SDX FDC05 PAL14L4 dumps

[gilmo]

Guys, it works !!! .. that was it, Thank You!


Dave, a few notes below that might help other future builders of this PCB: (reading this post in the future)


I have tested on 4 floppy drives I already have .. all drives were DS0 modded of course..

the drives that worked:
1-The Sony (of course) MPF920
2-Samsung SFD-321B
3-TEAC FD-235HF

The drives that did NOT work (Bdos errors):
1-ALPS DF354O22F



Just to confirm a few things too:

*** using mfloppy is confirmed sufficient to create system SDXBASIC-07 disks (DD or HD) it doesn't matter as long as the hole is covered.
*** yes indeed the PAL equations were accurate
*** yes indeed decoupling caps not needed
*** switch #1 off , switches 2,3,4, ON
*** Floppy drive needs external power 5v-1A at least


Another thing to make it easier connecting a "non-shugart" DS0 modern drive, is to just use any regular non-twist floppy ribbon-cable and connect together both motors A & B - so just a jumper wire is needed on pin19+pin25 on the PCB on the FDD connector, (pic below) .. the cable is connected in reverse though on one end..red stripe at 34 on PCB -- this solution was for my own setup only (1 Drive)


Dave, thank you for your exceptional diligence, your help & commitment was inspiring and invaluable to all of us Please thank Mr. Tony on my behalf as well.

Cheers mate
Gilmo

[Dave]

Great, glad that it’s working. I will correct the schematic at the weekend.


I do just use a straight through (no twist) cable, albeit that the Red stripe is reversed at one end.

The switches are in two sets of 4, so the drive A switches are SWA SW1-4 and the B drive is SWB SW1-4

Their settings depends on the drive being used, I.e., set for the number of heads/sides, number of tracks and step rate.

Yes, external power should be used for the drive

Regards
Dave

[gilmo]

You have done a wonderful job Dave thank you ... and now with that mistake FIXED on the schematic by the original author Tony B, that was invaluable.. "Memotechers" can now build and enjoy that rare FDC05 based on your schematic .. I do own a CFX too btw .. but who doesn't like the clicks n clacks of those mechanical disk drives

Best regards,
Gilmo

[gunrock]

Why paint it yellow, man? That's like buying a Ferrari and ordering it in anything other than red!

Also, in another pic I'm sure a glimpse of a small LCD on the top of the case, or did I imagine that? What is that for?

Glad you got the SDX-clone board working, though.

[gilmo]

Thanks Steve .. yes, it was great to get that rare FDC05 clone working! .. many thanks to Dave and Tony B (the original designer)

I painted my MTX yellow because black is boring ..

The LCD you saw earlier, is my own-designed MTXduino wavplayer (similar to Casduino) .. I only built 2 units of those for personal use .. mine is embedded inside my MTX , the other version I made was external.

some other heavy mods I have done also:
RGB-out port and custom PCB (also embedded) - to connect to RGB monitors or scalers
TMS direct video out ports to GBS8200 scaler - to conect to any VGA monitor
RAM upgrade for my MTX500 from 32k to 64k
Cisco DC power supply mod - bye bye AC transformer!


Best regards,

[gunrock]

Wow! Thanks for the info and closer look.

Ok, so I'm not a fan of the paint-job. If there's one 80s micro that doesn't suffer from discolored plastics, it's the Memotech, but to each their own, I suppose! But I do like the fact that you have colour co-ordinated the power supply and GBS 8200 - nice touch.

So, this brings about two questions:

1. Have you had this machine since the early days, or is it a relatively recent acquisition?
2. Would you be willing to share your MTXDuino hardware and software designs to this community? I'm sure a few people still like the audio format of cassettes.

I think other than Martin's mismatched 3d printed colour end panels and his PS/2 keyboard mod, most people keep their MTX cases fairly standard, Aprt from you, I think it's only Nassim who's been willing to take the angle grinder to the case for a similar mod.

[Dave]

I think it's only Nassim who's been willing to take the angle grinder to the case for a similar mod.

I think that it must be a family thing

[gilmo]

The MTXduino is similar to the Casduino/tsxduino on github, which is an open-source project I believe - you can easily build one just like it with some moderate electronic/programming skills .. I printed my board because I had a bunch of designed boards at the time and just wanted to make the order worthwhile .. but it is NOT really necessary to print the MTXDuino PCB, as all components are standard Arduino parts that will interconnect easily together with just jumper-wires..

[Martin A]

I think other than Martin's mismatched 3d printed colour end panels and his PS/2 keyboard mod,

The bottom of the case is standard on my dev MTX ...

[gunrock]

The bottom of the case is standard on my dev MTX ...

Doesn't matter how much you tinker with your MTX Martin, Kelly LeBrock isn't going to jump out of a nearby doorway