#High Density Floppies
7 messages in this thread
Just FYI, Commodore has finally made internal high density disk drives
available for the A2000 and A3000 computers. (I know a few 3000s were
released with a high density drive, but most weren't.) Your computer
dealer should either have them or can order them from Commodore. I bought
one last Thursday (1/7/93) for my A3000 and it works well. Note: you need
OS 2.04 or higher for it to be recognized as a high density drive for
reading and writing to high density disks. It works fine with CrossDOS and
Amax 2.51 can read high density Macintosh disks in it (even if you are just
using the cartridge version of Amax). I have a question. When I installed
the HD drive, I just replaced the existing low density drive (df0:) because
apparently you have to set jumpers correctly to install df1: in the 3000.
Does anyone have any detailed information about installing a second
internal floppy in the 3000? Alas, there were no instructions included
with the new high density drive! I have an external floppy so there is no
immediate need, but just wanted to know. Many thanks.
-David Cattell P.S. The new high density drive
appears to be completely compatible with 880k floppies.
You will need to change a jumper on your A3000 motherboard. I forget which
number it is but it is above one of the custom chips. Also you will need
to change the drive id of the old low density drive to drive 1 instead of
drive 0. Then just plug the end of the drive cable into the HD drive and
the middle connector into the LD drive and you should be in business. I
just installed one of these HD drives in my machine also and they are
great. If you need any other help please let me know.
Frank: Do you change the id of the drive by moving the jumper plug to the
left (to change it to df1:)? There are several pins in the vicinity of the
jumper and I'm not sure where it should go. My first impression is to just
move it once to the left. Also, can the jumper on the motherboard be seen
without removing the equipment platform? I looked on the board with a
flashlight and can't seem to find it. (I'm probably looking right past
it.) Many thanks for the information. -David Cattell
Yes, I believe I did move it one to the left. I think if you look on the
circuit board of the drive it has the numbers above the pins. As for the
jumper on the motherboard it is out in the open but fairly close to the
equipment platform. It is about half way up in the middle of the board.
Like I said, it should be right next to the equipment platform. Hope you
find it!
Frank: Many thanks for the information about installing a second drive in
the A3000. Since I have an external floppy, I don't really need to right
away. I may do so sooner or later, though. Again, thanks for the info!
-David Cattell
It is J351 and should have pins 1 and 2 shorted for a second floppy. By
the way, the ">" shaped end of the jumper plug is pin 1. J351 is located
just north of the 8373R3 chip, under the option boards extending to the
left as you face the 3000's front.
Tom: Many thanks for the info on locating the J351 jumper. Actually, I
had already found it using the motherboard schematic in the book
"Introducing the Commodore Amiga 3000" which came with the computer. (Had
to use a high-powered magnifying glass!) I have since installed both
drives (HD and LD) in the 3000 and they both work fine as df0: and df1:.
For others looking for the jumper: it is located next to the Denise chip.
The plug can be removed (carefully) with a thumb and forefinger and
reinstalled the same way (as Mr. Jones states, short pins 1 and 2 to enable
df1:). Thanks to all for your help. -David Cattell