Conference 7.286::atarist

This is pretty timely stuff!  Thanks for putting it up!  I just got offered a
great deal on 2-pack of 720K drives.  But I've got some questions about using
5.25" drives on the ST.  I hope someone out there has some answers.

1)  How many total floppy drives can the ST handle?

2)  Can you run 3.5" drives AND 5.25"'ers all at 6 ms. seek time?

3)  Has anyone actually hooked up one or more of 5.25's?  What's your
    impression of 'em?

Thanks in advance for helping out an austerity-minded ST'er.

Rich Murray

    1. There is a max of 2 floppy drives.  
    2. I believe the 3.5" drives need 3 ms.  The 5.25" need 6 ms.
    3. I've seen one hooked up as drive 1 on a 520ST, seemed to 
       work ok.
    
    Since you would want one 3.5" drive for ST software, that leaves
    you with a max of one 5.25" drive.  Maybe you could rig a toggle
    to switch between which of the 2-pack is drive 1.
    
    -Dave                                            

re: -.1

Since there is only 1 seek time that can be set for all (2) floppy drives
on the system, the question becomes:

Can I set the seek time for 6 ms. soon after booting and use the same seek
time (6 ms.) for the 3.5" and the 5.25"?

Thanks for any help and to Mr. Brannon for the a/b switch suggestion.  Sounds
like a workable kluge.

Rich Murray (who_has_stockpiled_old_5.25"_floppies_for_just_such_an_occasion)

    re: .3
    
    .0 mentions the locations to poke to set the seek time for each
    drive.  So you could have a 3.5" at 3ms and a 5.25" at 6ms.
    Just only set the seek time on drive 1 to 6ms.
    
    -dave

    Not all 5.25" drives require the 6ms setting. 
    
    I use a 80 tracks Panasonic drive wich has a 3ms seek time.
    I have also installed a few chips to dubble the step pulse
    in order to have the drive act as a 40 tracks 6ms seek time drive.
    
    Hence, I only need to patch the location mentionned in .0 when
    I use the 40 tracks mode.         
    
    For Atari_mode low cost storage, I use the 80 tracks, the 40 tracks
    are for IBM compatibility.
    
    This drive is an easy way to transfer files between the ST and the
    Vax world. All you need is a VAXmate somewhere connected to the
    NET. I find this to be a great addition to my ST, much more than
    a second 3.5" that I find useless.
                               

    
    Can the same methods described in previous replies be used to hook
    up DEC Dual RX50 drives (from Rainbow, DECmate etc.)?
    
    Did anyone connect an RX50 to the ST? I think they are 80 tracks
    (ie that would be 720K) but they are supposed to have 800K storage
    capacity by default.
    
    Info anyone? 
    		Marc

Re: .5


	Using a VAXmate sounds like the way to transfer files.  Could you
	please tell me what format 5.25" a VAXmate can use?  Also on which
	machine and what software you use to do the format?


	Now someone round this joint must have a VAXmate!


Thanks
Carey
                               

Re: .-1

The VAXmate (RX33) is standard IBM AT.  I.e., 360kb or 1.2mb double sided.
With a bit of extra software it can read RX50's.  Probably can write them
too but I've never had reason to try.

RX50's are 400 kb single sided per drive.  It is a DEC private format.  (By
that I mean no one else in the industry uses it.)

mike

    I'd like to use my XF551 on the ST. Does anyone know what the internal
    mechanism is? A partial dissassembly shows a standard 34 pin edge
    connector and a drive model number D503 but no manufacturer name
    that I can see. Is it switchable from 40/80 tracks? Can the adaptation
    be made so that I can still use it on the 8-bit? Where is the pull-up
    resistor and what does it look like?
    

Am I imagining things, or did someone once give a part number and supplier
for the 14 pin DIN connector for the external floppy?

any pointers appreciated.

Rich Murray

    						GRAHAM PARISH 
    						DISTRICT SUPPORT 
    						FIELD SEVICE BIRMINGHAM
    						UK
    	DIN plugs to fit the ST disk port can be obtained from -::
    
    		LIGHTWAVE LEISURE LTD.
    		P.O.BOX 23, WALLASEY,
    		MERSEYSIDE L44 1EW.
    		TELEPHONE: 051-639 5050
    NB: Many other plugs and all sorts can by found here!!
    	VISA Telephone payment is accepted.
    				
    			GOOD HUNTING !!!!........Graham.

    Ray I need info on the dobble pulse modifcation !!!
    I have a 80 track 1.2MB 5.25 inch drive that seems to work ok 
    @ 3ms. !!! 
    
    Thanks in anticipation.
    			.........Graham.
    
    BIRMVX::PARISH	841-3277
    

I recently bought a BASF 6138 5 /14'' drive which I now want to connect
to my 1040. With the manual came a table for jumper settings for that drive.
Could someone please tell me the right settings required for Atari?

Following options I may set:

SELECT:
Auto Select/Radial Select (Drive 0 - 3)

HEAD LOAD:
Auto HD-LD
Select HD-LD
Radial HD-LD
Head Load Latch
Sel. Head Load Latch

ACTIVITY LED:
Select
Select and Ready
HD-LD and Select
In Use
In Use and Ready
HD-LD
HD-LD and Ready
HD-LD and Ready and Select

WRITE PROTECT:
Notch Covered
Notch Open

STEP MOTOR:
Motor On
Permanently

MOTOR ON:
Motor On and Temp. Motor On
Select and Temp. Motor On

DC/FRAME GROUND:
DC Frame Ground
Network
Open

Thanks in advance,
Bernd

    re .-1:
    These are my guesses:

	SELECT:		Drive 0
	HEAD LOAD:	Select HD-LD
	ACTIVITY LED:	Select
	WRITE PROTECT:	Notch Covered
	STEP MOTOR:	Motor On
	MOTOR ON:	Motor On and Temp. Motor On
	DC/FRAME GROUND:DC Frame Ground
    
    They are similar to mine for another drive, but there are not many
    sensible choices. Send a mail if you encounter any difficulties.
    
    Have fun,
    Jens

    	I connected an IBM style 5.25 disk to my STFM and it worked fine,
    but I have now upgraded to an STe and the %.25 drive won't work on it.
    
    	Drive select doesn't light,and scoping the drive one select line
    shows it stays high.
    	An external 3.5 inch drive works fine,and the 5.25 still works on
    an STFM.
    
    	Any ideas
    		Brian

    Does anyone know the locations for the 6ms setup on TOS 1.4 ?
    
    Since I upgraded my 1040, I can't use 40 tracks mode anymore...
    
    (urgent)

    
    Try using the PD accessory 'MULTI' which provides you with the options
    2,3,6,12 ms as well as 40/80 tracks and TOS/IBM format. Maybe someone
    has a pointer to it in the net because momentarily I have no uploading 
    capability. 
    
    Bernd
    

    talking about such things with a colleague, I can't actually remember
    the capacity of the 5.25 disk?, can anyone remind me pelase.
    
    Thanks,
    Richard

    
    Formatted:
    
    40 Tracks, 1 Side,   9 Sectors  : 180 kB   SD
    40 Tracks, 2 Sides,  9 Sectors  : 360 kB   SD
    80 Tracks, 2 Sides,  9 Sectors  : 720 kB   DD
    80 Tracks, 2 Sides, 15 Sectors  : 1.2 MB   HD
    
    Bernd