AKAI FD235HF A700 Hell!

[Horizonsound]

Hey all,

First post here... I've been converting a few drives on an old SSL Automation computer, which is in reality a Computer Automation Naked Mini 4 / 100.
Getting the 8" drive running on the Gotek was simple, but converting the 3.5" drive has been hell.

The 3.5" Drive is an Akai FD235HF A700. It is fed via an Akai FC-1. The jumpers on the FD235HF suggest that it is set for Drive 0 on line 10, Change Disk on pin 34. Density Input on Pin 2. "Key In"?
There is also one other jumper that is set for "Enable for Auto-calibration".

For the life if me, I can't seem to get this to even show signs of life. Always getting a disk not ready error.

The flash floppy FF.CFG file is set for
interface = ibmpc
host = unspecified
pin02 = nc
pin34 = auto

Have I missed something here? It's really killing me at the moment not being able to work it out.

Anthony

[Jeff]

Hello,

It seems you don't have the HxC Floppy Emulator firmware on this Gotek.
Here is the start point to install it : https://hxc2001.com/store/

[Horizonsound]

Hi Jeff, thanks for the info. I got HXC loaded and operational but still cannot get it running.

I'd like to correct the Topic. It is a TEAC FD235HF 6700 FDD, being controlled by a TEAC FC1. The jumpers on the HDD as as per the image, and the FC1 appears to be set with the "H" jumper only.

I've tried a number of combinations in the User Defined section of HXC "P2 = Density", "P34 = Disk Change 1". I assume disk change 1 is the same as DS0 jumper setting on the gotek.

Can I also assume that in HD mode, it is a standard 1.44MB disk?

Anthony.

[Jeff]

Can you post some pictures of the original drives and machines to be sure to correctly identify the machine ?
You are talking about "FC1" -> So the drive is connected through an SCSI interface, isn't it ?

[Horizonsound]

Thanks for the reply.

Here are some photos. It comes in to the FC1 via a 50 way SCSI cable.
There are two FC1 boards. The one on the left is set to ID 2, and the right is ID 1.
Both FDD are set to DS0 on line 10.

The way is works is that the drive on the left is the program disk which loads first. Then the drive on the right is the data drive.

Anthony.

[Horizonsound]

One last photo

[Jeff]

Ok then i have a question : Are your sure that the FC-1 board is powered when the Gotek is connected ?

The SD HxC and Gotek HxC are compatible with the FC-1, but you probably need to modify the floppy ribbon between the FC1 board and the emulator, since this is the floppy drive who is powering the FC-1 board. You need to provide a +5V voltage to the FC-1 board (pins/wires 7,9 and 11)

By default the pins/wire 7, 9 and 11 are connected to the ground on the Gotek.

Can you check if the FC-1 is powered / detected ?

[Horizonsound]

Thanks Jeff,
You are totally correct, the power comes to the FDD first and only, and must power the FC1 through the 34 way cable.
I’ll make a modified cable tomorrow and give it a go.

Anthony.

[Horizonsound]

Thanks for the suggestions Jeff, I have made the modifications and had some limited success.

When the drive is accessed, the LED now lights up, suggesting that the two are now communicating, however I am still getting the "Disk not ready" error.

The disk image file I am using is a 1.44MB hfe file, created in HXC as a standard 3.5" 2HD disk.
I have also tried to format the disk from the computer, but am still not getting anything but the disk not ready error.

The user config settings are set to Pin2 Density, and Pin34 DiskChange 1.

Anthony.

[Jeff]

Thanks for the suggestions Jeff, I have made the modifications and had some limited success.

When the drive is accessed, the LED now lights up, suggesting that the two are now communicating, however I am still getting the "Disk not ready" error.

The disk image file I am using is a 1.44MB hfe file, created in HXC as a standard 3.5" 2HD disk.
I have also tried to format the disk from the computer, but am still not getting anything but the disk not ready error.

The user config settings are set to Pin2 Density, and Pin34 DiskChange 1.

Anthony.

Generate and update to a firmware with the "Non gated mode" option enabled : https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/
Clear/reset the gotek settings.
Use the default cfg and pc hfe files without changing any option.

[Horizonsound]

Thanks again Jeff,

I installed the custom firmware, but next to no improvement.
The disk led lights up and acknowledges the request, but can not format or access any disks. Disk not ready error.
There is an "RA" in the bottom left of the Oled display that I had not seen before.
Does that mean anything?

Anthony.

[Horizonsound]

One other thing is that when i hit "format" a number of times, the track number jumps to say T: 235/80 then steps back down one or two at a time. It's like it thinks the heads are at the other end of the disk, bit then it's indicating well over the 80 tracks on the disk format.
Strange

Anthony.

[Jeff]

Is the machine using DD or HD disks ?
Is this machine compatible with dos / fat formatted floppies ?

[Horizonsound]

Hi Jeff,

Yes the disks are HD and DOS compatible.
To be sure I imported an existing data disk into HXC (see below)
MFM HD 500kbps 80 Tracks.

I then saved as a .hfe file, so it should load straight away.

The access LED lights up, but can't be read.

Anthony.

[Horizonsound]

Interesting now, it looks like it is trying to read. The Track indicator goes from 000 to 001 very quickly before the error occurs.
This is with the non-gated firmware installed.

https://youtu.be/1jJhQzPiFwQ

Anthony.