Thank you Retro Innovations . I'll try that. If it fails, what are my options to fix the IEC buffers on the drive? BTW, I just bought the Zoomfloppy and 3 port Cartridge Xpander from you guys(just waiting on the shipping notice ). I can't wait to try them both. Thanks in advance. Take Care, Russell LeChard Email - Russell.LeChard@gmail.com On Mon, May 16, 2022 at 11:24 AM RETRO Innovations via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
On 5/16/2022 10:02 AM, Russell LeChard via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
Good Morning All. I am seeking some help from some Commodore experts with a Commodore 1581 floppy Disk drive.
Some background:
I've been an IT specialist specializing in IBM and compatible PCs since the early 90's. However, I started my computing journey with the TRS-80 model III and Commodore 64. I fell in love with the C64, and it began my start in a very successful career in IT. (see attach photo of my c64 setup in 1986 LOL)
Recently I was lucky enough to find a C64C, a C128, and a 1581 3.5 floppy drive online for a reasonable price. Well, I did pay a premium for the 1581, but I never had one back in the day and well, I treated myself..
This past weekend I tested all 3 items and for the most part all worked OK. I was concerned the most about the 1581 working. After a delay in remembering the correct syntax for the C64 format disk command (open 15,8,15,"N0:testdisk,01": close15) - My memory isn't what it was in my younger days! LOL :-D), I was able to format a disk and then save a simple basic prg to it. However, when I try to load this basic prg (on the C64), it locks up the c64 and there seems to be no activity led lights and the 1581. I need to reboot the C64.
Now, I tried the same task using the c128 and the same 1581 and floppy disk, I can now format, save, and load a basic prg without any issues. Everything seemed to work fine. My question is, are there any known compatibility issues between the C64C and the 1581 that the c128 fixed? I always thought the 1581 was compatible with the C64 and c64C? Very Strange. Any thoughts and advice are welcome.Thank you in advance.
Take Care, Russell LeChard
Set up the 128 with the 1581 and boot the 128 in 64 mode. Try the commands to load the file from 64 mode and see if the same issue exists. If all goes well, that points to the 64C being marginal. If it fails, then I'd suspect the IEC buffers on the drive.
Yes, the 1581 is backwards compatible with the 64.
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