drive is selected
		+	* a disc is in the drive
		+	* the rotational speed has stabalised (a short time after motor is switched on)
		+
		+	=== Density of the media it can read ===
		+
		+	The drive is designed for one or more specific media densities which it can read.
		+
		+	Low density (FM), Double Density (MFM), High Density (MFM).
		+
		+	Examples of low-density:
		+
		+	* BBC Micro DFS formatted discs.
		+
		+	Examples of double density:
		+
		+	* 360K 5.25" PC MS-DOS formatted discs
		+	* 720K 3.5" PC MS-DOS formatted discs
		+
		+	Examples of high density:
		+
		+	* 1.2MB 5.25" PC MS-DOS formatted discs
		+	* 1.44MB 3.5" PC MS-DOS formatted discs
		+
		+	The Amstrad disc controller can only read Double density discs.
		+
		+	The density of the media determines the total capacity of the drive.
		+
		+	=== Capacity ===
		+
		+	This defines the total capacity or capability of the drive. The actual useable amount depends on the filesystem that is written to it.

	==Amstrad parts numbers==		==Amstrad parts numbers==

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:47, 5 January 2011
Line 70:		Line 70:
	*D7 = disquettes/disk ("Dé Sept")		*D7 = disquettes/disk ("Dé Sept")

−	[[Category:Hardware]][[Category:Peripherals]][[Category:Stub]][[Category:DATA Storage]][[Category:CPC Internal Components]][[Category:Page to delete or rename]]	+	[[Category:Hardware]][[Category:Peripherals]][[Category:Stub]][[Category:DATA Storage\| ]][[Category:CPC Internal Components]][[Category:Page to delete or rename]]

@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 * [[Cumana 3" Disk Drive]]
 * [[Data Media Disc System]]
 * [[Jasmin AM5D 5 "1/4 floppy drive]]
 * [[KDS 5¼" Disc Drive]] ([[KDS Electronics]])
-* [[F1|Vortex Disc Drives]] ([[Vortex Computersysteme|Vortex]])
+* [[Teac 3" Disc Drive]]
 === Drive Emulators ===