backing up games on Speccy +3

fitzsteve · 23 February 2010, 08:38

Hi there!

Ive get a Spectrum +3 in the loft with a bunch of amstrad blank disks. Now assuming the Spectrum still works is there any way to get disk images of games onto them without extra hardware?

Thanks.

Steve.

Kitty · 23 February 2010, 16:29

No the only way I know of is to buy a divide board and a cf adaptor, will cost around £40

fitzsteve · 23 February 2010, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitty

No the only way I know of is to buy a divide board and a cf adaptor, will cost around £40

Thanks Kitty, thats not too expensive.

When I next have some spare cash... I'll have to invest.

I might get the Speccy down and make sure it works some time this week

Hercules · 23 February 2010, 16:46

Their is a way of backing up Amstrad 3 inch disks for Spectrum +3 / Amstrad CPC. You will need to own an Amstrad FD-1 disk drive. These were for use with the Amstrad CPC / Spectrum +3. You will need to open up the drive, and disconnect a little power connector with a white connector on the end. Next step is to connect the drive to the PC motherboard using a standard PC motherboard floppy drive cable and plug the drive into the mains. Power up the PC and set the drive in the BIOS to a 5/14 inch drive. Finally you will need a copy of Simon Owen's SamDisk program. You can use this in program in conjunction with your Amstrad FD-1 drive hooked up to your PC to image Spectrum +3 to image the disk, or write images in .dsk format back to 3 inch amstrad diskettes. If you need further advice, drop me a line. SamDisk by Simon Owen can even backup protected diskettes (i.e. those with Alkatraz, Speedlock or 3 inch loader systems).

fitzsteve · 23 February 2010, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hercules

Their is a way of backing up Amstrad 3" disks for Spectrum +3 / Amstrad CPC. You will need to own an Amstrad FD-1 disk drive. These were for use with the Amstrad CPC / Spectrum +3. You will need to open up the drive, and disconnect a little power connector with a white connector on the end. Next step is to connect the drive to the PC motherboard using a standard PC motherboard floppy drive cable and plug the drive into the mains. Power up the PC and set the drive in the BIOS to a 5/14" drive. Finally you will need a copy of Simon Owen's SamDisk program. You can use this in program in conjunction with your Amstrad FD-1 drive hooked up to your PC to image Spectrum +3 to image the disk, or write images in .dsk format back to 3" amstrad diskettes. If you need further advice, drop me a line.

Hi Hercules,

Thats some great advice, many thanks

*Off to ebay to serach for a FDD

*

Would this be suitable?

Thanks

Hercules · 23 February 2010, 17:05

... Yep that's just the ticket; you won't need the DDI interface as shown in the photo though, just the drive. That drive in the photo is an Amstrad FD-1 drive, with the amstrad sticker taken off from the front of the drive.

fitzsteve · 23 February 2010, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hercules

... Yep that's just the ticket; you won't need the DDI interface as shown in the photo though, just the drive. That drive in the photo is an Amstrad FD-1 drive, with the amstrad sticker taken off from the front of the drive.

Cool, you're a star i'll keep an eye on that. Some fun there for the weekend

Kitty · 23 February 2010, 18:50

Well ive learnt a cheaper alternative thanks for that ;-) although the divide has ide support too so you can have a complete spectrum tosec to play any game from an ide hd and fast access too :-D

prowler · 23 February 2010, 20:47

Hi Steve,

Here's a link to SamDisk 2.0

http://simonowen.com/samdisk/

fitzsteve · 23 February 2010, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitty

Well ive learnt a cheaper alternative thanks for that ;-) although the divide has ide support too so you can have a complete spectrum tosec to play any game from an ide hd and fast access too :-D

Might be worth the investment then, I bid on that FDD but a couple of snipers were out lol and it went for quite a bit more...

Thanks all for the advice

Anemos · 23 February 2010, 21:07

hey..
http://www.flashback-computing.com/s...full-photo.jpg
and program then yu can write the DSK images to floppy (CPCDiskXP)> http://www.cpcmania.com/

fitzsteve · 23 February 2010, 21:57

Thanks for the link Anemos, is that your setup?

Very nice indeed

alexh · 23 February 2010, 22:28

If you're gonna start playing with your +3 can I suggest that

a) Fix the sound, lots of +3 motherboards are missing components. Google for Spectrum +3 soundfix.
b) Be prepared to fit a new 3" drive belt.

fitzsteve · 23 February 2010, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

If you're gonna start playing with your +3 can I suggest that

a) Fix the sound, lots of +3 motherboards are missing components. Google for Spectrum +3 soundfix.
b) Be prepared to fit a new 3" drive belt.

Hi Alexh

I fitted a new drive belt about 5 years ago so hopefully ts still ok, seen very little use since although I know the rubber degrades with time...

Think I have a spare somewhere as I am pretty sure it came in a pack of two.

Will lookup the soundfix, thanks

I think it will be realased at the weekend

Steve.

Supamax · 24 February 2010, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anemos

hey..
http://www.flashback-computing.com/s...full-photo.jpg

Hi, I don't understand: do you connect 2 drives (the original 3" one + a 3.5" one) to the +3 connector, and then copy the programs from 3" to 3.5" format? Then you image them by connecting the 3.5" to a PC?

From your photo I can't tell it, without some sort of explanation...

Anemos · 24 February 2010, 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supamax

Hi, I don't understand: do you connect 2 drives (the original 3" one + a 3.5" one) to the +3 connector, and then copy the programs from 3" to 3.5" format? Then you image them by connecting the 3.5" to a PC?

From your photo I can't tell it, without some sort of explanation...

No 2 drives.. only the 3.5" using 5.25" (old type plug) on external flopy ZX drive
yes after make the 3.5" mod drive..you can write easy floppy disks on PC both for your ZX+3 or Amstrad CPC 6128 with this program (CPCDiskXP)
http://www.cpcmania.com/ has also similar cable mod.
good luck

Anemos · 24 February 2010, 23:14

some more photos..

Zetr0 · 24 February 2010, 23:24

@Anemos

Φοβερός!!!!!!!!

I have been wanting to do this mod + with an internal DivIDE -

Just to let other people out there know, the Spectrum +2a/b also has the Port to add a FDD - it will be external and the ROM would need to be updated to the +3 rom.

the +2a/b is the Black model (with tape deck)

Anemos · 24 February 2010, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zetr0

@Anemos

Φοβερός!!!!!!!!

I have been wanting to do this mod + with an internal DivIDE -

Just to let other people out there know, the Spectrum +2a/b also has the Port to add a FDD - it will be external and the ROM would need to be updated to the +3 rom.

the +2a/b is the Black model (with tape deck)

Thanks Zetro you are also Φοβερός!!!!!!!!
Warning combination floppy ZX +3 and Divide is not proposed.
If you want to work on floppy disks ZX best to unplug the Divide.
There is a similar issue in the Spectrum forum,but not remember where is..plz ask there

Allen1 · 25 February 2010, 12:25

@Anemos,

That is a great upgrade but do you need to have a disk in the drive when you boot the +3. The reason I ask is that I bought an external 3 1/2" drive from Miles Gordon Technology for the +3 and it would not be recognised unless it had detected a disk in the drive when booted.

Cheers,
Allen.

23 February 2010, 08:38	#1
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	backing up games on Speccy +3 Hi there! Ive get a Spectrum +3 in the loft with a bunch of amstrad blank disks. Now assuming the Spectrum still works is there any way to get disk images of games onto them without extra hardware? Thanks. Steve.

23 February 2010, 16:46	#4
Hercules Vodka monster. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK Posts: 332	Their is a way of backing up Amstrad 3 inch disks for Spectrum +3 / Amstrad CPC. You will need to own an Amstrad FD-1 disk drive. These were for use with the Amstrad CPC / Spectrum +3. You will need to open up the drive, and disconnect a little power connector with a white connector on the end. Next step is to connect the drive to the PC motherboard using a standard PC motherboard floppy drive cable and plug the drive into the mains. Power up the PC and set the drive in the BIOS to a 5/14 inch drive. Finally you will need a copy of Simon Owen's SamDisk program. You can use this in program in conjunction with your Amstrad FD-1 drive hooked up to your PC to image Spectrum +3 to image the disk, or write images in .dsk format back to 3 inch amstrad diskettes. If you need further advice, drop me a line. SamDisk by Simon Owen can even backup protected diskettes (i.e. those with Alkatraz, Speedlock or 3 inch loader systems). Last edited by Hercules; 23 February 2010 at 17:02.

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23 February 2010, 16:29	#2
Kitty Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London UK Posts: 1,532	No the only way I know of is to buy a divide board and a cf adaptor, will cost around £40

23 February 2010, 17:05	#6
Hercules Vodka monster. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK Posts: 332	... Yep that's just the ticket; you won't need the DDI interface as shown in the photo though, just the drive. That drive in the photo is an Amstrad FD-1 drive, with the amstrad sticker taken off from the front of the drive.

23 February 2010, 18:50	#8
Kitty Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London UK Posts: 1,532	Well ive learnt a cheaper alternative thanks for that ;-) although the divide has ide support too so you can have a complete spectrum tosec to play any game from an ide hd and fast access too :-D

23 February 2010, 20:47	#9
prowler Global Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sidcup, England Posts: 10,300	Hi Steve, Here's a link to SamDisk 2.0 http://simonowen.com/samdisk/

23 February 2010, 21:07	#11
Anemos 70X7 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ἑλλάς Posts: 1,078	hey.. http://www.flashback-computing.com/s...full-photo.jpg and program then yu can write the DSK images to floppy (CPCDiskXP)> http://www.cpcmania.com/

23 February 2010, 21:57	#12
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	Thanks for the link Anemos, is that your setup? Very nice indeed

23 February 2010, 22:28	#13
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,337	If you're gonna start playing with your +3 can I suggest that a) Fix the sound, lots of +3 motherboards are missing components. Google for Spectrum +3 soundfix. b) Be prepared to fit a new 3" drive belt.

24 February 2010, 23:14	#17
Anemos 70X7 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ἑλλάς Posts: 1,078	some more photos..

24 February 2010, 23:24	#18
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@Anemos Φοβερός!!!!!!!! I have been wanting to do this mod + with an internal DivIDE - Just to let other people out there know, the Spectrum +2a/b also has the Port to add a FDD - it will be external and the ROM would need to be updated to the +3 rom. the +2a/b is the Black model (with tape deck)

25 February 2010, 12:25	#20
Allen1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Blyth England Age: 68 Posts: 786	@Anemos, That is a great upgrade but do you need to have a disk in the drive when you boot the +3. The reason I ask is that I bought an external 3 1/2" drive from Miles Gordon Technology for the +3 and it would not be recognised unless it had detected a disk in the drive when booted. Cheers, Allen.

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