HxC Floppy Emulator for CPC 464

[milkywaygalaxy]

Theres two versions of the HxC Floppy drive emulator - the normal version is only for 6128 models but i'd read the slim version is compatible with 464 models aswell. It also has a 4-pin floppy connector and how do you connect it?

[Bryce]

The slim version is almost exactly the same as the standard version, just a different layout. It can't be connected to a 464 without a DDI-1. It certainly doesn't have a µPD765 controller.

Bryce.

[KaosOverride]

Maybe the slim version has any jumper to supply 5V at some pins that are ground at PC drives...



Apart of that, there should be no problem using any HxC.

Or maybe the 464 reference is just because the slim version fits into the DDI-1 case...

[Bryce]

No, it definitely doesn't have any custom changes for the CPC or Mr. Sugars terrible decisions to drift from the standards. The HxC is not a CPC device it's a Shuggart device.

Bryce.

[chinnyhill10]

You speak as if anyone was adhering to "standards" at that time. You try plugging an HxC into a C64 or 48k Spectrum!

[Bryce]

Yeah, I know what you mean, but the difference with Amstrad was that they didn't go either standard or non-standard. They went "almost standard". ie:

- Atari went for SIO for disks / printers etc. and Atari standard joysticks
- Commodore went for IEC for disks / printers etc. and Atari standard joysticks
- Amstrad went Centronics standard for printers, but reduced it to 7-bit. Shuggart for Disks but messed up the pinout by adding 5V to some GND lines and reversing the pinout order. Atari Joysticks but again messed with the pinout and removed analogue to get an extra joystick attached.

On the one hand it had some (mainly financial) advantages, but it also makes things unnecessarily complicated.

Bryce.

[TFM]

My three Pfennige: The B-drive port of the CPC6128 is Shugart standard. The Exp. port is Amstrad standard. The printer port is old parallel standard. But if s/o messes with the internals of the DDI-1, then please don't complain, this device is not intended to be used for anything else than what Amstrad wanted it to be used (A-drive and connector for B-drive).

[KaosOverride]

Then for an HxC for DDI-1/CPC464, is just not grimping the 21 and 33 to 29 as the picture, and modd the DDI-1 with a 5V input power.

But the relation between 464<> slim HxC... ¿? because it better fits into the DDI-1 and you get a "just one plugin box" mod?

[Bryce]

My three Pfennige: The B-drive port of the CPC6128 is Shugart standard. The Exp. port is Amstrad standard. The printer port is old parallel standard. But if s/o messes with the internals of the DDI-1, then please don't complain, this device is not intended to be used for anything else than what Amstrad wanted it to be used (A-drive and connector for B-drive).

- How is the Exp. port a standard?? It only exists on CPCs?
- The B-Drive port has most of the pins required for Shuggart, but they are not in the correct order.
- There's no such thing as "old parallel standard". The standard is called IEEE 1284 and although it had a few upgrades over the years it had 8 data lines from the very beginning.

Bryce.

[ralferoo]

- How is the Exp. port a standard?? It only exists on CPCs?

I think he meant it was an Amstrad standard, and so doesn't need to be compatible with anything else.

The 7-bit printer port was a real shameful example of reducing functionality to save a couple of pence on external circuitry to create the STROBE signal.

[zx-81]

Sorry to wakeup that old topic, but since i spent quite a lot of time today to find the solution i wanted to share the result with you.

Here is what i did to get the Slim SD HxC floppy emulator to work with my DDI-1 and my 464 :
http://zx81.zx81.free.fr/serendipity/index.php?/archives/531-CPC464-How-to-mod-your-DDI-1-CPC-464-to-work-with-a-HxC-floppy-emulator.html

To summarize :
- mod of the DDI-1 alim to get the 5v + ground from the DDI-1 itself
- mod the original DDI-1 floppy ribbon to get it to fit in the Slim SD HxC connector
- the two classical jumpers on the IDE connector
- proper switch settings on the HxC

[Bryce]

Hi and welcome zx-81,
     thanks for the guide, but a few corrections: The part that you refer to as a DDI-1 is actually the FD-1. The DDI-1 is that part that plugs into the back of the 464. Also the ready jumper isn't required for a HxC, the HxC supplies this signal correctly for the CPC.

Bryce.

[zx-81]

Thanks for your feedback Bryce, i will update my tuto  .

Update: done on my website. I have also gave a try tonight to the HxC firmware for the Gotek, and it works also fine.