Question about Gotek-HxC floppy emulator

[AxelStone]

Good day everyone, I've recently adquired a CPC 6128 plus (the perfect companion for my CPC 464 plus  ) but fdd doesn't work. I'm going to change ribbon but I'm thinking seriously to replace it by a Gotek-HxC floppy.


I'm new with this device (I've not mounted it in my MSX neither), so I've searched some model. Is this one easy to use? http://www.ebay.es/itm/Floppy-Drive-Emulator-Gotek-HxC-for-AMSTRAD-CPC-AMIGA-ATARI-ST-/132153000737?hash=item1ec4eec321:g:BEcAAOSwBahVcH8s


Thanks.

[Shaun M. Neary]

I've a beige one of these things. It works just great. It only has 15 slots I think although I just keep reloading the first one anyway.


I'd also recommend getting the centronics to 3.5" ribbon cable to connect it externally rather than butchering the casing (to be honest, your 6128's drive is probably only needing a new drive belt which can be picked up for a couple of euro (look up dataserve-retro on ebay) and the guide to fixing it is on that site too.


To do it internally requires butchering of the case and reworking some of the wiring I believe, it looks more hassle than it's worth. You'll also need to power the HXC seperately. I'm not sure if you're using the monitor with it, My PSU is 5v for the 6128 that powers the Amstrad and the HXC as I have mine hooked to a TV via SCART.


I'd recommend this guy and this cable. Make sure you specify that it's the Plus version with the Centronics port, and the 5v power supply instead of the 12v for the older 6128: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Amstrad-CPC-Kit-Ribbon-cable-power-supply-for-CPC-3-5-Disk-Drive-HxC-Emu-/272316147483?hash=item3f674ea71b:g:498AAOSwSv1XkhVQ


The HXC will most likely come flashed, so all you have to do is download the amstrad floppy drive manager software from here: http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_emulator/


Also, I'd strongly recommend catogorising in folders alphebetically. If you dump too much into one folder, it can be a torturous experience navigating as it is only working off a 4MB CPU after all.


Any other questions, feel free to ask. I've just recently gotten mine and I'm loving playing with it. The cable will also work if you wish to hook a 3.5" drive externally to have that real old school feel of hearing the disks whirr.


Also consider hitting up @gerald for a C4CPC. It'll be worth it for the cartiridge games and ParaDOS alone. =)

[AxelStone]

Wow so detailed information, thanks for the explanation  . I already bought a pair of ribbon replacements, just yesterday I received them and replaced the old one: the drive works! Old ribbon was literally disintegrated, so with this new one works like a charm. By the moment I'll not buy HxC so.


I allready have C4CPC, really a cool device! However I wanted to repair fdd for that old feeling of floppies sound  . I'm not to use them very much, but it's nice to know that I have a functional fdd, not a briked one  .


Regards!