parsons@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (Scott S Parish) (02/23/91)
dddean@bluemoon.uucp (David D. Dean) writes: > I have heard that it could be done, and I would like to do so. Is >there a possible way to set-up a 3.5" disk drive for an Atari 8-bit? I >have an 800xl, and would like to try this. > What all would I need, and could someone quote me a price? The vendor is: Innovative Concepts (I.C.) 31172 Shawn Drive Warren, MI 48093 USA Phone: (313) 293-0730 BBS: (313) 978-1685 GEnie: I.C. CompuServe: 76004,1764 As for the current price, I don't know the kit was going for around $40 about 8-9 months ago. I'm sure it hasn't changed. As for the hard drive: Read the previous post by Gary Duzan(?). -- ============================================================================== Scott Parish Internet: parsons@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (I have nothing to say.) Bitnet: parsons@ksuvm
dddean@bluemoon.uucp (David D. Dean) (02/24/91)
gdtltr@brahms.udel.edu (root@research.bdi.com (Systems Research Supervisor)) writes: > In article <J9NsX1w163w@bluemoon.uucp> dddean@bluemoon.uucp (David D. Dean) w > There exists a hack to modify an Atary XF551 5.25" drive to use a > 3.5". For the most part I understand it is fairly simple, but it does > require a new EPROM to use the whole disk. I have a vendor & price, > but they are at home. :-( > > => I am also looking for a Hard Drive for the 8-bit... (I know... > =>"Why???") I think that it might beneat to do this... kinda max-out mu > =>8-bit and make it a novelty! > => > Easiest way is to get a Black Box and a SCSI drive. If you can > afford novelty, more power to you. :-) > > =>**** Any opinions are that of the author, and NOT of AT&T **** > > Now why would AT&T be interested in Atari 8-bit hacks? :-) > Thanks for the help! I have recieved the address for the 3.5" drive, and will be checking up into it. The Black Box and SCSI drive might have to hold off... I can't seem to locate any dealer with them. And AT&T probably FORGOT about the Atari 8-bit! :-) David D. Dean, President "Living in a 3-D world." Explorer Post 891 AT&T Bell Laboratories Columbus, Ohio dddean@bluemoon.uucp **** Any opinions are that of the author, and NOT of AT&T ****
dddean@bluemoon.uucp (David D. Dean) (02/24/91)
Thanks for all the help! I am going to check into this right away! David D. Dean, President "Living in a 3-D world." Explorer Post 891 AT&T Bell Laboratories Columbus, Ohio dddean@bluemoon.uucp **** Any opinions are that of the author, and NOT of AT&T ****
asgardia@unixland.uucp (Craig Rothman) (02/25/91)
dddean@bluemoon.uucp (David D. Dean) writes: > I have heard that it could be done, and I would like to do so. Is > there a possible way to set-up a 3.5" disk drive for an Atari 8-bit? I > have an 800xl, and would like to try this. > What all would I need, and could someone quote me a price? > > I am also looking for a Hard Drive for the 8-bit... (I know... > "Why???") I think that it might beneat to do this... kinda max-out mu > 8-bit and make it a novelty! > > 3.5"-- the way to get one of these is to somehow obtain a costly disk drive known as the xf551. This was made by atari and its double sided/double density. No one I know of will part with theirs, so good luck! Once you get one of these, youll need to buy a 3.5 mech and have someone know knows how to mount it, put it in. Im told its not that hard to do. (ive never done it. I dont know!). I dont know if theres a 3.5" made by another company, but ive heard of peripherals that allow IBM PC drives to be connected. Im sure someone here could write more. As for a hard drive, youll be opening pandoras box, but you could get one hooked up. Youd need either a black box, or MIO. Then youd need wires.. (from ICD) Then youd need the drive.. and the appropriate controller board. Then a case and power supply. Ive spent a considerable amount of time obtaining this stuff. Its not easy.. The controller boards are hard to get. I found a supplier though, look at the old messages Ive posted here about it, or send me email and ill give you more info. Ive already posted it and i dont have it handy right now. The best thing to do is to call ICD, They have the stuff youll need as a kit of some sort. IM told its expensive and a rip off, but its very very hassle free. -craig mrneutr@rcn.bitnet (NOTE: I can only recieve EMAIL at this address!)
bmarcum@world.std.com (Bill Marcum) (02/25/91)
In article <RuuwX2w163w@unixland.uucp> asgardia@unixland.uucp (Craig Rothman) writes: >dddean@bluemoon.uucp (David D. Dean) writes: > >> Thanks for all the help! I am going to check into this right away! >Let me know what you find out about the xf551 mod. >Ive got one of the buggers and its messed up. >IT wont do double sided double density, just single sided single density. What DOS are you using? Atari sold a lot of XF551s with DOS 2.5, which treated the drive as if it were just a 1050. The rest were sold with DOS XE, which recognizes the drive as DSDD, but is incompatible with a lot of other programs. Either Mydos, Spartados, or Spartados-X will work with the 551 in DSDD mode. >ITs still useful, but if i replaced the mech with a 3.5" it would >be a great thing to have. Ive held off because it would be too costly >for the drive mech, and I didnt have directions about how to do it. >If its just a mere $40 I want it!!!! >let me know what it costs and how difficult it is to do it. >-craig >MRNEUTR@RCN.bitnet > You need more than just the 3.5 inch drive mechanism. You also need a new ROM for the drive. Upgrade kits are available from Innovative Concepts in Michigan, or from CSS (who also make the Black Box.) CSS has a new deluxe upgrade that lets you use the 5.25 and 3.5 inch drives as different drive numbers, and they claim it can even read and write IBM or ST disks. The price is something like $139.95, including 3.5 inch drive. (Not sure if that's the exact price--check their ad in STart.) Bill Marcum bmarcum@world.std.com Compuserve:72750,476 Genie:B.MARCUM
asgardia@unixland.uucp (Craig Rothman) (02/27/91)
bmarcum@world.std.com (Bill Marcum) writes: > What DOS are you using? Atari sold a lot of XF551s with DOS 2.5, which > treated the drive as if it were just a 1050. The rest were sold with DOS XE, > which recognizes the drive as DSDD, but is incompatible with a lot > of other programs. Either Mydos, Spartados, or Spartados-X will work with > the 551 in DSDD mode. I use Spartados, and I was using the correct format. I had someone who owned a xf551 over here to check it out and its the drive. THe previous owner tinkered with it or something. It wont do DD on either side. I suspect upgrading the drive will solve it.
Matthew Wilson (03/01/91)
The Percom disk drive for my 8-bit has double sided/double density ability as well. I would definately appreciate any hints on attaching a 3.5" drive to the disk controller. Please post any response.
snyder@brahms.udel.edu (Mayleen G Snyder) (03/01/91)
To: Matthew Wilson Subject: Re: 3.5" Disk Drive for 8-bit Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit In-Reply-To: <1991Feb28.222720.23587@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> References: <1991Feb25.072510.5024@world.std.com> <moP1X1w163w@unixland.uucp> Organization: University of Delaware In article <1991Feb28.222720.23587@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> you write: >The Percom disk drive for my 8-bit has double sided/double density >ability as well. I would definately appreciate any hints on attaching >a 3.5" drive to the disk controller. Please post any response. it should just go right on....need the righT connect but with SpartaDOS it should give you 720k per disk....but i have an ATR 8000 for my atari....it will handle 5-1/4 in single/double sided or density...(will not do dual density tho') it will handle 3.5 drives in the same... (720k max for a DS/DD 3.5 drive) if you or anyone is interested in buying send me some mail i will trade it for a 40 SCSI or ST-506 drive or $200... (it includes everything to hook up a 3.5 720k drive and a 5-1/4 360k drive EXCEPT power supply for the floppys...(standard +5,+12 but i do have the connector to hook the 3.5 to the standard power connector)... you can run CP/M on the ATR i can give you the name and number of the guy who has the software to run CP/M on it...it also has a print and Serial port (i have the cable to hook up a standard modem to it...(i am currently using it now wit a Supra modem and Kermit (for the Atari) and have used DeTerm,Express,a term prg i wrote in Action! and several others...) it does have ONE bad side....size... it is as wide as my 1200xl and 2 1/2 inches high and about foot deep....) (p.s. you can hook it up to a terminal and use it alone to run CP/M....) (it will support up to 4 drives of any config.....) Sloopy X. Malibu Snyder@brahms.udel.edu (chris luckey) Snyder@chopin.udel.edu