Difference between revisions of "Vortex Disc Drives"

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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.
+
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.
  
 
== S- and D-Drives (720K) ==
 
== 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 "Z" variant) was delivered with the same double-height casing as the "D" variant, so that a second drive could be retrofitted. The 5,25" drives used were BASF 6138 type drives (double-sided, double density, 80 tracks per side, 96 tpi).
+
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.
  
−
* [[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)
+
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.
−
* [[Media:Vortex_Vdos_2.0_Manual.pdf|Benutzerhandbuch für das Diskettenbetriebssystem VDOS 2.0]] {{DE}} (VDOS 2.0 user manual)
+
−
* [[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)]]
+
  
−
=== Variants ===
+
=== F1-S and F1-D (5,25") ===
  
−
* '''F1 - S''' Single 5.25" drive with power supply and custom [[765_FDC|NEC 765]] based controller providing [[VDOS]]
+
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''' Double 5.25" drive with power supply and custom [[765_FDC|NEC 765]] based controller providing [[VDOS]]
+
−
* '''M1 - S''' Single 3.5" drive with power supply and custom [[765_FDC|NEC 765]] based controller providing [[VDOS]]
+
−
* '''M1 - D''' Double 3.5" drive with power supply and custom [[765_FDC|NEC 765]] based controller providing [[VDOS]]
+
−
<br />
+
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Line 23: Line 15:
 
Image:Vortex f1d front.jpg|F1-D front view
 
Image:Vortex f1d front.jpg|F1-D front view
 
Image:Vortex f1d back.jpg|F1-D backside
 
Image:Vortex f1d back.jpg|F1-D backside
−
Image:Vortex f1 manual.jpg|F1-S/D manual
 
−
Image:Vortex f1 manual disk.jpg|F1-S/D system disk
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
Image:Vortex fd-1 interface 664.jpg|F1-D interface (CPC 664)
+
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 front.jpg|F1-D interface board (CPC 664)
 
Image:Fd1 interface 664 platine back.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>
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
Image:F1DCONT.jpg|F1-D interface board (CPC 6128)
+
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>
 
</gallery>
  
−
=== A1-S Upgrade Kit ===
+
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.
  
−
Vortex offered an upgrade kit consisting of a bare 5,25" drive (BASF 6138) and an installation manual, allowing to upgrade a single F1-S drive to a dual F1-D drive. To do this, one simply had to install the additional drive in the free slot of the drive case.
+
=== A1-S Upgrade Kit (5,25") ===
  
−
=== FDA-1 3" Drive Adapter ===
+
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.
  
−
This adapter allows to use an external Amstrad FD-1 3" drive on Vortex F1/M1 setups connected to a CPC 464. Since only two drives can be used simultaneously, the 3" drive had to be manually selected first using RSX commands.
+
<gallery>
 +
Image:Basf 6138 spare drive.jpg|BASF 6138 spare drive
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
=== 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 ===
  
−
* [[Media:3-Zoll-Adapter zur VORTEX-Diskettenstation.pdf|3" Adapter zur VORTEX-Diskettenstation]] {{DE}} (manual)
+
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.
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
Line 57: Line 58:
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
Image:Vortex 3rd drive adapter.jpg|Adapter to connect an additional 3" disc drive in between a CPC 464 and a F1/M1
+
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.jpg|Inside the adapter box
 
Image:Vortex 3rd drive adapter insides closeup.jpg|Inside the adapter box (closeup)
 
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>
 
</gallery>
 +
 +
=== 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 ===
 
=== FDC I/O Ports ===
Line 91: Line 97:
 
| 0xFA7E || motor on/off
 
| 0xFA7E || motor on/off
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 +
=== Downloads ===
 +
 +
* [[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)]]
  
 
<br />
 
<br />
Line 96: Line 113:
 
== Z-Drives (180K/side) ==
 
== 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 can be accessed. The Z-drives were basically S-drives without a Vortex controller and CP/M license.
+
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.
  
−
=== Variants ===
+
=== F1-Z (5,25") ===
  
−
* '''F1 - Z''' Single 5.25" drive with power supply with ribbon cable (does not come with interface containing FDC or [[VDOS]])
+
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.
−
* '''M1 - Z''' Single 3.5" drive with power supply with ribbon cable (does not come with interface containing FDC or [[VDOS]])
+
  
−
=== A1-Z Upgrade Kit ===
+
<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>
  
−
Vortex offered an upgrade kit consisting of a controller, manual, CP/M license and utility disk which upgraded a Z-Drive to a S-Drive.
+
=== 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.
  
 
<br />
 
<br />
Line 111: Line 136:
 
== X-Drives (720K) ==
 
== 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). The F1-X(RS) models are equipped with BASF 6139 drives, which are compatible with the BASF 6138 drives of the previous 5,25" models but have a slightly more compact design.
+
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).
  
−
* [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/Vortex%20X-Laufwerke%20Manual.de.rar Vortex X-Laufwerke] {{DE}} (manual)
+
=== F1-X and F1-XRS (5,25") ===
−
* [[Media:Vortexf1.dsk|Vortex Systemdiskette für X-Laufwerke]] (system disk, 720kB image)
+
−
* [[Media:Manual de las Unidades Vortex.pdf|Manual de las Unidades Vortex]] {{ES}} (manual)
+
−
* [[Media:NEC_FD1035_Floppy.pdf|NEC FD1035 Datasheet (M1-X Floppy Disk Drive)]]
+
  
−
=== Variants ===
+
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''' Single 80 track, Double Sided, 5.25" drive with power supply
+
−
* '''M1 - X''' Single 80 Track, Double Sided, 3.5" drive with power supply
+
−
* '''F1 - XRS''' same as F1-X, upgraded with RS232-C interface
+
−
* '''M1 - XRS''' same as M1-X, upgraded with RS232-C interface
+
−
<br />
+
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Line 133: Line 149:
 
File:F1x m1x manual.jpg|F1-X/M1-X manual and system utilities disk
 
File:F1x m1x manual.jpg|F1-X/M1-X manual and system utilities disk
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
 +
=== 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.
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Line 146: Line 166:
 
=== X(RS)-Modul ===
 
=== 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 and was also available with an additional RS232-C interface (in this case called "XRS-Modul"). The board supplied for the CPC 464 version came in a chunky housing in which both the "X(RS)-Modul" and the DDI-1 controller were installed.  
+
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").  
−
 
+
−
* [[Media:VDOS20X.ROM|VDOS 2.0-X ROM]] {{DE}} (German VDOS 2.0-X ROM for CPC 664/6128)
+
−
* [[Media:Vortex RS232-C Manual.pdf|Benutzerhandbuch für die Vortex RS232-C Schnittstelle]] {{DE}} (RS232-C user manual)
+
−
<br />
+
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
Image:Vortex fd1 464 controller 1.jpg|X(RS)-Modul (CPC 464)
+
Image:Vortex fd1 464 controller 1.jpg|XRS-Modul (CPC 464)
−
Image:Vortex fd1 464 controller 2.jpg|X(RS)-Modul with built-in DDI-1 visible (CPC 464)
+
Image:Vortex fd1 464 controller 2.jpg|XRS-Modul with built-in DDI-1 visible (CPC 464)
 
Image:Xrs 464.jpg|XRS-Modul board beneath the DDI-1 (CPC 464)
 
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)
 
Image:Vortex xrs 464 board backside.jpg|XRS-Modul board backside (CPC 464)
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
Image:VDOS-2.JPG|X-Modul (CPC 6128)
+
Image:Vortex X-Modul 6128.jpg|X-Modul (CPC 6128)
−
Image:VDOS-internal.JPG|X-Modul (CPC 6128) board
+
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>
  
Line 178: Line 195:
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 0xFBDD || 8253 counter 1 (R/W)
 
| 0xFBDD || 8253 counter 1 (R/W)
 +
|-
 +
| 0xFBDE || 8253 counter 2 (R/W)
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 0xFBDF || Mode word (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
 +
</gallery>
  
 
[[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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