Hello,
I've built several of these cables...
On Tuesday 12 December 2000 20:12, you wrote:
> Im getting ready to make a x1541 cable to connect my Commodore 64 drive to
> the parallel port of my PC. Unfortunately, the existing instructions are a
> little to cryptic for a complete novice like me. For example, how do I
> distinguish between the 25 wires in the parallel cable?
By making a chart, of the pin numbers on the connector, and then one-by-one
testing with an ohmmeter until you have determined the layout. AFAIK, there
is no universal color code for the inside of a parallel cable. However, I
took an easier (but less politically correct) approach.
I purchased a C-64 printer cable off of eBay for about $3, and cut it in
half. This gave me two cables, with a DIN-5 attached to one end of each. I
then made a color / pin chart of these cables (much easier, only 5 conductors
now...). I bought a couple of DB-25 male connectors & hoods from Radio Shack,
and soldered them onto the ends. The basic cable can be made this way in
about 20 minutes.
In one case, I made the basic X1541 cable, and in another, I made the second
design that uses the diodes. The cable with the diodes is more flexible; it
will work on just about any type of parallel port, whereas the basic X1541
*requires* a SPP (standard) parallel port. Most newer machines can change the
type of port in the BIOS, but this is a hassle, and it tends to confuse a
certain MS operating system that we will not mention.
Is there a sequence
> I should follow? Whats the best way to connect the wires? Any advice would
> really be appreciated.
Solder the wires; that is the only way to connect them. There are also crimp
style DB connectors, but IMO, they suck (and they require additional
investment in tools). Good luck, this is a fun and very worthwhile project.
You will feel all goofy when you see that 1541 drive light come on, and data
starts moving into the PC.
--
Bill Layer
Sales Technician
<b.layer_at_vikingelectronics.com>
Received on Wed Dec 13 2000 - 09:59:37 GMT