I'm wondering if anyone knows how to properly power a Gotek or a 3.5 floppy for use with my Amstrad 1512. I've read that you can switch pins 1 and 4 on the berg connector but I am afraid to try this... not something I really want to troubleshoot. I'm not finding particular information on the 1512, and not sure it's the same for all Amstrad models. I have an edge connector for the drive and a molex to berg adapter with 4 wires...
Where did you read that you need to switch pins on the 4-pin power connector, was it some AI by any chance? If so I'll explain why I'm asking.
As far as I know the molex and, consequently, the 4-pin power connector after using the adapter is standard. You can also easily verify it yourself by measuring voltages and comparing against a common PC PSU, there is no need to troubleshoot and risk anything. So I wouldn't worry about the power but:
-In most 1512s (if not all) the floppy cable is fixed to the motherboard and only has an edge connector, so you'll need an adapter edge > 34-pin floppy (or to replace the cable)
-The 3.5" drive needs to be configurable as DS0, later drives don't have these jumpers. I know nothing about the gotek though and how/if it can be done.
koncwrote on 2025-11-07, 07:46:Where did you read that you need to switch pins on the 4-pin power connector, was it some AI by any chance? If so I'll explain w […] Show full quote
Where did you read that you need to switch pins on the 4-pin power connector, was it some AI by any chance? If so I'll explain why I'm asking.
As far as I know the molex and, consequently, the 4-pin power connector after using the adapter is standard. You can also easily verify it yourself by measuring voltages and comparing against a common PC PSU, there is no need to troubleshoot and risk anything. So I wouldn't worry about the power but:
-In most 1512s (if not all) the floppy cable is fixed to the motherboard and only has an edge connector, so you'll need an adapter edge > 34-pin floppy (or to replace the cable)
-The 3.5" drive needs to be configurable as DS0, later drives don't have these jumpers. I know nothing about the gotek though and how/if it can be done.
Thanks for the reply. I actually read this on a blog post first, though it was with regards to a different model of Amstrad. I can't find it now. But yes, I did follow up with AI, and it confirmed the info that I read, that Amstrad pin 1 is +12V, and pin 4 is +5V, whereas the Gotek pin 1 is +5V, pin 4 is +12V. Maybe it is AI "confirmation bias".
I can't actually reconfigure my floppy drive without physical soldering, so I was thinking of using it as the B: Drive (it is set at DS1).
The whole goal for this is to get a midi sequencing program (Voyetra Sequencer Plus) to run on the Amstrad 1512. I have tried to run the file straight off of my XT-IDE but I've been unable to bypass the insert floppy command. I did a bit of footwork with substitute commands, etc. but had no luck.
I have a 3.5 DD copy of the software so I was going to just try to run it from the B: drive. If the floppy option doesn't work I may go with a Gotek solution.
Wait a second. I recently remote serviced an Amstrad 1640 over WhatsApp (finally unsucessful), and that thing doesn't have the 3.5" ("Berg") drive power connector, only the 5.25" ("Molex") connector. The Molex connector has the standard pinout. If you use a standard 5.25-to-3.5 power adapter cable, the voltages are assigned correctly, no need to swap anything. It's possible that the Molex pins are counted the other way compared to the Berg pins.
Wait a second. I recently remote serviced an Amstrad 1640 over WhatsApp (finally unsucessful), and that thing doesn't have the 3.5" ("Berg") drive power connector, only the 5.25" ("Molex") connector. The Molex connector has the standard pinout. If you use a standard 5.25-to-3.5 power adapter cable, the voltages are assigned correctly, no need to swap anything. It's possible that the Molex pins are counted the other way compared to the Berg pins.
Wait a second. I recently remote serviced an Amstrad 1640 over WhatsApp (finally unsucessful), and that thing doesn't have the 3.5" ("Berg") drive power connector, only the 5.25" ("Molex") connector. The Molex connector has the standard pinout. If you use a standard 5.25-to-3.5 power adapter cable, the voltages are assigned correctly, no need to swap anything. It's possible that the Molex pins are counted the other way compared to the Berg pins.
Sorry, I am referring to the adapter I am using to connect to the drive. I am getting mixed info as to where the drives are powered (at pin 1 or pin 4). Maybe you are more familiar.
My 3.5 EPSON SMD-1300, I just found out by testing, is powered at pin 4 at 5V. So the standard connection works. My search results kept showing it was powered at pin 1 so I didn't want to blow the thing up.
Side note, and maybe I should start a new thread for this, but I am getting a "sector not found" message when I try to run the software disk or format a blank DD disk. The drive is a 1.44 but I think it's supposed to be able to run at 720k. I edited the batch file on the Amstrad to add
DRIVEPARM=D:1 /F:2
but maybe there is something else I need to do... or maybe this drive won't be compatible...
Any time you are working on things even slightly "odd", a miltimeter is a good
investment. For simple "hooking things up", you don't need a fancy/expensive.
(A $5 one is so much bettern than none) -though I do recomment splurging enough
to get one with an audible "continuity" function) - The most common functions
you are likely to use are:
-- Voltage --
In this case it would be trivial to check the the voltages are on the right
lines to the drive. The connectords will look something like:
1 /------------\ ___[~]___ 2 5.25" -> | O O O O | 3.5" -> | O O O O | 3 +--------------+ +---------+
These both have the two center pins grounded, +5v on one end and +12v on the
other. I don't recall which way they go (and can't be bothered to go downstairs
and look), but it should be easy to find the pinouts online - they are almost
always Black(Ground) in the two center, Red(+5) and Yellow(+12) on the ends
(but always confirm)
-- Resistance/Continuity --
Always handy when checking connections/wiring you've made. This is where an
audible continuity function is nice - simple beep when you touch the probes
to things that are connected.
DaveDDSwrote on 2025-11-07, 21:19:Any time you are working on things even slightly "odd", a miltimeter is a good
investment. For simple "hooking things up", you d […] Show full quote
Any time you are working on things even slightly "odd", a miltimeter is a good
investment. For simple "hooking things up", you don't need a fancy/expensive.
(A $5 one is so much bettern than none) -though I do recomment splurging enough
to get one with an audible "continuity" function) - The most common functions
you are likely to use are:
-- Voltage --
In this case it would be trivial to check the the voltages are on the right
lines to the drive. The connectords will look something like:
1 /------------\ ___[~]___ 2 5.25" -> | O O O O | 3.5" -> | O O O O | 3 +--------------+ +---------+
These both have the two center pins grounded, +5v on one end and +12v on the
other. I don't recall which way they go (and can't be bothered to go downstairs
and look), but it should be easy to find the pinouts online - they are almost
always Black(Ground) in the two center, Red(+5) and Yellow(+12) on the ends
(but always confirm)
-- Resistance/Continuity --
Always handy when checking connections/wiring you've made. This is where an
audible continuity function is nice - simple beep when you touch the probes
to things that are connected.
Cool connectords 😀 Thanks for the tips
I did finally end up using a multimeter to check the power coming from the Amstrad before I tried the drive. Pin 4 is indeed +5 volts, pin 1 is +12 volts
Sorry, I am referring to the adapter I am using to connect to the drive. I am getting mixed info as to where the drives are powered (at pin 1 or pin 4). Maybe you are more familiar.
The Gotek I have does not use +12V, and requires 5V on the pin that is closes to the 34-pin floppy connector.
Side note, and maybe I should start a new thread for this, but I am getting a "sector not found" message when I try to run the software disk or format a blank DD disk.
The drive is a 1.44 but I think it's supposed to be able to run at 720k.
If you want to use a 1.44M drive as 720K, I got best results if I did both of
ground pin 2 to put the drive into DD mode. Some drives also have jumpers to permanently select DD, but that's uncommon.
use 720K media, or tape the hole of 1.44M media.
depending on the drive, one of these steps may suffice, but its safest to make sure both the interface pin and the media type sensor agree on DD mode.
mkarcherwrote on 2025-11-07, 22:11:The Gotek I have does not use +12V, and requires 5V on the pin that is closes to the 34-pin floppy connector. […] Show full quote
Sorry, I am referring to the adapter I am using to connect to the drive. I am getting mixed info as to where the drives are powered (at pin 1 or pin 4). Maybe you are more familiar.
The Gotek I have does not use +12V, and requires 5V on the pin that is closes to the 34-pin floppy connector.
Side note, and maybe I should start a new thread for this, but I am getting a "sector not found" message when I try to run the software disk or format a blank DD disk.
The drive is a 1.44 but I think it's supposed to be able to run at 720k.
If you want to use a 1.44M drive as 720K, I got best results if I did both of
ground pin 2 to put the drive into DD mode. Some drives also have jumpers to permanently select DD, but that's uncommon.
use 720K media, or tape the hole of 1.44M media.
depending on the drive, one of these steps may suffice, but its safest to make sure both the interface pin and the media type sensor agree on DD mode.
Thank you--
Sorry, ground which pin 2? From where to where? Isn't pin 2 already going to ground?
I have pins 2 and 3 ground, and pin 4 is 5V. I left pin 1 (12V) disconnected.
I'm pretty sure the software diskette is 720k (it just has a single notch upper right). And I have some720 DD diskettes.
I suppose you mean grounding pin 2 on the ribbon/floppy connector to an odd numbered pin? What would you say is the most straightforward method? I'd prefer not to take apart the Amstrad cable, and I don't have any extra ribbon cable or connectors.
I suppose you mean grounding pin 2 on the ribbon/floppy connector to an odd numbered pin? What would you say is the most straightforward method? I'd prefer not to take apart the Amstrad cable, and I don't have any extra ribbon cable or connectors.
I suggest you wrap a thin bare copper wire (e.g. a single strand of a stranded wire) around pin 1 and 2 at the 3.5" drive and twist the ends to fix it. that should still be thin enough that you can easily connect the adapter and the Amstrad cable. I just re-checked the service manual of the 1512, and confirmed that pin 2 is not connected to anything on the main board. Pins 1 and 2 should be next to the power connector at the drive.
Thanks for the reply. I actually read this on a blog post first, though it was with regards to a different model of Amstrad. I can't find it now. But yes, I did follow up with AI, and it confirmed the info that I read, that Amstrad pin 1 is +12V, and pin 4 is +5V, whereas the Gotek pin 1 is +5V, pin 4 is +12V. Maybe it is AI "confirmation bias".
Yeah I thought so, a different model and AI hallucinating as usual. This "trick" to switch pins 1 & 4 is used on the Amstrad CPC 6128 when replacing the 3" with a 3.5" drive, unless someone corrects me I'll insist that the 1512 drives are standard ones.
I did finally end up using a multimeter to check the power coming from the Amstrad before I tried the drive. Pin 4 is indeed +5 volts, pin 1 is +12 volts
Let's make sure we are on the same page: on the molex pin 1 is the yellow wire and is indeed 12V. On the 3.5" floppy connector pin 1 is where the red wire is and is, of course, 5V. So when you connect your adaptor and measure at that end, pin 1 will be 5V. Isn't that what you need? Don't assume pin numbering, always check the pinouts to be sure. But then again do as you choose so that you won't blame me if you blow up anything 😉
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I suppose you mean grounding pin 2 on the ribbon/floppy connector to an odd numbered pin? What would you say is the most straightforward method? I'd prefer not to take apart the Amstrad cable, and I don't have any extra ribbon cable or connectors.
I suggest you wrap a thin bare copper wire (e.g. a single strand of a stranded wire) around pin 1 and 2 at the 3.5" drive and twist the ends to fix it. that should still be thin enough that you can easily connect the adapter and the Amstrad cable. I just re-checked the service manual of the 1512, and confirmed that pin 2 is not connected to anything on the main board. Pins 1 and 2 should be next to the power connector at the drive.
Woops, I missed this message. Thank you!
I will try. Does the thickness of the strand matter? I have some copper wire but the strands look very thin...
koncwrote on 2025-11-08, 14:24:Yeah I thought so, a different model and AI hallucinating as usual. This "trick" to switch pins 1 & 4 is used on the Amstrad CPC […] Show full quote
Thanks for the reply. I actually read this on a blog post first, though it was with regards to a different model of Amstrad. I can't find it now. But yes, I did follow up with AI, and it confirmed the info that I read, that Amstrad pin 1 is +12V, and pin 4 is +5V, whereas the Gotek pin 1 is +5V, pin 4 is +12V. Maybe it is AI "confirmation bias".
Yeah I thought so, a different model and AI hallucinating as usual. This "trick" to switch pins 1 & 4 is used on the Amstrad CPC 6128 when replacing the 3" with a 3.5" drive, unless someone corrects me I'll insist that the 1512 drives are standard ones.
I did finally end up using a multimeter to check the power coming from the Amstrad before I tried the drive. Pin 4 is indeed +5 volts, pin 1 is +12 volts
Let's make sure we are on the same page: on the molex pin 1 is the yellow wire and is indeed 12V. On the 3.5" floppy connector pin 1 is where the red wire is and is, of course, 5V. So when you connect your adaptor and measure at that end, pin 1 will be 5V. Isn't that what you need? Don't assume pin numbering, always check the pinouts to be sure. But then again do as you choose so that you won't blame me if you blow up anything 😉
The attachment Untitled.png is no longer available
Ahh, now I see. I think I assumed pin 1 on the berg connector side would be in the same orientation as it is on the ribbon cable connector. Yes! It is what I need 😀
I suppose you mean grounding pin 2 on the ribbon/floppy connector to an odd numbered pin? What would you say is the most straightforward method? I'd prefer not to take apart the Amstrad cable, and I don't have any extra ribbon cable or connectors.
I suggest you wrap a thin bare copper wire (e.g. a single strand of a stranded wire) around pin 1 and 2 at the 3.5" drive and twist the ends to fix it. that should still be thin enough that you can easily connect the adapter and the Amstrad cable. I just re-checked the service manual of the 1512, and confirmed that pin 2 is not connected to anything on the main board. Pins 1 and 2 should be next to the power connector at the drive.
Here is the connection with new wire on pins 1 and 2. Maybe it is not substantial enough of a filament...
I tried the drive again and am getting the same error:
Oh, that's strange. So the computer is able to read track 0, which contains the FAT and the root directory, but it can not read files. This looks like seeking does not work, and the drive is stuck at track 0. If it tries to read sectors of a different track, it still finds the sectors of track 0 but does not find the requested sectors. Do you hear any seeking sounds?
Oh, that's strange. So the computer is able to read track 0, which contains the FAT and the root directory, but it can not read files. This looks like seeking does not work, and the drive is stuck at track 0. If it tries to read sectors of a different track, it still finds the sectors of track 0 but does not find the requested sectors. Do you hear any seeking sounds?
If I try to run the install file I hear five short rather loud 'scrubbing' sounds, and then I get the error message.
