Difference between revisions of "Dobbertin Harddisc"

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(Software using the Dobbertin Harddrive)
(Technical)
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== Technical ==
 
== Technical ==
 +
 +
Dobbertin HD20 probably uses a modified pc-xt interface which uses a Winchester type hard disk.
  
 
Uses [[XD-DOS]] v2.10 (which supports the harddisc, and additionally supports external double sided 80 track disc drives). The 20 MB harddisc is split into four partitions, with drive names D, E, F, and G (drive name C isn't used here, but may be used as RAM disc, in combination with Dobbertin RAM expansion). Under [[FutureOS]] the four partitions are named I, J, K and L. The hard disc is controlled by this I/O Ports:
 
Uses [[XD-DOS]] v2.10 (which supports the harddisc, and additionally supports external double sided 80 track disc drives). The 20 MB harddisc is split into four partitions, with drive names D, E, F, and G (drive name C isn't used here, but may be used as RAM disc, in combination with Dobbertin RAM expansion). Under [[FutureOS]] the four partitions are named I, J, K and L. The hard disc is controlled by this I/O Ports:
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The hard drive interface is an PC-XT compatible hard disc interface. The CPC's port mappings are close to the PC-XT's port mappings.
 
The hard drive interface is an PC-XT compatible hard disc interface. The CPC's port mappings are close to the PC-XT's port mappings.
 
The following information was obtained from Linux/drivers/block/xd.h and MESS pc_hdc.c.
 
 
Commands (incomplete list):
 
CMD_TESTREADY  0x00    test drive ready
 
CMD_RECALIBRATE 0x01    recalibrate drive
 
CMD_SENSE      0x03    request sense
 
CMD_FORMATDRV  0x04    format drive
 
CMD_VERIFY      0x05    read verify
 
CMD_FORMATTRK  0x06    format track
 
CMD_FORMATBAD  0x07    format bad track
 
CMD_READ        0x08    read
 
CMD_WRITE      0x0A    write
 
CMD_SEEK        0x0B    seek
 
 
Status (obtained when reading status register):
 
 
STAT_READY      0x01    controller is ready
 
STAT_INPUT      0x02    data flowing from controller to host
 
STAT_COMMAND    0x04    controller in command phase
 
STAT_SELECT    0x08    controller is selected
 
STAT_REQUEST    0x10    controller requesting data
 
STAT_INTERRUPT  0x20    controller requesting interrupt
 
  
 
== Other harddisc solutions for the CPC ==
 
== Other harddisc solutions for the CPC ==

Revision as of 09:55, 31 August 2015

Dobbertin Logo

A harddisc manufactured by the German company Dobbertin.

One of the first ways to connect a Harddisc to the CPC. The Dobbertin harddisc has a capacity of 20 MB. The disc was partitioned in four partitions of 5152 KB each. It was delivered with drivers for CP/M (2.2 and CP/M+) and allows up to 512 directory entries for each partition (including date and time stamps under CP/M Plus). It's even possible to boot CP/M Plus from the hard disc.

Reviewed in Amstrad Computer User.

Pictures

Disc


Software using the Dobbertin Harddrive

  • In addition a lot of (cracked) games are able to run from the HD-20 hard disc

Technical

Dobbertin HD20 probably uses a modified pc-xt interface which uses a Winchester type hard disk.

Uses XD-DOS v2.10 (which supports the harddisc, and additionally supports external double sided 80 track disc drives). The 20 MB harddisc is split into four partitions, with drive names D, E, F, and G (drive name C isn't used here, but may be used as RAM disc, in combination with Dobbertin RAM expansion). Under FutureOS the four partitions are named I, J, K and L. The hard disc is controlled by this I/O Ports:

 #FBE0  Dobbertin Harddisc Data Port
 #FBE1  Dobbertin Harddisc Status, Reset
 #FBE2  Dobbertin Harddisc Select, Configuration
 #FBE3  Dobbertin Harddisc DMA, Interrupt
 #FBE4  Dobbertin Harddisc Reset

The hard drive interface is an PC-XT compatible hard disc interface. The CPC's port mappings are close to the PC-XT's port mappings.

Other harddisc solutions for the CPC

Modern:

Promo (summary) (english)

  • Controller: Seagate ST11M XT-controler.
  • Harddisc: 20 MB (3.5" Seagate, NEC, Kyocera, or Miniscribe)
  • X-DDOS 2.10 (selectable in ROM bank 1-7)
  • 4 Partitions of 5152 KB (5 MB) (accessible as Drive D: to G:)
  • 512 Directory entries per partition
  • support for CP/M 2.2 with 63K TPA (requires 128 KB RAM), and for CP/M Plus
  • support for Softwareclock and TIMEROM+ (Real Time Clock under CP/M Plus)
  • Price: DM 1100.-

Promo (german)

Downloads