RX 01/02 connected to an old IBM PC running DOS ??

[Gerardcjat]

Hello all,

Does someone ever make this connection ??
It would be nice, both to check the RX 01/02 unit AND then to "download" DEC sofware on 8" diskettes
but, I think, some dedicated driver ( under DOS ?? ) is required.
Any path to follow for that ?
Thanks !

 

[AK6DN]

It could certainly be done, but would not only require custom software drivers, but a custom hardware interface as well. The RX01/2 drive interface was not any kind of standard, but was custom to DEC.

Probably easier to find a PC with industry standard 8" drives, and read the DEC floppies on those. However I believe that you could only do this with RX01 formatted floppies. DEC RX02 disk format played some tricks to get the double data density and I don't believe standard 8" PC drives can read those.

Don

 

[RSX11M+]

I was just looking at John Wilson's site again recently, and noticed he found it necessary to invent a hardware widget to accomplish it. He also invested significant time documenting floppy formats.

He alludes to problems with various formats - like what AK6DN said.

I'm not sure any of this will be of direct help to you, but the understanding behind it may aid you in your quest.

BEWARE - this is Very DEEP WATER.

 

[Lou - N2MIY]

I think Gerard wants to connect the RX01/02 drive to the PC. That would take some work.

On the other hand, putting an SA800-type 8" drive for use with RX01 floppies, on the right PC, is not hard with either the FDADAP mentioned above, or a homemade version like Dave Dunfield's (which I built, see here: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/img/index.htm and follow the link about connecting 8" disk drives.)

Lou