Compatibile?

[zeke1312]

Is the format/file structure on  MS/XP written 3.5" diskette compatible with the C128? That is, can I read a PC created disk on  C128 3.5"?

Thanks

[Guest]

As long as the disk is DD, formatted to 720k and FAT file system.  The 1581 cannot read HD media, regardless of the format, but it should read any DD disk formatted to 720k with a FAT file system.

[hydrophilic]

The 1581 disk drive can not read the FAT file system without help.  You need a program like Little Red Reader, available here.  There is also a similar commericial program called Big Blue Reader (Big Blue referring to IBM).

I've never tried it, but you might be able to trick your PC to write DD format on an HD disk by covering the hole opposite the write procted whole.  Even if your PC formats it DD, still no gaurantee the 1581 could read it, but worth I try, I guess.

[Guest]

I've had tremendously good luck with 1581 drives (and 1571, too) reading DD media formated via DOS or Windows as FAT.  In addition to Big Blue Reader, there's also Little Red Reader which is just as good and free.

[Golan Klinger]

For the sake of reference, it may be worth mentioning that if someone wants to go the other direction they should look at 1581copy. It's a *very* useful program.

[zeke1312]

Thanks for the replies! The file with extension .sfx I can't open. Need another application to open?

[Andrew Wiskow]

Thanks for the replies! The file with extension .sfx I can't open. Need another application to open?

.sfx files are self-dissolving, and you should just be able to load and run them to dissolve on a Commodore computer.  If it's not working, then the file may be corrupt.

-Andrew

[Andrew Wiskow]

In addition to .sfx files, other self-dissolving formats you may encounter on Commodore computers are .sda (Self-Dissolving Archive) and .sdl (Self-Dissolving Lynx).  I'm not sure what .sfx stands for, or even what program is used to create them, but I do know that they're the same load-and-run-to-dissolve type of file.  

-Andrew

[zeke1312]

OK, I take it when loaded to the C128 it will run. Thanks

[RobertB]

The 1581 cannot read HD media...

Some 1581's can read HD disks; I have one such drive.  However, 1581's cannot write to HD disks.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[nikoniko]

Seeing as they use PC drives, do the build-your-own-1581 kits allow reading HD disks?

[airship]

While the page for the build-your-own 1581 kits does say 'just add any 3.5" drive', they recommend ancient Chinon Model FB354 or  Panasonic JU257 drives. I've bought three of the latter for $3-$5 each after digging through about 50 drives at my local recycler over a couple of months.

Here's the page, click through to 'details': http://www.jppbm.com/

But wait until I can buy mine.

[Guest]

The 1581 cannot read HD media...

Some 1581's can read HD disks; I have one such drive.  However, 1581's cannot write to HD disks.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug

But Robert, this is SOOO rare as to be an anomoly that works out in the favor of a few very lucky individuals.  I've seen so many posts on c.s.cbm from people bashing their heads against a wall trying to use HD media in a 1581 that I think it's nigh on irresponsible to even hint that it works.

[Golan Klinger]

But Robert, this is SOOO rare as to be an anomoly that works out in the favor of a few very lucky individuals.

Robert and anomalies go hand in hand. He is also the only person on Earth who has a PAL DTV that doesn't require a fix to the video circuit. Unfortunately he ignores requests to show it (or even so much as a screenshot) to the folks at the DTV Hacking forum. Funny that.

And nobody has to worry about Joey (the J in JPPBM) running out of 1581 kits. He still has more than 500 in his basement.

[zeke1312]

I'd also like to know all the upgrades that can be done on a C128, i.e., memory I/Os, disk drives both floppy and hard. What interfaces can be attached to the I/Os in the machine such as SCSI, conversion to USB and such things. I can guess there is not alot of different choices there. In essence, building up the C128 to max it out. I recently acquired a C128 and would like to expand it to the max. I don't have an objective at this point other than knowing what's available to build up the machine. If you can, please point me to sites that may have such info. I have googled and found a few but usually there are "gems" out there that can be hard to find. I don't know, maybe I'm asking too much. Just let me know. What about available software of all types? As you suspect, I would download to my Dell PC, write to a diskette then move it to the C128 an input the file(s).

[swordfish1030]

I have a 1541II that I thought was having problems formatting... It could read/write fine.. I was stumped..
Out of 30 disks I could only get it to format 11 disks... I figured I had old disks so they must be bad.

Nope stupid me had DS/HD disks, though I still got it to format 11 of these disks!! I could even save to them!!!
When I noticed this I quickly dumped the data to DS/DD disks...

( true story, ) even if it did confuse some even more!

[airship]

Where in aitch -eee - double - hockey sticks did he come up with FIVE HUNDRED dead 1581s to strip for kitS? :förvånad:

[Golan Klinger]

Where in aitch -eee - double - hockey sticks did he come up with FIVE HUNDRED dead 1581s to strip for kitS? :förvånad:

Shortly after Commodore Canada shut down operations they had a sale (auction) to sell off everything in their warehouse and Joe purchased their entire inventory of 1581s with the twist being that they didn't have 3.5" floppy drive mechanisms in them. Where did the mechanisms go? Well, Commodore made a large production run of 1581 drives and they weren't selling too well. However, the Amiga was selling very well so whenever Commodore Canada needed a 3.5" drive for an Amiga, they would grab a 1581 off the shelf, remove the needed 3.5" drive and chuck what was left back into the warehouse. That's how 1581s became 1581 drive kits. So now when you need a 1581 you buy a kit from Joe (the kits are in perfect condition because they've never been used) and then you nip down to your local computer recyclers, find an appropriate drive mechanism, pop it in and away you go.

[RobertB]

Unfortunately he ignores requests to show it (or even so much as a screenshot) to the folks at the DTV Hacking forum.

I've shown it at Vintage Computer Festival and at CommVEx.  I do not show it to people who ridicule me.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

...that I think it's nigh on irresponsible to even hint that it works.

Err, that's a weird way of thinking.  My disseminating information is equated to irresponsibility?  Even when the information is true?!  Sorry, the truth is the truth.  Come on over to California for Vintage Computer Festival or to Nevada for CommVEx, and I can demonstrate it all you want.  On my 1581, I'll load up Nate Dannenberg's WavPlayer and music samples, which I bought and which he sent on HD disks (when I received the disks years ago, I had no FD drive but just one 1581 drive).

Now who else wants to censor me?
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

Sorry, the truth is the truth.

Oh, by the way, go to http://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.cbm/browse_thread/thread/8007350b1f5a7f47/83e462381a77f40f?lnk=gst&q=1581%2B%22hd+disk%22&rnum=4#83e462381a77f40f  (wow, what link)  and read up about some discussion on 1581 and HD disks from 1998.  Are the people there who have HD-disk-readable 1581's irresponsible, too?  Much more discussion on comp.sys.cbm on this matter,
and I'm not alone.

Truth lives,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[zeke1312]

OK, now I own a 1581. What, if any, speed upgrades available? And just to confirm, what software is needed  to read files created on an XP machine? (or format to use)

[Guest]

OK, first, if you want to speed up your 1581 then you should get JiffyDOS 6.01 for your 128 and 1581 (and 1571, too).  Not only does it speed it up in 128 mode, but it really makes it sing in 64 mode where there are very few fast loaders for the 1581.

Next, you can use OpenCBM to transfer files to/from the 1581 (but not disk images) using an XM1541 or XA1541 (recommended) cable.  I am the maintainer of the GUI4CBM4WIN software which is a GUI that uses the OpenCBM tools (OpenCBM's tools are all command line based).  

If you are willing to reboot with a DOS disk you can also use StarCommander with your 1581 using any of the X1541 style cables.

[airship]

There are, as you suspect, many. But here's a short list:

Commodore 1750 REU (512K RAM Expansion Unit). there are others, but they have less expansion memory: 1764=256K, 1700=128K

RS232 Interface. This will let you connect to the PC and from there to the Internet, provided you have all the right software and settings. This is the setup that the QuantumLink Reloaded people use, and the BBS guys. Much better use of your user port than a modem, these days. Mangelore makes one that's inexpensive and has gotten good reviews. He also makes a MIDI interface and a switchable EPROM cartridge.

Suncom stick-on joystick.

Commodore 1351 Mouse. Mostly for GEOS, but also supported by BASIC 8 and other software.

An internal expansion ROM. I've got BASIC 8 in mine, others have GEOS 128, or The Servant, etc.

IDE64 for a hard drive, MMC64 for flash memory, Retro Replay and RR-Net for networking. Problem is, all of these only work in C64 mode, but C128 native support may happen whenever anyone gets around to it.

CGA to VGA converter. To display 80 columns on a modern monitor or LCD screen. Around $100, but you'll have to add the simple 'Intensity Hack' yourself. If you want, you can also add a Composite to VGA converter to get 40 columns, too.

L-Bow or expansion port so you can keep your REU plugged in and still use a cartridge and/or interface card.

Commodore Datasette. You'll never use it, but it DOES plug into the back. No 8-bit CBM computer is complete without one.

Have fun!

[Blacklord]

Commodore Datasette. You'll never use it

Not quite too. In Australia (at least at the start of the C64's career), tapes were way more popular than then very expensive 1541. As a result, an enormous amount of software was sold here on tape over disk format.

My Datasettes still get quite a beating!

cheers,

Lance