[vcf-midatlantic] Strange Commodore 1581 floppy drive issue

[Russell LeChard]

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 at gmail.com




On Mon, May 16, 2022 at 11:24 AM RETRO Innovations via vcf-midatlantic <
vcf-midatlantic at 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.
>
> --
> RETRO Innovations, Contemporary Gear for Classic Systems
> www.go4retro.com
> store.go4retro.com
>