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avatar_CraigsBar

HxC SD Flopp Emulator as 6128plus B drive

Started by CraigsBar, 23:17, 10 August 11

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CraigsBar

Hi all,

I have recently purchased a HxC SD Floppy Emulator. ANd I have some difficulties getting it working on my 6128 plus as a B drive.

I can manage to get the LED to glow when abba switch sets the external drive to B, and Dim when it is set to A - as I would expect withthe jumpers set as follows

o o o o
o o|X|o
o o|X|o

or

o o|X|o
o o|X|o
o o o o

However I always get the same message when trying to read any Disk Images "Disc Missing"
The HXC Rom is also unable to see the emulator - Returning error "72"

Does the HxC require a "Ready Signal" to be bridged in the cable? or am I missing something else (Not a broken emulator I hope)

Regards

Craig

IRC:  #Retro4All on Freenode

norecess

I don't know. I always used HxC as external drive and removed internal one, so my HxC is actually drive A.

I advise you to ask your question on the official HxC forum (Amstrad CPC section) : http://torlus.com/floppy/forum/viewforum.php?f=8&sid=c9283cdfd95187849cb42419649bbfcf

Bryce

No you don't need a ready signal jumper, the HxC produces the ready signal as required. Are you sure that your external cable works? Have you ever tried it with a 3.5" drive? Is it plugged the right way around?

Bryce.

Cholo

#3
Im not 100% sure about your setup but i imagine that you havent changed your internal 6128+ drive. And are trying to hook up the HxC as a second drive using a external cable.

Pretty sure you need to use this setting:

0000
X000
X000

as this is "primary" drive setting for the HxC emulator (aka primary on the external cable, but seen as drive B by the 6128+).

Or you could try this if the one above dont work:

0000
000X
000X

Another quite common error is that your SD card needs formatting (Fat32). It is really importent that the files on the SD card isnt fragmented. Read errors happens a lot if you update your firmware a lot (aka delete/move files so that new files gets fragmented). Quickly fixed with a format.

Bryce

Hi CraigsBar,
      I just checked my Setup which is = CPC6128+ external HxC and ABBA switch.

Your first suggestion ie:

o o o o
o o|X|o
o o|X|o

is correct. If your CPC still isn't detecting the disc then the 34way cable is connected the wrong way around.

Bryce.

Ynot.zer0

Quote from: Bryce on 17:55, 11 August 11
Hi CraigsBar,
      I just checked my Setup which is = CPC6128+ external HxC and ABBA switch.
Your first suggestion ie:
o o o o
o o|X|o
o o|X|o
is correct. If your CPC still isn't detecting the disc then the 34way cable is connected the wrong way around.
Bryce.


I have the same setup (minus ABBA switch), just checked and can confirm I that as Bryce mentions all works fine for me.  It is easy to get the cable the wrong way around, I've done it a couple of times now :-)
How are you powering the HxC?  I have mine pwered from an old PC PSU.


TFM

If his drive light is switche on and off by his drive abba switch, THEN the cable IS connected in the right way.
TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

CraigsBar

Thanks to all.. This is resolved...

Never again will I trust Brand New 34 way ribbon cable.

I canibalised a old PC and created a new cable from a 15 year old floppy cable

All works fine

It was the cable all along, Thanks for the suggestions I am happy again.

Regards

Craig

IRC:  #Retro4All on Freenode

TFM

Great that you solved it!

But which Jumper-Setting is the right one now?
TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

rpalmer

The cable was needed to be "flipped" as the internal cable is wired differently to that for external drives.

You only need to see how a 3.5 inch internal drive is to be connected where the cable/connector has to be modified for it to work.

rpalmer

TFM

Is it possible to replace a regular 3.5" B-drive without changing the cable? I mean just be setting the HxC jumpers in a way. I don't want to deal with two cables, it's easy to take the wrong one.
TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

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