Topic: Emulator Disk Images on my C128D - uIEC

[firegate666]

So, it's me again :-)
Besides from getting a clean screen I am working on another problem.

Ich have a C128D but no software. I tried to get floppy disc collections on ebay or something like that, but they are that expensive ....
So, I thought, there are so many D64.... and else images out there.

I understand that it is not possible due to technical reasons to rawcopy an image to a PC floppy.
My PC is in the basement, my C128D anywhere else, so direct cables are not possible as well.

There are a lot of SD card / IDE solutions out there. I guess I googled them all. As far as I understood is the SD2IEC the best solution, but it is isn#t in production any more. There are some on ebay, but their are beyond my price limit (> EUR 100).

What I found and think is best for my, is the uIEC. Anyone can say anything to that? I want to use it for my C128 and C64 mode.

Link: http://store.go4retro.com/products/uIEC_SD.html

I would have already ordered one, but I don't know which.
Following the description on that page, the "basic" unit will fit.

basic: The base unit is paired with a smaller PCB. (this option is best for folks wanting more flexibility in unit placement or C128D/C128DCR owners.

But the only choices I have is

* Daughtercard
* 1x13 Edge Connector
* None
* Deluxe Daughtercard

Which one is the "basic" unit and which one the "bare"?

And what else do I need? They say

The unit does not come with either a SD card or an IEC cables.

I do have plenty of sd cards, but no cable. But the "basic" unit states

The PCB provides:
* A "pigtail" cord with cassette port passthrough connector used for power.

What other cables do I need?

Anyone can help on that or recommend another solution? It should be around EUR 50 +-

[maraud]

Just get the one with the regular the regular and deluxe daughtercard will work with the 128D.  the benefit of the deluxe is the pass through IEC.  The con is that if you want to use the buttons on it it's behind your computer.  Same deal with swapping SD cards.  For that reason I use the standard daughtercard on my 128D and the deluxe on my flat 128.  The only thing you'll need to do with the standard one is to saw the ends off the tape connector so it fits the 128D case.  Takes all of 2 minutes with a hacksaw.

[firegate666]

Just get the one with the regular the regular and deluxe daughtercard will work with the 128D.  the benefit of the deluxe is the pass through IEC.  The con is that if you want to use the buttons on it it's behind your computer.  Same deal with swapping SD cards.  For that reason I use the standard daughtercard on my 128D and the deluxe on my flat 128.  The only thing you'll need to do with the standard one is to saw the ends off the tape connector so it fits the 128D case.  Takes all of 2 minutes with a hacksaw.

I have to cut off the standard? I would think from what they wrote that I have to cut off the deluxe version?

 

deluxe:
It does not work well for C128D/C128DCR users, as the cassette port is recessed.

[Hydrophilic]

The standard daughter card works fine with C128, as that is what I have.  The deluxe version needs to be modified if I understand maraud correctly (I do not have deluxe version).
 
If you need to get a serial cable (5-pin DIN), they are easily available through electronics shops or eBay.

[maraud]

I have both and the deluxe doesn't need to be tweaked as it already has a "smaller" tape connector (for +5v).  The standard one has a larger tape connector and it wont fit without modification on a 128D.

[Hydrophilic]

That is interesting.  So the cassette port on the D models are smaller?  I never knew that.  Thanks!

[firegate666]

I have both and the deluxe doesn't need to be tweaked as it already has a "smaller" tape connector (for +5v).  The standard one has a larger tape connector and it wont fit without modification on a 128D.

Strange. The people from uIEC said:

For the C128D, I would recommend the uIEC/SD with the regular daugthercard, as then you can position the drive away from the machine.

[wte]

On a C128DCR the "normal" tape connector will not fit (on a C128 it fits perfectly). So the deluxe version is recommended. But then the unit is placed on the fore right side (from the users point of view) of the computer - far away from the IEC connectors of the computer. Maybe that's the reason why they recommend the regular daughterboard. But it will not fit!

Regards WTE

[brain]

I think the confusion stems from some early units.

The first units used a 6/12 green connector that has "ears" (little protrusions on the side of the connector one can use to mount the connector on a backplane, or on a panel)

Pic: http://store.go4retro.com/products/uIEC-Daughtercard.html

The "ears" won't work on the C128D, as the hole is too small for the ears to fit. 

However, I quit using those green connectors long ago.  I now use the blue "earless" connector as shown on the deluxe board:

http://store.go4retro.com/products/uIEC_SD.html

Yes, I need to update the pics.  I'll work on that.

But, look at the little switches.  On a 128D, the delux card fits up pretty snug to the case and the switches end up under the "lip" of the case.  FOr that reason, I suggest the older "normal" daughtercard for C128D/DCR users.

However, the point is moot now and I will be changing the verbiage and removing the "normal" daughtercard.  I am readying a new batch of daughtercards that look like the deluxe, but put the buttons on the right "side" of the PCB, which means they can be accessed pretty easily on a C128D/DCR when installed.  And, if you just can't deal with it being that close, it will sport a mini-USB connector which can accept any 5V miniUSB phone charger.

I'll try to put a pic up tonight on http://www.go4retro.com of the new unit.  In essense, you'll get to have the cake and east it as well!

Jim