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General Category => Technical support - Hardware related => Topic started by: chrisgreen on 14:27, 07 May 19

Title: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: chrisgreen on 14:27, 07 May 19
Hi All


I've recently removed the internal 3inch drive from my 6128 and replaced it with a Gotek in a custom 3D printed frame.


However, I was wondering what would be involved in reconnecting the previously internal drive externally to the B drive edge connector. Does anything need to be changed on the drive itself (jumpers etc.) or is it simply a case of making up the appropriate ribbon cable and a suitable 12v power cable?


Also, has anyone created a 3D printable case for a 3-inch drive? Loads of 3.5inch ones on Thingiverse, but nothing for the 3inch that I could see.


Cheers
Chris
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: LambdaMikel on 14:42, 07 May 19
The cable determines which is which:

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amstrad_External_Disk_Drive

Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: Audronic on 00:40, 08 May 19
@chrisgreen (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2688)


I have just completed a 3" drive "B"
Made up an adapter cable AND rewired the DRIVE to be Drive 1 (Previously 0).

The mods to the drive depend upon the Model of the 3" drive.

Please send a photo of the Drives motherboard and the Model number of the drive EME XXX ?
NB: Please note the Power plug is wired NON STANDARD to the rest of the World.

Photo:- Remove link from the end holes and rewire as per photo for Drive "B" EMM 155

Good Luck

Ray
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: Audronic on 00:53, 08 May 19
Part 2 Other Photo

Remove JP 119 and rewire as per photo. EMM 156


Ray


Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: chrisgreen on 14:09, 08 May 19
Hi Ray

I'll ping you the drive specs this evening when I get in from work.

I'm aware of the non-standard power plug pinout, as the chap who made up my Gotek kit also provided the necessary rewired power adapter so that the 5v went to the right pins and the 12v was isolated.

However, I'm a little confused, as you say that the drive requires modification in order to be used as an external A or B drive, while @LambdaMikel (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2172) (my expansion board is still going great BTW) suggests it's purely down to the cable wiring (which is what I thought was the case).


Cheers
Chris
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: LambdaMikel on 14:45, 08 May 19
I never tried to turn an internal 6128 drive to an external one though.
So I guess @Audronic (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1169) is right.

@Audronic (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1169)  is this modification somewhere documented on this Wiki?
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: CraigsBar on 15:03, 08 May 19
Just a thought but might it not be easier to jumper the gotek as B, leave the 3inch drive as A and fit an internal abba switch in the cpc?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: Audronic on 00:21, 09 May 19
Quote from: LambdaMikel on 14:45, 08 May 19
I never tried to turn an internal 6128 drive to an external one though.
So I guess @Audronic (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1169) is right.
@Audronic (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1169)  is this modification somewhere documented on this Wiki?


No its not. (The one that is in the wiki is short on detail for me).
I used the   http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/DIY:Floppy_Drives.
as a reference to making up the cable.


Ray

Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: Audronic on 00:23, 09 May 19
Quote from: CraigsBar on 15:03, 08 May 19
Just a thought but might it not be easier to jumper the gotek as B, leave the 3inch drive as A and fit an internal abba switch in the cpc?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


No


I want to put the 3" drive in an other environment (TRS-80 Model 3/4) as I have test tools that I can use to work out an intermittent problem that I have with one of my 3" drives.


Ray
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: Audronic on 00:26, 09 May 19
Quote from: chrisgreen on 14:09, 08 May 19
Hi Ray

However, I'm a little confused, as you say that the drive requires modification in order to be used as an external A or B drive, while @LambdaMikel (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2172) (my expansion board is still going great BTW) suggests it's purely down to the cable wiring (which is what I thought was the case).
Cheers Chris


Hi Chris
It is preferable to make up a "Standard" interconnect cable and adjust the drive for what ever Drive select number is appropriate.
as you would do on any other drive chain.


Ray
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: GUNHED on 17:16, 09 May 19
Quote from: Audronic on 00:23, 09 May 19
I want to put the 3" drive in an other environment (TRS-80 Model 3/4) as I have test tools that I can use to work out an intermittent problem that I have with one of my 3" drives.
Which test tools do you miss on the Amstrad?
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: Audronic on 23:58, 09 May 19
Quote from: GUNHED on 17:16, 09 May 19
Which test tools do you miss on the Amstrad?


Hi GUNHED.


I have a program called " Trakcess " That in real time can read Tracks, sector ID's and display them instantly.
PS:- it does not stop on Error Reads it just reads what it gets.

I was going to use that to test the alignment of "Track 0 , 17 , 38 "
As I have 2 Drives that are Unwell.


Trakcess zip attached including manual (FOR TRS-80 MODEL III ONLY)


Ray
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: GUNHED on 18:26, 15 May 19

Discology does that for you on CPC  :)



Quote from: Audronic on 23:58, 09 May 19

Hi GUNHED.


I have a program called " Trakcess " That in real time can read Tracks, sector ID's and display them instantly.
PS:- it does not stop on Error Reads it just reads what it gets.

I was going to use that to test the alignment of "Track 0 , 17 , 38 "
As I have 2 Drives that are Unwell.


Trakcess zip attached including manual (FOR TRS-80 MODEL III ONLY)


Ray
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: Audronic on 00:12, 16 May 19
Hi GUNHED


Ok Thanks I will get the rom and have a look.
Do you know whichEnglish version is the best ?
Version 2, 3.3, 6



Ray
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: GUNHED on 12:20, 16 May 19
For CPC take the last one. For the Plus not every one is running. CPC-Power should be your friend. I would attach files here, but the forum doesn't eat DSKs.
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: Audronic on 12:29, 16 May 19
Hi Gunhed


Thanks I will have a look at CPC-power


If you want to send a file or a DSK then if you Zip it up the forum will accept the file.


EG :- xxxxxxx.zip


Thanks.  Ray
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: GUNHED on 12:40, 16 May 19
Yes, I know that. But seriously it's time consuming to:
- Locate file
- Zip file
- Upload file
- Delete zipped file


Just instead of tag and upload file.


Where's the problem in allowing DSK files? They are very small, people upload some MB big pictures. Why not a small DSK? I guess even HxC format (bigger than DSKs) can be uploaded.
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: Audronic on 12:44, 16 May 19
Quote from: GUNHED on 12:40, 16 May 19

Where's the problem in allowing DSK files? They are very small, people upload some MB big pictures. Why not a small DSK? I guess even HxC format (bigger than DSKs) can be uploaded.


Admin May be able to change the Extension filter to allow xxxxx.DSK
Perhaps ask Admin ?


Thanks.  Ray
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: GUNHED on 12:51, 16 May 19
PM sent.
Title: Re: How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?
Post by: Audronic on 02:40, 18 May 19
Quote from: GUNHED on 18:26, 15 May 19
Discology does that for you on CPC  :)


@GUNHED (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2029)


Thanks, Discology6 Rom is what I was after.


Ray
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