[comp.sys.cbm] Help with Blue chip 128

miker@porkface2.WV.TEK.COM (06/01/90)

I acquired a Blue Chip 128 disk drive with no manual.  The power-up
message says CBM dos V3.0 1571.  On a C128 it formats double sided and
shows 13XX blocks free.  When I stick the same drive and previously
formatted 128 diskette on
the C64, it reads the usual 664 blocks free.  It seems to accept files
normally.  This is all confusing.  If it's formatted 1328blocks, the
Directory should be bigger and I should show fewer than 664 blocks
free??  If the recording method is different, why does it even read in
the wrong mode?

Is there a way to get the full capacity on the C64?

The eratta sheet with the 1571 manual gives an incantation something
like open 1,8,15,"UO>M1" to lock the drive into 1571 mode.  On the blue
chip using the C64 it just locks up the drive.

Is the Blue Chip 128 different?  Ideas?  I don't own a real 1571 or 
C128 to experiment on.

Thanks, miker

jgreco@archimedes.math.uwm.edu (Joe Greco) (06/01/90)

In comp.sys.cbm article <7298@orca.wv.tek.com>, miker@porkface2.WV.TEK.COM () wrote:
:I acquired a Blue Chip 128 disk drive with no manual.  The power-up
:message says CBM dos V3.0 1571.  On a C128 it formats double sided and
:shows 13XX blocks free.  When I stick the same drive and previously
:formatted 128 diskette on
:the C64, it reads the usual 664 blocks free.  It seems to accept files
:normally.  This is all confusing.  If it's formatted 1328blocks, the
:Directory should be bigger and I should show fewer than 664 blocks
:free??  If the recording method is different, why does it even read in
:the wrong mode?

because Commodore didn't really do anything to the 1541 mode, to retain
compatibility.  The 1541 mode is not capable of recognizing more than 664
blocks; and it simply ignores the info on the disk that says that the disk
is doublesided.  There really ARE 664 free blocks.  The fact that there are
more on the other side is just something DOS 2.6 can't recognize.

And the modes are basically identical, so the concept of "wrong mode" is
very hazy.

:Is there a way to get the full capacity on the C64?

Of course.  :-)

:The eratta sheet with the 1571 manual gives an incantation something
:like open 1,8,15,"UO>M1" to lock the drive into 1571 mode.  On the blue
:chip using the C64 it just locks up the drive.

If really desperate, you can always power up the drive in 128 mode, unplug
it, and plug it into the 64 (you have to give it at least one command in 128
mode).  However, the correct user mode command will work just as nicely..

OPEN 15,8,15,"U0>M1"  <= user command-there is no such thing as "UO"

Your incantation might lock up a 1571 too.  ;-)

... Joe