If at all possible and in file form (text/PDF/etc) could you attach a copy over to me? I have 5 or 6 1541's and have been wanting to copy some C64/128/128D stuff over to my PC to be able to store it on CDRW media and get rid of the old bulky 5.25" disks or at least put them in safe storage withhout worry that age will impede their quality. -----Original Message----- From: owner-classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:owner-classiccmp@classiccmp.org]On Behalf Of Erich Weidenhammer Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2000 8:13 PM To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org Subject: x1541 I?m getting ready to make a x1541 cable to connect my Commodore 64 drive to the parallel port of my PC. Unfortunately, the existing instructions are a little to cryptic for a complete novice like me. For example, how do I distinguish between the 25 wires in the parallel cable? Is there a sequence I should follow? What?s the best way to connect the wires? Any advice would really be appreciated. Thanks all. ____________________________________________________________________________ _________ Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

Hello, I've built several of these cables... On Tuesday 12 December 2000 20:12, you wrote: By making a chart, of the pin numbers on the connector, and then one-by-one testing with an ohmmeter until you have determined the layout. AFAIK, there is no universal color code for the inside of a parallel cable. However, I took an easier (but less politically correct) approach. I purchased a C-64 printer cable off of eBay for about $3, and cut it in half. This gave me two cables, with a DIN-5 attached to one end of each. I then made a color / pin chart of these cables (much easier, only 5 conductors now...). I bought a couple of DB-25 male connectors & hoods from Radio Shack, and soldered them onto the ends. The basic cable can be made this way in about 20 minutes. In one case, I made the basic X1541 cable, and in another, I made the second design that uses the diodes. The cable with the diodes is more flexible; it will work on just about any type of parallel port, whereas the basic X1541 *requires* a SPP (standard) parallel port. Most newer machines can change the type of port in the BIOS, but this is a hassle, and it tends to confuse a certain MS operating system that we will not mention. Is there a sequence Solder the wires; that is the only way to connect them. There are also crimp style DB connectors, but IMO, they suck (and they require additional investment in tools). Good luck, this is a fun and very worthwhile project. You will feel all goofy when you see that 1541 drive light come on, and data starts moving into the PC. -- Bill Layer Sales Technician <b.layer(a)vikingelectronics.com>