Ebay "modified" 1.44MB mechs for 720k use in STs

[+wood_jl]

This auction:

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 150421620106

 

.....is for a 1.44MB mech, that has been "modified" for 720K use (and also states will work as 1.44MB in MegaSTe/TT/Falcon.

 

Anybody know anything about this?

 

I've been out of the floppy scene for so long that I was not around to experience the "pain" of 720k mechs drying up and the switch to 1.44MB. I don't even have a 1.44 in my PCs anymore!!!!

 

Just wondering if anybody here perhaps has some experience in this regard, and perhaps one of you technical-types could chime in a couple words to assist those of us who are less-gifted, but would like to understand this.

 

The drive's in the U.K. so shipping would be more for a Yank, but the price doesn't seem bad.

 

As always, thank you in advance.

 

 

My, my it's quiet over here in the ST forum. Good thing there's an A8 2 feet from me.

[Thorsten Günther]

This auction:

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 150421620106

 

.....is for a 1.44MB mech, that has been "modified" for 720K use (and also states will work as 1.44MB in MegaSTe/TT/Falcon.

 

Anybody know anything about this?

 

Errr... most likely this guy is just selling a bunch of EPSON SMD-340 drives (which were the HD replacement drives for the Mega STE and TT SMD-380s) with correctly set jumpers and/or the connector "nose" filed off (HD drives require the Shugart connector upside-down in comparison to DD drives, if I remember correctly). You will find DIY instructions on the net.

 

So, this is kind of a hype (yet I've seen worse ones on eBay, e.g. the guy who claimed that he exchanged the ROM in a German Falcon030 with an English language one - TOS 4.0x itself already is multilingual, the language setting is stored in NVRAM and the symptom of an empty NVRAM battery is booting into an English language desktop in low resolution).

 

Thorsten

[Chandler]

This auction:

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 150421620106

 

.....is for a 1.44MB mech, that has been "modified" for 720K use (and also states will work as 1.44MB in MegaSTe/TT/Falcon.

 

Anybody know anything about this?

 

I've been out of the floppy scene for so long that I was not around to experience the "pain" of 720k mechs drying up and the switch to 1.44MB. I don't even have a 1.44 in my PCs anymore!!!!

 

Just wondering if anybody here perhaps has some experience in this regard, and perhaps one of you technical-types could chime in a couple words to assist those of us who are less-gifted, but would like to understand this.

 

The drive's in the U.K. so shipping would be more for a Yank, but the price doesn't seem bad.

 

As always, thank you in advance.

 

 

My, my it's quiet over here in the ST forum. Good thing there's an A8 2 feet from me.

 

the drive is most likely a normal 1.44MB and like A-N-Y floppy drive it will O-N-L-Y work as 720k in a standard Atari ST/STE as the atari's hardware can only see 720k without modification because back in the days of Atari 720k was the norm

 

Falcon and Mega STE/TT support 1.44mb disks and can detect betweem 720k disks and 1.44mb (well the falcon can, possibly the mega ste needs a jumper pad soldering - i don't know, never owned one...)

 

in fact any 1.44MB disk drive is backward compatible with 720k

 

i'm guessing the seller has done the hard work of modding the drive so all you need do is fit it into your atari without the hassle of soldering jumpers etc

[+poobah]

I'd guess all he has done is change the drive select jumper/pad and possibly the disk change detect.

 

Note that 1.44 and 720k media aren't completely compatible, having different magnetic characteristics.

 

Best practice for a 1.44 drive is to only READ media that was formatted on a 720K drive.

Any operation to a 1.44 disk is fine, as is with 720k media that was formatted by the 1.44 mech.

[oky2000]

I don't know about the ST specifically but when it comes to replacing Amiga DD drives with HD ones you have to be careful which drive you choose and then some of those drives do require more than jumper settings or blobs of solder etc.

 

I suspect for the ST it is similar to some degree.

[TwiliteZoner]

I don't know about the ST specifically but when it comes to replacing Amiga DD drives with HD ones you have to be careful which drive you choose and then some of those drives do require more than jumper settings or blobs of solder etc.

 

I suspect for the ST it is similar to some degree.

 

You're right the ST is the same way. The librarian of our user group tried several times back in the day to accomplish this and he had a modicum of success. He eventually removed the HD drive and put the ST drive back in because it was causing too many read/write errors and it wasn't worth the trouble. Not sure which brand he used but I recall he tried several.

Edited April 18, 2010 by TwiliteZoner

[tjlazer]

The ST has a lot easier time using 1.44 drives than the Amiga. I have had success with Chinon FZ-357 and Epson SMD-300/340 drives for the ST. The latter also are a drop in replacement for the 1040STE and Mega STE/TT030/Falcon 030 computers.

Edited April 18, 2010 by tjlazer

[+wood_jl]

The ST has a lot easier time using 1.44 drives than the Amiga. I have had success with Chinon FZ-357 and Epson SMD-300/340 drives for the ST. The latter also are a drop in replacement for the 1040STE and Mega STE/TT030/Falcon 030 computers.

 

Look how much Chinon FZ-357 drives go for on Ebay:

 

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&icep_uq=fz-357&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg

 

Cheaper to get a new (and expensive) original replacement mech from Best!

 

I'm still thinking of these - from the U.K.

 

From "atarifreakz" eBay Auction -- Item Number: 150431598076

I sent a message and he said you have to flip the cable. I forgot to ask if you can remove the short cable from the motherboard connector and just press on a PC floppy cable, or if you'd have to desolder the connector from the motherboard (NOOOOOOOO!). He seemed helpful enough. I am assuming, of course, that these drives are set/configured/jumpered/WHATEVER to drop right into an ST; it does say MODIFIED to work with ST. I mean, this isn't just buying a generic mech from Ebay - this is indicated to work on the ST. Anybody have experience with "atarifreakz?" Is this the same as "STFREAKZ?"

 

There's another seller - U.K. based - with a similar item: eBay Auction -- Item Number: 170462524399

I have not messaged this seller. Theres says it's a Sony and is "configured to work with the Atari." It does not indicate the cable has to be flipped. I am wondering if this will drop right in, then, without changing the cable. Anybody deal with this seller before? They're called "Chaotic Jelly"

 

One thing for sure, thank God for the U.K. or there'd be no drives available. Even with international shipping, these are a great deal (if in fact they work) compared to the alternatives, which are not attractive.

[tjlazer]

Wow! I got several from a local PC recycler REPC. If you want one I can sell it to you for cheap. $10 + S/H!

[+wood_jl]

Wow! I got several from a local PC recycler REPC. If you want one I can sell it to you for cheap. $10 + S/H!

 

That'd be swell!!!

 

PM sent!

[tjlazer]

Wow! I got several from a local PC recycler REPC. If you want one I can sell it to you for cheap. $10 + S/H!

 

That'd be swell!!!

 

PM sent!

 

I'll test out a few mechs and let you know. Send your address and I'll get you a price quote.

[mimo]

Jeez, I was given a hand full of Sony PC drives, 5 minutes with a soldering iron and they were all ST drives;)

Gave 4 away and kept one for backup

[tjlazer]

Jeez, I was given a hand full of Sony PC drives, 5 minutes with a soldering iron and they were all ST drives;)

Gave 4 away and kept one for backup

 

How are these "ST" drives? I wasn't aware of Atari using Sony mechs.

[mimo]

Jeez, I was given a hand full of Sony PC drives, 5 minutes with a soldering iron and they were all ST drives;)

Gave 4 away and kept one for backup

 

How are these "ST" drives? I wasn't aware of Atari using Sony mechs.

 

because the original post was linking to PC drives that had been modified to be usable on an ST, and that is what I did to my Sonys

[+wood_jl]

Jeez, I was given a hand full of Sony PC drives, 5 minutes with a soldering iron and they were all ST drives;)

Gave 4 away and kept one for backup

 

How are these "ST" drives? I wasn't aware of Atari using Sony mechs.

 

because the original post was linking to PC drives that had been modified to be usable on an ST, and that is what I did to my Sonys

 

 

Do tell!!! What model Sony mech was it? What did you have to do? Any pics?? Does the same mod make them usable on both ST and Amiga?

[+DarkLord]

How are these "ST" drives? I wasn't aware of Atari using Sony mechs.

 

Hmm, I'm pretty sure my Falcon has a Sony 1.44 mech in it.

[tjlazer]

How are these "ST" drives? I wasn't aware of Atari using Sony mechs.

 

Hmm, I'm pretty sure my Falcon has a Sony 1.44 mech in it.

 

I'm pretty sure all "original" Falcon 030 computers came with EPSON SMD-3xx mechs...

Edited April 22, 2010 by tjlazer

[+DarkLord]

I'm pretty sure all "original" Falcon 030 computers came with EPSON SMD-3xx mechs...

 

That's easily possible, as I bought this machine used and I've no idea what the orginal

owner did to it.

 

I just know that he/she didn't do nearly as much as I've done with it...

[Shredder11]

 

 

I just know that he/she didn't do nearly as much as I've done with it...

 

Yeah but Alison is very busy these days!

[+DarkLord]

 

 

I just know that he/she didn't do nearly as much as I've done with it...

 

Yeah but Alison is very busy these days!

 

If you're talking about "Techie-Alison" she's awesome! (and cute)

 

But I don't understand what that has to do with my Falcon - I bought it used from a guy

over here in the US...and there are 2 things done to it that I didn't actually do. (1) Mark

Ducksworth did the motherboard mods (2) Alex Yu socketed the clock chip for me. I'll be honest

and just admit I'm scared to death of approaching a Falcons MB with a soldering iron.

[mimo]

Jeez, I was given a hand full of Sony PC drives, 5 minutes with a soldering iron and they were all ST drives;)

Gave 4 away and kept one for backup

 

How are these "ST" drives? I wasn't aware of Atari using Sony mechs.

 

because the original post was linking to PC drives that had been modified to be usable on an ST, and that is what I did to my Sonys

 

 

Do tell!!! What model Sony mech was it? What did you have to do? Any pics?? Does the same mod make them usable on both ST and Amiga?

 

Sony MPF-920

This thread has loads of advice http://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=17651&p=160436&hilit=modify+fdd#p160436

[+wood_jl]

If you're talking about "Techie-Alison" she's awesome! (and cute)

 

Indeed. The perfect date would be taking her to a nice dinner, and afterwards she mods all my Atari stuff. [/end fantasy]

[+wood_jl]

Do tell!!! What model Sony mech was it? What did you have to do? Any pics?? Does the same mod make them usable on both ST and Amiga?

 

Sony MPF-920

This thread has loads of advice http://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=17651&p=160436&hilit=modify+fdd#p160436

 

Thank-yuh veruh much!

[+DarkLord]

If you're talking about "Techie-Alison" she's awesome! (and cute)

 

Indeed. The perfect date would be taking her to a nice dinner, and afterwards she mods all my Atari stuff. [/end fantasy]

 

Wow - can't top that one, so I'll just stand in line...

[Shredder11]

 

 

Hey who the hell put that disgusting graemlin here! Bloody hell, some people have filthy minds around here!