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Guide on how to connect a 3.5" drive to a CPC6128/664

951 bytes added, 03:55, 28 September 2017
/* Other Errors at this point */ Improve presentation : turn big paragraph into easy-to-read QA thanks to "description list" markup.
'''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
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 ===
=== 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 ==
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]]
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