DDI-4

[Bryce]

The set is a DDI-4 + Gotek: https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/ddi4-and-dual-floppy-drive-set-34588

Bryce.

[LambdaMikel]

The set is a DDI-4 + Gotek: https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/ddi4-and-dual-floppy-drive-set-34588

Bryce.

Exactly.. And the OLED is in the drive, where it should be, not in the DDI-4 (which is only RAM + controller if I understand correctly - hence, no need for OLED in the DDI-4) .

[LambdaMikel]

My DDI-4 arrived.
At first, my standard 3.5" Floppy cable did *not* work with it. Reason is of course the Ready signal again. My cable has PIN 34 (ready) and PIN 33 (GND) connected, to emulate the signal. However, that does not work with the DDI-4, 'cause PIN 33 is not present 
Hence, I connected PIN 33 = PIN 34 = PIN 1 (which is also GND), and then it works fine.Btw, no documentation whatsoever of course, and the ABBA switch is the right switch. The left switch is Parados 1.2 <-> AMSDOS.   
That means that there is no switch to disable the 512 KB RAM... it seems.
HxC still works with the modified cable.
I have not tested dual drive yet. Need another cable for that. 
I am wondering if he did that (not connect PIN 33 to GND) because he wants to sell his Gotek / 3.5" Dual drive?

[LambdaMikel]

... and no problems with Batman Demo either!! 

[LambdaMikel]

My DDI-4 arrived.
At first, my standard 3.5" Floppy cable did *not* work with it. Reason is of course the Ready signal again. My cable has PIN 34 (ready) and PIN 33 (GND) connected, to emulate the signal. However, that does not work with the DDI-4, 'cause PIN 33 is not present 
Hence, I connected PIN 33 = PIN 34 = PIN 1 (which is also GND), and then it works fine.Btw, no documentation whatsoever of course, and the ABBA switch is the right switch. The left switch is Parados 1.2 <-> AMSDOS.   
That means that there is no switch to disable the 512 KB RAM... it seems.
HxC still works with the modified cable.
I have not tested dual drive yet. Need another cable for that. 
I am wondering if he did that (not connect PIN 33 to GND) because he wants to sell his Gotek / 3.5" Dual drive?

OK, @Piotr  can you enlighten us please? I contacted you on SellMyRetro regarding this... just to clarify, it seems that DDI4 requires a drive with a "real" ready signal, and the standard cable mod is not working. Can you confirm this please? In principle it is of course great that it makes use of the READY signal.

[LambdaMikel]

In the meantime - until (if ?) @Piotr answers - I might modify my drive for READY signal... unfortunately, I have the Mitsumi D359M3D which is a pain in the a** to modify (complete dissassembly). Anybody done that before?The mod is here:
https://www.msx.org/forum/msx-talk/hardware/mitsumi-d359m3d-pc-drive-modification?page=1

I might just get a D359T{3,5,6} instead - that seems to be the easist to modify. Agreed?

[LambdaMikel]

I am going to return the DDI-4. It doesn't work with the FD-1.
I tried 3 different cables; one DDI-3 cable that works with the FD-1 for sure, the cable as modified described here, and just an unmodified PC floppy cable (no leads cut out). The result is either "disc missing", or the FD-1 does not react at all.

From what I can tell, the DDI-4 is a regression from the DDI-3. Not recommended.

[Audronic]

HI Mike


I use Sony MPF 920 Drives (3.5") for my amstrads.
1 Wire to enable the ready , shift drive select to 0 or 1


Ray

[LambdaMikel]

Thanks Ray.
You were the one that figured out how to make DDI-1 Clone (DDI-2) work for FD1, right?
Did anything transpire that would also apply to DDI-4?

What concerns me the most is that HxC also doesn't work without the READY mod. That is usually not the case,
so I am assuming that, even though READY is somehow recognized, something is wrong with the handling of theREADY signal in the DDI-4.

[Audronic]

Thanks Ray.
You were the one that figured out how to make DDI-1 Clone (DDI-2) work for FD1, right?


No That was not me I just fixed the ABBA Switch so it would work .
-----

Did anything transpire that would also apply to DDI-4?


Not applicable
-----
What concerns me the most is that HxC also doesn't work without the READY mod. That is usually not the case,
so I am assuming that, even though READY is somehow recognised, something is wrong with the handling of the READY signal in the DDI-4.

----
I think Jeff had a flag in one of his files that you could enable the ready signal ?? (Not sure) its along time ago.


Ray

[LambdaMikel]

Anyhow, I expect that to work in tandem with HxC and FD-1, out of the box with little modification, just as the original DD1 controller does. That's not the case though. So I am going to return it. Doesn't fit my needs. Not saying it's not useful - if somebody doesn't have a controller for the 464, it can drive an HxC and/or standard 3.5" drive. With cable modifications above though. I really want it to work for FD1 also though, and with real ready signal.... that's a deal breaker for me.

[gerald]

HI Mike


I use Sony MPF 920 Drives (3.5") for my amstrads.
1 Wire to enable the ready , shift drive select to 0 or 1


Ray

I guess you're using the floppy insertion detect switch.
This solution is not the best.

You are telling the controller that both drives are ready when a floppy is inserted in this drive. Event if the motor is off.
A proper solution must use gates to at least qualify the ready with the drive select. Ie only drive ready when the drive is selected.

[Audronic]

@gerald


Ok I will check my notes.
This is one of 2 - 3 methods used.
Its been a while since I did this.
I know it passes the CPM test to remove both disks.


Thanks.   Ray

[Audronic]

@gerald


Just checked the notes I have and this is the method that I finalised on.
there is one variation and that is to cut the trace that leads to pin 32.
and wire it as per photo. from Pin 37 ON IC to Pin 32


Ray

[Piotr]

Ok, i see lot of problems with one ribbon cable......Today i do 4 videos how it is connected, simply as stick. One plug from non twisted ribbon cable to DDI4, second to drive. Third to second drive. I cannot explain it better.PC drive must be modded but sorry ,I thought it was obvious? My fault, is not...
I again test DDI4 with single PC floppy, with FD1, with FD1 and PC floppy and with my Dual drive (3,5 floppy and gotek in one) , all working fine, ABBA switch swap drives, i can copy, format, load without any problems.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NieGHqL2TiA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akNN30uqrvI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sor_6eNt-s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiLYLgdogC4
Anyway, LambdaMikel open me case on paypal (thank you very much) so please return this to me and i do you full refund.

[LambdaMikel]

Thanks for the videos, @Piotr
The very same cables result in "disc missing" with my DDI-4, so it seems you sent me a defect one without testing.
You are welcome - this is what Paypal disputes are for. If the seller sends you something not working, and doesn't answer to inquiries, this is a good method of motivating the seller to chime in rather than ignoring the emails from customers 

[LambdaMikel]

Hang on - is the FD1 floppy cable for 2 drives, is it twisted or not? Standard PC is twisted, this one does not look twisted in your video.

EDIT - I see, non-twisted (you wrote there). Hence, that's not a standard cable.

Is it possible that FD1 only works if you have a second drive connected?

[Piotr]

No.
I test all interfaces three times, when is assembled , after washing and before postage. So i'm 100% sure it was working fine.

I run really small company, i do all alone (design, assembly, shipping, paper work, customer support )  for some money for living. Paypal feedback is really important for me. All open cases will  ruin it and allow paypal block my funds. Thank's for that.

Normal people try talk first, later use "big guns" like open case on Paypal.

So,  sorry , on the moment,  i just waiting for you, please return interface, i do you refund. Of course i  add you to black list for future sale .  Is lot of people who can use it proper.

[LambdaMikel]

No.
I test all interfaces three times, when is assembled , after washing and before postage. So i'm 100% sure it was working fine.

I run really small company, i do all alone (design, assembly, shipping, paper work, customer support )  for some money for living. Paypal feedback is really important for me. All open cases will  ruin it and allow paypal block my funds. Thank's for that.

Normal people try talk first, later use "big guns" like open case on Paypal.

So,  sorry , on the moment,  i just waiting for you, please return interface, i do you refund. Of course i  add you to black list for future sale .  Is lot of people who can use it proper.

Well, if you don't reply otherwise, what should customers do??? Also, I spend a couple hundred dollars by now on your hardware... so I consider myself a "good customer". If this is how you treat your good customers, how do you treat your "bad customers"??

Btw, did you ever follow up on the Saxdrive with me? How many days did you have to reply to this one before I opened a case?
And if the case can be resolved, then there is no damage at all. For now, this achieved exactly what I wanted to achieve - you are communicating. So, your reputation as a seller is up to you let alone. Don't blame others for that. Opening a dispute is not a "big gun" if the dispute can be resolved.

[LambdaMikel]

I am uploading a video of my FD1 and DDI4 showing the failure in the meantime.
If you could explain what is wrong with the cable, that would ge greatly appreciated.

[LambdaMikel]

Cable is here. Videos are currently uploading.

Btw, I consider it bad customer relationship management to tell customers they are too stupid to use your hardware in case there is any problem.

[Piotr]

First, please close case on Paypal. Later i can do customer support again.

As i say, you open case on Paypal so please return it for me, i do you refund. Case closed.  Topic closed.

[LambdaMikel]

First, please close case on Paypal. Later i can do customer support again.

As i say, you open case on Paypal so please return it for me, i do you refund. Case closed.  Topic closed.

Well, ALSO for the benefit of other cusomters of the DDI-4, I don't want to close the topic. I want an explanation / solution.
How does closing the topic help anybody??

[Piotr]

I think, end topic with you, not about main topic, other people also use my DDI4 without any problems Sheriff  Solution is, connect one ribbon cable proper ? How i can explain it better for god sake?
Also , DDI4 is  littlebit modded and redrawed  DDI-1 what i was made some time ago, approx 200 people still  use it too  . Only you have problem .....

[LambdaMikel]

Only you have problem .....

... is that so....  Then you should be able to explain to me what is wrong with the cable that it doesn't work with FD1.