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ZX Spectrum..PlusD Disk I/F |
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| Order DivIDE Plus Firmware Selector |
We have worked hard to ensure that the DivIDE Plus is compatible with the original DivIDE, whilst adding extra facilities. The main problems were linked to disagreement over how to implement the extra RAM / ROM, although as we are the first to offer this, we would suggest our method to be the one to use in future. The other problem is that some 128K snapshots will not work with 128K Mode enabled on the DivIDE Plus - however, this mode is disabled by default, and can be switched on specifically by software, once firmware supports it.
DivIDE Plus will also support some new firmwares which are currently being developed, and is the only version of the hard disk interface to support ResiDOS by Garry Lancaster. At the moment, we support FATware, DEMFIR, MDOS3, +DivIDE and TBIOS. We are working on releases of CP/M and ZXVGS, with hopefully ESXDOS and an enhanced version of MDOS3 at a later stage.
This is now made easier with both ResiDOS and
FATware being
able to read Compact Flash Memory Cards and Hard disks
formatted on the
PC (in FAT-16). Simply copy programs onto the
compact flash
memory and use one of these two firmwares, and you can
load .TAP, .z80
and .SNA files directly on the ZX Spectrum. If
you like to use
the +DivIDE firmware, you may be interested in the
+DivIDE Manager from Scott-Falk Huehn (alas it
is only in German at the moment).
One
of the issues with the +divide firmware is that it
stores the data
directly in sectors without a file system. Therefore
it isn't possible
to exchange data between PC and Spectrum.
With the +divIDE
Manager you
can:
- prepare a compact
flash card
for the use with PC and Spectrum
- backup and restore
the data
of the +divide area on a PC
- extract disk images
to a dsk,
mgt or img file
- insert disk images
from a
dsk, mgt or img file
- write a disk image
directly
to a Plus-D disk
- read a disk image
directly
from a Plus-D disk
Available from: http://s-huehn.de/spectrum/software.htm
We have heard that some Compact Flash cards needed external power when plugged into the IDE connector of the original DivIDE. However, whether this is true, or the changes we have made to the design have overcome this, we are not sure - we just have not found a Compact Flash memory card which requires external power on the DivIDE Plus. If you use a hard disk with the interface, this will need a PC power supply as the one supplied with the humble Speccy is not up to powering hard disks.
This depends on your needs for the interface - see our separate page on DivIDE Plus Firmware
We now only indicate on this website when they are available to purchase - orders are normally shipped within 1 working day.
No - DivIDE Plus users tend to prefer to use low cost Compact Flash memory cards for storage. You can use any standard PC hard disk (not SATA, Firewire or USB) - although it must support LBA mode (which most drives you can find nowadays will be). The main problem is that you will need a power supply for the hard disk. Due to the weight of power supplies and hard disks, plus the expense of obtaining custom made external hard disk cases, we made the decision not to produce these.
When looking at a hard disk you also need to
consider the
size of hard disk you need - the maximum size which
can be supported is
down to the firmware.
FATware and ResiDOS will be able to access Windows
partitions on the
disk although you are limited to 2GB per partition, as
they must be
formatted with FAT-16 (not FAT-32 or NTFS which is
currently the norm).
This means that only 8.3 filenames can be used -
FATware will address
up to 8 such partitions, compared to ResiDOS which
will support up to
26.
ResiDOS can also support a partition formatted with
IDEDOS (which is a
format devised for the Spectrum +3e ROM), with a
maximum partition size
of 16MB.
+divIDE uses virtual floppy disks on the hard disk,
each up to 780K -
you can access 2 of these virtual floppy disks at a
time. It is however
limited to 50GB overall.
DEMFIR is currently the only firmware which can read
from a CD-ROM.
We have tested various Compact Flash memory cards and only the 32MB PQI Card is not recognised by the DivIDE Plus - we have made some changes to the hardware to try and support a wider range of memory cards. Please note that the higher speed cards may not work (we have not tried them).
Working CF Cards: Corsair x80 1GB, SanDisk 32MB, 512MB and 1GB (c) 03 on back, SanDisk Ultra II 1GB, Kingston 512MB, Integral CF Cards, 32MB Canon - marked (c) SanDisk 02
Non-Compatible CF Cards: SanDisk cards with (c) 99 on back, Kingston 1GB, Kingston 2GB v1.03, 256MB SimpleTech.
We (and some others) found a timing issue with the
original
DivIDE which meant that it may not always work with
some
Spectrums. We have however worked hard on the
design to overcome
these timing issues, and successfully used the DivIDE
Plus on the
original Sinclair ZX Spectrums, the Spectrum +2, +2A,
+2B and +3 and
even some Timex clones (such as the 2068).
Please also note that
we do of course offer a full refund (excluding postage
costs), if the
DivIDE Plus proves not to work with your particular
Spectrum or
clone. We have however, found that the DivIDE
Plus will not work
with the Spanish Sinclair ZX Spectrum+128.
We can also supply a limited number of the original DivIDE 57c interfaces, complete with 1GB Compact Flash card and compact flash adaptor, so it is ready to plug in your Spectrum and go.
The Compact flash adaptor has power added to pin 20, to make it compatible with a wider range of compact flash cards.
Supplied uncased - get the ZX Spectrum DivIDE Compact Flash Interface from SellMyRetro.com
The PlusD
Floppy
Disk InterfaceThe PlusD floppy disk interface has various added advantages:
Although the interfaces are supplied unboxed, they are manufactured to a high standard and provide an excellent crash-free connection to the ZX Spectrum computer. We provide a printed manual, disk complete with G+DOS operating system and demonstration programs, plus cable to connect the interface to a centronics printer.
You can also use the freeware Real Spectrum emulator from RAMSoft to convert various file formats onto PlusD disks.
Please note: the Plus-D Interface is suitable for the original 16K and 48K (rubber key) ZX Spectrum, the Spectrum + (48K and 128K) and the Spectrum +2, as well as the Timex TC2048. Unfortunately, it cannot be used with the later +2A, +2B and +3 computers.
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New Plus-D Floppy Disk
Drive
Interface
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External SINGLE 3.5" Disk
Drives
DSDD Disk Drive with case and UK standard psu |
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External DUAL 3.5" Disk
Drives
DSDD Disk Drive with case and UK standard psu |
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10 x 3.5" DSDD 720K Floppy
Diskettes
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| Replacement PAL chip for PlusD Interface |
If you do not want to purchase one of our floppy disk drives for use with this interface, the main thing to be aware of is that modern PC floppy disk drives are set up to be DS1 (slave). This creates a problem as the interface will expect one disk drive to be the master (DS0) which will be seen by the Spectrum as Drive 1. Older floppy disk drives have jumpers which allows you to change the default settings, otherwise you will need to adapt a cable. We use jumpered disk drives to overcome this problem. These disk drives are also suitable for use with the BBC Micro and Sinclair QL floppy disk interfaces. You also need to beware that most PC floppy disk drives are now HD drives (1.4M) - these can be used successfully, but you are recommended to only use 720K DD Floppy disks with these drives, otherwise you may have problems reading them on another drive. Please note that PlusD will only format to a maximum of 720K no matter what size floppy disk you use.
You can use any centronics (parallel) printer directly connected via the standard cable supplied. This allows you to use a much wider range of printers than the connectors provided on the ZX Interface 1, or built into the Spectrum +2,+2A, +2B and +3. We supply various compatible printers, but you are encouraged to use an Epson printer, as most software for the Spectrum expects Epson compatible printers. Please note that modern USB or Winprinters are not suitable.
The Sinclair ZX Interface 1 and
ZX MicrodriveThe Sinclair ZX Interface 1 was released by Sinclair Research in 1983 to provide a faster means of storage, RS232 interface and network port for the ZX Spectrum. The storage is provided by ZX Microdrives which can be chained together (up to 8 units) and use the same technology as was implemented for the Sinclair QL's built in microdrives (as well as on the ICL One Per Desk and Merlin Tonto computers).
The network can be used to connect up to 64 Sinclair ZX Spectrums and Sinclair QLs together with network leads up to 3m in length and with speeds up to 100 kbits per second.
The interface expands many of the existing Spectrum commands to provide support for the extra facilities and an introductory microdrive cartridge was released which includes various demo programs and useful utilities. The rear of the ZX Interface 1 includes a full through port to add additional add-ons.
Although very little software was produced on microdrive cartridge, you can use a Multiface to take a snapshot of a program in memory and save it to microdrive for later loading.
We can supply second hand, fully tested ZX Interface 1 units, together with manual and unused ZX Microdrive units, as well as blank ZX Microdrive cartridges.
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Second Hand
Fully Tested ZX Interface
1
Plus Dual ZX
Microdrive Units
Includes Microdrive fly lead, hard connector, joining plate, Introductory Cartridge and 4 blank microdrive cartridges |
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Second Hand
Fully Tested Sinclair
ZX
Microdrive
Unit
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Sinclair ZX Microdrive
to
Microdrive Connector
Extremely Hard to find - joining connector needed to join 2 microdrive units together - without this you can only use on ZX Microdrive with your ZX Interface 1 (5 in stock) |
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Sinclair ZX Interface 1
Network
Lead
Cable to connect a Spectrum to other spectrums or a Sinclair QL over the ZXNet. ZX Spectrums will all need a ZX Interface 1 in order to use this - the QL does not require any further hardware. |
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Sinclair ZX Interface 1
Manual
Original Sinclair Manual for using the ZX Microdrive and ZX Interface 1. (1 unit currently in stock) |
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Sinclair QL / ZX
Microdrive ULA
2G007
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Transform Plastic Hinged
ZX
Microdrive Storage Box (holds 25
cartridges)
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With care, a ZX Microdrive will last many years. However, they rely on technology very similar to a cassette and we have often come across problems where the small sponge behind the tape has worn away, or where the rubber wheel inside the ZX Microdrive unit has worked its way up the shaft. These can be easy to fix, but the use of an early ZX Interface 1 can cause untold problems which may not be obviously linked to the Interface. We always test our ZX Interface 1s and ZX Microdrives on more than one ZX Spectrum to check for compatibility, and the Microdrive units are always test for read / write and formatting capability as well as ability to work together with a second unit.
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