5-1/4' drive on modern PC

From: Dwight K. Elvey <dwight.elvey_at_amd.com>
Date: Fri Dec 10 17:39:22 2004

>From: "Fred Cisin" <cisin_at_xenosoft.com>
>
>> >There was an attempt to "simplify" connection of multiple floppy drives
>> >(meaning TWO) at one time by adding a "twist" to the cable-- some
>> >conductors in the ribbon are cut out and reversed, which is a sort of
>> >"cable select" for floppy drives.
>
>Several manufacturers had problems with their field dealers, such as
>Computerland, being unable to properly handle things as complex as
>jumpers.
>
>> >I seem to recall in this case that one would jumper both drives as drive A
>> >in such a case, or as DS0.
>
>In the case of IBM, with a twist, jumper both as DS1 (SECOND drive).
>In the case of TRS80, with pins removed in connector cables, jumper all
>drive positions on the drive.
>
>> >Stupid idea. Use a straight thru floppy cable and jumper one for DS0 and
>> >one for DS1. We get it.
>> >If you intermingle the two drive select ideas you may have problems where
>> >both or niether drives light up and niether can read.
>> ---snip---
>> Hi
>> As I recall, the two drives with the twist were actually
>> DS0 and DS2 as seen by the controller. If using a straight
>> cable, one had to skip DS1.
>
>On PC (5150), with straight cable, I used drives jumpered DS0 and DS1.
>On PC (5150), with twisted cable, I used drives jumpered DS1 and DS1.
>

Hi
 I stand corrected. Thanks Fred. I knew it was something like that.
Dwight
Received on Fri Dec 10 2004 - 17:39:22 GMT

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