Connect Vortex Floppy to CPC 464

[AlexM]

Hi,


I got a Schneider CPC 464 with a Vortex and a Schneider Floppy Drive. Unfortunately I got it without documentation for the Vortex drive so I am not sure in which direction the cable for the Vortex interface should be connected to the CPC. I think its possible to connect it in both ways but I am afraid to make a mistake.


I found some documentation here:
https://cpcrulez.fr/hardware-lecteurs_externe-les_lecteurs_vortex-fd1.htm


In the (german) manual I found there its written that the controller needs to be placed so that the cable from the controller to the drive is on the right hand side.
I positioned everything on the floor and then - at least in my opinion - the red indicator on the cable would be on the left side (sitting in front of PC).


I made some pictures, maybe this helps:
Drive: http://z1k.org/cpc464/20200821_185825.jpg
Drive back: http://z1k.org/cpc464/20200821_185848.jpg
Drive and Controller: http://z1k.org/cpc464/20200821_185919.jpg
Cable: http://z1k.org/cpc464/20200821_185950.jpg
Connector: http://z1k.org/cpc464/20200821_190003.jpg
Connector detailed: http://z1k.org/cpc464/20200821_193059.jpg
Complete setup: http://z1k.org/cpc464/20200821_193822.jpg
The way I would connect it Picture 1: http://z1k.org/cpc464/20200821_194344.jpg
The way I would connect it Picture 2: http://z1k.org/cpc464/20200821_194530.jpg


So if I got that right Pin1 of the Connector would be Pin1 of the Port.


Is anyone able to help me with that issue? Is it possible to connect it the wrong way (I didn't try it)?


Any help is very much appreciated!


Best regards,
Alex

[Bryce]

Hi Alex,
     the cable definitely can't be plugged either way around. There will be a right way and a wrong way, but I don't know which is correct. However, my good friend @GUNHED has a lot of experience with Vortex drives and can most likely help you further.

Bryce.

[AlexM]

Thanks for your reply. Then I will wait if he sees this thread.


By connecting it both ways I meant it seems its physically possible to connect it both ways, but thats what I dont want to try out. I am afraid of damaging either the port or the interface.

[GUNHED]

Which kind of Vortex floppy do you have?
The F1-X gets conneted to drive B port and the controller to the expansion port. They are seperated.
If you have an F1-S or F1-D then the controller connects to the expansion port and from the controller a cable goes to the (single or double) floppy. In this case be careful, because the floppy flat cable also transports the power for the controller.
Can you post a picture? Then I can take a look and compare with my setup. 

[AlexM]

Hi GUNHED,


I posted some pictures in my initial posting, or do you need another picture? Let me know what you exactly need and I can take a picture.


As I do not have any documents for the drive I am not sure which model exactly it is but the sticker on the back says "FD-1". Please see picture "Drive back".


Best regards,
Alex

[GUNHED]

Ah saw the pictures now. Looks good
One cable goes from the controller to CPC expansion port.
The other one goes from to controller to the right. It goes to the floppies.
Your setup seems to be right.
If you connect it and switch it on, then the CPC should display an additional line like "VDOS by Vortex active"
I try to make pictures from my setup soon.
This drives is really cool! Supported by Basic, CPM and FutureOS.
If it doesn't work, then usually the PSU (a part of the two floppies) is broken.
And yes, it's the F1-D with two 5,25" floppies.. Awesome!

[Bryce]

Which kind of Vortex floppy do you have?
The F1-X gets conneted to drive B port and the controller to the expansion port. They are seperated.
If you have an F1-S or F1-D then the controller connects to the expansion port and from the controller a cable goes to the (single or double) floppy. In this case be careful, because the floppy flat cable also transports the power for the controller.
Can you post a picture? Then I can take a look and compare with my setup. 

I knew you'd be able to sort him out. Nobody knows more about these than you.

Bryce.

[GUNHED]

Thanks, but not really. We're just a good team here. 

Also look here: https://cpcrulez.fr/hardware-lecteurs_externe-les_lecteurs_vortex-fd1.htm

and: https://cpcrulez.fr/hardware-lecteurs_externe-les_lecteurs_vortex__MS.htm

[AlexM]

I did some further testing with my CPC and also connected the controller to the floppy drive port of the CPC but did not power on the disk drive itself. When I turn on my CPC I get no picture and also the LED of the computer itself is off. When I disconnect the cable from the floppy drive port the CPC can be switched on again.


Until now I did not test with floppy drive connected and also switched on. I only tested the drive without any connection to the CPC, it seems to power up, but its completely silent.


Should I test it again with the floppy drive switched on and also the controller connected to the CPC? Or is that already a bad sign that something is not ok?


As far as I understood the manual the computer should also work when the drive is powered off.


@GUNHED : it would be very nice if you could check your setup and send me a picture


Any help is very much appreciated...currently I am afraid to do a wrong step and damage something

[Bryce]

It sounds like something is broken in the controller. Some signal is being held high or low, causing the CPC not to boot.

Bryce.

[GUNHED]

Either as Bryce told (99%) or maybe the power is needed to have the controller active. But most likely something is wrong in the controller. Can't make pictures at the moment, but the orientation of the controller is as told.

[AlexM]

Ok, you were both right. I connected it, powered everyhing up and I got the message VDOS powered by Vortex you mentioned.
Now I can continue to the next parts I need to discover...
Thanks for your support!

[GUNHED]

Always a pleasure