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A&J Micro Drive interface

9 messages · 2009-08-11 → 2009-08-13 · Yahoo Group era · View archive on archive.org

Participants: Rod H, Glen Goodwin, rod_h, zxbruno, Rich Mellor, Timex

Attachments in thread: 1 (see the archive.org item)

Preserved from the Timex/Sinclair 2068 Yahoo Group (2001–2019), which is no longer online. Text reproduced from the archive.org archive; email addresses masked.

Messages

1. Re: A&J Micro Drive interface

Glen Goodwin · Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:47

Rod --

> I'm wondering about the "drive" connections.

At the risk of stating the obvious, the drive connections are
where you connect the drives: first drive to "drive 0," second
drive to "drive 1."

If you have a more specific question I'll try to help.

And, BTW, don't attempt to use this device to actually save any
data or program code.  IMHO the A&J MicroDrive is the most unreliable
mass storage device ever sold on this planet.

Glen
0/0

[email] wrote:
> Does anyone have any information about the A&J Micro Drive hardware interface?  One was passed to me and I have no information with it.  It has a thru back-plane allowing additional add-ons. Also a small vertical male edge connector marked "printer port" and two multi-pin male connectors off the back labeled "Drive 1" and "Drive 0" Nicely enclosed with a black painted metal case.  I also received a ribbon cable with parallel printer connector and female edge connector that fits so this was probably a parallel printer interface but I'm wondering about the "drive" connections.
> 
> Rod
> 
>

2. RE: [ts2068] Re: A&J Micro Drive interface

Rod H · Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:10

Glen, thanks for the reply.  I'd heard the A&J stringy floppy drive was a bit flaky.  I only have the interface.  It was probably being used as a printer interface by the last owner.  Imputing printer codes...ugh.  Those were the bad old days!  Probably now only a curiosity.  Well, it'll go on eBay with the rest of the setup and we'll see what happens.  The LarKen gear should spark some interest.

To: [email]
From: [email]
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:47:07 -0400
Subject: [ts2068] Re:  A&J Micro Drive interface





















                  Rod --



> I'm wondering about the "drive" connections.



At the risk of stating the obvious, the drive connections are

where you connect the drives: first drive to "drive 0," second

drive to "drive 1."



If you have a more specific question I'll try to help.



And, BTW, don't attempt to use this device to actually save any

data or program code.  IMHO the A&J MicroDrive is the most unreliable

mass storage device ever sold on this planet.



Glen

0/0



[email] wrote:

> Does anyone have any information about the A&J Micro Drive hardware interface?  One was passed to me and I have no information with it.  It has a thru back-plane allowing additional add-ons. Also a small vertical male edge connector marked "printer port" and two multi-pin male connectors off the back labeled "Drive 1" and "Drive 0" Nicely enclosed with a black painted metal case.  I also received a ribbon cable with parallel printer connector and female edge connector that fits so this was probably a parallel printer interface but I'm wondering about the "drive" connections.

> 

> Rod

> 

> 




















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3. A&J Micro Drive interface

rod_h · Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:20

Does anyone have any information about the A&J Micro Drive hardware interface?  One was passed to me and I have no information with it.  It has a thru back-plane allowing additional add-ons. Also a small vertical male edge connector marked "printer port" and two multi-pin male connectors off the back labeled "Drive 1" and "Drive 0" Nicely enclosed with a black painted metal case.  I also received a ribbon cable with parallel printer connector and female edge connector that fits so this was probably a parallel printer interface but I'm wondering about the "drive" connections.

Rod

4. Re: A&J Micro Drive interface

zxbruno · Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:41

That's another one of those rare interfaces that almost no one has. :)
The only working tape interfaces I have here are the Interface 1 from Sinclair and the Wafadrive.

--- In [email], "rod_h@..." <rodh64@...> wrote:
>
> Does anyone have any information about the A&J Micro Drive hardware interface?  One was passed to me and I have no information with it.  It has a thru back-plane allowing additional add-ons. Also a small vertical male edge connector marked "printer port" and two multi-pin male connectors off the back labeled "Drive 1" and "Drive 0" Nicely enclosed with a black painted metal case.  I also received a ribbon cable with parallel printer connector and female edge connector that fits so this was probably a parallel printer interface but I'm wondering about the "drive" connections.
> 
> Rod
>

5. RE: [ts2068] Re: A&J Micro Drive interface

Rich Mellor · Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:09

Rod,

Can you upload some pictures?  I wonder if it would work with a standard ZX Microdrive?

Rich
www.rwapsoftware.co.uk

To: [email]
From: [email]
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:41:55 +0000
Subject: [ts2068] Re: A&J Micro Drive interface





















                  That's another one of those rare interfaces that almost no one has. :)

The only working tape interfaces I have here are the Interface 1 from Sinclair and the Wafadrive.



--- In [email], "rod_h@..." <rodh64@...> wrote:

>

> Does anyone have any information about the A&J Micro Drive hardware interface?  One was passed to me and I have no information with it.  It has a thru back-plane allowing additional add-ons. Also a small vertical male edge connector marked "printer port" and two multi-pin male connectors off the back labeled "Drive 1" and "Drive 0" Nicely enclosed with a black painted metal case.  I also received a ribbon cable with parallel printer connector and female edge connector that fits so this was probably a parallel printer interface but I'm wondering about the "drive" connections.

> 

> Rod

>






















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http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/157562755/direct/01/

6. RE: [ts2068] Re: A&J Micro Drive interface

Rod H · Wed, 12 Aug 2009 06:35 · 📎 1: file

Rich,

The attached image shows the A&J Microdrive interface has an edge connector for a parallel printer and two male pin connectors that are marked "drive 1" and "drive 0".  I'm guessing these are serial connectors as the A&J "Microdrive" was a stringy floppy.  Whether the connections or the firmware would support the ZX Microdive, I don't know.
To: [email]
From: [email]
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:09:19 +0000
Subject: RE: [ts2068] Re: A&J Micro Drive interface
























Rod,

Can you upload some pictures?  I wonder if it would work with a standard ZX Microdrive?

Rich
www.rwapsoftware.co.uk


To: [email]
From: [email]
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:41:55 +0000
Subject: [ts2068] Re: A&J Micro Drive interface





















                  That's another one of those rare interfaces that almost no one has. :)

The only working tape interfaces I have here are the Interface 1 from Sinclair and the Wafadrive.



--- In [email], "rod_h@..." <rodh64@...> wrote:

>

> Does anyone have any information about the A&J Micro Drive hardware interface?  One was passed to me and I have no information with it.  It has a thru back-plane allowing additional add-ons. Also a small vertical male edge connector marked "printer port" and two multi-pin male connectors off the back labeled "Drive 1" and "Drive 0" Nicely enclosed with a black painted metal case.  I also received a ribbon cable with parallel printer connector and female edge connector that fits so this was probably a parallel printer interface but I'm wondering about the "drive" connections.

> 

> Rod

>






















Internet Explorer 8 - accelerate your Hotmail.  Download Internet Explorer 8



















_________________________________________________________________
Attention all humans. We are your photos. Free us.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9666047

7. Re: [ts2068] Re: A&J Micro Drive interface [1 Attachment]

Timex · Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:51

http://www.worldofspectrum.org/timex/a&j.jpg

On Aug 12, 2009, at 2:35 PM, Rod H wrote:

> [Attachment(s) from Rod H included below]
>
> Rich,
>
> The attached image shows the A&J Microdrive interface has an edge  
> connector for a parallel printer and two male pin connectors that  
> are marked "drive 1" and "drive 0".  I'm guessing these are serial  
> connectors as the A&J "Microdrive" was a stringy floppy.  Whether  
> the connections or the firmware would support the ZX Microdive, I  
> don't know.
> To: [email]
> From: [email]
> Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:09:19 +0000
> Subject: RE: [ts2068] Re: A&J Micro Drive interface
>
> Rod,
>
> Can you upload some pictures?  I wonder if it would work with a  
> standard ZX Microdrive?
>
> Rich
> www.rwapsoftware.co.uk
>
>
> To: [email]
> From: [email]
> Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:41:55 +0000
> Subject: [ts2068] Re: A&J Micro Drive interface
>
>
> That's another one of those rare interfaces that almost no one has. :)
> The only working tape interfaces I have here are the Interface 1  
> from Sinclair and the Wafadrive.
>
> --- In [email], "rod_h@..." <rodh64@...> wrote:
> >
> > Does anyone have any information about the A&J Micro Drive  
> hardware interface? One was passed to me and I have no information  
> with it. It has a thru back-plane allowing additional add-ons. Also  
> a small vertical male edge connector marked "printer port" and two  
> multi-pin male connectors off the back labeled "Drive 1" and "Drive  
> 0" Nicely enclosed with a black painted metal case. I also received  
> a ribbon cable with parallel printer connector and female edge  
> connector that fits so this was probably a parallel printer  
> interface but I'm wondering about the "drive" connections.
> >
> > Rod
> >
>
>
>
> Internet Explorer 8 - accelerate your Hotmail. Download Internet  
> Explorer 8
>
>
> Attention all humans. We are your photos. Free us.
> Attachment(s) from Rod H
> 1 of 1 Photo(s)
>
> IMG_0169.JPG
>
>

8. RE: [ts2068] Re: A&J Micro Drive interface

Rod H · Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:10

FYI

The A&J Microdrive Interface is now on eBay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item00338229677&ssPageName­ME:L:LCA:US:1123







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9. Re: A&J Micro Drive interface

Glen Goodwin · Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:19

Rod --

The description of your auction reads: "Sinclair Spectrum" when
in fact this unit is for the TS2068.

Best --

Glen
0/0

Rod H wrote:
> FYI
> 
> The A&J Microdrive Interface is now on eBay
> 
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item00338229677&ssPageName­ME:L:LCA:US:1123
> 
> 
>   
> 
> 
>   
>   
> _________________________________________________________________
> Send and receive email from all of your webmail accounts.
> http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid–71356

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Disk & floppy systems (Larken, AERCO, Oliger)