[[Image:Vortex-logo.jpg|thumb|Vortex Logo]]
'''Vortex Computersysteme''' from Neckarsulm, Germany, was a hardware and software manufacturer for the Amstrad CPC. It was founded in 1984 by Mr. Michel and his brother, Mr. Majer and Mrs. Armbruster. Vortex now is called ICP (Intelligent Computer Peripherals) an is an Adaptec Company, specialized in RAID-Controllers.
== F1 =='''Vortex Computersysteme''' from Neckarsulm, Germany, was a hardware and software manufacturer for the Amstrad CPC.
A 5It was founded in 1984 by Mr.25" disc driveMichel and his brother, Mr. 80 tracks Majer and 708KbMrs. Armbruster.
* '''F1 Vortex now is called ICP (Intelligent Computer Peripherals) an is an Adaptec Company, specialized in RAID- S''' Single 5.25" drive with controller.* '''F1 - Z''' Single 5.25" drive without controller.* '''F1 - D''' Double 5.25" drive with controllerControllers.
The disc drive also was available as an extended versions :== CPC Hardware ==
* '''[[F1 - XRS''' which also contains a |Vortex Disc Drives]]* [[RS232Vortex Expansions RAM card]] interface.* '''F1 - [[Vortex X''' which can be updated with a modul]] (single ROM board for VDOS)* [[RS232Vortex XRS modul]] (Includes serial RS232 interface.and rombox)* [[Vortex Winchester Drive]] (Hard Disc Drive)
On the F1-S/D Controllers the Disc operation system [[VDOS]] 1.0 on ROM was included.== Programs ==
On the F1-X/XRS Controllers the Disc operation system * [[VDOSPara]] 2* [[Vortex Para Plus|Para Plus]]* [[Vector]] A maths program to print functions or to find a function which follows given points.0 on ROM was includedReleased 1986.
Manual can be found here [[F1]]== ROMs (Operating Systems) ==
<gallery caption="The * [[BOS]]* [[VDOS]]* [[Vortex F1 Drives">CPM]]
Image:F1-x.jpg|F1-Z Disc DriveImage:FD1.jpg|F1-D Disc Drive== Adverts ==
<gallery>
File:Vortex Advert (CPCI 9-1986 page 76-77).jpg|Two-page advert from 1986
</gallery>
=== Manual =Weblinks ==
[http://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/Vortex%20Floppy%20Disk%20Station%20F1%20Manual.de.rar Vortex Floppy Disk Station F1 Manual]
== M1 ==
A 3.5" disc drive. 80 tracks and 708KB Formatted per Disk.
* '''M1 - S''' Single 3.5" drive with controller.
* '''M1 - Z''' Single 3.5" drive without controller.
* '''M1 - D''' Double 3.5" drive with controller.
The disc drive also was available as an extended version:
* '''M1-XRS''' which also contains a [[RS232]] interface.
* '''M1-X''' which can be updated with a [[RS232]] interface.
On the M1-S/D Controllers the Disc operation system VDOS 1.0 on ROM was included.
On the M1-X/XRS Controllers the Disc operation system VDOS 2.0 on ROM was included.
== The Vortex disc drive controller ==
The Vortex disc controler was similar to Amstrads own controller.
It used the same controler chip, the [[FDC|NEC765]].
<gallery caption="The Vortex Disc Drive Controller">
Image:vortex controler 1.jpg|A anonymous box houses the controller
Image:vortex controler 2.jpg|Look inside the controller
Image:vortex controler 3.jpg|Controller with [[VDOS]] mounted
</gallery>
== SP ==
RAM expansion card. Not compatible to the [[dk'tronics]] memory expansion. Sold in different sizes of RAM as '''SP 64''', '''SP 128''', '''SP 256''', '''SP 320''' and '''SP 512''' (resulting in a maximum RAM size of the computer of 576KiB). Usable under [[BASIC]] and [[CP/M]] and offering a RAM disc.
<gallery caption="The Vortex Expansion RAM card">
Image:sp512top.jpg|The Vortex Expansion RAM card
Image:cpc464bf.jpg|CPC 464 before put the Expansion RAM card
Image:cpc464af.jpg|CPC 464 after put the Expansion RAM card
</gallery>
=== Manual ===
[[Media:Vortex SP 512 kb RAM Expasion Manual.pdf|Vortex SP 512 kb RAM Expasion Manual]] (pdf)
[[Category:Manual]]
== Vector ==
A maths program to print functions or to find a function which follows given points. Released 1986.
== Para Plus ==
A program to transfer data [[Vortex Para Plus]]
The Vortex Para Plus is the newer Version of Vortex Para which only works under CP/M 2.2
Para and Para plus can transfer data between different CP/M formats. (Kaypro, Osborne etc..)
== VDOS ==
The disc operating system [[VDOS]] for use with Vortex drives
=== Manual ===
[[Media:Vortex_Vdos_2.0_Manual.pdf|Vortex Vdos 2.0 Manual]] (pdf)
== Weblinks ==
[http://www.vortex.de Vortex/ICP-Homepage]
[http://www.kjthacker.f2s.com/docs/sp512.html Vortex SP512 RAM Card] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:CPC related companies]] [[Category:German companies]]