How can I connect an internal 3inch drive externally?

[chrisgreen]

Hi All


I've recently removed the internal 3inch drive from my 6128 and replaced it with a Gotek in a custom 3D printed frame.


However, I was wondering what would be involved in reconnecting the previously internal drive externally to the B drive edge connector. Does anything need to be changed on the drive itself (jumpers etc.) or is it simply a case of making up the appropriate ribbon cable and a suitable 12v power cable?


Also, has anyone created a 3D printable case for a 3-inch drive? Loads of 3.5inch ones on Thingiverse, but nothing for the 3inch that I could see.


Cheers
Chris

[LambdaMikel]

The cable determines which is which:

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

[Audronic]

@chrisgreen


I have just completed a 3" drive "B"
Made up an adapter cable AND rewired the DRIVE to be Drive 1 (Previously 0).

The mods to the drive depend upon the Model of the 3" drive.

Please send a photo of the Drives motherboard and the Model number of the drive EME XXX ?
NB: Please note the Power plug is wired NON STANDARD to the rest of the World.

Photo:- Remove link from the end holes and rewire as per photo for Drive "B" EMM 155

Good Luck

Ray

[Audronic]

Part 2 Other Photo

Remove JP 119 and rewire as per photo. EMM 156


Ray

[chrisgreen]

Hi Ray

I'll ping you the drive specs this evening when I get in from work.

I'm aware of the non-standard power plug pinout, as the chap who made up my Gotek kit also provided the necessary rewired power adapter so that the 5v went to the right pins and the 12v was isolated.

However, I'm a little confused, as you say that the drive requires modification in order to be used as an external A or B drive, while @LambdaMikel (my expansion board is still going great BTW) suggests it's purely down to the cable wiring (which is what I thought was the case).


Cheers
Chris

[LambdaMikel]

I never tried to turn an internal 6128 drive to an external one though.
So I guess @Audronic is right.

@Audronic  is this modification somewhere documented on this Wiki?

[CraigsBar]

Just a thought but might it not be easier to jumper the gotek as B, leave the 3inch drive as A and fit an internal abba switch in the cpc?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Audronic]

I never tried to turn an internal 6128 drive to an external one though.
So I guess @Audronic is right.
@Audronic  is this modification somewhere documented on this Wiki?

No its not. (The one that is in the wiki is short on detail for me).
I used the   http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/DIY:Floppy_Drives.
as a reference to making up the cable.


Ray

[Audronic]

Just a thought but might it not be easier to jumper the gotek as B, leave the 3inch drive as A and fit an internal abba switch in the cpc?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No


I want to put the 3" drive in an other environment (TRS-80 Model 3/4) as I have test tools that I can use to work out an intermittent problem that I have with one of my 3" drives.


Ray

[Audronic]

Hi Ray

However, I'm a little confused, as you say that the drive requires modification in order to be used as an external A or B drive, while @LambdaMikel (my expansion board is still going great BTW) suggests it's purely down to the cable wiring (which is what I thought was the case).
Cheers Chris

Hi Chris
It is preferable to make up a "Standard" interconnect cable and adjust the drive for what ever Drive select number is appropriate.
as you would do on any other drive chain.


Ray

[GUNHED]

I want to put the 3" drive in an other environment (TRS-80 Model 3/4) as I have test tools that I can use to work out an intermittent problem that I have with one of my 3" drives.

Which test tools do you miss on the Amstrad?

[Audronic]

Which test tools do you miss on the Amstrad?

Hi GUNHED.


I have a program called " Trakcess " That in real time can read Tracks, sector ID's and display them instantly.
PS:- it does not stop on Error Reads it just reads what it gets.

I was going to use that to test the alignment of "Track 0 , 17 , 38 "
As I have 2 Drives that are Unwell.


Trakcess zip attached including manual (FOR TRS-80 MODEL III ONLY)


Ray

[GUNHED]

Discology does that for you on CPC 

Hi GUNHED.


I have a program called " Trakcess " That in real time can read Tracks, sector ID's and display them instantly.
PS:- it does not stop on Error Reads it just reads what it gets.

I was going to use that to test the alignment of "Track 0 , 17 , 38 "
As I have 2 Drives that are Unwell.


Trakcess zip attached including manual (FOR TRS-80 MODEL III ONLY)


Ray

[Audronic]

Hi GUNHED


Ok Thanks I will get the rom and have a look.
Do you know whichEnglish version is the best ?
Version 2, 3.3, 6



Ray

[GUNHED]

For CPC take the last one. For the Plus not every one is running. CPC-Power should be your friend. I would attach files here, but the forum doesn't eat DSKs.

[Audronic]

Hi Gunhed


Thanks I will have a look at CPC-power


If you want to send a file or a DSK then if you Zip it up the forum will accept the file.


EG :- xxxxxxx.zip


Thanks.  Ray

[GUNHED]

Yes, I know that. But seriously it's time consuming to:
- Locate file
- Zip file
- Upload file
- Delete zipped file


Just instead of tag and upload file.


Where's the problem in allowing DSK files? They are very small, people upload some MB big pictures. Why not a small DSK? I guess even HxC format (bigger than DSKs) can be uploaded.

[Audronic]

Where's the problem in allowing DSK files? They are very small, people upload some MB big pictures. Why not a small DSK? I guess even HxC format (bigger than DSKs) can be uploaded.

Admin May be able to change the Extension filter to allow xxxxx.DSK
Perhaps ask Admin ?


Thanks.  Ray

[GUNHED]

PM sent.

[Audronic]

Discology does that for you on CPC 

@GUNHED


Thanks, Discology6 Rom is what I was after.


Ray