On 02/01/2018 06:13 PM, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote: > On Thu, 1 Feb 2018, Ali via cctalk wrote: >> Anyone know how easy it is to adapt one of these to work with an IBM >> PC compatible class machine? I have one sitting around here somewhere >> and if I recall correctly the drive is a bog std. YE-DATA DS 8" drive >> so it should be just a matter of making sure the cabling is ok. > > If it is a 50 pin edge connector, then it is LIKELY that it follows > the Shugart 800/850 pinout. BUT, it is still a good idea to find and > check the pinout of the specific model drive, since some added > additional signals and/or repurposed pins for other purposes. > And, check the drive specific pinout for power connections! > 5.25" drives had a standardized power connection. > 8" drives do NOT have standardized power connections. Not all used > the same power nor connector nor pinout as Shugart. In addition to > 5VDC, you may need 24V or 12V, and maybe even -5VDC, or even AC. > > > If it IS SA800/850, then FPADAP, > http://www.dbit.com/fdadap.html > is an easy way to handle the cabling. > The website say that they have 5 in stock, > so order immediately if you need it! > > If you are reading ONLY, and not writing to the drive, then you do not > need the TG43 signal and circuitry, in which case it is trivial to > make your own cable. The majority of the 5.25" (SA400) signals are > even in the same order, so you can start with a 34 pin flat cable, > peel out a small handful of the wires, and crimp them in a 50 pin IDC > edge connector. > YMMV. >
It doesn't guarantee that you will be able to read most (because of shortcomings in the PC floppy controller) but dbit.com offers an adapter called an FDADAP that lets you connect a 50 pin 8" disk to the PC controller. I have a couple and they work great. bill
