Difference between revisions of "Vortex Disc Drives"

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Disc drives from [[Vortex_Computersysteme|Vortex]], with 80 tracks and 720K capacity (704K available).
+
A series of external 3,5" and 5,25" floppy disc drives from [[Vortex_Computersysteme|Vortex]] providing up to 720K capacity (704K available). The Vortex drives were most popular in Germany. For more information regarding [[VDOS]] and the Vortex Disk Format, see the dedicated [[VDOS]] Wiki page.
  
−
== Vortex -S and -D Drives (720K/disk) ==
+
== S- and D-Drives (720K) ==
  
−
* '''F1 - S''' Single 5.25" drive with [[FDC|NEC765]], with [[VDOS]] 1.0
+
These are the first generation of 720K floppy disc drives from Vortex. They came in variants having either a single drive ("S" variant) or two drives ("D" variant). The "S" variant (as well as the less expensive "Z" variant) was delivered with the same double-height casing as the "D" variant, so that a second drive could be retrofitted.
−
* '''F1 - D''' Double 5.25" drive with [[FDC|NEC765]], with [[VDOS]] 1.0
+
−
* '''M1 - S''' Single 3.5" drive with [[FDC|NEC765]], with [[VDOS]] 1.0
+
−
* '''M1 - D''' Double 3.5" drive with [[FDC|NEC765]], with [[VDOS]] 1.0
+
  
−
These are the original drives from Vortex, for use on CPC 464. The hardware supports one or two 80 track drives, additionally a 3" [[Amstrad Disk Drive|FD-1]] can be connected as third drive, ie. unlike most other CPC disk interfaces it supports more than 2 drives. [[VDOS]] only stores information for 2 drives at one time.  
+
The F1-S, F1-D, M1-S, M1-D drives have their own FDC765 in the controller, and this one supports all DS0 up to DS3. The Vortex interface can manage 4 floppy drives in total.
  
−
TO BE CONFIRMED: Does the interface fully decode US0/US1 from NEC765 and if you select unit 3 which drive is accessed.
+
=== F1-S and F1-D (5,25") ===
  
−
== Vortex -Z Drives (180K/side or 180K/disk?) ==
+
The F1-S and F1-D models are based on BASF 6138 (81690-001) type 5,25" disk drives, i.e. double-sided, 80 tracks per side, 96 tpi density.
  
−
* '''F1 - Z''' Single 5.25" drive without FDC, without [[VDOS]]
+
<gallery>
−
* '''M1 - Z''' Single 3.5" drive without FDC, without [[VDOS]]
+
Image:IMG 3163.JPG|F1-D
 +
Image:Vortex f1d front.jpg|F1-D front view
 +
Image:Vortex f1d back.jpg|F1-D backside
 +
</gallery>
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:Vortex fd-1 interface 664.jpg|F1-D interface<br />(CPC 664)
 +
Image:Fd1 interface 664 platine front.jpg|F1-D interface board (CPC 664)
 +
Image:Fd1 interface 664 platine back.jpg|F1-D interface board (CPC 664)
 +
Image:F1DCONT.jpg|F1-D interface board (CPC 6128)
 +
</gallery>
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:Vortex f1 manual.jpg|F1-S/D manual
 +
Image:Vortex F1 SystemDisk 464.jpg|F1-S/D system disk<br />(CPC 464)
 +
Image:Vortex f1 manual disk.jpg|F1-S/D system disk<br />(CPC 664/6128)
 +
</gallery>
  
−
These are the ''Low-Capacity'' drives from Vortex, for use on CPC 664/6128 or CPC 464 with DDI-1 (ie. on computers that already have a FDC and AMSDOS). There doesn't seem to be anything special about this product, just an off-the-shelf disk drive, shipped with a CPC-specific connection cable.
+
The floppy controller of the F1-D / F1-S was cloned by Hans Hübner of FutureSoft with MX4 connector and without ROM slot. It supports four drives. Under FutureOS they are named E-H.
  
−
AMSDOS can only access 40 tracks. TO BE CONFIRMED: Are the drives 80 track, double sided? Is there any way to access the second side with AMSDOS (e.g. side switch??)
+
=== A1-S Upgrade Kit (5,25") ===
  
−
== Vortex -X Drives (720K/disk) ==
+
Vortex offered an upgrade kit consisting of a single bare drive and an installation manual, allowing to upgrade a F1-S (single) drive to a F1-D (dual) drive. To do this, one simply had to install the additional drive in the free slot of the drive case.
  
−
* '''F1 - X''' Single 5.25" drive without FDC, with [[VDOS]] 2.0
+
<gallery>
−
* '''M1 - X''' Single 3.5" drive without FDC, with [[VDOS]] 2.0 (not inside drive)
+
Image:Basf 6138 spare drive.jpg|BASF 6138 spare drive
−
* '''F1 - XRS''' same as F1-X, upgraded with RS232 interface
+
</gallery>
−
* '''M1 - XRS''' same as M1-X, upgraded with RS232 interface
+
  
−
These are the newest drives from Vortex, for use on CPC 664/6128 or CPC 464 with DDI-1 (ie. on computers that already have a FDC). The |S command (for accessing a third drive) is no longer used, the new |X command allows to swap drive A and B (same as [[X-DDOS]] from Dobbertin)
+
=== M1-S and M1-D (3,5") ===
  
−
== Vortex Add-ons ==
+
The M1-S and M1-D models are based on 3,5" disk drives. Controller and DOS were identical for 5,25" and 3,5" devices.
  
−
* Vortex X modul (adding RS232 support to -X drives)
+
=== FDA-1 3" Drive Adapter ===
−
* VDOS2.0 (upgrading older drives to [[VDOS]] 2.0)
+
−
* Second drive unit (for upgrading a single -S drive to a dual -D drive)
+
  
−
== I/O Ports ==
+
This adapter allows to connect an external FD-1 3" drive on Vortex F1/M1 setups on the CPC 464. Since only two drives can be used at the same time, the external 3" drive first had to be selected manually with the RSX command '''|S'''. This RSX command worked also with VDOS 2.11 on CPC6128.
  
−
  Standard Addresses (same as used by AMSDOS):
+
{| class="wikitable"
−
    FB7Eh 765 FDC (internal) Status Register (R)
+
|-
−
    FB7Fh 765 FDC (internal) Data Register (R/W)
+
! RSX !! Description
−
    FA7Eh Floppy Motor On/Off Flipflop
+
|-
−
  Special Addresses (secondary FDC):
+
| &#124;S,1 || Use 3" drive as drive A, upper Vortex drive is disabled
−
    FBF6h 765 FDC (Vortex,ext) Status Register (Read)
+
|-
−
    FBF7h 765 FDC (Vortex,ext) Data Register (R/W)
+
| &#124;S,2 || Use 3" drive as drive B, lower Vortex drive is disabled
−
    FA7Eh Floppy Motor On/Off Flipflop (same as normal)
+
|-
−
  (The Special addresses are mentioned in the manual
+
| &#124;S,0 || Disable the 3" drive (default)
−
  for the Vortex -X drives) (but apparently they are referring
+
|}
−
  to other/older Vortex drives, not the -X drives)
+
  
−
The Special addresses are used only on CPC 664/6128 and only if the Vortex drive includes an FDC chip.
+
<gallery>
 +
Image:Vortex 3rd drive adapter.jpg|FDA-1 Adapter
 +
Image:Vortex 3rd drive adapter insides.jpg|Inside the adapter box
 +
Image:Vortex 3rd drive adapter insides closeup.jpg|Inside the adapter box (closeup)
 +
Image:Vortex 3rd drive adapter plug cable.jpg|Plug (cable side)
 +
Image:Vortex 3rd drive adapter plug floppy.jpg|FD-1 3" floppy drive plug
 +
</gallery>
  
−
The X drive has a different PCB than the PCB for the S, the manual describes connecting the DDI-1 interface to the X drive interface and a 'decoder-ROM' which defines the I/O decoding?
+
=== Clone of the F1-D controller ===
 +
A clone of the F1-D controller was created by [[Hans Hübner]] of [[FutureSoft]] in 2024. The card fits on the Mother X4 board and doesn't contain an extra ROM slot. Using [[FutureOS]] this card allows to add four additional floppy disc drives to the CPC, being called E, F, G and H.
  
 +
=== FDC I/O Ports ===
  
−
* Note1: The -Z and -X drives do not include FDC chips.
+
All types of floppy disk controllers for the F1-S/D and M1-S/D series are based on the NEC 765 chip. The manual states that on "controllers having an integrated ROM module/eprommer" (probably the later 6128 interfaces?), the port addresses can be freely configured using a decoder ROM.
−
* Note2: The -S and -D drives do reportedly work only on CPC 464 (?).
+
  
−
So, not sure if/when the Special addresses are used at all?
+
'''CPC 464:'''
  
−
  RS232 Ports (for -X drives with RS232)
+
{| class="wikitable"
−
    FADC/FADD=Serial Data/Control
+
|-
−
    FBDC/FBDD/FBDF=Counter 0/1/Mode.
+
! Address !! Description
−
  So it's probably compatible with Amstrad/Pace
+
|-
−
  (and probably also including, but not using,
+
| 0xFB7E || uPD control
−
  Channel B Ports FADE/FADF and FBDE).
+
|-
 +
| 0xFB7F || uPD data
 +
|-
 +
| 0xFA7E || motor on/off
 +
|}
  
−
== Vortex Disk Format ==
+
'''CPC 664/6128:'''
  
−
See [[VDOS]]
+
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Address !! Description
 +
|-
 +
| 0xFBF6 || uPD control
 +
|-
 +
| 0xFBF7 || uPD data
 +
|-
 +
| 0xFA7E || motor on/off
 +
|}
  
−
The Vortex -Z drives do not seem to include any [[VDOS]] ROM (so they do support only normal 40-Track AMSDOS Formats, but NOT the 80-Track Vortex format).
+
=== Downloads ===
  
−
== Pictures ==
+
* [[Media:Vortex Floppy Disk Station F1 für den Schneider CPC 464 - Benutzerhandbuch.pdf|Benutzerhandbuch für die Vortex Floppy Disk Station F1 für den Schneider CPC 464]] {{DE}} (Vortex F1 user manual)
 +
* [[Media:Vortex_Vdos_2.0_Manual.pdf|Benutzerhandbuch für das Diskettenbetriebssystem VDOS 2.0]] {{DE}} (VDOS 2.0 user manual)
 +
* [[Media:3-Zoll-Adapter zur VORTEX-Diskettenstation.pdf|Benutzerhandbuch für den FDA-1 3"-Adapter]] {{DE}} (3" adapter user manual)
 +
* [[Media:VTXF1464.DSK|Vortex F1-S/D Systemdiskette für CPC 464]] (system disk, 720k image, bootable)
 +
* [[Media:VORTF1.DSK|Vortex F1-S/D Systemdiskette für CPC 664/6128]] (system disk, 720k image)
 +
* [[Media:Vortex10.zip|VDOS 1.0 ROM]] {{DE}}
 +
* [[Media:Vortex20.zip|VDOS 2.0 ROM]] {{DE}}
 +
* [[Media:80307-058 BASF 6138 Mini Disk Apr83.zip|BASF 6138 Datasheet (F1-S/D/Z Floppy Disk Drive)]]
  
−
<gallery caption="The Vortex F1 Drives">
+
<br />
−
Image:F1-x.jpg|F1-Z Disc Drive
+
 
−
Image:FD1.jpg|F1-D Disc Drive
+
== Z-Drives (180K/side) ==
 +
 
 +
These are less expensive drives and were meant to be directly connected as B drive to a CPC 464 with DDI-1 or a CPC 664/6128. Since these drives ship neither with an own controller nor a [[VDOS]] ROM, they do rely fully on AMSDOS and thus only 40 tracks on one side can be accessed, resulting in the same capacity (180K/side) as the 3" drives.
 +
 
 +
=== F1-Z (5,25") ===
 +
 
 +
The F1-Z model is based on a later revision of the BASF 6138 type disk drive (81757-001), which offers more configuration options using jumpers.  The drive was shipped in a "double step" configuration to use only 40 tracks, and thus the cheaper and more widely available DS DD floppy disks (48 tpi, 180K/side) could be used.
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:Basf 6138 81757 001.jpg|BASF AG 6138 (81757-001) drive
 +
Image:Basf 6138 81757 001 jumpers.jpg|BASF AG 6138 (81757-001) 40 track jumper configuration
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
<gallery caption="Vortex Disc Drive Interface (for -S or -D drives)">
+
=== A1-Z Upgrade Kit (5,25") ===
−
Image:vortex controler 1.jpg|A anonymous box houses the controller
+
 
−
Image:vortex controler 2.jpg|Look inside the controller, with 765 chip, and [[VDOS]] (upgraded to v2.0)
+
Vortex offered an upgrade kit consisting of a controller, a manual, a CP/M license and an utility disk which allows a F1-Z drive to be upgraded to a F1-S drive.
−
Image:vortex controler 3.jpg|Controller with [[VDOS]] mounted
+
 
 +
=== M1-Z (3,5") ===
 +
 
 +
The M1-Z model is equipped with a single 3,5" disk drive.
 +
 
 +
<br />
 +
 
 +
== X-Drives (720K) ==
 +
 
 +
These are the latest drives from Vortex for use with a CPC 464 with DDI-1 or a CPC 664/6128 (ie. on systems that already have a floppy disc controller); no additional controller was required anymore. Instead, a ROM module was supplied together with the drive, which provided VDOS 2.0-X. Only single-drive variants were available. The |S command (for accessing a third drive) is no longer used, the new |X command allows to swap drive A and B (same as [[X-DDOS]] from Dobbertin).
 +
 
 +
=== F1-X and F1-XRS (5,25") ===
 +
 
 +
The F1-X model is based on either a single BASF 6138 (81690-001) or a single BASF 6139 5,25" disk drive. The BASF 6139 is a revisioned version which is slightly more compact (~1cm shorter), and also a number of electronical and mechanical design flaws that affected durability were corrected. The F1-XRS variant is equipped with an additional RS232-C interface.
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:F1-x front.jpg|F1-X
 +
File:Vortex f1-x cpc464 backside.jpg|F1-X backside, showing IDC connector (CPC 464)
 +
File:Vortex f1-x cpc664 backside edge.jpg|F1-X backside, showing edge connector (CPC 664)
 +
File:F1-x inside.jpg|F1-X inside view, showing a BASF 6139 drive
 +
File:F1x m1x manual.jpg|F1-X/M1-X manual and system utilities disk
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
<gallery caption="Vortex Disc Drive Interface (for -X drives)">
+
=== M1-X and M1-XRS (3,5") ===
−
File:NoPicture.gif|Newer -X drive interface without 765
+
 
−
File:NoPicture.gif|Newer -X drive interface without 765, plus RS232
+
The M1-X model is based on a single NEC FD1035 type 3,5" disk drive. The M1-XRS variant is equipped with an additional RS232-C interface.
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:vortex-m1-x-front.png|M1-X
 +
File:vortex-m1-x-back.png|M1-X backside
 +
File:vortex-m1-x-connector.png|M1-X backside, showing IDC connector (CPC 464)
 +
File:vortex-m1-x-under.png|M1-X underside
 +
File:vortex-m1-x-inside.png|M1-X inside view, showing the drive and power
 +
File:vortex-m1-x-drive-close.png|M1-X inside view, close-up of the drive from above
 +
File:vortex-m1-x-drive-details.png|M1-X inside view, close-up from the backside
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
<gallery caption="Vortex M1-X drive">
+
=== X(RS)-Modul ===
−
File:vortex-m1-x-front.png|Front of Vortex M1-X  
+
 
−
File:vortex-m1-x-under.png|Underneath the Vortex M1-X
+
The X-drives for the CPC 664/6128 are connected directly to the floppy port. In order to provide [[VDOS]], the "X-Modul" (sometimes also called "VDOS module") must be connected additionally to the expansion port. This contains a ROM board that provides a VDOS 2.0-X ROM. The ROM board supplied for the CPC 464 came together with a chunky housing in which both the "X-Modul" and the DDI-1 controller were installed. All variants were also available with an additional RS232-C interface (in this case called either "XRS-Modul" or "X-Modul/RS").
−
File:vortex-m1-x-inside.png|Inside the Vortex M1-X showing the drive and power
+
 
−
File:vortex-m1-x-back.png|Back of Vortex M1-X showing connectors and power.
+
<gallery>
−
File:vortex-m1-x-connector.png|Back of Vortex M1-X showing IDC connection
+
Image:Vortex fd1 464 controller 1.jpg|XRS-Modul (CPC 464)
−
File:vortex-m1-x-drive-close.png|Inside Vortex M1-X with a close up of the drive from above
+
Image:Vortex fd1 464 controller 2.jpg|XRS-Modul with built-in DDI-1 visible (CPC 464)
−
File:vortex-m1-x-drive-details.png|Inside Vortex M1-X with a close up of the back of the drive
+
Image:Xrs 464.jpg|XRS-Modul board beneath the DDI-1 (CPC 464)
 +
Image:Vortex xrs 464 board backside.jpg|XRS-Modul board backside (CPC 464)
 +
</gallery>
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:Vortex X-Modul 6128.jpg|X-Modul (CPC 6128)
 +
Image:Vortex X-Modul 6128 Board Front.jpg|X-Modul board (CPC 6128)
 +
Image:Vortex X-Modul 6128 Board Backside.jpg|X-Modul board backside (CPC 6128)
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
== Manuals ==
+
=== RS232 I/O Ports ===
  
−
* [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/Vortex%20Floppy%20Disk%20Station%20F1%20Manual.de.rar Vortex Floppy Disk Station F1] {{DE}} (Manual for old drives with VDOS 1.0)
+
The RS232-C interface of the "XRS-Modul" was advertised to be compatible with Amstrad/Pace interfaces, but offers only one channel (so no channel B).
−
* [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/Vortex%20X-Laufwerke%20Manual.de.rar Vortex X-Laufwerke] {{DE}} (Manual for new X-drives with VDOS 2.0)
+
 
−
* [[Media:Vortex_Vdos_2.0_Manual.pdf|Vortex VDOS 2.0]] {{DE}} (Manual for upgrading from VDOS 1.0 to VDOS 2.0)
+
{| class="wikitable"
−
* [[Media:Manual de las Unidades Vortex.pdf|Manual de las Unidades Vortex]] {{ES}} (pdf)
+
|-
−
* [[Media:Vortex RS232-C Manual.pdf|Vortex RS232-C Manual]] {{DE}} (pdf)
+
! Address !! Description
 +
|-
 +
| 0xFADC || SIO data (R/W)
 +
|-
 +
| 0xFADD || SIO control (R/W)
 +
|-
 +
| 0xFBDC || 8253 counter 0 (R/W)
 +
|-
 +
| 0xFBDD || 8253 counter 1 (R/W)
 +
|-
 +
| 0xFBDE || 8253 counter 2 (R/W)
 +
|-
 +
| 0xFBDF || Mode word (W)
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
=== Downloads ===
 +
 
 +
* [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/Vortex%20X-Laufwerke%20Manual.de.rar Benutzerhandbuch für die Vortex X-Laufwerke] {{DE}} (manual)
 +
* [[Media:Vortex RS232-C Manual.pdf|Benutzerhandbuch für die Vortex RS232-C Schnittstelle]] {{DE}} (RS232-C user manual)
 +
* [[Media:Manual de las Unidades Vortex.pdf|Manual de las Unidades Vortex]] {{ES}} (manual)
 +
* [[Media:VORTF1X.DSK|Systemdiskette für Vortex X-Laufwerke]] (system disk, 720k disk image, original)
 +
* [[Media:VTXF1XB.DSK|Systemdiskette für Vortex X-Laufwerke]] (system disk, 720k disk image, modified to boot CP/M 2.2)
 +
* [[Media:VDOS20X.ROM|VDOS 2.0-X ROM]] {{DE}} (German VDOS 2.0-X ROM for CPC 664/6128)
 +
* [[Media:NEC_FD1035_Floppy.pdf|NEC FD1035 Datasheet (M1-X Floppy Disk Drive)]]
 +
 
 +
<br />
 +
 
 +
== Software Accessories ==
 +
 
 +
=== DOSCOPY ===
 +
 
 +
DOSCOPY is a CP/M 2.2 utility which allows to read and write files from IBM and Atari ST formatted 5,25" disks. It was written in 1987 by Peter Höpfner.
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:Vortex_DOSCOPY_Manual.JPG|DOSCOPY physical manual
 +
Image:Vortex_DOSCOPY_Disk.JPG|DOSCOPY 5,25" disk
 +
Image:Vortex_DOSCOPY_Screenshot.JPG|DOSCOPY screenshot
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==== Downloads ====
 +
 
 +
* [[Media:DOSCOPY.DSK|DOSCOPY 1.1]] {{DE}} (Vortex 360k disk image)
 +
* [[Media:Vortex_DOSCOPY_Benutzerhandbuch.pdf|DOSCOPY 1.1 Benutzerhandbuch]] {{DE}} (manual)
 +
 
 +
=== PARA 3.0 ===
 +
 
 +
PARA 3.0 is a CP/M 2.2 utility allowing to exchange files between the CPC and other CP/M based systems. It claims to support "reading, writing and formatting of 99% of all CP/M formats" and provides a comprehensive disk format analzer. It was written in 1987 by Peter Höpfner.
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:Vortex_PARA_3.0_Manual.JPG|PARA 3.0 physical manual
 +
Image:Vortex PARA 3.0 Disk.JPG|PARA 3.0 5,25" disk
 +
Image:Vortex PARA 3.0 Screenshot 1.JPG|PARA 3.0 loading screen
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==== Downloads ====
 +
 
 +
* [[Media:PARA30.DSK|PARA 3.0]] {{DE}} (Vortex 720k disk image)
 +
* [[Media:Vortex_PARA_3.0_Benutzerhandbuch.zip|PARA 3.0 Benutzerhandbuch]] {{DE}} (manual)
 +
 
 +
=== PARA 3.0 PLUS ===
 +
 
 +
PARA 3.0 PLUS (or PARA PLUS) is an enhanced distribution of PARA 3.0 which also integrates DOSCOPY 1.3 into a single software suite.
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:Para 30 plus intro.jpg|PARA 3.0+ loading screen
 +
Image:Para 30 plus mainmenu.jpg|PARA 3.0+ main menu
 +
Image:Para 30 plus analyzer.jpg|PARA 3.0+ format analyzer
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==== Downloads ====
 +
 
 +
* [[Media:PARAPLUS.DSK|PARA 3.0+]] {{DE}} (Vortex 720k disk image, bootable)
 +
 
 +
=== SPARA ===
 +
 
 +
SPARA was either the predecessor or a cut-down version of PARA 3.0 and was supplied with the F1-Z drives, only supporting 40 track formats.
 +
 
 +
=== FileCopy ===
 +
FileCopy 3.0 is a comprehensive tool to copy files with up to 16 different devices (using letters A to P), it supports the Vortex 704 KB format for 80 Track drives.
 +
 
 +
<br />
 +
 
 +
== 3rd Party Software ==
 +
 
 +
=== FutureOS ===
 +
 
 +
[[FutureOS]] has support for Vortex drives, it uses the Vortex 704 KB format for 80 Track drives.
 +
 
 +
=== ParaDOS ===
 +
 
 +
[[ParaDOS]] supports Vortex X-drives and can be used as a replacement for the VDOS-X ROM. There is also a patched version called VaraDOS, which is configured to use a Vortex X-drive as drive B per default. ParaDOS does not provide a way too boot CP/M from drive B.
 +
 
 +
=== House of Usher ===
 +
 
 +
Besides tape and 3 inch floppy disk release, the game [[House of Usher]] has been officially released on 5.25 inch floppy disk for the Schneider CPC with Vortex F1 floppy drive.
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
House of Usher ads.jpeg
 +
House-of-usher-floppy-cover.png
 +
House-of-usher-floppy-no-cover.png
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
<br />
 +
 
 +
== Media Coverage ==
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:Vortex Schneider CPC International 1985-09.JPG|Schneider CPC International 1985/09
 +
Image:Vortex schneider cpc international 1986-02.JPG|Schneider CPC International 1986/02
 +
Image:Vortex schneider cpc international 1986-04.JPG|Schneider CPC International 1986/04
 +
Image:Vortex schneider cpc international 1986-07.JPG|Schneider CPC International 1986/07
 +
Image:Vortex schneider cpc international 1986-08.JPG|Schneider CPC International 1986/08
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[[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Manual]][[Category:DATA Storage]]
 
[[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Manual]][[Category:DATA Storage]]

Latest revision as of 17:23, 21 October 2024

A series of external 3,5" and 5,25" floppy disc drives from Vortex providing up to 720K capacity (704K available). The Vortex drives were most popular in Germany. For more information regarding VDOS and the Vortex Disk Format, see the dedicated VDOS Wiki page.

S- and D-Drives (720K)

These are the first generation of 720K floppy disc drives from Vortex. They came in variants having either a single drive ("S" variant) or two drives ("D" variant). The "S" variant (as well as the less expensive "Z" variant) was delivered with the same double-height casing as the "D" variant, so that a second drive could be retrofitted.

The F1-S, F1-D, M1-S, M1-D drives have their own FDC765 in the controller, and this one supports all DS0 up to DS3. The Vortex interface can manage 4 floppy drives in total.

F1-S and F1-D (5,25")

The F1-S and F1-D models are based on BASF 6138 (81690-001) type 5,25" disk drives, i.e. double-sided, 80 tracks per side, 96 tpi density.

  • F1-D

  • F1-D front view

  • F1-D backside

  • F1-D interface
    (CPC 664)

  • F1-D interface board (CPC 664)

  • F1-D interface board (CPC 664)

  • F1-D interface board (CPC 6128)

  • F1-S/D manual

  • F1-S/D system disk
    (CPC 464)

  • F1-S/D system disk
    (CPC 664/6128)

The floppy controller of the F1-D / F1-S was cloned by Hans Hübner of FutureSoft with MX4 connector and without ROM slot. It supports four drives. Under FutureOS they are named E-H.

A1-S Upgrade Kit (5,25")

Vortex offered an upgrade kit consisting of a single bare drive and an installation manual, allowing to upgrade a F1-S (single) drive to a F1-D (dual) drive. To do this, one simply had to install the additional drive in the free slot of the drive case.

  • BASF 6138 spare drive

M1-S and M1-D (3,5")

The M1-S and M1-D models are based on 3,5" disk drives. Controller and DOS were identical for 5,25" and 3,5" devices.

FDA-1 3" Drive Adapter

This adapter allows to connect an external FD-1 3" drive on Vortex F1/M1 setups on the CPC 464. Since only two drives can be used at the same time, the external 3" drive first had to be selected manually with the RSX command |S. This RSX command worked also with VDOS 2.11 on CPC6128.

RSX Description
|S,1 Use 3" drive as drive A, upper Vortex drive is disabled
|S,2 Use 3" drive as drive B, lower Vortex drive is disabled
|S,0 Disable the 3" drive (default)

  • FDA-1 Adapter

  • Inside the adapter box

  • Inside the adapter box (closeup)

  • Plug (cable side)

  • FD-1 3" floppy drive plug

Clone of the F1-D controller

A clone of the F1-D controller was created by Hans Hübner of FutureSoft in 2024. The card fits on the Mother X4 board and doesn't contain an extra ROM slot. Using FutureOS this card allows to add four additional floppy disc drives to the CPC, being called E, F, G and H.

FDC I/O Ports

All types of floppy disk controllers for the F1-S/D and M1-S/D series are based on the NEC 765 chip. The manual states that on "controllers having an integrated ROM module/eprommer" (probably the later 6128 interfaces?), the port addresses can be freely configured using a decoder ROM.

CPC 464:

Address Description
0xFB7E uPD control
0xFB7F uPD data
0xFA7E motor on/off

CPC 664/6128:

Address Description
0xFBF6 uPD control
0xFBF7 uPD data
0xFA7E motor on/off

Downloads


Z-Drives (180K/side)

These are less expensive drives and were meant to be directly connected as B drive to a CPC 464 with DDI-1 or a CPC 664/6128. Since these drives ship neither with an own controller nor a VDOS ROM, they do rely fully on AMSDOS and thus only 40 tracks on one side can be accessed, resulting in the same capacity (180K/side) as the 3" drives.

F1-Z (5,25")

The F1-Z model is based on a later revision of the BASF 6138 type disk drive (81757-001), which offers more configuration options using jumpers. The drive was shipped in a "double step" configuration to use only 40 tracks, and thus the cheaper and more widely available DS DD floppy disks (48 tpi, 180K/side) could be used.

  • BASF AG 6138 (81757-001) drive

  • BASF AG 6138 (81757-001) 40 track jumper configuration

A1-Z Upgrade Kit (5,25")

Vortex offered an upgrade kit consisting of a controller, a manual, a CP/M license and an utility disk which allows a F1-Z drive to be upgraded to a F1-S drive.

M1-Z (3,5")

The M1-Z model is equipped with a single 3,5" disk drive.


X-Drives (720K)

These are the latest drives from Vortex for use with a CPC 464 with DDI-1 or a CPC 664/6128 (ie. on systems that already have a floppy disc controller); no additional controller was required anymore. Instead, a ROM module was supplied together with the drive, which provided VDOS 2.0-X. Only single-drive variants were available. The |S command (for accessing a third drive) is no longer used, the new |X command allows to swap drive A and B (same as X-DDOS from Dobbertin).

F1-X and F1-XRS (5,25")

The F1-X model is based on either a single BASF 6138 (81690-001) or a single BASF 6139 5,25" disk drive. The BASF 6139 is a revisioned version which is slightly more compact (~1cm shorter), and also a number of electronical and mechanical design flaws that affected durability were corrected. The F1-XRS variant is equipped with an additional RS232-C interface.

  • F1-X

  • F1-X backside, showing IDC connector (CPC 464)

  • F1-X backside, showing edge connector (CPC 664)

  • F1-X inside view, showing a BASF 6139 drive

  • F1-X/M1-X manual and system utilities disk

M1-X and M1-XRS (3,5")

The M1-X model is based on a single NEC FD1035 type 3,5" disk drive. The M1-XRS variant is equipped with an additional RS232-C interface.

  • M1-X

  • M1-X backside

  • M1-X backside, showing IDC connector (CPC 464)

  • M1-X underside

  • M1-X inside view, showing the drive and power

  • M1-X inside view, close-up of the drive from above

  • M1-X inside view, close-up from the backside

X(RS)-Modul

The X-drives for the CPC 664/6128 are connected directly to the floppy port. In order to provide VDOS, the "X-Modul" (sometimes also called "VDOS module") must be connected additionally to the expansion port. This contains a ROM board that provides a VDOS 2.0-X ROM. The ROM board supplied for the CPC 464 came together with a chunky housing in which both the "X-Modul" and the DDI-1 controller were installed. All variants were also available with an additional RS232-C interface (in this case called either "XRS-Modul" or "X-Modul/RS").

  • XRS-Modul (CPC 464)

  • XRS-Modul with built-in DDI-1 visible (CPC 464)

  • XRS-Modul board beneath the DDI-1 (CPC 464)

  • XRS-Modul board backside (CPC 464)

  • X-Modul (CPC 6128)

  • X-Modul board (CPC 6128)

  • X-Modul board backside (CPC 6128)

RS232 I/O Ports

The RS232-C interface of the "XRS-Modul" was advertised to be compatible with Amstrad/Pace interfaces, but offers only one channel (so no channel B).

Address Description
0xFADC SIO data (R/W)
0xFADD SIO control (R/W)
0xFBDC 8253 counter 0 (R/W)
0xFBDD 8253 counter 1 (R/W)
0xFBDE 8253 counter 2 (R/W)
0xFBDF Mode word (W)

Downloads


Software Accessories

DOSCOPY

DOSCOPY is a CP/M 2.2 utility which allows to read and write files from IBM and Atari ST formatted 5,25" disks. It was written in 1987 by Peter Höpfner.

  • DOSCOPY physical manual

  • DOSCOPY 5,25" disk

  • DOSCOPY screenshot

Downloads

PARA 3.0

PARA 3.0 is a CP/M 2.2 utility allowing to exchange files between the CPC and other CP/M based systems. It claims to support "reading, writing and formatting of 99% of all CP/M formats" and provides a comprehensive disk format analzer. It was written in 1987 by Peter Höpfner.

  • PARA 3.0 physical manual

  • PARA 3.0 5,25" disk

  • PARA 3.0 loading screen

Downloads

PARA 3.0 PLUS

PARA 3.0 PLUS (or PARA PLUS) is an enhanced distribution of PARA 3.0 which also integrates DOSCOPY 1.3 into a single software suite.

  • PARA 3.0+ loading screen

  • PARA 3.0+ main menu

  • PARA 3.0+ format analyzer

Downloads

  • PARA 3.0+ Language:german (Vortex 720k disk image, bootable)

SPARA

SPARA was either the predecessor or a cut-down version of PARA 3.0 and was supplied with the F1-Z drives, only supporting 40 track formats.

FileCopy

FileCopy 3.0 is a comprehensive tool to copy files with up to 16 different devices (using letters A to P), it supports the Vortex 704 KB format for 80 Track drives.


3rd Party Software

FutureOS

FutureOS has support for Vortex drives, it uses the Vortex 704 KB format for 80 Track drives.

ParaDOS

ParaDOS supports Vortex X-drives and can be used as a replacement for the VDOS-X ROM. There is also a patched version called VaraDOS, which is configured to use a Vortex X-drive as drive B per default. ParaDOS does not provide a way too boot CP/M from drive B.

House of Usher

Besides tape and 3 inch floppy disk release, the game House of Usher has been officially released on 5.25 inch floppy disk for the Schneider CPC with Vortex F1 floppy drive.

  • House of Usher ads.jpeg
  • House-of-usher-floppy-cover.png
  • House-of-usher-floppy-no-cover.png


Media Coverage

  • Schneider CPC International 1985/09

  • Schneider CPC International 1986/02

  • Schneider CPC International 1986/04

  • Schneider CPC International 1986/07

  • Schneider CPC International 1986/08

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