Changes
/* Vortex -S and -D Drives (720K/disk) */
== Vortex -S and -D Drives (720K/disk) ==
* '''F1 - S''' Single 5.25" drive with power supply connected via ribbon cable to interface with [[FDC|NEC765]], with and [[VDOS]] 1.0or 2.11* '''F1 - D''' Double 5.25" drive with power supply connected via ribbon cable to interface with [[FDC|NEC765]], with and [[VDOS]] 1.0or 2.11* '''M1 - S''' Single 3.5" drive with power supply connected via ribbon cable to interface with [[FDC|NEC765]], with and [[VDOS]] 1.0or 2.11* '''M1 - D''' Double 3.5" drive with power supply connected via ribbon cable to interface with [[FDC|NEC765]], with and [[VDOS]] 1.0or 2.11
These are the original drives from Vortex, for use on CPC 464. The hardware interface supports one or two 80 track drives, additionally a 3" [[Amstrad Disk Drive|FD-1]] can be connected as third drive, ie. unlike most other CPC disk interfaces it supports more than 2 drives. With [[VDOS]] only stores information for 2 two drives are accessible at one time.
TO BE CONFIRMED: Does the interface fully decode US0/US1 from NEC765 and if you select unit 3 which drive is accessed.
TO BE CONFIRMED: The motors of each drive can be controlled individually. How is this done?
TO BE CONFIRMED: One of the Vortex interfaces with it's own FDC can be used with the CPC6128 and uses different I/O ports.
How was this implemented?
== Vortex -Z Drives (180K/side or 180K/disk?) ==
* '''F1 - Z''' Single 5.25" drive without with power supply with ribbon cable (does not come with interface containing FDC, without or [[VDOS]])* '''M1 - Z''' Single 3.5" drive without with power supply with ribbon cable (does not come with interface containing FDC, without or [[VDOS]])
These are the ''Low-Capacity'' drives from Vortex, for use on CPC 664/6128 or CPC 464 with DDI-1 (ie. on computers that already have a FDC and AMSDOS). There doesn't seem to be anything special about this product, just an off-the-shelf disk drive, shipped with a CPC-specific connection cable.
AMSDOS can only access 40 tracks. TO BE CONFIRMED: Are the drives 80 track, double sided? Is there any way to access the second side with AMSDOS (e.g. side switch??)
== Vortex -X Drives (720K/disk) ==
* '''F1 - X''' Single 80 track, Double Sided, 5.25" drive without FDC, with power supply and ribbon cable which connects to interface containing [[VDOS]] 2.0* '''M1 - X''' Single 80 Track, Double Sided, 3.5" drive without FDC, with power supply and ribbon cable which connects to interface containing [[VDOS]] 2.0
* '''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. on computers that already have a FDC). 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) These drives are well designed and strong. They are housed in a metal case with power supply (which has good protection with fuses) and have good quality drive mechanisms. The drive has jumpers on it that can be configured as needed.
== Vortex Add-ons ==
== Vortex Disk Format ==
The Vortex -Z drives do not seem to include any [[VDOS]] ROM (so they do support only normal 40-Track AMSDOS Formats, but NOT the 80-Track Vortex format).
== Pictures ==
<gallery caption="The Vortex F1 -Z Drives">
Image:F1-x.jpg|F1-Z Disc Drive
</gallery>
<gallery caption="The Vortex F1-D Drives">
Image:FD1.jpg|F1-D Disc Drive connected to interface with NEC765 and VDOS
</gallery>
<gallery caption="The Vortex M1-X Drives">
File:vortex-m1-x-front.png|Front of Vortex M1-X
File:vortex-m1-x-under.png|Underneath the Vortex M1-X
File:vortex-m1-x-inside.png|Inside the Vortex M1-X showing the drive and power
File:vortex-m1-x-back.png|Back of Vortex M1-X showing connectors and power.
File:vortex-m1-x-connector.png|Back of Vortex M1-X showing IDC connection
File:vortex-m1-x-drive-close.png|Inside Vortex M1-X with a close up of the drive from above
File:vortex-m1-x-drive-details.png|Inside Vortex M1-X with a close up of the back of the drive
</gallery>
<gallery caption="Vortex Disc Drive Interface (for -S or -D drives)">
Image:vortex controler 1.jpg|A anonymous box houses the controller
Image:vortex controler 2.jpg|Look inside the controller, with 765 chip, connection for F1 disc drive, and [[VDOS]] (upgraded to v2.0)
Image:vortex controler 3.jpg|Controller with [[VDOS]] mounted
</gallery>
== Manuals ==
* [http[Media://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/Vortex%20Floppy%20Disk%20Station%20F1%20ManualFloppy Disk Station F1 für den Schneider CPC 464 - Benutzerhandbuch.de.rar pdf|Vortex Floppy Disk Station F1für den Schneider CPC 464 - Benutzerhandbuch]] {{DE}} (Manual for old drives with VDOS 1.0)* [[Media:3-Zoll-Adapter zur VORTEX-Diskettenstation.pdf|3-Zoll-Adapter zur VORTEX-Diskettenstation]] {{DE}} (Manual for Vortex adapter for connecting a 3 inch floppy drive to the Vortex Disk Station F1 controller)
* [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/Vortex%20X-Laufwerke%20Manual.de.rar Vortex X-Laufwerke] {{DE}} (Manual for new X-drives with VDOS 2.0)
* [[Media:Vortex_Vdos_2.0_Manual.pdf|Vortex VDOS 2.0]] {{DE}} (Manual for upgrading from VDOS 1.0 to VDOS 2.0)
* [[Media:Manual de las Unidades Vortex.pdf|Manual de las Unidades Vortex]] {{ES}} (pdf)
* [[Media:Vortex RS232-C Manual.pdf|Vortex RS232-C Manual]] {{DE}} (pdf)
* [https://nfggames.com/X68000/Documentation/Floppy%20Drives/NEC/NEC%20FD1035%20Floppy.pdf NEC drive inside Vortex M1-X] NEC drive inside Vortex M1-X
[[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Manual]][[Category:DATA Storage]]
