Problems with my internal Zaxon 3" Gotek HXC Drive

[xesrjb]

The internal drive works great but after installing a B-Drive (simple 3,5" or FD1 3") I got an error message switching to |b (read fail). If I remove my USB Stick, it works..


Anyone here with same problems or any idea?


xesrjb

[CraigsBar]

See my past post. It is probably because zaxon did not correctly wire the drive connector so hid strive a is a and b all the time. Easy to check, without the 2nd drive attached and a dsk loaded in the clone do |b ant cat. Amazingly you will see the same dsk in both drives.

Sent from my ONEPLUS 3t using Tapatalk

[Shaun M. Neary]

The internal drive works great but after installing a B-Drive (simple 3,5" or FD1 3") I got an error message switching to |b (read fail). If I remove my USB Stick, it works..


Anyone here with same problems or any idea?


xesrjb

What Craig said, if you search Zaxon's name on this forum, you'll read some stories about his questionable wiring techniques.
Even worse, his lack of response if you have problems with any of his devices.

[xesrjb]

See my past post. It is probably because zaxon did not correctly wire the drive connector so hid strive a is a and b all the time. Easy to check, without the 2nd drive attached and a dsk loaded in the clone do |b ant cat. Amazingly you will see the same dsk in both drives.

Great, I've got it and it runs very well...

Thanks

xesrjb

[klebinger]

Starting to get the same feeling about Zaxon.

Bought the internal 3'' emulator (https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/16753) and all I'm presented with is "Disc missing":
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jRbFdtcT2bKPtPDF2

But as I own a german Schneider 6128 (as opposed to a Amstrad 6128) I'm not sure if it's the emulator.

However, as he does not answer to support questions I will send the emu back in the end I guess.

So the question is: is there any external floppy emulator (USB, SD) for a german (centronics as far as I know) 6128?

[Skunkfish]

Hi Günther,

Just to eliminate the obvious, have you put the Floppy Emulator Manager and associated files on the USB stick (autoboot.hfe, hxcsdfe.cfg)?

Not sure what is provided with the Zaxon in terms of instructions so perhaps these are not in place?

[Bryce]

Starting to get the same feeling about Zaxon.

Bought the internal 3'' emulator (https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/16753) and all I'm presented with is "Disc missing":
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jRbFdtcT2bKPtPDF2

But as I own a german Schneider 6128 (as opposed to a Amstrad 6128) I'm not sure if it's the emulator.

However, as he does not answer to support questions I will send the emu back in the end I guess.

So the question is: is there any external floppy emulator (USB, SD) for a german (centronics as far as I know) 6128?

The internal function and pinouts of the Schneider are identical to the Amstrad, so this isn't the reason it's not working.

Bryce.

[klebinger]

@Skunkfish:
Thanks for asking
The stick is FAT32 and those are the files in the root dir of the stick: https://photos.app.goo.gl/3lQHWavd4b6YmtO93

@Bryce:
Yeah, that's what I was told before buying it.

[Skunkfish]

Also, if I remember some initial problems I had with my Gotek were with the cable being upside down. Not suggesting that is the case here... (but worth checking) 

[klebinger]

@Skunkfish:
It definitely is
Tried both options. This one: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jclj0FtRwbXmUGG73
Rotated by 180 degrees the 6128 never reaches "Ready" after reboot.

[Skunkfish]

I'm assuming it doesn't respond as drive B either? (|b)

[klebinger]

Oh, guess I still have to try that. Never had a drive B in the old days (1987) so I have to find out how to "switch". But Google sure will help.
... it did. Will try "|b" tonight

[klebinger]

|b or |a does not matter. As soon as I enter them, CPC freezes and does not return to ,,Ready".
A German selling a 6128 with working Zaxon emu on ebay told me to look through this thread: http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/internal-ribbon-cable-for-cpc/60/
He said he applied the modifications mentioned there. I got the feeling that those modifications are beyond my capabilities


No need to say that Zaxon has not answered up to now... :/

[DanyPPC]

I know that Zaxon has accused health problems the last month.


I hope he will be fine soon.

[klebinger]

Oh, that's bad. All the best to him!

After a few more hours I finally found the solution. Case closed as far as my problem is concerned.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dTRYpyYyBWu8EIeD3

[CraigsBar]

Oh, that's bad. All the best to him!

After a few more hours I finally found the solution. Case closed as far as my problem is concerned.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dTRYpyYyBWu8EIeD3

Out of interest, what was wrong?

Sent from my ONEPLUS 3t using Tapatalk

[klebinger]

Seems I got hold of a cfg-file (stick) that was too new for the emu's firmware. A version from 2015 works fine. The autorun doesnt work properly though. After selecting a hfe and saving it, I still get hxc after cat. But that seems like a minor problem right now.

[xesrjb]

Please send a pm


xesrjb

[Jeff_HxC2001]

Seems I got hold of a cfg-file (stick) that was too new for the emu's firmware. A version from 2015 works fine. The autorun doesnt work properly though. After selecting a hfe and saving it, I still get hxc after cat. But that seems like a minor problem right now.

Then why not update the firmware and enjoy in the same way the direct dsk support ? :

http://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_drive_emulator/HXCFEUSB_HFE_beta_firmware.zip
(In the "WIP" folder)