Most liked posts in thread: ORIC (drive) OPTIONS

OK, folks, this is the next part in this not very many series of ORIC OPTIONS - ie. what else, aside from a biscuit tin/cookie jar, can you attach to your Oric and getaway with, without a nasty 9V burn mark on yer ass.

As well as the Erebus (see earlier post) you might want to contact mon ami Fred in France (let me know if you want his contact details...he advertises his wares via Feebay from time to time) and request he makes/sells you a:

2) 3.5" floppy disk drive with microdisc controller board fitted

OK, back in the late 80s & 90s when the infamous Oric microdiscs never ever came to fruition for the Oric-1 - and the 3" ones arrived late for the Atmos and furthermore didn't really make any huge impact on the market - Oric users, decided another real disk solution lay in the guise of 3.5" drives which featured a more reliable and larger storage area medium - not to mention a more plentiful supply of this type of disk as everyone was going 16bit and PC nuts and so the 3.5" floppies were now king and just about everywhere by now.

So, as long as you could get your hands on a disk controller for the Oric, you were just about in business as folks took to modding their spare PC floppy disk drives, piggybacking these to a controller board, and basically Oric was ready to really rock n roll...





ABOVE: the flip of the Fred FDD - the microdisc controller

So, what do you get with it, Baz, and how (well/badly) does it work?

Well now, here's the basic set-up:



You get a converted PC floppy disk drive and some discs...




Disk directory (and menu - below) from a CEO floppy from the Summer of 97 - a classic year for Oric!?






You get a FDD 5V power supply

.
...and here it all is under the stairs at the Baz Biome awaiting a system disc / boot.

For about £70 (I think Fred incl postage to UK from France in that), you get a floppy disk drive and Oric microdisc controller with a 5V power supply plus a couple of floppies with some software on to demonstrate the drive in action (including a Sedoric DOS master boot disc). Overall then, not bad really, in terms of value for money and Fred also supplies a CD of software with hints and tips on how to get more out of the set-up and how to use the PC disk utilties and so transfer software from a PC's 3.5" drive to an Oric's 3.5" drive. All in all, very useful so merci beaucoup, Fred.



Fred's utils CD needs to run on a Windows 98 PC with a "proper" floppy disk drive fitted - not a USB external model. Further, there are hints and advice on how to do this over at sites such as:
http://romualdl.oric.org/oric2pc/oric2pc.html

Moreover, Fred's utils CD also contains stacks of Oric software goodies such as:
- 113 Oric 3.5" disk images
- Over 1400 game files (67mb)
- Over 1800 cassette instructions, inlays etc (520mb)

Again, value for money-wise, his utils CD is probably worth a fair few quid to those Oricians who don't already have this treasure trove of treats.

How quick is it, booting up software Baz?



ABOVE - Space 1999 loads up on an Atmos in a few seconds.

Any gripes?

I just wish the ribbon cable from the back of the Atmos' expansion port to the back of the FDD was a little longer. As it stands, you can't really place the drive anywhere else except under your Atmos as the lead's length prohibits this (there must be technical reasons for this - ie. problems with data transfer if you extend the ribbon cable?)


ABOVE - Whoa! You won't get very far with the FDD attached to your Atmos - about 6" is about the max.

Overall, is it worth getting one, Baz?

Yes, dear Oricians, it is - you can't beat a hard drive or a solid state/Gotek/SD card solution but the very next best thing is a real life working floppy disk drive as it simply takes you right back to the good old days and is a million times better than a tape deck and Cloading errors!

 

All these lovely Oric disc solutions, I really need to get an Erebus. My Cumana boards still will not work and for the life of me I don’t know why. So next best thing is an Erebus.
Or another Disk Interface, I know about the Cumana Reborn but I don’t use that seller anymore so that is not an option.
Silicebit was going to send me a Microdisc PCB but not happened yet.

 

You never know, Richie, Retro-micro Santa might get you one for Chrimbo?!?

I definitely give it the thumbs up - in fact both of these solutions are pretty damn neat, mate.

 

Sorry, Graham. Yes, it does - it behaves just the same - comes up with the INSERT SYSTEM DISC routine etc and looks for a DOS to boot from

 

That looks like a modern replacement for the Microdisc PCB Andy. There is no reason to not have a ribbon cable as long as your Microdisc has now. A 3.5” Drive is way better than a 3” would you not rather have that in your setup instead of a Microdisc?
The way things are playing out you will have a Gotek sat on top of the Microdisc, I set up the 3” drive as the secondary drive and the Gotek as the primary. I booted Sedoric off the Gotek and tried to access the 3” drive and kept getting drive fault I/O errors so I think it’s banjaxed. Given the SMD components and age of the drive I’m not sure if I can fix it.
I think in theory a Gotek will fit where your 3.5” drive is on Fred’s Microdisc but it depends what your software is primarily stored on.
Graham’s Gotek has arrived so I will press on and fit the OLED, Rotary controller and Sound mod. I have some Molex plugs coming and I’ll run the 5V from inside the Microdisc so there are no more power supplies needed. It’s not ideal but until we can find a replacement 3” drive it is the best use of your Microdisc PCB.

 

Yes very similar idea, connect to the micro drive with this (or a made copy as its very easy, just make sure power swapped as well)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amstrad-...094839?hash=item1f108457b7:g:GUEAAOSwaqFef094

or another version of what you mentioned.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amstrad-...558244?hash=item1f1151c724:g:MD4AAOSwJrBeYh-D

The connectors are only about £3 in total, and I'll be buying some soon.

 

Although I just found this

 

Oh Well
Put my money where my mouth is Drive cable and adapter ordered... best see if it works ..

 

You’ll need the Microdisc back then Graham along with the Gotek I started to do the modifications on. If Andy wants to go ahead with this then I’ll send it with my Oric-1 as it has the mask ROM version 1.0 inside and will mean you don’t need to create a ROMDIS signal. I’ll stick my Cumana boards inside as well. You’ll be able to compare the Microdisc and Cumana and possibly see where it’s hanging up.
I had changed the dip switches on the block on the 3” Drive to make it a secondary but if it’s coming out then it’s a moot point.
So far with the Gotek I have fitted the OLED and programmed it with Flash Floppy 3.17, I will email you some .hfe files with some Oric disk images for a usb stick, am I right you have speakers and rotary encoders for this?
I will post your Oric-1 back to you Andy on it’s own so you get it back toot sweet. So if you can let me know what you want to do Andy I can pack them up.

 

I guess if Andy is happy for me to try that, I'm up for it, One thing, can you check the diamensions of the drive face for me? I'd guess at the same width, but would be nice to confirm. Needs to be 95mm or wider as I dont want to modify the micrdrive case in any way.
Yes I have encoders and piezo speakers, the ones I was going to send you, I also have some on order from China to top up.
One other thing, do you or anyone reading use any modelling software for designing 3D printed parts, as thats not something I've ever done. I can download the basic gotek 'STL' files but they would need to be modified for Andy's unit weather we go standard Gotek or Gotek Plus 3.5" drive depending on experiments.. And IF of course Andy will allow these experiments ?? Andy ?
It goes without saying that this alternative maybe of use for the Amstrad CPC and Spectrum community Hmm .. better keep quiet about that as use dodgy processors and if it works may start running out of miniture floppy drives.

 

I've found similar as well, I have no experiance but I've been having a bit of a play today, I don't have a 3D printer, and to be honest, all what I'd call home setup's unless a lot of money has been spent don't produce particularly good results, however the parts I've ordered from "I Materialise.com" I've been very pleased with, I don't mind paying extra if I'm getting something that's well made. Mind you the cost of a titanium ones are pretty high ..

 

To throw a spanner in the works here, I have found out that Tatung Einstein computers use the same Hitachi drive as a Microdisc. Unbelievably, there is a dealer who still sells replacement parts including replacement drives so it may be possible to get a new drive mechanism after all. That way the Microdisc will remain original spec and we could stick a Gotek on top as drive B. That way you can transfer digital files to real 3” disk.

I am waiting for the dealer to get back to me with a price for a replacement drive.

 

Graham, If it ends up with the Microdisc going back to Andy, you could always try and build a Dual drive setup based on the Cumana board. There is no case so it has no constraints on design or dimensions. It would be a project in of itself aside from getting the Cumana to recognize a floppy drive.

 

Seems Whilst out today Postie dropped in a prezzy ...


So it is indeed 95mm wide 130mm deep and 13mm tall ..
Checking this against an Amstrad CPC6128 drive

And they are the same width.
I'll see how I get on with the 3" disc's I have on the way, if so many have failed I may use the 3.5" drive and a Gotek, Plus change to ParaDOS (thing that's correct Richie will know ) on the Amstrad.
Let's hope I can get the Cumana interfaces working, that way I'll have an option of Gotek or 3.5" disk there..

As an aside a full height Harddisk / Floppy disc drive in days past are 3 3/8" or 86mm
The floppy drives I bought are so called 1/6 height at 13mm
In theory thats six drives stacked on top of each other with about a 1/4" 6mm to space them out ... although that would need a few more floppy controllers


I'm looking forward to sorting this old girl out at somepoint, genuine IBM branded drives.. Floppy by Tandon & Hard Drive by Seagate (ST412)

Note the two stacked Teac drives originally for an IBM laptop (may have been desktop) so still in the same family

Hey Andy fancy a genuine IBM 360K doublesided 5 1/4" drive, if so better take a loan out

 

Hi Andy
A few questions in regard the microdisc solution from Fred, does this act exactly the same as your original microdrive? it looks like it does. Can you take some pictures of the interface board, we see just the edge but nothing more, there should be no reason why longer cables won't work if its a copy of the original controller, either Cumanas or Tangerines. but attached to a 3.5" drive. ( like the insides of the microdrive interface sat over 3" drive)
Nice to see all the pictures and video you put together

Question for you all, if a new post is added or started from new do you get any indication? I once again had no idea this was posted until I started searching for same against new posts, but never get an email or alert, kind of pisses me off as I get to miss things, sometime much longer than a day or so.

 

Hi, Graham.

Yeah, I'm the same. I sometimes stumble upon posts which you guys have made from weeks ago that I was never alerted to but maybe we need to flag it somewhere. Perhaps, if we have not been the originator or replied to a thread previously, we can thus easily miss it if we don't log on for a week or so - Tim will know.

Fella, I will indeed take more shots of the microdisc controller board as we're just sat around here reading, watching a bit of telly (and the cat's big belly) and listening to the plasterers downstairs, waiting for that bloody call to say "You're OK" from the hossie as re. Bev's COVID test results.

I know I read somewhere, mate, that certain Oric peripherals do have this length constraint on certain-ribbon cabled peripherals...I just can't remember what and where I've read this...another sign I'm losing the plot these days(!)

Keep safe, alert n well, folks.

 

Hi, Graham.

Some extra shots of the interface microdisc controller board:

Having to shoot out now - thankfully we're all CLEAR now here!

 

Thank You both.
Yes looks like all the individual logic chips condenced into the Alterra FPGA barring the buffer chips.
Note EPROM on board suggests can be changed to any alternative if ever required.

 

Many thanks, Richie and Graham.

Just about to go out for a (late) birthday meal for Bev so I'll have a think and get back to you, Rich.

Cheers once more.

 

I found this shortish video comparing two possiable Oric / Atmos drive alternatives, one I'd previously mentioned.



Think I've also found a 3.5" drive mechanism meant for a Laptop that's very narrow, allowing it to fit where the original 3" disk would go and stil allow for another three drives stacked on top (if the Oric supports that many,) or a Gotek and display.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBM-33P3...Black-Bezel-Teac-FD-05HG-36L8645/143580480626
I think the Amstrad drives could also be engineered to fit and as you can 'bodge' a 3.5 or 5.25" drive to the CPC, then the reverse is true, 'bodge the wiring to allow the amstrad drive to work on the microdrive. (drives appears different in size but a suitiable surround could also be made.

 

You can buy an adapter the allows a Amstrad 26 way cable to connect to a Gotek drive ( or any 34 way drive )
So if you were to change the gener on the 26 way side and connect an Amstrad drive to a 34 way ribbon cable would that work?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193437730933

There are a couple of 3” drives on feeBay but they look shoddy or are listed as not working, plus I don’t have the funds right now to buy one on the off chance it works ( either in an Amstrad or otherwise )

 

Hi, Graham.

Nice one - thanks for posting what I am now calling options 3 and 4 in this series of ORIC (drive) OPTIONS - so great spots there on the one video review -

3) Cumana Reborn

and

4) Cumulus

I will next list another disk option for Oric users - Oricians, I bet you never knew there was so much out there, did you - you're bloody spoilt you lot in the underdog corner!

5) The Oric Atmos MultiMedia (Dual) Drive



- Featuring a Gotek AND 3.5" drive system.

This wonderful piece of kit was created by one George Dramcheff. In addition to the two drives in a very smart dual case unit, the rear features a VGA out port - hence the term "multimedia" takes on an extra twist.

IIRC, it costs about £200-300 so it's easily the most expensive disk option (3" drives are also rare and so dear to buy but you should be able to eventually track one down for less than this). You would need to check this price by contacting him - his email address appears in the comments of his You Tube clip.

 

Thats the kind of idea I had but using your original Microdrive case, using a miniture 3.5" floppy, and create a front panel that can take the Gotek screen and controls, and maybe a AB to BA swap switch.
I liked his idea though, not sure you can buy those cases anymore. and what of the VGA output, is there a mod to add this to the Atmos ? or do you think it can some kind of Scan converter built in.. there's unlikley to be enough room for that in your microdrive case ..

However Gotek with upgrades about £30 Mini Floppy £10-15 , a purpose designed high quality front panel, £25
a switch and cables / connectors to attach both drives internally maybe as much as £20 due to cable adapter for mini floppy drive. This uses a 26 way strip connector so I'd guess care soldering required and don't bother with the adapter. The drive is 13mm height and 95mm wide so very slim. The only 3" drive I have is 95mm wide and 34mm tall, the Oric drive was definatly taller than this more like 40mm or so. that means an area 95mm by 27mm to fit in custom gotek panel ( or maybe more depending on width and height.






The cable seems to have the same connector both ends rather than 26 Pin to 34 pin standard floppy connector. hence the soldering ..

 

I've been checking on the price of professionally printed gotek face plates, by uploading some of the 'stl' files I've downloaded to 'i.materialise.com' as I used these to produce the 1088XEL cartridge slot, and can vouch for there quality, seem to be about £24-£25. not sure what the P&P is as yet.

EDIT
A minimum order value of £25 so if its 24.77 you still pay £25 like wise if its £8 but you can order multiples of course and different designs. so one for an spectrum , another for Amstrad Oric etc ..
all at the same cost as shipping is FLAT rate.
Flat rate shipping via UPS euro12.30

 

I have found a .stl file set for an Einstein Gotek mount and this is 41mm High compared to the 36mm of a CPC or Spectrum +3 Gotek mount. So it will fill the gap whereas the CPC Gotek left too much room.
It doesn’t leave any room for a 3.5 drive though.
I have no experience in designing my own 3D projects and lack a 3D printer too.