Date   : Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:44:22 +0100
From   : jgh@... (Jonathan Graham Harston)
Subject: Re: writing and reading on 3.5 floppy

>Message-ID: <B6CC5E493F627343A58CD268A25FCF004BF14100@...>
 
"Wright, Chris" <Chris.Wright@...> wrote:
> How does correct selection of drive 0/1 work in this case ? After a
> quick inspection, it looks like the 5.25" drive has jumpers to select
> the drive number but the 3.5" drive doesn't. The PC lead that I have for
> the 3.5" drive has a twist in it for a couple of wires. Is this part of
> the drive selection (when connected to a PC) ?
 
No, it's part of the method of correcting the botched PC disk
interface so that it will connect correctly to disk drives. The PC
outputs mythical "Motor On" signals which need to be rearranged to
become the proper Drive Select lines.
 
When buying a 3.5" drive always check to ensure it has drive
select links. If it doesn't, it will be set to be drive 1. If you
are competent enough you will know how to make a lead that *does*
swap the drive select lines around - or even put a switch in to
select which drive is 0 and which is 1.
 
-- 
J.G.Harston - jgh@...                - mdfs.net/User/JGH
BBC BASIC for 30+ platforms - http://mdfs.net/Software/BBCBasic