FD-1

[rebelpeter]

I have a FD-1 had a new belt but still when in the drive results
in   Drive B   Disc missing.

Anyone any ideas as what to do next . . ,.
   

[Bryce]

Is it connected to a 464? If so, it should be Drive A: not Drive B:

A few questions that should be easy to answer:

1 - What does the LED on the FD-1 do? Is it normally dull red and gets a little bit brighter when it is trying to read the disk?

2 - Can you hear the Disk turning?

3 - Is it making any strange clicking sounds when it is trying to read the disk?

The answers might help us solve the problem.

Bryce.

[rebelpeter]

Is it connected to a 464? If so, it should be Drive A: not Drive B:

A few questions that should be easy to answer:

1 - What does the LED on the FD-1 do? Is it normally dull red and gets a little bit brighter when it is trying to read the disk?

2 - Can you hear the Disk turning?

3 - Is it making any strange clicking sounds when it is trying to read the disk?

The answers might help us solve the problem.

Bryce.

Hello Bryce I will try it tomorrow and write down what it does
to your questions, I tried it on the 6128 and that gives a drive b disc missing

And a drive A on the 464 (my mistake)

I will do it tomorrow on the 464 and let you
know what exactly it does

Thanks for the reply , 

Reb . . .

[Bryce]

What cable do you use to connect it to the 6128? You know you can't use the DDI-1 on a 6128 don't you?

Bryce.

[rebelpeter]

What cable do you use to connect it to the 6128? You know you can't use the DDI-1 on a 6128 don't you?

Bryce.

Hello Ere well Mmmm I never knew the 464 cable can not go on a 6218 . . .

well the cable came with the FD1 and I have tried both cables in both drives,

the last FD1 I bought think it was off a 464

the one with all the other gear was off a 6128 as he only had 6128s

I will retry both cable on both drives again tomorrow I know which came with which.

But would you believe I have bought another FD1 it arrived this afternoon not tried it
and hope it will work this time round this is my 3rd FD1 attempt.  (from Ireland this time) . .

How come you know soooooooo much about these machines . . . and I know soooooo little.   

I will retry the last 2 I bought before tomorrow on both the 6128 and the 464  with both cables.

tell you the truth I am scared to try  the new one that arrived today as I am so
use to them not working, guess I dont wanna see it fail this time . . .

[Bryce]

Ok, here's a quick guide:

On a 464 you need to connect the FD-1 to the CPC with the DDI-1. The DDI-1 contains the extra electronics needed to control a floppy drive).

On a 6128 you can use the same FD-1, but you cannot use the DDI-1. The floppy electronics are already inside the 6128, so you would be giving the 6128 a second set of identical electronics and it gets confused. To connect an FD-1 to a 6128 you need a cable that just has two simple connectors on each end. This cable connects to the port labeled "Floppy Disk Drive" and not to the expansion port where you connected the DDI-1.

Bryce.

[rebelpeter]

Ok, here's a quick guide:

On a 464 you need to connect the FD-1 to the CPC with the DDI-1. The DDI-1 contains the extra electronics needed to control a floppy drive).

ok I have done this but I have in now a FD1 in the 464 I am using an interface I got
yesterday which is for the 464 (this is a dive received yesterday and dare not to try it yet)
I have interface from the new fd1, if i type cat the 464 says "press play and any key .
the fd1 has a green light on and a bright red one on . .

I tried the other fd1 I got in that job lot it has a dull red light on  and a green

when I type cat it just says Drive a disc missing . . .

both the drives do not run at all.. so can not hear any disc running







On a 6128 you can use the same FD-1, but you cannot use the DDI-1. The floppy electronics are already inside the 6128, so you would be giving the 6128 a second set of identical electronics and it gets confused. To connect an FD-1 to a 6128 you need a cable that just has two simple connectors on each end. This cable connects to the port labeled "Floppy Disk Drive" and not to the expansion port where you connected the DDI-1


Bryce.

ok think i have the you know  I am sure it is me and not the fd1s . . .I am trying both
fd1s on the 464 . . .I have 3 flat cables 2 have the 3 plugs on an done has just 2 the one with 2
says on it " sm   3463 

im not sure if this is for the amstrads though

at the moment i have the fd1 plugges in the 464 with a 464 flat cable and type cat
sayd " press play and any key ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Bryce]

Make sure the DDI-1 is properly connected to the 464. Make sure you turn on the FD-1 (switch at the back near the power cable) BEFORE you switch on the CPC464.

Then you will need to type |Disc and press enter.

Now the 464 will use the disk instead of tape when you type CAT.

Bryce.

[rebelpeter]

Make sure the DDI-1 is properly connected to the 464. Make sure you turn on the FD-1 (switch at the back near the power cable) BEFORE you switch on the CPC464.

Then you will need to type |Disk and press enter.

Now the 464 will use the disk instead of tape when you type CAT.

Bryce.


I am now on the new fd1 i got yesterday and when i cat says play and any key

when i type Idisc  it says

unknown command      ( I am using the shift and @ key to get the symbol

i am doing something wrong as i have 2 fd1s now that say the same thing
when i try to load a disc...... Ahhhh

Make sure the DDI-1 is properly connected to the 464. Make sure you turn on the FD-1 (switch at the back near the power cable) BEFORE you switch on the CPC464.

Then you will need to type |Disk and press enter.

Now the 464 will use the disk instead of tape when you type CAT.

Bryce.

[Bryce]

Ok, if the |Disc command is telling you "unknown command" then there are two possibilities:

1 - The contacts at the back of the CPC are very dirty - Remove the DDI-1 from the CPC, you will see the edge connector through the hole in the CPC casing. This has a row of metal contacts on the top and on the bottom of the PCB. You need to clean these with cleaning spirits. The easiest way to do this is with a cotton bud soaked in cleaning spirit. Clean all conatacts on the top and bottom of the PCB thoroughly and then try it again.

2 - If cleaning didn't solve the problem, then there's a very good chance that the DDI-1 is broken.

Bryce.

[rebelpeter]

Ok, if the |Disc command is telling you "unknown command" then there are two possibilities:

1 - The contacts at the back of the CPC are very dirty - Remove the DDI-1 from the CPC, you will see the edge connector through the hole in the CPC casing. This has a row of metal contacts on the top and on the bottom of the PCB. You need to clean these with cleaning spirits. The easiest way to do this is with a cotton bud soaked in cleaning spirit. Clean all conatacts on the top and bottom of the PCB thoroughly and then try it again

Cleaning spirit I have not got any of that
will anything else do it.

I have tried both interfaces same results

and the last FD1 I have now plugged in the red light is not on at all.
should it be

I have another 464 keyboard I could try this one in

I have tried both interfaces and same results is " unknown command"

ok I will try to clean the contacts on the actual 464
also try the other 464
should the fd1 have a red light on when turned on.



2 - If cleaning didn't solve the problem, then there's a very good chance that the DDI-1 is broken.

so is the the dd1 the  actual interface ?I havetried 2

Bryce.

[Bryce]

The LED on the FD-1 should be lit when it is turned on, but only very dull. It only lights bright when accessing a disc.

Is it possible for you to take a picture of the setup when everything is connected. I have a feeling that we are missing something very simple here. The photo would be a big help.

Bryce.

[rebelpeter]

The LED on the FD-1 should be lit when it is turned on, but only very dull. It only lights bright when accessing a disc.

the fd1s red light is not lit up.

just the green

cat still says press play and any key


i cleaned the 464 contacts still not working,



Is it possible for you to take a picture of the setup when everything is connected. I have a feeling that we are missing something very simple here. The photo would be a big help.

yes I could but can only sent photos to a e mail address

if that is ok

give me your e address



Bryce.

[rebelpeter]

The LED on the FD-1 should be lit when it is turned on, but only very dull. It only lights bright when accessing a disc.

Is it possible for you to take a picture of the setup when everything is connected. I have a feeling that we are missing something very simple here. The photo would be a big help.

Bryce.
[/quote





I just plugged in another fd1 the red light was on dull

but the same result when I CAT press play and any key

Idisc it replies unknown command

[Bryce]

Ok, I sent you a PM with my email details.

Definitely use the FD-1 where the LED lights dimly. The other one seems to be broken.

Bryce.

[Bryce]

Hi Peter,
     I've taken a look at the pictures you sent. Everything is definitely connected as it should be. Unfortunately it looks like your DDI-1 really is broken. If you don't have another DDI-1, you could send it to me (just the DDI-1) and I will see if I can repair it.

Bryce.

[rebelpeter]

Hi Peter,
     I've taken a look at the pictures you sent. Everything is definitely connected as it should be. Unfortunately it looks like your DDI-1 really is broken. If you don't have another DDI-1, you could send it to me (just the DDI-1) and I will see if I can repair it.

Bryce.

Thanks for looking at the photos

I have 2 DD1s (interface is that right)
press play any key


and they both give the same results

as both the Fd-1s do the same

I have tried all the fd1s and the 2 interfaces all the same results

I bought a dd1 and a FD1 from a chap off the site who swears it
works perfectly.

That is the FD! that the red light does not come on

why does the red light not come on is the FD1 no good
as if so I need to get back to him as cost £120

it has somethinbg called a Paradox 1-1 or something like that.


why do you recon the 464 does keep saying

[Badstarr]

If it has Parados installed in one of the DDI-1 interfaces have you tried invoking Parados by typing "|Drive" (without the quotes) ? Pretty sure thats the correct command.

[rebelpeter]

If it has Parados installed in one of the DDI-1 interfaces have you tried invoking Parados by typing "|Drive" (without the quotes) ? Pretty sure thats the correct command.

ok I will give it a go and it has Parados in the interface.


Thanks

[rebelpeter]

ok I will give it a go and it has Parados in the interface.


Thanks

I can not use that interface as I was advised not to use it . .

[rebelpeter]

DD1 interface wanted for 464 . . .