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vic 1541 disk drive with userport interface?
- Thread starter Clive
- Start date
Ruud
Veteran Member
It is more possible that it was attached to a C64. Systems like SpeedDos and DolphinDOS used this parallel cable. But then ROMs, both for the the C64 en drive were needed. To be honest, I have no idea if there exists a similar possibility for the VIC-20. Could be an idea for someone with a lot of time at its hands. Which means, not me (although very tempting).
Not really it looks just like a very early 1541 drive (label on front says vic-1541) and the door mechanism is right.
Not currently at home, but the cable only has an edge connector which fits the VIC-10 user port. I thought the c64 only had a 15 pin user port or am I mistaken?
I do no really know a lot about early commodores was more into the ZX81 and then the ORIC at the time.
IIRC there were also disk copy programs that used a user port parallel cable without having extra ROMs in the drive (and the computer). Of course this "only" sped up copying disks and such, not regular loading, but still.
P:S. "VIC 1541" = the first version of the drive that works with a C64. Most "VIC 1540" have probably been upgraded to "VIC 1541". The "VIC" name was dropped when they switched case color to match the C64.
P:S. "VIC 1541" = the first version of the drive that works with a C64. Most "VIC 1540" have probably been upgraded to "VIC 1541". The "VIC" name was dropped when they switched case color to match the C64.
Vic and 64 have the same 2x12 user port connection though some of the pins are not the same
In addition to SpeedDOS and RapiDOS(ProfessionalDOS) using such a cable, 21 se and backup used it and did not need anything else installed in the drive or computer
In addition to SpeedDOS and RapiDOS(ProfessionalDOS) using such a cable, 21 se and backup used it and did not need anything else installed in the drive or computer
Ruud
Veteran Member
It is indeed possible to use such a cable without installing other/additional ROMs. IMHO that is not such a problem for a backup program as it is able to control completely the memory of both the computer and drive. EXOS V3 only replaces the ROM of the C64 and installs its counterpart in the RAM of the drive. But as soon as you loaded a program that made extensive use of the RAM of the drive, things crashed.
For @Clive, could you open the 1541 and tell us what (EP)ROM is inside? If it isn't the original ROM(s), maybe there is a sticker that identifies it/them. If not, is a dump possible, please?
For @Clive, could you open the 1541 and tell us what (EP)ROM is inside? If it isn't the original ROM(s), maybe there is a sticker that identifies it/them. If not, is a dump possible, please?
CommodoreZ
Experienced Member
Forgive me for being critical for delivering on the requested photos, but do you perchance have a newer, higher quality camera to use? It's very difficult to make out details in the provided photos. May I also recommend some bright, even lighting, like outdoor daylight?
More and more, this seems like one of those homebrew/aftermarket parallel interfaces for faster disk access, but it's tough to tell which one it is.
More and more, this seems like one of those homebrew/aftermarket parallel interfaces for faster disk access, but it's tough to tell which one it is.
Ruud
Veteran Member
Interesting, it is a 1541 with a so called "long board". This is the original board of the 1540 and equipped with a new ROM so it can be used with the C64. I won't call them rare but certainly not common.
As we can see, the EPROM has no sticker at all. As long the case is closed, that should be no problem. But I advise you to put a sticker on it just to prevent a random UV beam to erase data inside the EPROM.
The only DOS I'm familiar with that has an extra IC on its board is SpeedDOS. But two? But the backside of the board says "S.DOS" so it is possible. Do you have a C64 to connect it to? There is a command to read the DOS version of the drive. In the past I connected a 1541 to a VIC20 and that worked as well but other people can give a better advice in this case IMHO.
Last option: make a dump of the EPROM, if possible.
As we can see, the EPROM has no sticker at all. As long the case is closed, that should be no problem. But I advise you to put a sticker on it just to prevent a random UV beam to erase data inside the EPROM.
The only DOS I'm familiar with that has an extra IC on its board is SpeedDOS. But two? But the backside of the board says "S.DOS" so it is possible. Do you have a C64 to connect it to? There is a command to read the DOS version of the drive. In the past I connected a 1541 to a VIC20 and that worked as well but other people can give a better advice in this case IMHO.
Last option: make a dump of the EPROM, if possible.