Changes
/* Notes */
<BR> = Fitting 3.5" drive to Amstrad CPC 464=<BR> First, you'll need to buy older 3.5" 720K DD external disc drive with [[Adding_3.5"_drive_to_CPC464#3.5.22_READY_Signal_Test|"READY" signal]], [[Side Select Switch|Side Switch]] fitted, [http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5Pcs-2-54mm-2x17-Pin-34-Pin-IDC-Male-Box-Header-Cable-Connector-Mounting-Ear-/172302047820?hash=item281e009a4c:g:KJkAAOSwl5dZdv-I 34 way IDC Male connector ] on 34 way ribbon cable and power supply. It's very hard nowadays to find one, but you can try to get it from [https://web.archive.org/web/20110428132206/http://www.pcwking1.netfirms.com/ John King], [https://web.archive.org/web/20100201160217/http://www.midnight.uk.com:80/merline/ Arthur Cook ] & Ebay[https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=3.5%22+720K+DD+external+disc+drive&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X3.5%22+720K+external+disc+drive.TRS0&_nkw=3.5%22+720K+external+disc+drive&_sacat=0 eBay], if available. Usually, it comes with 34 pin PCB connector onto 34 way ribbon cable for connecting to Amstrad CPC 664 / 6128 instead.<BR> <BR> # If got 3.5" disc drive with 34 pin PCB edge connector on 34 way ribbon cable, follow the [[Adding_3.5"_drive_to_CPC464#3.5.22_READY_Signal_Test|"READY" signal]] instructions if you own CPC 6128 (like me) or if you don't have CPC 6128, skip to the next step. Otherwise, if you're very lucky that you've got 3.5" disc drive with [http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5Pcs-2-54mm-2x17-Pin-34-Pin-IDC-Male-Box-Header-Cable-Connector-Mounting-Ear-/172302047820?hash=item281e009a4c:g:KJkAAOSwl5dZdv-I 34 way IDC Male connector] on 34 way ribbon cable, you can go straight to step 3. <BR><BR> # Next thing is to leave at 20cms away from the PCB edge connector and then clamp the [http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5Pcs-2-54mm-2x17-Pin-34-Pin-IDC-Male-Box-Header-Cable-Connector-Mounting-Ear-/172302047820?hash=item281e009a4c:g:KJkAAOSwl5dZdv-I 34 way IDC Male connector] onto it – the [[Media:Cpcdisk.jpg |Connection Pin Numbers]] are all the same as CPC 664 / 6128. Making sure that the arrow on the [http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5Pcs-2-54mm-2x17-Pin-34-Pin-IDC-Male-Box-Header-Cable-Connector-Mounting-Ear-/172302047820?hash=item281e009a4c:g:KJkAAOSwl5dZdv-I 34 way IDC Male connector] is clamp on from the red strip. Now you have a option to either cut the 34 pin PCB edge connector off completely (as I prefer) or leave it with [http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5Pcs-2-54mm-2x17-Pin-34-Pin-IDC-Male-Box-Header-Cable-Connector-Mounting-Ear-/172302047820?hash=item281e009a4c:g:KJkAAOSwl5dZdv-I 34 way IDC Male connector], making it multi-choice 3.5" disc drive to use on CPC 464 or 664 / 6128. <BR> <BR> # Connect the 3.5” disc drive onto drive B connector on disc interface (back of DDI-1), switch on [[Media:DDI-1.jpg|DDI-1]] first, plus switch on 3.5" disc drive as well, then the computer. follow the [[Adding_3.5"_drive_to_CPC464#3.5.22_READY_Signal_Test|"READY" signal]] instructions again but this time go to step 2. If you end in step 3A, then you have successfully add 3.5” disc drive B to DDI-1. Congratulations!!! <BR><BR> # Now try to format / copy files onto 3.5 disc.<BR>
== Notes ==
* If got 3.5" disc drive with 34 pin PCB edge connector on 34 way ribbon cable, follow I was the READY signal instructions if you own CPC 6128 (like me) or if you don't have CPC 6128, skip first person to the next step. Otherwise, if you're very lucky that you got 3.5" disc drive with 34 IDC Male connector on 34 way ribbon cable, you can go straight find out how to step 4. <BR> * Next thing is to leave at 20cms away from the PCB edge connector and then clamp the 34 way IDC Male connector onto it – the Connection Pin Numbers are all the same as CPC 664 / 6128. Making sure that the arrow on the 34 way IDC connector is clamp on from the red strip. Now you have a option to either cut the 34 pin PCB edge connector off completely (as I prefer) or leave it with 34 way IDC Male connector, making it multi-choice add 3.5" disc drive to use on CPC 464 or 664 / 6128. <BR> * Connect the 3.5” disc drive onto drive B connector on disc interface (back of DDI-1), switch on DDI-1 first, plus switch on 3.5" disc drive as well, then tested it to see it worked perfectly and write out the computer. follow the READY signal instructions again but this time go how to step 2. If you end in step 3Ado it, then you have successfully as I always wanted to add 3.5” 5" disc drive B to with DDI-1. Congratulations!!! <BR> * Now try to format / copy files onto 3.5 disc.<BR> <BR>NOTES:my CPC 464 Computer from Wed 4th July 2001<BR>
<BR>
* [http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5Pcs-2-54mm-2x17-Pin-34-Pin-IDC-Male-Box-Header-Cable-Connector-Mounting-Ear-/172302047820?hash=item281e009a4c:g:KJkAAOSwl5dZdv-I was 34 way IDC Male connector] - 34 pins sticking out, which it looks very similar to the first person connector on the back of DDI-1 or FD-1 disc drive. Its very rare and more harder to find out how to add one of these connectors nowadays, but is useful if you have broken DDI-1 3.5" disc drive to , basically, just remove the connector from the back of DDI-1, tested it to see it worked perfectly 3" drive and write out the instructions how to do add it, as I always wanted to add the 3.5" disc drive with DDI-1 instead. Try to my CPC 464 Computer get one from Wed 4[https:/7/2001web.archive.org/web/20100201160217/http://www.midnight.uk.com:80/merline/ Arthur Cook], if you're lucky, that if he got more of these connectors, otherwise you'll be very disappointed. <BR>
<BR>
* 34 way To clamp these IDC Male or edge connectors - 34 pins sticking outonto the ribbon cable, you'll need to buy [[Media:IDCCrimping.jpg|IDC Crimping Tool]], which it looks very similar to the connector on the back of DDI-1 or FD-1 disc drivecan be bought from [https://www. Its very rare and more harder to find one of ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=IDC+Connector+Crimping+Tool+Hand+Crimper&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XIDC+Connector+Crimping+Tool.TRS0&_nkw=IDC+Connector+Crimping+Tool&_sacat=0 eBay]. Please note, these connectors nowadaysare not available in the UK, but is useful if you believe me, I have broken DD-1 3" disc drivetried, basically, just remove looking the connector from the back of DD-1 3" drive and add it to the 3whole London for this IDC Crimping Tool, including [http://www.5" disc drive insteadmaplin. Try co.uk/ Maplin], but no luck! Unless you you have to get one order it from Arthur Cook, if you're luckyAmerica, and its the only country that if he got more of these connectors, otherwise you'll be very disappointedever see these IDC Crimping Tools around. '''Update on 12/12/17 23:40:''' These IDC Crimping Tool are now available to buy in the UK via [https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=IDC+Connector+Crimping+Tool+Hand+Crimper&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XIDC+Connector+Crimping+Tool.TRS0&_nkw=IDC+Connector+Crimping+Tool&_sacat=0 eBay] <BR>
<BR>
* To clamp these IDC or edge connectors onto the ribbon cableAlso, you'll need to buy [[Media:IDCCrimpingolder 3.jpg|Velleman 6mm 5" 720k DD disc drives are very hard to 6mm IDC Crimping Tool]]find as well, which it can be bought best to grab one from BBC Master ("CUMANA DRIVE 0" - NEC FD1036 A) computers, as these has a [[http://searchAdding_3.ebay5"_drive_to_CPC464#3.com/IDC-Crimping-Tool_W0QQbsZSearchQQcatrefZC6QQfposZNW6Q204LGQQfromZR10QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQfstypeZ1QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQga10244Z10425QQsacatZQ2d1QQsadisZ200QQsargnZQ2d1QQsaslcZ3QQsbrftogZ1QQsofocusZbs ebay5.22_READY_Signal_Test|"READY" signal]]. Please note, these are not available in and then convert the drive cable to work on the UKAmstrad CPC, believe meas its allowing you to able to transfer data from PC to CPC and visa versa, I have tried, looking the whole London but as for this IDC Crimping ToolAmiga & Atari ST drives, including I don't think that it has a [[http://wwwAdding_3.maplin5"_drive_to_CPC464#3.co5.uk/ Maplin22_READY_Signal_Test|"READY" signal]], but no luck! Unless you you have to order it from America, and its the only country that you'll ever see these IDC Crimping Tools around. <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
== Disc Drive Experiment List ==
Here is a list that I have experienced with the following disc drives:<BR>
<BR>
|}
<BR>
== 3.5" READY Signal Test ==
<BR>
This section shows my very favourite testing stage for 3.5” disc drives<BR>
<BR>
:1. First of all, make sure that 3.5" external disc drive B is connected to the back of "Disc Drive" connector (located on the back of keyboard), and switched on. Then power up the computer by switching the monitor on and the keyboard on as well, the 3" and 3.5" drive lights up, ready for 2 disc drive operation.
<BR>
:2. Put CP/M Plus disc (Side 1 of CPC system discs) on Drive A and no disc in drive B (3.5” disc drive). Type |CPM, then press ENTER.
<BR>
:3. Now it starts booting CP/M Plus. Make sure that you see this message “2 disc drives” on the screen during CP/M Plus start-up
<BR>
::A. If you see this message (as shown above) on the screen with CP/M Plus disc on Drive A (3”) and no disc on drive B (3.5”), this means that your 3.5” external disc drive has a READY signal. '''EXCELLENT!!!'''
<BR>
::B. If you see this message instead "1 disc drive" on the screen, then it means that your 3.5" disc drive doesn't have a READY signal. That is very inconvenient because you have to put a disc in Drive B as well every time when you boot CP/M Plus to use both disc drives (e.g. using DISCKIT or PIP to copy discs), but its good for [[User:Jonathanen#Amstrad_CPC_664_-_Sat_27th_May_2000_.2820.29|CPC 664]] (a useless computer), as it can't run CP/M Plus, it'll run CP/M 2.2 instead.
<BR>
:4. Switch everything off. Now you know the easy way how to check the 3.5" disc drive to see it has '''READY signal''' or '''NOT!!!'''
[[Category:DIY]]
