Gotek is a floppy simulator which works with the CPC. The drives are cheap.
The basic Gotek has a 7-segment 2 digit display which shows the currently selected disk image, a USB socket for a USB memory stick, and 2 buttons to choose previous and next image.
There are additional mods that can be bought:
- speaker (to simulate the sound of the read/write head stepping as heard in a real drive)
- eject button
- rotary dial (turn the dial to select the disc image)
- LCD/OLED display (this shows more information including the name of the image)
To be useful on the CPC they need:
- appropriate firmware uploaded to them (e.g. FlashFloppy)
- 5v power (an old PC power supply can be used)
- a ribbon cable to connect it to the CPC (e.g. an old PC floppy cable which has both 3.5" and 5.25" connectors).
If you have the technical ability then it's easy to install a firmware onto the Gotek, if not, then you can buy Gotek drives with pre-installed firmware.
CPC Disk images are put onto a USB drive which is then plugged into the front of the Gotek.
Now the Gotek behaves as if it is a normal drive connected to the CPC.
There is a difference compared to a real drive: the disc motor signal is not connected internally to the Gotek. This means the ready signal will be active even if the disc motor is off.
HxC Floppy Emulator firmware
There is a version of the HxC Floppy Emulator firmware that can be used on the Gotek. It must be purchased from the HxC website and can then be installed and used.
FlashFloppy firmware
FlashFloppy is a free firmware for the Gotek written by Keir Fraser. Although free, Keir welcomes donations to Macmillan Cancer Support charity in the UK.
The firmware supports multiple computers and their disk image formats.
Once the firmware has been installed into a Gotek it can be updated through the USB memory stick.