Date   : Thu, 23 Nov 2006 12:10:04 -0000 (GMT)
From   : splodge@... (Richard Gellman)
Subject: BBC Disk Drive?

Hi,

> Hoping that somebody on the list might be able to help...
>
> I have recently purchased some BBC disks along with 3 ICL brand disk
> drives
> on eBay.
>
> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160048450516&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:UK:11
>
> The one problem that I have now is that the connector into the drive is a
> 37
> pin affair and not the standard (?)  bbc type that slips onto the disk
> drive's motherboard.  Is there any way to buy/build an adaptor/cable which
> will make these drives usable?  Or are ICL drives totally different
> internally? It would be a shame for them to be useless, as they are in
> great
> condition.

Is this a D-type connector (a la the analogue port)? If so it could an
Amiga-type floppy disk interface. It would be the first time I've seen
such a thing used in the context of a BBC micro though.

The Amiga has an external floppy port that uses 37-way D connector. If it
is said interface, then you can build an adapter as I believe the signal
set is the same.

Is the socket fitted to the casing of the drive unit, or to the drive
circuit board? If the former, you may find the traditional edge connector
inside to which you can attach a standard BBC floppy cable.

-- Richard