Disk drives

The Floppy Disk Drive is a common Mass Data storage from the 80's.

Alongside other technologies :

• ROM used in Cartridge or Hardwired... Faster but so expensive.
• Cassettes/Tapes. Awfully slowler and not that reliable.

In modern day, the Cassette port can easily be replaced by any modern audio device : MP3 or CD readers.

Amstrad CPC464: This computer lacks the disc controller hardware and the software to use a disc drive. To use discs on an Amstrad CPC464 the most compatible interface is the DDI-1 (this includes AMSDOS ROM). Normally this interface came with one FD-1 3" disc drive.

Amstrad 464+: This computer lacks the disc controller hardware and the software to use a disc drive. The PCB of the 464+ is the same as the 6128+ but with the components removed. So it is possible to add all the extra components required to get a disc interface and Amstrad Action published an article about how to do this. However finding all the components is not so easy now. A DDI-1 can be fitted to the 464+, but you will probably need a conversion cable; to convert the connector on the expansion to the old edge connector on the DDI-1, but also the DDI-1 interface needs modifying to be compatible.

Amstrad CPC664, CPC6128, 6128+: These computers all come with disc interface and AMSDOS ROM integrated into the computer. In addition they all come with an internal 3" disc drive.

Disks are one of the easiest way to use programs on the Amstrad.

The 3" drives and 3" discs are not so easy to find now.

For many years now, most users connect a 3.5" disc drive.

Mostly this drive is connected as external drive B (and potentially with a drive switch to swap roles of drive A and drive B).

Some Amstrads have been customised to fit one internally, but this does require modifying the case and is easier on a 6128+.

Amstrad parts numbers

• 30001 P.C.B. 3" Disc drive
• 30002 P.C.B. 3" Disc drive
• Z70312 P.C.B. 3" Disc Drive
• Z70313 P.C.B. 3" Disc Drive
• Z70341 P.C.B. 3" Disc Drive
• Z80264 P.C.B. 3" disc drive

Existing models

• 3½" & 5¼" Disk Drives

• Amstrad DDI-1 / FD-1 Disk Drive
• Cumana 3" Disk Drive
• Data Media Disc System
• Vortex Disc Drives (Vortex)
• Jasmin AM5D 5 "1/4 floppy drive
• KDS 5¼" Disc Drive (KDS Electronics)
• Teac 3" Disc Drive

Drive Emulators

• HxC Floppy Emulator
• SDiskEmul
• TFE Floppy Emulator
• VDrive

Usefull Pages

• Changing the drive belt

• Disc format
• Cassette data information
• Datacorder

Abbreviations used in French

• K7 = cassettes/tapes ("Ka Sept")
• D7 = disquettes/disk ("Dé Sept")