Commodre SX-64 internal drive number

[2Ni]

Hi !

 

Is there any easy and safe way to change the internal drive number of the SX-64 ?

The idea is to use a SD2IEC as drive number 8...

[+OLD CS1]

Hi !

 

Is there any easy and safe way to change the internal drive number of the SX-64 ?

The idea is to use a SD2IEC as drive number 8...

 

There are two pads on the board, similar to the external 1541. Alternately, you can use the old software method of changing device numbers.

[2Ni]

Thank you for the answer.

 

I found a prg file named "SX-64 Internal + External Drive Renumber", but I read somewhere that SX-64 drive number could not be changed by software : so it would be wrong ?

Is there any risk using such a program ?

[+OLD CS1]

Thank you for the answer.

 

I found a prg file named "SX-64 Internal + External Drive Renumber", but I read somewhere that SX-64 drive number could not be changed by software : so it would be wrong ?

 

Is there any risk using such a program ?

 

It uses the same firmware as the 1541 so your answers in order are yes the information is wrong, and no there is no risk (at least of damage, just remember what number you assigned it.)

[7800fan]

The drive ID is only temporary, it will be reset to 8 when you reset the drive or power cycle the system. A permanent solution exists but unless you're planning to add something inside like SD2IEC or Ultimate 1541 and wanting to set those to 8, there's no reason to permanently change the internal drive.

 

If the drive isn't working and you want to disable it, you can unplug the IEC cable (white cable) between drive board and CPU board. This will allow you to use external drive with ID 8 on the SX. This does however require removing about 12 screws and 3 case parts to get to the drive cable.

[2Ni]

Thank you for the info.

 

My SX-64 internal drive is working so far (although capricious with some disks !), but i'd prefer using d64 files rather than making multiple 5.25 disks ; with SD2IEC with drive number 9 or higher, many games not in a single files would not load...

[+OLD CS1]

Then you will definitely want to either remove the drive from the system altogether (serial bus, power, or just physically remove the drive and its board,) or permanently set the device number with the jumper pads.

[RobertB]

 

There are two pads on the board, similar to the external 1541.

Ray Carlsen has more details on this. Go to

 

http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/cbm/sx64/sx64.txt

 

Near the end of the article, he tells how to disable the internal drive, how to change drive numbers on those pads, and how to install switch(es) so that you can select a drive number.

 

Truly,

Robert Bernardo

Fresno Commodore User Group

http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm

July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 -

http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

[2Ni]

I don't know how to delete the post !

Edited June 12, 2016 by 2Ni

[2Ni]

Then you will definitely want to either remove the drive from the system altogether (serial bus, power, or just physically remove the drive and its board,) or permanently set the device number with the jumper pads.

 

 

Yes, but I'd like to keep the machine as close as possible from the original SX-64 (and I'm not very skilled with a screwdriver !), so shifting drive id by software the few times I want to use it is OK for me.

 

 

Ray Carlsen has more details on this. Go to

 

http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/cbm/sx64/sx64.txt

 

Near the end of the article, he tells how to disable the internal drive, how to change drive numbers on those pads, and how to install switch(es) so that you can select a drive number.

 

Truly,

Robert Bernardo

Fresno Commodore User Group

http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm

July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 -

http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

 

Thanks. I found this useful document just when I was seeking informations about changing the drive id, but that was only the hardware method...

[7800fan]

If you're not going to use the internal drive for a long time, you could ask someone local to open the system, unplug the power and IEC cable to the drive board, and close it up. It'll become a portable 64 without disk drive and still look stock. And easily reversible at later time. Just stick a note or something that says "Disk drive unplugged inside" to remind yourself.

[2Ni]

The 1541 weighting as a dead donkey, I'm sure that the SX-64 would be easier to carry ; but I'm not going to travel far with it, and I like the machinegun sounds of the drive !

 

On that point (carrying a SX-64 - not firing machinegun), is it so bad to carry the SX-64 without the transit card ?

[7800fan]

Could cause head to become warped if it's not parked in down position to keep it flat.

[2Ni]

Some BASIC command such as

 OPEN15,8,15 PRINT#15,"I0" CLOSE15

will also park the head ?

[+OLD CS1]

If by "park" you mean place it over track 18 (the middle of the disk,) then yes. I think what he means is keeping the door closed with the card inside as the card will push the head to its outer-most position and hold it there.

[2Ni]

Is it possible to do that with an old 5.25" floppy ?

[+OLD CS1]

Is it possible to do that with an old 5.25" floppy ?

 

No. The card has a protrusion which pushes the head back. A floppy will still allow free movement of the head.

 

(Source)

[carlsson]

Isn't it rather easy to manufacture a transit card, if you don't already own one?

[2Ni]

Yes I think so ; I found pdf on zimmers.net :

http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/schematics/drives/new/1541/Transit_card_251171-02_(300_dpi).pdf

http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/schematics/drives/new/1541/Transit_card_251171-03_(300_dpi).pdf

[iKarith]

My 1571 was sent with the transit card in backwards. It seems to have survived the trip, even if the original box it came in did not. (Whew!)