Yes. As far as I know it is simply a matter of replacing the DiskROM by one supporting double-sided drives, and fitting in an actually double-sided drive.
The first is merely a matter of desoldering the old ROM (or just removing it, if it's in a socket), and using an EPROM burning to burn a new one with for example the DiskROM image of an 8245. I think that should do. The latter is a little more complicated. In order to put in a PC diskdrive, you need to change the MSX to diskdrive cable into one with a PC 'Shugart' connector. It is described here: http://www.hansoranje.demon.nl/downloads/fddnms8245.pdf (on Hans Oranje's MSX Hardware Page http://www.hansoranje.demon.nl/). Although the document is in Dutch, it contains a pin layout scheme, so you should be able to figure that out. The hard part, however, is actually finding a PC disk drive which can be used in an MSX. PC drives usually give the Disk Change (DC) signal, while the MSX needs a Ready (RDY or RY). Similarly, their Drive Select pin has to be rewired from DS1 to DS0. Anyways, in order to do this you have to open up the drive, and resolder some 0-ohm resistors, or be even lucky enough to find a drive with jumpers to do this. Unfortunately, drives in which this can be changed are not so easy to find. In the most common drives, this can not be changed as it is all hardwired inside a chip. The list of 'good' drives in the abovementioned document isn't entirely valid anymore, but I was looking for a new drive on the HCC computer fair roughly a month ago (also for a VG8235 ^_^), and Hans Oranje told me to get a Panasonic JU-257A606P (or uh... something :)) drive, or any Samsung one, or some other brand I forgot (I think it was, uh... NEC). I got both that Panasonic drive (an oldie) and two brand new Samsung ones, and the Samsung was easiest to adapt. I opened it up, changed two 0-ohm resistors, and it works like a charm now. So... hope that'll get you started. I won't give away my Samsung, I might still need it myself in the future :), so don't bother asking for that, hehe... And the Panasonic... Well, it's an oldie (2nd hand), in bad shape, ugly, and difficult to open up. You don't want it, probably more luck with shopping around some internet shops *grin*... ~Grauw voyager wrote: > Hi guys, happy new year > > I have an old Philips 8235, with a single side floppy. Is there a way > to replace it with a double sided one? > > Thanks > > Voyager > > > _______________________________________________ > MSX mailing list ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > Info page: http://lists.stack.nl/mailman/listinfo/msx --- Ushiko-san! Kimi wa doushite, Ushiko-san nan da!! _______________________________________________ MSX mailing list ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Info page: http://lists.stack.nl/mailman/listinfo/msx
