CPCWiki forum

General Category => Amstrad CPC hardware => Topic started by: Bryce on 19:10, 14 November 10

Title: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Bryce on 19:10, 14 November 10
Hi all,
      I just connected my HxC Floppy Emulator to my 6128 Plus and got some really strange results. The internal floppy drive motor starts turning, typing "Cat" results in the "Press PLAY then any key" (so I assume the FDC or ROM 7 isn't replying) and typing |B results in a frozen CPC. The plus (including floppy) works perfectly otherwise and the HxC works perfectly with the same cable / settings on my standard 6128. Anyone else had similar problems?

Bryce.

Edit: My 3.5" floppy seems to have the same effect? Is the floppy pinout of the Plus different? Or do I need to make changes to the cable?
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Bryce on 19:42, 14 November 10
Ok, forget I asked, I've just checked the Floppy Pinout page on the Wiki (probably should have looked there first really). Amstrad went and changed the pinout???!!!??? You couldn't make this stuff up, what idiot came up with that bright idea? Now I'll have to go and make separate cables for the plus :(

Bryce.
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: norecess on 20:31, 14 November 10
I personally disconnected internal 3" drive. The external drive become A: . This case works.
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Bryce on 20:47, 14 November 10
I've made a dual-cable with a shugard connector on one end and two centronics connectors on the other end, one for standard CPC and one for Plus, now all works fine on the Plus and standard without the need for two cables :)

Bryce.
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: arnoldemu on 00:39, 16 November 10
Quote from: Bryce on 19:42, 14 November 10
Ok, forget I asked, I've just checked the Floppy Pinout page on the Wiki (probably should have looked there first really). Amstrad went and changed the pinout???!!!??? You couldn't make this stuff up, what idiot came up with that bright idea? Now I'll have to go and make separate cables for the plus :(

Bryce.
welcome to the cpc+ world  :laugh:
Now, don't go looking at the sprites and hoping to multiplex them easily  :laugh:
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Cholo on 22:06, 17 November 10
I noticed Urban-Retro is still selling compatible Plus HxC cables .. or is it one of these that you got troubles with at first?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Amstrad-CPC-6128-PLUS-ribbon-cable-disk-disc-HxC-drive-/230549688267?pt=UK_VintageComputing_RL&hash=item35add50fcb
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Bryce on 09:26, 18 November 10
No, the first cable I was using was built (by me) for my standard 6128 to connect a 3.5" drive. Being new to the Plus and all its perculiaralities, I wasn't aware that the Plus floppy pinout is different. My new cable can be used on both standard 6128s and Plus :)

Bryce.
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Skunkfish on 11:33, 11 July 16
I'm having similar issues with a Gotek drive connected to a 6128 Plus using a cable bought from ikonsgr76 on eBay.

Is it likely that I've been sent a cable for the Schneider rather than the Plus?
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Bryce on 15:03, 11 July 16
Post a picture of the cable (detailed image of the centronics end) and I can tell you which machine it's meant for.

Bryce.
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Skunkfish on 21:17, 11 July 16
Hi Bryce,

Hope the below image is ok?

Thanks.



(http://cognitivediversions.co.uk/images/IMG_20160711_191752.jpg)
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Audronic on 01:40, 12 July 16
Quote from: Bryce on 09:26, 18 November 10
No, the first cable I was using was built (by me) for my standard 6128 to connect a 3.5" drive.  My new cable can be used on both standard 6128s and Plus :)
Bryce.
Hi Bryce
Would it be possible to have a Photo / Details as to the difference of the connections Please
Or is there a Wiki entry for this information.
Thanks     Ray
Oops I just found this :-
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Audronic on 03:35, 12 July 16
Quote from: Skunkfish on 21:17, 11 July 16
Hi Bryce,
Hope the below image is ok?
Thanks.

(http://cognitivediversions.co.uk/images/IMG_20160711_191752.jpg)



Please take a photo of the Underside of the Blue connector (Cable flipped over)
Thanks     Ray
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Skunkfish on 08:18, 12 July 16
(http://www.cognitivediversions.co.uk/images/IMG-20160712-WA0002.jpg)
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Audronic on 08:34, 12 July 16
@Skunkfish (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=348)


Thanks for the Photo.
I am more confused than ever.
I wanted to find how many slots were empty and it looks like 3 near the Red wire.
I have seen the split in the cable before.
I will have to do some more research.


Sorry i cannot help at the moment.


Ray
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Bryce on 08:56, 12 July 16
That looks like it's made for a plus, but for connecting a 26pin Amstrad 3in drive, not a 34pin standard 3.5in drive. What connector is at the end of the cable?

@Audronic (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1169): This might help too: DIY:Floppy Drives - CPCWiki (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/DIY:Floppy_Drives#Multi-Adaptor_Cable_for_External_Floppies_.2F_HxC_emulator)

Bryce.
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Audronic on 10:26, 12 July 16
Quote from: Bryce on 08:56, 12 July 16
@Audronic (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1169): This might help too: DIY:Floppy Drives - CPCWiki (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/DIY:Floppy_Drives#Multi-Adaptor_Cable_for_External_Floppies_.2F_HxC_emulator)
Bryce.
Thanks Bryce, I was looking for that on the wiki but Missed it.
I knew i had seen the split cable before.
I Just counted the conductors  26 ?? (3" Drive)
Thanks i will BOOKMARK that  :picard2: .
Ray
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Bryce on 11:37, 12 July 16
It could still have a 34way connector on the other end with the wires split, but that would seem like a very strange and complicated  way to make a cable.

Bryce.
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Skunkfish on 11:54, 12 July 16
Only image I have available at work, if you a need some different angles I can do another photoshoot tonight  :D

[attachimg=1]

Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Bryce on 12:25, 12 July 16
 :picard: Nope that's enough to see everything, the cable is for a 3.5in drive connected to a plus, but what a way to make it!

Bryce.
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Skunkfish on 12:51, 12 July 16
Thanks for confirming, I suspect it may be a case of cleaning the external drive connector on the back of the Plus then!
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Skunkfish on 21:26, 12 July 16
I'm slowly getting further along, although not quite there yet.

I'm currently getting a 'Disc missing' error when I type '|b'. The internal drive also spins up when I do this (I think that's normal? It's been some time).

Thanks,

James.
Title: Re: Problem with HxC on 6128Plus
Post by: Skunkfish on 22:03, 13 July 16
Finally got it working, so happy!  :D

I thought I had to have the jumper connected across JA on the Gotek for the Ready signal, that doesn't seem to be the case!

Just playing some Prehistorik 2, I think I've actually got better at it...
Powered by SMFPacks Menu Editor Mod