Looking for a Multiface

[scheeba]

Hi all, I'm fairly new here as I've just joined the ranks of amstrad owners (after growing up with the '64).

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has a working multiface or similar disk-imaging cart available, as I'd like to transfer a load of tape games I've bought to something a bit faster. I'd happily pay a reasonable price for one, via paypal or your preferred payment provider. Even a link to somewhere that sells them would be good, as I've been around most every retro store online with no luck, but might be missing somewhere. Thanks again.

[CPCIak]

Well, having a MF2 makes copying very easy, but you can transfer tapes to disc by using special software, too.
Examples given: Bonzo's Meddler, Discovery, Locksmith and OAX.
Please have a look at the section "Applications" in the wiki:
http://cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Applications#Disc_utilities

Another option would be to download the games as *.DSK and transfer these to the CPC. So you can put the tapes in a save place.

[scheeba]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Direct transfer's probably out of the question, as my PC doesn't seem to agree with those methods. I've previously used multiple different types of serial & parallel interfaces for the C64 and Amiga, with extremely mixed and unstable results. There's something about my system that just doesn't agree with it.

Those software options sound interesting, I'd certainly be open to trying a 464-compatible software solution if there is one. Again I'd be willing to buy such an application if anyone has a copy going spare. I'll keep an eye on auction/retro sites, but amstrad utilities of any sort seem extremely rare these days.

[CPCIak]

Direct transfer's probably out of the question, as my PC doesn't seem to agree with those methods. I've previously used multiple different types of serial & parallel interfaces for the C64 and Amiga, with extremely mixed and unstable results. There's something about my system that just doesn't agree with it.

I couldn't manage it either I'm waiting for a slow PentiumI Laptop from a friend to transfer dsk-files via parallel-cable.
http://cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php/topic,454.0.html

[Trotzdem]

I would closely watch Ebay, not only for specific MF2 offers, but also for bundles which include MF2s.

In the German Ebay I currently can't find one, but I guess someday you have a chance of getting one.

I own one myself, but I think it would only work with the German CPC 464, because it is made to fit in it's floppydrive - connector, so any CPC with different interfaces would probably not be able to operate it.

It's very useful.  I actually copied just one game to disc yet, but it's as easy as eating pancake.

[scheeba]

I suppose keeping an eye on eBay is my best option, yeah. Checking the older listings, I found one that sold last week (just missed it, argh!). They seem to be getting expensive, it went for 35eur, unboxed and untested.

[Cholo]

Indeed, having a mf2 is probably the fastest way to get most games to disc. Mf2 does indeed pop up on ebay quite often, so its good to keep an eye on ebay at all times.

Also perhaps look here from time to time as they seem to get hardware from time to time:
http://www.retrogames.co.uk/default/off/category/Other_Formats/Amstrad_CPC/Hardware

As CPCIak mentioned a lot of commercial games are protected and even the MF2 wont help much against those multi-load games, but that is where Bonzo/Locksmith steps in.

As you are having troubles getting software from pc to amstrad, i can suggest some cheap and easy to obtain software:

- Amstrad Action Covertape no. 01 (issue 67)(with Total Recall on the cover): AA toolbox aka the Gelenco tape-2-disk transfer program. Works automaticly and generic. Run the little program and itll copy any unprotected "block" software to the disk. No menus or anything, just run it and itll never stop untill you turn it off. Really quick way to transfer to disk if you have a lot of Amsoft/elite/encore games.

- Amstrad Action Covertape no. 22 (issue 88)(its has Tankbusters/pinguins on the cover): has JL-copy on it and it is a nice tape-tape, tape-disc, disc-tape and disc-disc file copy program, but i does require you to manually type names sometimes. Only handles unprotected games (only blocks).

[scheeba]

Excellent, thanks very much for the software advice. That should help me get a good few games transferred over!

[CPCIak]

A Multiface II for 50GBP:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Amstrad-CPC-464-664-6128-Multiface-2-by-Romantic-Robot_W0QQitemZ230424304626QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_VintageComputing_RL?hash=item35a65bdbf2

[Longshot]

Hi
I'm not sure about your goal.
If you need a multiface for a tape to disk transfert for commercial games, why did you not try to see if this transfert already exist on some oriented sites like http://www.cpc-power.com
Second point. If you have some rare tape games, lot of people are really interested to get the wav file of your original tapes. Because with the multiface 2, you lost the screen intro or many other things (protection) and the game is already "started" when it's freezed. By the way, it's not easy to copy games when this game is a multi part game (like 'way of the tiger', for example).
Last (but not least) point. If you do not use multiface as a crack tool to rebuild a loader (if you are a newbie  ) you need to have the multiface connected on the cpc to run the file saved on the disk...(and so you need to have a little tool called "anti multiface")

[redbox]

Most of this eBay sellers CPC stuff is crazily priced:

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/urban-retro/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340

£139 for a Rombo ROM box?!

[OCT]

Does anyone know what the hardware changes as in http://www.wacci.org.uk/magazine/136/136_06.html were, so they may still be reproduced if one cannot get hold of the latest revision of the Multiface II (i.e. with on/off switch and "blue button").

Other than by the colour of buttons, is there any way to determine (e.g. from the serial number on its sticker) whether a Multiface is of the "always-off" variant without connecting it? I recall back in the day it was said to be detectable "even when it's off", is this the case indeed?

BTW, is there an archive anywhere of the software (Insider et al.) listed in the above article?

[Cholo]

£139 for a Rombo ROM box?!

Well, its definately isnt cheap. Then again it isnt completely crazy high prized. If those where genuine roms with genuine manuals then that would be a quite normal price for a Rombo box. The box itself is kinda rare too.
All in all, lets just say that the guy know what he has and sets the prices accordingly. Aint so high that its insane, but low enough so that "desperate people" may go for it.

Really crazy was that Game Over 2 auction that ended at £70 last weekend 

Other than by the colour of buttons, is there any way to determine (e.g. from the serial number on its sticker) whether a Multiface is of the "always-off" variant without connecting it? I recall back in the day it was said to be detectable "even when it's off", is this the case indeed?

Donno if this helps in any way, but to get the version no.  .. while inside MF2 press the Zero key on the numeric pad, and it will give you the version no. I assume the old 2 button ones have a lower version no. than the later 3 button ones.

[Cpcmaniaco]

Read about it, here :

http://www.grimware.org/doku.php/documentations/expansions/mf2/start

[CPCIak]

eBay France
http://cgi.ebay.fr/AMSTRAD-MULTIFACE-2_W0QQitemZ320474938552QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFR_GH_Informatique_Ordinateurs_Ordinateurs_de_Collection?hash=item4a9dcb7cb8

[OCT]

Read about it, here :

http://www.grimware.org/doku.php/documentations/expansions/mf2/start

Wow, this I call dedication.
It even seems to suggest there was no such thing as a third button or switch (or was it?), but merely a change from the white/yellow keycap:
http://www.grimware.org/doku.php/documentations/expansions/mf2/start#the.reset.button

Yet another massive CPC resource that helps spread in-depth knowledge in minutes rather than months.

Except for http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Tearaway, none of http://www.grimware.org/doku.php/documentations/expansions/mf2/start#third.party.software or http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Multiface_II#Multiface_Software respectively seem to be available though, in spite of a number of them having been released into the Public Domain...

[Gryzor]

Wow, I do have a ROMBox, didn't have any idea it would be so valuable...

[arnoldemu]

Does anyone know what the hardware changes as in http://www.wacci.org.uk/magazine/136/136_06.html were, so they may still be reproduced if one cannot get hold of the latest revision of the Multiface II (i.e. with on/off switch and "blue button").

Other than by the colour of buttons, is there any way to determine (e.g. from the serial number on its sticker) whether a Multiface is of the "always-off" variant without connecting it? I recall back in the day it was said to be detectable "even when it's off", is this the case indeed?

BTW, is there an archive anywhere of the software (Insider et al.) listed in the above article?

A friend used to have a version of the multiface with a manual flick switch on the back. This was used to make the multiface visible/invisible.

Later versions made this automatic.

He upgraded it to the next version.

So previous to the flick switch, the multiface must have been visible at all times?

I am sorry I don't have more info to back it up.

[CPCIak]

ebay Germany:
http://cgi.ebay.de/multiface-two-cartridge-romantic-robot-UK-AMSTRAD-CPC_W0QQitemZ190367194112QQcmdZViewItemQQptZKlassische_Computer?hash=item2c52c4dc00

[scheeba]

9 bids already and still 8 days to go! That's going to go for 40-50eur easily I'd say. It seems pretty much impossible to get them for less than that these days.

Thanks for helping out with suggestions everyone, but since I recently got my hands on a (lovely fully refurbished)6128, I decided to get an external 3.5" drive instead. Cheaper and a lot less fuss. And, after testing them out a bit more, my tapes are unreliable at best, when they load at all . Also the parallel cable I built is refusing to play nicely with my PC, so I need something to transfer between systems.

[andyt31]

I have just bought that one that was advertised on eBay UK. Managed to knock him down by 6% 

I have wanted one ever since they were released - and ive finally got one!

I will be using it on my 464 and 6128. I would also like to use it on my 6128+, but obviously the connectors are different. Can you get the edge connector to centronics type socket adapters? Will it actually work on the plus?

[Bryce]

I made my own converter that I use to connect DKTronics interfaces to a German 6128. It's not difficult and I didn't even need to chemically develop the PCB, I used a hacksaw to "create" the tracks. I'll put a description on the Wiki of how to make it, when I have time. This is what it looks like....

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

Bryce.

[CPCIak]

According to Grimware it works with the CPC+

http://grimware.org/doku.php/documentations/expansions/mf2/start

[Grim]

An MF2 with PCB edge connector is for the CPC. You can hack somehow it's connector to plug it on your Plus but then, all the disc operations in the toolkit will crash because the CPC and Plus do not use the same version of Amsdos.

Upgrading your Plus with ParaDOS (or downgrading it with regular CPC 6128 ROM) will solve that problem. This can be done using a custom cartridge or a romboard expansion.

[OCT]

I made my own converter that I use to connect DKTronics interfaces to a German 6128. It's not difficult and I didn't even need to chemically develop the PCB, I used a hacksaw to "create" the tracks.

For the Multiface II it's even easier if its lead is long enough (it was on any I have seen) to simply crimp on the extra Centronics connector. Both being of the 50-pin variant, unlike for the 34-pin disc drive connectors which could only use 36-pin Centronics plugs, there is no risk of getting confused with the "2 leftover pins" either - just the need to make sure that the connector is at  a proper right angle and pin 1 lines up as well as pin 50 (worth mentioning as the ribbon cable may have shrunk over time and require some tweezing back to its standard width).
Crimping does take a lot more pressure to complete than one might think - short of a special mounting lever, a vice or screw clamp comes in handy.
Make sure the pinout of the CPC6128+ (which I've never had the luck to get my hands on) does exactly match that of "old-gen" CPCs' expansion ports before connecting anything.