CPC Dandanator Mini Dual - Centronics port - HOW TO CONNECT?

[viddi]

Hi guys!

I just got my CPC Dandanator Mini Dual and want to connect it to my German CPC.

Unfortunately the manual doesn´t say what´s the correct way to do so and I can´t find reliable info about it.

Please take a look at the picture. Can you help me? 1 or 2?

Thank you very much!

[Jean-Marie]

From what I understood from this video, you don't need to use the cable on a CPC. It's only needed for the PLUS.

[robcfg]

German CPCs (not Plus) have indeed Centronics connectors instead of the edge ones.

[DR400]

German CPCs (not Plus) have indeed Centronics connectors instead of the edge ones.

If the MX4 to edge connector board follows the MX4 standard, picture 1 is correct

[viddi]

German CPCs (not Plus) have indeed Centronics connectors instead of the edge ones.

If the MX4 to edge connector board follows the MX4 standard, picture 1 is correct

This would make sense button-wise, too.


Is it possible to damage hardware if the connector is used the wrong way?

I also found this thread: https://www.va-de-retro.com/foros/viewtopic.php?style=36&p=151986
Mhhh...I think this could proof that 1 is correct...

[eto]

I have the normally sized Dandanator and I connect it like in picture 1. 

[viddi]

I have the normally sized Dandanator and I connect it like in picture 1.

THX for the info 

[viddi]

So, I've connected the Dandanator now.

The reset button is working, and when the USB cable is plugged in, Windows confirms that the device is recognized.

On the PC side, I can also launch the Java software and select the correct COM port.

Unfortunately, I have encountered a different problem now:

Upon powering on both the Schneider CPC 6128 and the 6128 Plus, the Basic screen appears, and I can't access the Dandanator menu.
It doesn´t show up!

Does anyone know about this issue?

Since I need to switch to the Writer mode on the CPC, I can't install any software?

Any ideas?

Thank you all!

[SerErris]

You can load the initial loader via disk or tape, or even type it in.

[viddi]

You can load the initial loader via disk or tape, or even type it in.

Where can I find an dsk image with the loader?

I thought the CPC instantly boots into the Dendanator?

[SerErris]

If the ROM is on it, yes. If nothing is on it - no.

[viddi]

If the ROM is on it, yes. If nothing is on it - no.

But I can´t upload a ROM because the Dandanator doesn´t show up the menu, so I can´t switch to Writer mode.

Where can I find an dsk image with the loader?

[SerErris]

In the Dandanator JAVA app (2.6) you select

Extra -> EEPROM writer to DSK.

That puts the loader on a dsk file.

Or you type in this code an save it to tape/disk on the CPC

Code Select Expand

10 FOR N=&A000 TO &A026: READ A$
20 POKE N, VAL("&"+A$):NEXT
30 CALL &A000
40 DATA F3,21,05,70,11,05,10,7B,FD,FD
50 DATA FD,77,00,06,08,7E,0F,38,FC,E3
60 DATA E3,2B,34,34,35,7E,1F,CB,19,00
70 DATA 10,F7,71,1B,7B,B2,20,E7,E9
You can get this code if you go to the EEPROM Writer page in the ROM Generator Java app and then click the Rocket.

This is the minimal loader that gets you into loader mode on the CPC. And if I do not remember wrong you would then need to click on the USB symbol to load the full loader.

And this is what the code does:

Code Select Expand

;load the loader via Serial interface and execute
org #a000
    di                ;disable interrupts
    ld hl,#7005     ;load to address #7005
    ld de,#1005     ;read #1005 bytes
    ld a,e          ;initialize dandanator configuration
    db #fd,#fd      ;Trigger for Dandanator
    ld (iy+#00),a   ;Enable Serial Port, Disable EEprom write, Serial Out idle.
.loadByte
    ld b,#08        ;Load a byte (8 bits)
.waitActive
    ld a,(hl)        ;load a bit from serial port
    rrca            ;rotate bit 0 into carry
    jr c,waitActive     ;if idle loop
    ex (sp),hl          ;(wait some time) 6 NOP or 6 µsec
    ex (sp),hl          ; ...             6 NOP
    dec hl            ;next byte        2 NOP
    inc (hl)        ; ...             3 NOP
.readBit
    inc (hl)            ; ...             3 NOP
    dec (hl)            ; ...             3NOP
    ld a,(hl)           ;read bit from Serial - total wait is 23 NOP or 23µsec
    rra                 ;rotate bit in carry
    rr c                ;and rotate into C register from left. C accumulates the byte
    nop                 ;more timing (1 nop)
    djnz readBit        ;read next bit
    ld (hl),c           ;now save byte to memory
    dec de              ;decrease counter (how many bytes to read)
    ld a,e              ;check if DE = 0
    or d
    jr nz,loadByte      ;if not read next byte
    jp (hl)             ;download done: start the downloaded code

[viddi]

Thank you very much. 
Will try it!