Tested drives
In theory any double sided, double density, 80 track Shugart compatible drive (better known as a 720kb drive) should work on the Amstrad PCW. However, the PCW's hardware needs a properly implemented Ready signal. As most PC's are very tolerant towards this signal, suppliers have become sloppy in their support of this Ready signal. The statement from the supplier that its drive supports the Ready signal means nothing: play on safe. The models below have been tested to work on a PCW - do not buy another model. You can test a different type without retaliation from the Amstrad (no possibility of damage - except for the power supply) but if it doesn't work: forget it!
Tested drives on the PCW, with their jumper settings, are:
- 3.5" TEAC FD-235F 100-u (jumper D1 on)
- 3.5" TEAC FD-235F 112-u (jumper D1 and RY on)
- 3.5" TEAC FD-235F 136-u (jumpers D1 and RY on)
- 3.5" TEAC-235HF -U (jumpers FG, 2-1-G, BC1, DE2 and CD3 on)
- 5.25" TEAC FD 55FR 510-u (no jumpers need setting): you do need a power supply
The 235HF is TEAC's current model, switchable from 1.44 mb to 720 kb (settings for the PCW). Upon replacement by a newer model, ask for the successor stressing the importance of the READY signal. Check with the importer and ask for a money-back guarantee!
Information obtained through fellow PCW users (not tested by the JCC):
The drives below have been successfully connected to a PCW by Mike Mackenzie:
- 3.5" TEAC FD-75U
- 3.5" TEAC FD-235HF 3xxx-U (jumpers 1-B-C, 3-B-C, 4-A-B, D-1-2, E-3-4 and F-G)
- Panasonic JU-257A605P F2507
- Citizen OSDD-26Ah SD26
- NEC FD1035 P/N-134-100678-002-0 (requires formatted disc on EMS)
- Mitsubishi (model unknown)
- Toshiba ND-352TH-A (FDD4216G0K 01 A1) - (requires formatted disc on EMS)
The following drive has been reported incompatible by Mike Mackenzie, due to the inability to provide a ready signal:
- 3.5" TEAC FD-235HF xxx-U (xxx represents various numbers)
The following drive has been reported incompatible by Geoff Winkless, due to the inability to provide a ready signal:
- 3.5" TEAC FD-235F-72xx (xx represents various numbers)
The FDHF-6391 (out of production), FD235HF-65xx (out of production), and FD235HF-75xx should work, according to Geoff Winkless.
The following drives have been reported to function by Robin Commander:
- 3.5" TEAC FD-235J-3653
- 3.5" Y-E Data YD-702B-6037B (jumper settings M1, RY, DS1). The same settings should work for the YD-702B-6036B, YD-701B-6031B, and YD-701B-6030B. The 702B drives require 5V only, the 701B drives need 5V and 12V.
According to Tomasz Minkiewicz, the following models work fine:
- 3.5" Panasonic JU-257-203P (jumpers),
- 3.5" Chinon FZ-357 (micro switches).
According to Hauke Hagenhoff, the following models work with a CPC:
- Chinon FZ-357 (Note: Not 357A, that's an Amiga drive!),
- TEAC 235HF-3217U,
- TEAC 235HF-3218U,
- TEAC 235HF-3240U,
- TEAC 235HF-6573,
- TEAC 235HF-5636,
- TEAC 235HF-A529,
- TEAC 235HF-6554,
- Panasonic JU-257-03T,
- Panasonic JU-257-03P,
- Panasonic JU-257-083P,
- Panasonic JU-257-083PJ,
- Panasonic JU-257-103P,
- Panasonic JU-257-103PJ,
- Panasonic JU-257-293P,
- Panasonic JU-257A-604P,
- Panasonic JU-257A-724P,
- Y-E Data YD702B-6037B,
- Y-E Data YD702B-6039B,
- Mitsubishi MF-355C-58ML,
- Mitsubishi MF-355C-58MF
Note that, if the disc drive works on a CPC, it also works fine with a PCW.
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