Another disk imaging project - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

11 Sep 2008

Andrew Lynch wrote:
...
  The intermediate disk signals could, *I believe* be
imported into a PC
 parallel port with "clock out" (typically 500 KHz for MFM DSDD, 250KHz for
 FM, etc) being used for latch signal.  I think they are also slow enough to
...
  be practically captured by the PC parallel port.  The
PC could then sample
 the parallel port at high rate (interrupt driven? DMA?) to read the signals
...
  and create a disk image from the data.  Again, the
i8272 would not process
 the signals so they would contain all the data the i8272 processes but will
...
  not pass along such as header info, IDAM, CRC, true
gap length, etc. 
The Disk2FDI project has already done this; give it a look to see if it 
applies to your situation.
-- 
Jim Leonard (trixter at oldskool.org
<http://www.classiccmp.org/mailman/listinfo/cctalk> )
http://www.oldskool.org/
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-----REPLY-----
Jim,

Thanks for the reply.  I already have a Catweasel and programs to read hard
sector disks so I really don't need another disk imaging utility.  My intent
was to offer to contribute if anyone were interested in the CCTALK community
to try again on a disk imaging project.  The modifications required to my
Disk IO board *appear* to quite minor to get access to the raw disk signals
so it seemed like a good opportunity.

What I had in mind was a low cost, open project, open source, available
hardware and software information made of common parts for everyone.  Sort
of in the spirit of the N8VEM project but with a different theme.  However,
I realize how these projects have ended on CCTALK in the past and I can see
there is no interest now so I'll just let it pass.  My hobby time is limited
and I have choose carefully what I work on like everyone else.

Thank goodness for the Catweasel!

Andrew Lynch