'''Guide to hook up a 3.5" pc drive to your Amstrad CPC 6128 or 664 (For non-techy people like me).'''<br> You can also check out another guide [[Guide on how to connect a 3.5 | here]]
This guide is for people who own 6128/CPCs 664 cpc's that has the /6128 with 34 pin EDGE connector type interfaces(sold e.g. I know that people in the UK and DK has the Edge connectors).<br>For another guide, check [[Guide_on_how_to_connect_a_3.5]].
People in Germany use A 36-pin Centronics connector is used by the CENTRONICS type connectors German CPC 6128 (classic) and with a dangerously different pinout also some of by the cpc PLUS range use Centronics. Centronics users need a CPC6128plus, each needing different kind kinds of cablecables, cf. [[DIY:Floppy_Drives#Multi-Adaptor_Cable_for_External_Floppies_.2F_HxC_emulator|DIY:Floppy Drives: Multi-Adaptor Cable for External Floppies & HxC emulator]].
== What you need (minimum requirements)==
- a pc 3.5" floppy drive : For usable models see [[Drive_Compatibility]], [[Modify_PC_floppy_drives]] and [[Adding_3.5%22_drive_to_CPC464]].<br>
- a old style pc floppy cable
- a paperclip or a small piece of wire
Pretty hard to get it wrong as the edge connector only fits one way and usually the same is said the floppy connector. BUT .. there IS a few floppy drives that have the pins upside down, so u might need to twist the cable around once .. most likely not tho.
[[Image:CableOn1.JPG|400px600px]]
Note that this type of pc cable usually has some internally twisted cables .. make sure the CPC/PC does NOT have the twisted bit between them. [[Image:IMGP1639 50%.jpg|600px]] You can process the same way with only 1 drive 3"5 and 5"1/4 connectors , you can use the 3"5 connector before the edge card connector instead.
=== Setting the READY signal ===
Last thing you need to do is set the ready signal. This is done by connecting pin 33 and 34. Its the last 2 pins on the cable. Use a bend paperclip or a small wire to short the 2 pins like so (Marked in WHITE):
[[Image:CableClose1.JPG|400px600px]]
Thats it. Now u SHOULD have a fully working 3.5" B drive.
1. Power on the floppy first.
2. Then turn on the cpc.
=== Errors at this point ===
- You turn on the cpc but get a blank/rolling screen? '''Most likely the pc cable connector needs to be flipped over (pins are upside down)'''.
Type "|B" to change to drive B in basic (where ø is the rsx char). A simple CAT will show if the disc/drive works.
=== Other Errors at this point ===
- ; Bad Command? : Floppy drive detected by cpc but is not powered. Recheck your powersupply is connected and working. - ; You turn on the cpc and both drives act-as-one .. and the floppy light is constantly on? : Most likely you didnt short pin 33 & amp; 34 : .. is the paperclip/wire loose? : .. or did you accidentally short pin 1 & amp; 2 instead? Try moving the paperclip to the other end of the connector. - ; Read error on drive? Disc hasnt been formatted yet? : Use software like Discology to quickly format drive B : .. or to quicky copy a disc from A to B : .. or make a test floppy on pc (see transfer bit later). - ; Disc is write protected error? : Make sure the write tab on the disc is down (move tab down on right side of disc).
== Two heads (OPTIONAL) ==
== Worries and what not ==
what What if i hook something up wrong will my Amstrad break? Nah, dont think so, I mean I did EVERYTHING wrong at least twice and both 6128 & amp; 664 is still alive and running. Also I tried a LOT of things myself before with a FD1 cable and such. Still we are talking about electronics and all that , so do be carefull, and dont forget that everything should fit nicely .. no reason to force anything. OMG OMG my precius 20+ year old gem of a Amstrad just blew up in my face, will you takes full responsibility and buy me a new one? Eh?, sure i will .. not.
== FAQ ==
== Thanks goes to ==
- [[Executioner]], [[UKmarkh]], [[JMD]], [[Wanderer]], [[Zeropolis79]], [[Gryzor ]] and [[Ptr ]] for great help and contributions to the guide.
- Everybody in the [http://cpczone.net Cpczone.net ] forums for putting up with my rantings
- Anyone online who i stole info from
== Sorry About ==
My eeiiieenglish isnt the most fluid and correct spelled and all that, but is readable I hope.
== Links to other sites about 3.5" floppy drive hookup ==[[Guide on how to connect a 3.5]] Another local guide [[Modify PC floppy drives]] How to force certain PC drives to produce RDY signal (used for CPC)
http://www.cpcmania.com/ (Spanish & English)
http://www.phenixinformatique.com/secti ... e&artid=67 (French)
http://www.amstradtoday.com/elements/up ... cteur2upgrade/upgrade.htm #nodisk (French)
http://www.terra.es/personal/diegovp/ (Spanish)
http://usuarios.lycos.es/putusoft/emucpc/softwaree.htm (Spanish)
== Great sources about anything CPC (including 3.5" connecting) ==
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/amstrad8bit-faq/ (English/French/Dutch/German/Spanish)
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Techni ... umentation (English) http://www.amstrad-cpc.de/ (German)
== Tools to read CPC floppies on pc ==
ReadDSK/WriteDSK: http://www.julien-nevo.com/arkos/tools.html
[[Dsktools]] "dsktools is a set of tools for reading and writing DSK and EDSK images to real floppy disks for use with theAmstrad/Schneider CPC range of home computers. The main target platform for dsktools is GNU/Linux."
CDPRead/CDPWrite: http://www.caprice32.cybercube.com/downloads.php
'''Cholo'''
[[Category:HardwareDIY]][[Category:DATA Storage]]