Modifying PC floppy drives for Amiga use

[Jope]

Might indeed be a broken drive. I always test my drives on a PC (format a disk + read the dir at least) before modifying them, just in case. I've come across quite a few broken ones this way. :-)

[ElectroBlaster]

Originally Posted by Jope

Might indeed be a broken drive. I always test my drives on a PC (format a disk + read the dir at least) before modifying them, just in case. I've come across quite a few broken ones this way. :-)

Yes I am kicking myself for not doing this! I am very unsure of the history of the drive as it came in an old shuttle pc. I stripped it down and put the drive into storage.

When I can push myself to look at it again, I shall strip it down and see if the heads are stuck... If not it will end up back in storage again

[hooverphonique]

Originally Posted by luncheon

I replaced a broken Epson SMD300 with a modded Alps DF354H, rev.121G.

I followed these instructions:

A: Change DS1 to DS0 jumper pad.
B: Cut trace from pin 2 of connector.
C: Cut trace from pin 34 of connector.
D: Solder a wire from pin 34 of the connector to RD pad.
E: Solder a wire from pin 2 of the socket to pin 5 of the chip.
F: Solder a wire from HD2 to ground.

Works fine, but I cannot use my external A1011 drive as DF1: when this one is DF0:... It shows all disks as BAD. Maybe that's because I skipped step F (disable HD detect)? Who knows...

That's because that mod is bad!!! It instructs you to use the RD pad as READY/RDY, which it isn't (it's actually READ DATA, i.e. the actual data read by the drive). Instructions for other drives suggest doing the same, but as you experienced, it messes up with multiple drives and can also kill other drives on the chain since they will have their RDY and RD outputs shorted together..

To use a drive which doesn't have RDY readily available (see what I did there!?), you need some sort of delay circuit to generate it..

[djkoelkast]

I've used a Sony PC disk drive to replace my broken Amiga 1200 drive that's built in an Infinity tower.
With wires 2/34 crossed the drive works perfectly, but: the LED is constantly lit.
The cable is not turned upside down, because it would just not work that way round.

What could be the problem here? It is working, loads everything, it's just the LED.

[hooverphonique]

Originally Posted by djkoelkast

I've used a Sony PC disk drive to replace my broken Amiga 1200 drive that's built in an Infinity tower.
With wires 2/34 crossed the drive works perfectly, but: the LED is constantly lit.
The cable is not turned upside down, because it would just not work that way round.

What could be the problem here? It is working, loads everything, it's just the LED.

try moving/soldering the jumper from DS1 to DS0...

[djkoelkast]

Originally Posted by hooverphonique

try moving/soldering the jumper from DS1 to DS0...

It has a removable jumper, I thought it was on DS0 already, but then again I had no manual (and the jumper doesn't have any text beside it). I'll try this, thanks.

[lesta_smsc]

Can any of you lovely folk please tell me where I've gone wrong with this one:
http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=77406

[djkoelkast]

Originally Posted by hooverphonique

try moving/soldering the jumper from DS1 to DS0...

I tried moving and removing the jumper (only 3 pins available).
No jumper: doesn't read disks
Jumper on 2-3: read errors
Jumper on 1-2: all ok

But still the same: the LED stays on.

[1NOM155]

I made a successfully modification for Samsung SFD-321B LBL1 rev.T5

http://imgur.com/a/MpU1L

Attention on the right down conner, need to chant in that way, the drive will configured to DF0.
Change DS1 to DS0 (de-solder the solder blob).
Also clean the solder pads on DS3, INUSE, HD0, TR0, INDEX, area (right down conner of the chip) like I have done on the pic.

If need I can take other pictures.

(for some reason the I can't put the images showing, can any mod help me?) solved.

Final Result:

[Jope]

Your pic is so wide, that it's better to not add it inline.

[1NOM155]

Share another successful modification on a MITSUMI D359T5.



Following this guide (http://honi.hucki.net/mitsumi.html - main website http://honi.hucki.net/)

Only difference I found is not possible to set the drive to DS1 or 2.

http://imgur.com/a/hFzNT

Instructions:

Move the 0 ohms resistor position from R14 (DCH) to RDY.
Put a jumper wire from PIN 2 to DCH (close to FG2 WG).
Move the 0 ohms resistor position DS1 to DS0.

Final result:

[delshay]

forget all this, try this at your own risk.

Watch the video in the link.

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/2...h-floppy-drive

[cpiac64]

http://eab.abime.net/showpost.php?p=...&postcount=273

i have modify a ju-256a397p with this instruction, but i don't cut wire near pin12, i use this drive like df1: on A4000D

i have modify a second ju-256a397p, cut wire pin12 and connected pin10 for use like df0: now work but the drive not ready after a reset of a1200

[RedskullDC]

Originally Posted by 1NOM155

I made a successfully modification for Samsung SFD-321B LBL1 rev.T5

http://imgur.com/a/MpU1L

Attention on the right down conner, need to chant in that way, the drive will configured to DF0.
Change DS1 to DS0 (de-solder the solder blob).
Also clean the solder pads on DS3, INUSE, HD0, TR0, INDEX, area (right down conner of the chip) like I have done on the pic.

It's also worth noting for others that may be contemplating using the SFD-321B that the OPA and OPB links should NOT be fitted. If they are, remove them.

If they are fitted, the diskchange signal will get routed back to the density select input of the controller chip after the mod.

Great little drive if you come across one.

Regards,
Red

[spannernick]

There was A1200 that used a PC floppy drive,I had one,have to look for it.

[RedskullDC]

Hi Boboo,

Originally Posted by Boboo_SK

Today was released project Arise HD R6i, for Amiga HD floppy 1,76 MB
Include Jedec for GAL16V8 and PDF Schematic. Enjoy :-)

Any chance of posting a copy of this to the zone?

Amigaportal.cz always seems down for me.

Cheers,
Red

P.S. Anyone else have a copy of the files?

[demolition]

Originally Posted by spannernick

There was A1200 that used a PC floppy drive,I had one,have to look for it.

Most AT A1200 models used a PC floppy drive and some used a small adapter board to connect it to the MB, others had modifications on the MB. They usually did not support the RDY signal and as such, many trackloaders failed to work on it. Not all AT models had this configuration though and luckily my AT A1200 has an Amiga configured floppy drive so it works fine with trackloaders.

[avinitlarge]

When using a SFD-321B or Alps DF354, What do you do about the eject button? it doesn't line up too well with the original hole

[demolition]

Originally Posted by avinitlarge

When using a SFD-321B or Alps DF354, What do you do about the eject button? it doesn't line up too well with the original hole

I think most people does not use those drives as internal drives for the wedge models for that reason. For big box Amigas there is no problem.
But you could saw the eject button in half and glue the top back on at a proper location, like Amigakit have done with their modified drives.

[avinitlarge]

Originally Posted by demolition

I think most people does not use those drives as internal drives for the wedge models for that reason. For big box Amigas there is no problem.
But you could saw the eject button in half and glue the top back on at a proper location, like Amigakit have done with their modified drives.

I'll have a look at doing it that way. Ive got a Gotek so I might just fit that, but I wanted to keep it as original as possible.