CW #25 hardware hack for the 1581

[dr.v]

I have a couple of 1581's.  A few months ago one of my drive mechs failed.  I decided to take the board (which I knew worked - I tested with another Chinon mechanism) and modify it according to the article in CW#25.  It was a simple mod.  I cut 2 traces and soldered on 3 jumpers.  I have full confidence the board was modified as per the article.  I have tried a couple of high density mechanisms.  Most of them were pretty modern and I realized I needed a mechanism with both HD an DD for this to work.  I haven't found a drive that works - though I have only tried 3 mechanisms.  My question to you guys is - has anyone used this hack to replace the drive with a more modern mechanism, and if so, do you have recommendations on the mechanism type?  Thanks. 

[Diddl]

Yes, I had same problem cause I bought a 1581 without drive from canada.

I couldn't find any drive fit in my 1581.
Someone told me take a amiga drive. Amiga drive doesn't fit.
Someone told me no HD drive.
Someone told me you must change some things in the drive electronics (don't want to change this).


Finally someonetold me to make a "special/modified" ribbon cable ...

And this was it!! I have 7 drives here, HD and normal density, different companies (Teac, Sony, Amiga drive), all of my 7 drives work properly in my 1581!!

Solution:  click
Picture:  click

[dr.v]

Thanks for the info.  Right about now I'm wishing I studied more german back in college.  The physical mod to the board (from the aforementioned CW issue) allowed for the use of a more modern drive mechanism in a 1581.  One which was both HD and DD and commonly used in pc's during the late 90's.  (The article was put out in March of 99 I believe).  I recall the jumpers accomplishing things like keeping a pin grounded so the mechanism was constantly in DD mode and some other small mods required by the CBM unit.  But I have never heard of a modified ribbon cable being necessary.

[airship]

I'm glad people are still working on hacks to keep our equipment up and running.

For my 1581 kits I bought replacement drives from England, which is the only place I could get them for a halfway decent price. They're Amiga drives and they work fine.

[pearsoe]

The Chinon FB-354 found in Amigas will work in the 1581.  I just borrowed one from my Amiga 3000 to bring my 1581 back to life. Because of the eject button placement on this drive you would need to modify the front facing of the 1581 (BTW this would be required also for the CW hack if it worked).  I believe the drives in the Amiga 2000s are compatible with the 1581 front cover.

I tried the CW hack but never got it to work.  I think the article is missing crucial information regarding the PC disk drives. What specific jumper setting are required and dealing with jumpers on the circuit board that use solder bridges.

[dr.v]

I'm familiar with the amiga drives being compatible.  I read that a 1010 fits really well without fancy front-plate cutting.  I was just hoping to be able to use somewhat more modern mechanisms.  I was glad to read your post pearsoe - my gut told me the article is missing something as well.  I believe CW#25 was one of the last put out by CMD and it is quite evident they were in "space conservation" mode with the articles, advertisements, etc.  They fit the whole mod article to one side of one page including close-up shots.   

[maraud]

Yes, I had same problem cause I bought a 1581 without drive from canada.

I couldn't find any drive fit in my 1581.
Someone told me take a amiga drive. Amiga drive doesn't fit.
Someone told me no HD drive.
Someone told me you must change some things in the drive electronics (don't want to change this).


Finally someonetold me to make a "special/modified" ribbon cable ...

And this was it!! I have 7 drives here, HD and normal density, different companies (Teac, Sony, Amiga drive), all of my 7 drives work properly in my 1581!!

Solution:  click
Picture:  click

So do you have pics of exactly what you did, those links have two options and I'm not sure which to do.  I have to dead 81's (good boards) that need a new mech!

[dr.v]

Maraud - I suggest you just grab a mechanism out of an old amiga.  After trying (with no success) to get other drives to work, I picked up a cheap Amiga 1010 drive with a good working mechanism.  It worked like a charm in the 1581.

Tom