Disc A series of external 3,5" and 5,25" floppy disc drives from [[Vortex_Computersysteme|Vortex]], with 80 tracks and providing up to 720K capacity (704K available). The Vortex drives were most popular in Germany. For more information regarding [[VDOS]] and the Vortex Disk Format, see the dedicated [[VDOS]] Wiki page.
== Vortex -S and -and D -Drives (720K/disk) ==
* '''F1 - S''' Single 5These are the first generation of 720K floppy disc drives from Vortex.25They came in variants having either a single drive ("S" variant) or two drives (" drive with [[FDC|NEC765]], with [[VDOS]] 1.0* '''F1 - D''' Double 5" variant).25The " drive with [[FDC|NEC765]], with [[VDOS]] 1.0* '''M1 - S''' Single 3.5" drive variant (as well as the less expensive "Z" variant) was delivered with [[FDC|NEC765]], with [[VDOS]] 1.0* '''M1 the same double- height casing as the "D''' Double 3.5" variant, so that a second drive with [[FDC|NEC765]], with [[VDOS]] 1could be retrofitted.0
These are the original drives from Vortex, for use on CPC 464. The hardware supports one or two 80 track drivesF1-S, additionally a 3" [[Amstrad Disk Drive|FDF1-1]] can be connected as third driveD, ie. unlike most other CPC disk interfaces it M1-S, M1-D drives have their own FDC765 in the controller, and this one supports more than 2 drivesall DS0 up to DS3. VDOS allocates RAM for only 2 The Vortex interface can manage 4 floppy drives though, which of the 3 drives are in-use is selected with |S commandtotal.
== Vortex = F1-Z Drives S and F1-D (180K/side or 180K/disk?5,25") ===
* '''The F1 - Z''' Single S and F1-D models are based on BASF 6138 (81690-001) type 5.,25" drive without FDCdisk drives, without VDOS* '''M1 - Z''' Single 3i.5" drive without FDCe. double-sided, without VDOS80 tracks per side, 96 tpi density.
These are the ''Low<gallery>Image:IMG 3163.JPG|F1-Capacity'' drives from DImage:Vortex, for use on CPC f1d front.jpg|F1-D front viewImage:Vortex f1d back.jpg|F1-D backside</gallery><gallery>Image:Vortex fd-1 interface 664.jpg|F1-D interface<br /6128 or >(CPC 464 with DDI664)Image:Fd1 interface 664 platine front.jpg|F1-1 D interface board (ieCPC 664)Image:Fd1 interface 664 platine back. on computers that already have a FDC and AMSDOSjpg|F1-D interface board (CPC 664)Image:F1DCONT. There doesn't seem to be anything special about this product, just an offjpg|F1-theD interface board (CPC 6128)</gallery><gallery>Image:Vortex f1 manual.jpg|F1-shelf S/D manualImage:Vortex F1 SystemDisk 464.jpg|F1-S/D system disk drive, shipped with a <br />(CPC-specific connection cable464)Image:Vortex f1 manual disk.jpg|F1-S/D system disk<br />(CPC 664/6128)</gallery>
Although The floppy controller of the drives might have 80 tracks (?), AMSDOS can access only 40 tracksF1-D / F1-S was cloned by Hans Hübner of FutureSoft with MX4 connector and without ROM slot. No info if the It supports four drives . Under FutureOS they are doublenamed E-sided, and if yes, if they do have a side-select switch for accessing the second side?H.
== Vortex = A1-X Drives S Upgrade Kit (720K/disk5,25") ===
* '''Vortex offered an upgrade kit consisting of a single bare drive and an installation manual, allowing to upgrade a F1 - X''' Single 5.25" S (single) drive without FDC, with [[VDOS]] 2.0* '''M1 to a F1- X''' Single 3D (dual) drive.5" To do this, one simply had to install the additional drive without FDC, with [[VDOS]] 2in the free slot of the drive case.0* '''F1 - XRS''' same as F1-X, upgraded with RS232 interface* '''M1 - XRS''' same as M1-X, upgraded with RS232 interface
These are the newest drives from Vortex, for use on CPC 664/6128 or CPC 464 with DDI-1 (ie<gallery>Image:Basf 6138 spare drive. on computers that already have a FDC). The jpg|S command (for accessing a third BASF 6138 spare drive) is no longer used, the new |X command allows to swap drive A and B.</gallery>
== Vortex Add= M1-ons S and M1-D (3,5") ===
* Vortex X modul (adding RS232 support to The M1-X S and M1-D models are based on 3,5" disk drives)* VDOS2.0 (upgrading older drives to VDOS 2Controller and DOS were identical for 5,25" and 3,5" devices.0)
== I/O Ports = FDA-1 3" Drive Adapter ===
Standard Addresses (same as used by AMSDOS): FB7Eh 765 FDC (internal) Status Register (R) FB7Fh 765 FDC (internal) Data Register (R/W) FA7Eh Floppy Motor On/Off Flipflop Special Addresses (secondary FDC): FBF6h 765 FDC (This adapter allows to connect an external FD-1 3" drive on Vortex,ext) Status Register (Read) FBF7h 765 FDC (Vortex,ext) Data Register (RF1/W) FA7Eh Floppy Motor On/Off Flipflop (same as normal) (The Special addresses are mentioned in M1 setups on the manual for CPC 464. Since only two drives can be used at the Vortex -X drives) (but apparently they are referring to other/older Vortex drivessame time, not the -X drives)external 3" drive first had to be selected manually with the RSX command '''|S'''. This RSX command worked also with VDOS 2.11 on CPC6128.
The Special addresses are used only on CPC 664/6128 and only if the {| class="wikitable"|-! RSX !! Description|-| |S,1 || Use 3" drive as drive A, upper Vortex drive includes an FDC chip.is disabled|-| |S,2 || Use 3" drive as drive B, lower Vortex drive is disabled|-| |S,0 || Disable the 3" drive (default)|}
* Note1<gallery>Image: The Vortex 3rd drive adapter.jpg|FDA-Z and -X drives do not include FDC chips1 AdapterImage:Vortex 3rd drive adapter insides.jpg|Inside the adapter box* Note2Image: The -S and -D drives do reportedly work only on CPC 464 Vortex 3rd drive adapter insides closeup.jpg|Inside the adapter box (?closeup)Image:Vortex 3rd drive adapter plug cable.jpg|Plug (cable side)Image:Vortex 3rd drive adapter plug floppy.jpg|FD-1 3" floppy drive plug</gallery>
So, not sure if/when === Clone of the Special addresses are used at all?F1-D controller ===A clone of the F1-D controller was created by [[Hans Hübner]] of [[FutureSoft]] in 2024. The card fits on the Mother X4 board and doesn't contain an extra ROM slot. Using [[FutureOS]] this card allows to add four additional floppy disc drives to the CPC, being called E, F, G and H.
RS232 Ports (for -X drives with RS232) FADC/FADD=Serial Data/Control FBDC/FBDD/FBDF=Counter 0= FDC I/1/Mode. So it's probably compatible with Amstrad/Pace (and probably also including, but not using, Channel B O Ports FADE/FADF and FBDE).===
== Vortex Disk Format ==All types of floppy disk controllers for the F1-S/D and M1-S/D series are based on the NEC 765 chip. The manual states that on "controllers having an integrated ROM module/eprommer" (probably the later 6128 interfaces?), the port addresses can be freely configured using a decoder ROM.
Sector numbers are 01h..09h (same as AMSDOS IBM Format, but with a 9th sector).Disks are Double-Sided, Double Density, 80 Tracks, 9 Sectors, blocks are allocated in 4K units.Total capacity is 720K (704K available)'''CPC 464:* First 9K contain two System Tracks (eg. CP/M Bootstrap)* Next 4K contain directory (see Note)* Next 704K are data (allocated in 4K blocks) (aka 4K clusters)* Last 3K are unused (due to 4K allocation size)Note: According to the manual, the directory can hold 128 entries under VDOS2.0 (whole 4K used), but only 64 entries under VDOS1.0 (only half of the 4K area used).'''
The Vortex {| class="wikitable"|-Z drives do not seem to include any VDOS ROM (so they do support only normal 40! Address !! Description|-Track AMSDOS Formats, but NOT the 80| 0xFB7E || uPD control|-Track Vortex format).| 0xFB7F || uPD data|-| 0xFA7E || motor on/off|}
== Pictures =='''CPC 664/6128:'''
<gallery caption{| class="The wikitable"|-! Address !! Description|-| 0xFBF6 || uPD control|-| 0xFBF7 || uPD data|-| 0xFA7E || motor on/off|} === Downloads === * [[Media:Vortex Floppy Disk Station F1 Drivesfür den Schneider CPC 464 - Benutzerhandbuch.pdf|Benutzerhandbuch für die Vortex Floppy Disk Station F1 für den Schneider CPC 464]] {{DE}} (Vortex F1 user manual)* [[Media:Vortex_Vdos_2.0_Manual.pdf|Benutzerhandbuch für das Diskettenbetriebssystem VDOS 2.0]] {{DE}} (VDOS 2.0 user manual)* [[Media:3-Zoll-Adapter zur VORTEX-Diskettenstation.pdf|Benutzerhandbuch für den FDA-1 3">-Adapter]] {{DE}} (3" adapter user manual)Image* [[Media:VTXF1464.DSK|Vortex F1-xS/D Systemdiskette für CPC 464]] (system disk, 720k image, bootable)* [[Media:VORTF1.jpgDSK|Vortex F1-S/D Systemdiskette für CPC 664/6128]] (system disk, 720k image)* [[Media:Vortex10.zip|VDOS 1.0 ROM]] {{DE}}* [[Media:Vortex20.zip|VDOS 2.0 ROM]] {{DE}}* [[Media:80307-058 BASF 6138 Mini Disk Apr83.zip|BASF 6138 Datasheet (F1-S/D/Z Disc Floppy Disk Drive)]] <br /> == Z-Drives (180K/side) == These are less expensive drives and were meant to be directly connected as B drive to a CPC 464 with DDI-1 or a CPC 664/6128. Since these drives ship neither with an own controller nor a [[VDOS]] ROM, they do rely fully on AMSDOS and thus only 40 tracks on one side can be accessed, resulting in the same capacity (180K/side) as the 3" drives. === F1-Z (5,25") === The F1-Z model is based on a later revision of the BASF 6138 type disk drive (81757-001), which offers more configuration options using jumpers. The drive was shipped in a "double step" configuration to use only 40 tracks, and thus the cheaper and more widely available DS DD floppy disks (48 tpi, 180K/side) could be used. <gallery>Image:FD1Basf 6138 81757 001.jpg|F1BASF AG 6138 (81757-D Disc Drive001) driveImage:Basf 6138 81757 001 jumpers.jpg|BASF AG 6138 (81757-001) 40 track jumper configuration
</gallery>
<gallery caption=== A1-Z Upgrade Kit (5,25") === Vortex Disc Drive Interface offered an upgrade kit consisting of a controller, a manual, a CP/M license and an utility disk which allows a F1-Z drive to be upgraded to a F1-S drive. === M1-Z (3,5") === The M1-Z model is equipped with a single 3,5" disk drive. <br /> == X-Drives (720K) == These are the latest drives from Vortex for use with a CPC 464 with DDI-S 1 or a CPC 664/6128 (ie. on systems that already have a floppy disc controller); no additional controller was required anymore. Instead, a ROM module was supplied together with the drive, which provided VDOS 2.0-D drivesX. Only single-drive variants were available. The |S command (for accessing a third drive)is no longer used, the new |X command allows to swap drive A and B (same as [[X-DDOS]] from Dobbertin). === F1-X and F1-XRS (5,25") === The F1-X model is based on either a single BASF 6138 (81690-001) or a single BASF 6139 5,25" disk drive. The BASF 6139 is a revisioned version which is slightly more compact (~1cm shorter), and also a number of electronical and mechanical design flaws that affected durability were corrected. The F1-XRS variant is equipped with an additional RS232-C interface. <gallery>ImageFile:vortex controler 1F1-x front.jpg|A anonymous box houses the controllerF1-XImageFile:vortex controler 2Vortex f1-x cpc464 backside.jpg|Look inside the controllerF1-X backside, with 765 chip, and VDOS showing IDC connector (upgraded to v2CPC 464)File:Vortex f1-x cpc664 backside edge.0jpg|F1-X backside, showing edge connector (CPC 664)ImageFile:vortex controler 3F1-x inside.jpg|Controller with [[VDOS]] mountedF1-X inside view, showing a BASF 6139 driveFile:F1x m1x manual.jpg|F1-X/M1-X manual and system utilities disk
</gallery>
<gallery caption="Vortex Disc Drive Interface (for == M1-X drivesand M1-XRS (3,5")=== The M1-X model is based on a single NEC FD1035 type 3,5"disk drive. The M1-XRS variant is equipped with an additional RS232-C interface. <gallery>File:NoPicturevortex-m1-x-front.gifpng|Newer M1-X File:vortex-m1-x-back.png|M1-X backsideFile:vortex-m1-x-connector.png|M1-X backside, showing IDC connector (CPC 464)File:vortex-m1-x-under.png|M1-X undersideFile:vortex-m1-x-inside.png|M1-X inside view, showing the drive interface without 765and powerFile:vortex-m1-x-drive-close.png|M1-X inside view, close-up of the drive from aboveFile:vortex-m1-x-drive-details.png|M1-X inside view, close-up from the backside
</gallery>
<gallery caption=== X(RS)-Modul === The X-drives for the CPC 664/6128 are connected directly to the floppy port. In order to provide [[VDOS]], the "TapeX-Modul"(sometimes also called "VDOS module") must be connected additionally to the expansion port. This contains a ROM board that provides a VDOS 2.0-X ROM. The ROM board supplied for the CPC 464 came together with a chunky housing in which both the "X-Modul" and the DDI-1 controller were installed. All variants were also available with an additional RS232-C interface (in this case called either "XRS-Modul" or "X-Modul/RS"). <gallery>Image:Vortex Tapefd1 464 controller 1.jpg|A vortex cassette XRS-Modul (purpose and content unknown CPC 464)Image:Vortex fd1 464 controller 2.jpg|XRS- is this disc related?Modul with built-in DDI-1 visible (CPC 464)Image:Xrs 464.jpg|XRS-Modul board beneath the DDI-1 (CPC 464)Image:Vortex xrs 464 board backside.jpg|XRS-Modul board backside (CPC 464)</gallery><gallery>Image:Vortex X-Modul 6128.jpg|X-Modul (CPC 6128)Image:Vortex X-Modul 6128 Board Front.jpg|X-Modul board (CPC 6128)Image:Vortex X-Modul 6128 Board Backside.jpg|X-Modul board backside (CPC 6128)
</gallery>
== Germanized-English RSX Commands = RS232 I/O Ports ===
Vortex apparently considered The RS232-C interface of the normal AMSDOS RSX commands |TAPE.xx and |DRIVE"XRS-Modul" was advertised to be compatible with Amstrad/|USER too difficult for german usersPace interfaces, and changed them to |CAS and |SELECT but offers only one channel (which resemble equivalent german words ''Kassette'' and ''Selektieren''). This is making VDOS slightly incompatible with AMSDOS and all other AMSDOS clones (except for Dobbertin's X-DDOS, which supports both the english and germanized dialectsso no channel B).
{| class== Manuals =="wikitable"|-! Address !! Description|-| 0xFADC || SIO data (R/W)|-| 0xFADD || SIO control (R/W)|-| 0xFBDC || 8253 counter 0 (R/W)|-| 0xFBDD || 8253 counter 1 (R/W)|-| 0xFBDE || 8253 counter 2 (R/W)|-| 0xFBDF || Mode word (W)|}
* [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/Vortex%20Floppy%20Disk%20Station%20F1%20Manual.de.rar Vortex Floppy Disk Station F1] (German) (Manual for old drives with VDOS 1.0)=== Downloads ===
* [httphttps://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/Vortex%20X-Laufwerke%20Manual.de.rar Benutzerhandbuch für die Vortex X-Laufwerke] {{DE}} (Germanmanual) * [[Media:Vortex RS232-C Manual.pdf|Benutzerhandbuch für die Vortex RS232-C Schnittstelle]] {{DE}} (RS232-C user manual)* [[Media:Manual de las Unidades Vortex.pdf|Manual de las Unidades Vortex]] {{ES}} (manual for new )* [[Media:VORTF1X.DSK|Systemdiskette für Vortex X-Laufwerke]] (system disk, 720k disk image, original)* [[Media:VTXF1XB.DSK|Systemdiskette für Vortex X drives with -Laufwerke]] (system disk, 720k disk image, modified to boot CP/M 2.2)* [[Media:VDOS20X.ROM|VDOS 2.0-X ROM]] {{DE}} (German VDOS 2.0-X ROM for CPC 664/6128)* [[Media:NEC_FD1035_Floppy.pdf|NEC FD1035 Datasheet (M1-X Floppy Disk Drive)]]
<br /> == Software Accessories == === DOSCOPY === DOSCOPY is a CP/M 2.2 utility which allows to read and write files from IBM and Atari ST formatted 5,25" disks. It was written in 1987 by Peter Höpfner. <gallery>Image:Vortex_DOSCOPY_Manual.JPG|DOSCOPY physical manualImage:Vortex_DOSCOPY_Disk.JPG|DOSCOPY 5,25" diskImage:Vortex_DOSCOPY_Screenshot.JPG|DOSCOPY screenshot</gallery> ==== Downloads ==== * [[Media:Vortex_Vdos_2DOSCOPY.0_ManualDSK|DOSCOPY 1.1]] {{DE}} (Vortex 360k disk image)* [[Media:Vortex_DOSCOPY_Benutzerhandbuch.pdf|Vortex VDOS DOSCOPY 1.1 Benutzerhandbuch]] {{DE}} (manual) === PARA 3.0 === PARA 3.0 is a CP/M 2.2 utility allowing to exchange files between the CPC and other CP/M based systems. It claims to support "reading, writing and formatting of 99% of all CP/M formats" and provides a comprehensive disk format analzer. It was written in 1987 by Peter Höpfner. <gallery>Image:Vortex_PARA_3.0_Manual.JPG|PARA 3.0 physical manualImage:Vortex PARA 3.0 Disk.JPG|PARA 3.0 5,25" diskImage:Vortex PARA 3.0 Screenshot 1.JPG|PARA 3.0 loading screen</gallery> ==== Downloads ==== * [[Media:PARA30.DSK|PARA 3.0]] {{DE}} (germanVortex 720k disk image) * [[Media:Vortex_PARA_3.0_Benutzerhandbuch.zip|PARA 3.0 Benutzerhandbuch]] {{DE}} (manual for upgrading from VDOS ) === PARA 3.0 PLUS === PARA 3.0 PLUS (or PARA PLUS) is an enhanced distribution of PARA 3.0 which also integrates DOSCOPY 1.3 into a single software suite. <gallery>Image:Para 30 plus intro.jpg|PARA 3.0 to VDSO 2+ loading screenImage:Para 30 plus mainmenu.jpg|PARA 3.0+ main menuImage:Para 30 plus analyzer.jpg|PARA 3.0+ format analyzer</gallery> ==== Downloads ==== * [[Media:PARAPLUS.DSK|PARA 3.0+]] {{DE}} (Vortex 720k disk image, bootable) === SPARA === SPARA was either the predecessor or a cut-down version of PARA 3.0 and was supplied with the F1-Z drives, only supporting 40 track formats. === FileCopy ===FileCopy 3.0 is a comprehensive tool to copy files with up to 16 different devices (using letters A to P), it supports the Vortex 704 KB format for 80 Track drives. <br /> == 3rd Party Software == === FutureOS === [[FutureOS]] has support for Vortex drives, it uses the Vortex 704 KB format for 80 Track drives. === ParaDOS === [[ParaDOS]] supports Vortex X-drives and can be used as a replacement for the VDOS-X ROM. There is also a patched version called VaraDOS, which is configured to use a Vortex X-drive as drive B per default. ParaDOS does not provide a way too boot CP/M from drive B. === House of Usher === Besides tape and 3 inch floppy disk release, the game [[House of Usher]] has been officially released on 5.25 inch floppy disk for the Schneider CPC with Vortex F1 floppy drive. <gallery>House of Usher ads.jpegHouse-of-usher-floppy-cover.pngHouse-of-usher-floppy-no-cover.png</gallery> <br /> == Media Coverage == <gallery>Image:Vortex Schneider CPC International 1985-09.JPG|Schneider CPC International 1985/09Image:Vortex schneider cpc international 1986-02.JPG|Schneider CPC International 1986/02Image:Vortex schneider cpc international 1986-04.JPG|Schneider CPC International 1986/04Image:Vortex schneider cpc international 1986-07.JPG|Schneider CPC International 1986/07Image:Vortex schneider cpc international 1986-08.JPG|Schneider CPC International 1986/08</gallery>
[[Category:HardwarePeripherals]] [[Category:Manual]][[Category:DATA Storage]]