Commodore History Part 7 - Disk Drives
The 8-Bit Guy・27 minutes read
Commodore's disk drives played a crucial role in their computers' functionality and market evolution, starting with the PET and evolving into drives like the 1581. Various models like the VIC-1541 and 1571 offered unique features such as compatibility with different systems, enhancing the overall user experience and software distribution capabilities.
Insights
- The evolution of Commodore's disk drives, from the VIC-1540 to the 1581, revolutionized software distribution for Commodore computers, offering enhanced graphics, sound, and storage capacity.
- The introduction of drives like the 1571 brought advanced features such as burst mode, dual-head support, and compatibility with IBM PC or MS-DOS disks, showcasing Commodore's commitment to innovation and adaptability in the evolving computer market.
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Recent questions
What was the first disk drive designed for the VIC-20?
The first disk drive designed for the VIC-20 was the VIC-1540, released in 1982, two years after the VIC-20's launch.
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Summary
00:00
Evolution of Commodore's Disk Drives
- Commodore's disk drives were crucial to the functionality of their computers and played a significant role in their market evolution.
- The PET computers utilized large metal drives based on the IEEE-488 interface, allowing multiple computers to connect to a single drive.
- The VIC-1540 was the first disk drive designed for the VIC-20, released in 1982, two years after the VIC-20's launch.
- The VIC-1540 was not compatible with the Commodore 64 due to its speed, necessitating a slower drive, leading to the creation of the VIC-1541.
- The VIC-1540 and VIC-1541 were essentially the same drives, with the latter being more sought after by collectors due to its rarity.
- The Commodore 64 saw a shift towards disk drives for software distribution, offering more complex games with better graphics and sound.
- The Commodore IEC interface allowed for easy file access without the need for a separate DOS, making it user-friendly.
- Commodore's disk format, GCR, was efficient and unique, optimizing disk space usage compared to other systems.
- Commodore's DOS lacked hierarchical structure and displayed files in the order they were written, with splat files indicating incomplete writes.
- The introduction of the Commodore 1571 with the Commodore 128 brought new features like burst mode and dual-head support for improved functionality.
11:52
Evolution of Commodore Disk Drives
- Most commercial software targeted the 1541 for compatibility, leading to limited distribution on double-sided disks.
- The 1571 drive featured a track one sensor, reducing head banging issues and maintaining proper head alignment.
- The 1571 controller was flexible, reading MFM formats and Commodore GCR, enabling CP/M software compatibility.
- The drive could read and write IBM PC or MS-DOS disks with a special program, aiding in file transfers.
- DIP switches on the 1571 allowed for easy device number changes without disassembling the drive.
- When connected to a Commodore 64 or 128 in 64 mode, the 1571 emulated a 1541 for software compatibility.
- The 1570, a stop-gap measure due to demand, was essentially a hybrid of a 1541 and 1571, with a single head and track one sensor.
- The 1541c, similar to previous drives but in a white or light beige color, was introduced after the 64C.
- The 1541-II, smaller and lighter than the 1541, featured an external power supply for improved reliability.
- The 1581, introduced towards the end of the 8-bit era, offered significant storage capacity on a single disk, popular among BBS operators and GEOS users.
23:11
Commodore's Lawsuit Alters EPROM Chips
- ROM code was altered to make chips unreadable in an EPROM programmer, but Commodore sued and removed the affected drives from the market.
- The Enhancer 2000 was a common 3rd party drive compatible with the Commodore 1541, matching the C64 color scheme.
- The BlueChip drive was a clone of the 1571, designed for Commodore 128 users, supporting all 1571 features.
- The Creative Micro Design FD-2000 is a high-density drive similar to Commodore's 1581 but accepts high-density disks, storing up to 1.6 megabytes and allowing partitioning into smaller partitions.
