USB Floppy Emulator for classic systems

[Bryce]

From a software point of view, it shouldn't be a problem, the real problem is getting a physical connection to the PIC (Processor) on the emulator. Some sort of output from the CPC (either the printer or expansion port) would need to communicate with the PIC, which means additional hardware. It's not impossible, it's just messy. A small navigation program would probably be needed and I assume you would want the files listed on the "real" screen (ie: not an overlay), so the PIC would have to send the file list back to the CPC too (meaning the connection would most likely need to be through the expansion port). at this stage, a neat project is turning into a tangle of circuits and wires.

Bryce.

[TFM]

..... the hardware would have to connect to the expansion port too (like the FDD-1 does) and would then be around the size and cost of a Symbiface (which does all of the above and more, but for CPC only).

Well, the SF2 can't emulate floppy disc drives. Thats the point and the fascinating feature of the Floppy Emulator. It CAN be connected like a normal floppy disc drive.

[Bryce]

That's not really what I meant, The answer refers more to the question of having to navigate with a joystick/buttons on the interface or incorporating soft navigation. I just wanted to point out, that making this controllable through RSXs would dis-proportionately increase the price of the device to an extent that the "Price per Feature" ratio would go way off the map.

Bryce.

[khisanth]

got mine through the post today. cant wait to test it!

[Gryzor]

Really? Do let us know! Post some pics too! Make a small review if possible!

[khisanth]

just realised i need a floppy cable from the CPC to the card!

[Gryzor]

Hahahahaha Not that easy to find nowadays, in all seriousness

[khisanth]

yes i totally forgot about that side of things. Doesnt really mention it on the auction either lol

doh!

[Gryzor]

Well he didn't even mention you need to be connected to a power plant somehow, did he?

[khisanth]

electricity is needed?? 

[Gryzor]

electricity is needed?? 

What can you do, 8-bit is old technology... you can hook it up to a stationary bike, though.

[Cholo]

I got my board yesterday and has just a little testing and it all works well.

Closeup of the board:
http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/8830/closeupp.jpg

Setup as a secondary drive on my (dusty) 464:
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6759/hookupo.jpg

Installing: Just plug in the board normally using the usb-cable and windows (Vista 64 bit) will launch update and download and install the right drivers.

The software: better get the latest emulator software from the site. Just un-zip the software to where you want it and run the executable to launch the Emulator.

Powering: the board is powered by the usb cable.

Plugging in:
1. make sure power is off on the pc.
2. on the cpc side plug it in as you would with a external drive. Note that amstrad ribbon cables can be a bit hard of fitting into the emulator board socket. But being a bit gentle it fits ok. Also note that you may need to fit it "udside down" of what is suggested.
3. plug in the usb cable and launch the emulator. Set option to DF1 (and better load a dsk too).
4. if you have a DDI also turn it on.
5. finally turn on the amstrad.

Using:
1. better insert a 3" in any other drive you may have.
2. use |B to switch to B drive.
3. have fun.

Q&A:
Q: I tried using CAT or |B but the whole thing is kinda frozen, also all 4 light are on and i can see that tracks keep changing in the pc emulator?
A: you probably have the ribbon cable in reverse. Turn everything off and plug the ribbon in again in reverse.

Q: im used |B but is getting a read error/disc missing?
A: did you forget to put a 3" floppy in the other drive?

Things i tried but didnt work: Tried to get it to work as a single primary drive on the 464 but that didnt work.

[Cholo]

Just noticed that: apparently the board only supports READING of floppies. So you cant use it for any temporary/permanent data storage at all (no writing at all).

Kinda makes it importent to use it as secondary drive as you cant do anything "serious" work on it.

Or perhaps im doing something wrong or Vista is blocking something? I do wonder what the export/save image and make system floppy are for if you cant change the original image? Or perhaps it works for other systems (amiga?) but hasnt been implemented for Amstrad? Anyone knows?

[Grim]

According to the project's website, write support is only available on the SDCARD version of the board. The USB version is read-only.

[TFM]

According to the project's website, write support is only available on the SDCARD version of the board. The USB version is read-only.

Bonjour!

What a pity :-( Read only is only half the fun. Not sufficient to really replace a drive. But the SDCARD seems to work fine. Will try to get one too. Just in case this world runs out of CPC drives ;-)

Au revoir and Merry X-Mas!

[Cholo]

According to the project's website, write support is only available on the SDCARD version of the board. The USB version is read-only.

Ah thanks, i must have missed that in translation. Also i should probably have guessed it from the flowchart too.

Still a great piece of equipment and a fast way to get data from pc to amstrad (and it will definately come in handy with my amiga too). Oh also would like to mention that the board is really well made too. Lotharek really did a pro job building these.

Happy Christmas y'all 

[khisanth]

Okay, finally got hold of a CPC floppy disk cable and hooked it up to the USB floppy emulator and it works PERFECTLY !!!!!!!!!!!!

now i have access to every game ever in milliseconds!!!

[OCT]

This is great news (now who's doing the production run of the PCBs, preferably once SD is ready in one common design as well?).

I wonder if optocouplers (with part of the circuitry being powered from its respective computer's side) wouldn't fit in nicely to completely avoid the risk of "frying" any machine due to the difference in potential (and/or at least cause nasty ground loops).

Yet another means would be the latest crop of consumer-electronics components to make the USB connection wireless (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_USB also lists a number of competing options).

[Gryzor]

Okay, finally got hold of a CPC floppy disk cable and hooked it up to the USB floppy emulator and it works PERFECTLY !!!!!!!!!!!!

now i have access to every game ever in milliseconds!!!

Ain't that sweet... can you make a video?

[khisanth]

yeah good idea! will get one done tonight 

[Gryzor]

Fantastic, thanks!!!

[khisanth]

Okay here you go. Not a great video, as I dont have a tripod but you get the idea.

[Gryzor]

"Cast"? :p :p

Thanks for the vid, I think I want one...

[CPCIak]

Does anyone know when the SD version of HxC will be available???

[Bryce]

Do you mean to buy? I have downloaded the SD version plans, to build it myself. I intend optimising it slightly because I don't need the Atari ST functionality, but everything else (circuit / software) is there if you intend building one.

Bryce.