Memory Expansion Required for PEB Floppy Drive?

[Rick Thornquist]

A few months ago, I acquired a PEB with a Disk Controller card and a floppy drive. No Memory Expansion, no RS-232 Interface and, most importantly, no Flex Cable Interface. I've always wanted a PEB and it was cheap so I grabbed it, though it's not much use without the missing cards.

 

Recently I came across a local guy who has a Flex Cable Interface for sale. Here's my question: if I get the Flex Cable Interface, will I be able to see if the PEB floppy drive works by using, say, the Disk Manager 2 cartridge? Or will it not work without some kind of memory expansion?

 

I know I'll need a memory expansion to do anything useful, but right now I'm just looking to see if if the drive works.

 

- Rick

 

 

[+Schmitzi]

Hi, yes, the disk drives run without the 32KB

[Rick Thornquist]

Thanks, Schmitzi!

 

- Rick

[Ed in SoDak]

Console BASIC can save programs and load them back in. SAVE DSK1.NAME and OLD DSK1.NAME

Same for Extended BASIC if you have that cartridge (recommended or one of the multicart alternatives). Several other carts can also save data to floppy.

[apersson850]

The disk controller does need RAM in the console, but it steals some from the video processor. Just like BASIC and Extended BASIC does. Which implies that you have a bit less memory available for BASIC programs when you add the disk controller.

[Airshack]

On 3/10/2021 at 3:42 AM, apersson850 said:

 

The disk controller does need RAM in the console,

 

 

The original side-car disk drive and controller worked without 32K expansion RAM. Same goes for the TI PEB controller and disk.

 

The MYARC controller bypasses VDP RAM as it requires 32K expansion RAM.

[+mizapf]

Which Myarc controller? HFDC or DDCC1? I don't think either of both needs the 32k, the HFDC has RAM on board.

[apersson850]

The CorComp controller I have works according to the same principle as TI's controller. Just with four drives and double density. Buffers are still in VDP RAM, for compatibility.