TPDD: Difference between revisions

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=Overview=
=Tandy Portable Disk Drive=
There were two versions of the Tandy Portable Disk Drive. Both were very similar. The drive is a a re-branded Brother FB-100.
There were two versions of the original Tandy Portable Disk Drive, "26-3808 Tandy Portable Disk Drive" or now called "TPDD1", and "26-3814 Tandy Portable Disk Drive 2" or "TPDD2". Both were very similar.
 
The original TPDD1 is a re-branded Brother FB100. In fact the Brother FB100 was sold under several names. At least:
:Brother FB100
:TANDY Portable Disk Drive
:knitking FDD19
:Purple Computing D103
 
The TPDD2 was also sold under multiple names. At least:
:TANDY Portable Disk Drive 2
:XOB Disc-88


==Common features of both versions==
==Common features of both versions==
Line 14: Line 24:


:[https://archive.org/details/TandyPortableDiskDriveOperationManual26-3808 Operation Manual]
:[https://archive.org/details/TandyPortableDiskDriveOperationManual26-3808 Operation Manual]
:[https://archive.org/details/TandyPortableDiskDriveSoftwareManual26-3808s Software Manual]
:[https://archive.org/details/tandy-service-manual-26-3808-s-software-manual-for-portable-disk-drive Software Manual]
:[https://archive.org/details/tandy-portable-disk-drive-service-manual-26-3808 Service Manual]


:[http://www.club100.org/library/sup/07.txt TPDD1 bootstrap procedure]
:[http://www.club100.org/library/sup/07.txt TPDD1 bootstrap procedure]
:[http://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=Base_Protocol Command Reference]
:[http://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=Base_Protocol Command Reference]
:[http://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=Desklink/TS-DOS_Directory_Access TS-DOS Directories]


==Tandy Portable Disk Drive 2==
==Tandy Portable Disk Drive 2==
200K in the form of 2 100K banks (still only uses one side of the disk)
200K, in the form of 2 100K banks


:[https://archive.org/details/Portable_Disk_Drive_2_Operation_Manual_1986_Tandy TPDD2 Operation Manual]
:[http://www.club100.org/library/sup/08.txt TPDD2 bootstrap procedure]
:[http://www.club100.org/library/sup/08.txt TPDD2 bootstrap procedure]
:[https://archive.org/details/Portable_Disk_Drive_2_Operation_Manual_1986_Tandy TPDD2 Operation Manual]
:[http://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=TPDD-2_Sector_Access_Protocol TPDD2 Sector Access]
:[http://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=TPDD-2_Sector_Access_Protocol TPDD2 Sector Access]


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===Cable===
===Cable===
You can't buy the original special cable any more, but there is a new one you can [https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/Special-serial-cable-for-Tandy-Portable-Disk-Drive-and-Tandy-Portable-Disk-Drive-2/p/144969001/category=28313042 buy], or you can [https://github.com/bkw777/TPDD_Cable build one] for yourself.


The "RS-232" interface to the TPDD is actually 0v to -5v TTL, while rs232 serial ports use -12v to +12v. So the cable isn't just a cable, it has electronics to convert the signal levels between TTL and RS232.
The "RS-232C" interface to the TPDD is actually 5v TTL (0v to +5v), while RS-232 serial ports use -12v to +12v. So the cable isn't just a cable, it has electronics inside the DB25 plug to convert the signal levels between TTL and RS-232.


Pinout
Pinout
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:6 TXD
:6 TXD
:7 RXD
:7 RXD
:8 NC
:8 EB+ (External Battery +4.8 to +6v) (Only on TPDD2, n/c on TPDD1)


:PCB: https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/dyMZxoye
[[File:TPDD2 original cable.jpg|thumb|none]]
:BOM: https://www.digikey.com/short/pbc3pp


<!--  save until duplicated somewhere
:Assembly:
:Assembly:
:*Solder all components to pcb per the render pics. Pull the two un-soldered pins on top out of the female 2x3 socket.
:*Solder all components to pcb per the render pics.
:*Cut the db9 plug off the serial cable. Strip the outer sheath back 1 to 2 inches. Strip each wire 1/8".
:*Pull the two un-soldered pins from the top of the socket and discard.
:*Cut the 9-pin plug off the serial cable. Strip the outer sheath back 1 to 2 inches. Strip each wire 1/8".
:*Put 2 to 3 inches of 1/2" diameter heat shrink on the serial cable. (don't shrink yet)
:*Put 2 to 3 inches of 1/2" diameter heat shrink on the serial cable. (don't shrink yet)
:*Identify which color wires go to which pins on the DB25 plug.
:*Identify which color wires go to which pins on the DB25 plug.
Line 70: Line 82:
::Repeat for all the numbered holes on the PCB: 2,3,4,5,6,7,20
::Repeat for all the numbered holes on the PCB: 2,3,4,5,6,7,20
::Cut any left-over wires short right at the cable sheath.
::Cut any left-over wires short right at the cable sheath.
:*Solder the wires to their matching numbered holes.
:*Solder the wires to their matching numbered holes, with the wires on the top side (without the transistors).
:*Secure the end of the cable to the pcb with a zip-tie. Even better, put some glue on the pcb before pressing the cable in place
:*Put some hot-glue on the top side of the pcb in the "dog bone", press the end of the cable into the glue, and secure to the pcb with a zip-tie.
:*Add some hot-glue around the soldered wires where they meet the pcb.
:*Add some hot-glue around the soldered wires where they meet the pcb to immobilize them.
:*Slide the heat-shrink up over the pcb and shrink.
:*Slide the heat-shrink up over the pcb and shrink.
<gallery>
<gallery mode="packed-hover">
TPDD_BKW_4_1.png
TPDD_Cable_1.jpg
TPDD_BKW_4_2.png
TPDD_Cable_2.jpg
TPDD_BKW_4_3.png
TPDD_BKW_4_3.png
TPDD_BKW_4_4.png
TPDD_BKW_4_4.png
Line 98: Line 110:


[[TPDD:Other_Cable_Designs]]
[[TPDD:Other_Cable_Designs]]
-->


=Software=
=Software=
==For PCs==
Software related to these drives can be broken into 2 main categories, [[TPDD_client|clients]] and [[TPDD_server|servers]].
TPDD used double density 3.5" disks, but used a format that is incompatible with modern pc drive controllers. Normal MS-DOS formatted disks are written with MFM encoding, while the TPDD used FM encoding. Even using special software to read non-standard formats, you can't make a normal drive & drive controller read or write FM.
 
A [[TPDD_client|TPDD client]] (aka DOS) is software that uses a TPDD drive. This includes the "Floppy" that came on the utility disk that came with the drive, TS-DOS, and others.
 
A [[TPDD_server|TPDD server]] (aka emulator) is software that pretends to BE a TPDD drive. This includes LaddieAlpha, dlplus, and others.


To read or write a TPDD disk from a modern machine, you need a working TPDD drive and the special RS232-to-TTL level-shifting serial cable that came with it, and a "TPDD Client" software to talk to the drive over the serial connection the same way the M100 does.
=Misc Related Info=
TS-DOS implements an extension to the TPDD protocol to provide subdirectories.<br>
A real TPDD or TPDD2 doesn't support this, but some TPDD emulators do (NADSBOX, PDDuino, LaddiAlpha at least)
:[http://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=Desklink/TS-DOS_Directory_Access TS-DOS Directories]


There are several TPDD clients for more modern machines. Most of these are themselves also no longer modern. For example Lap-Desk and PDD are both 16-bit DOS programs that don't work on Windows.
TPDD uses standard 720k DD 3.5" disks, but uses a format that is incompatible with modern pc drive controllers.<br>
Normal MS-DOS formatted disks are written with MFM encoding, while the TPDD uses FM encoding.<br>
Even using special software like TeleDisk to read non-standard track/sector formats, you can't make a normal drive & drive controller read or write FM. An old pc with an early floppy controller chip and an old 720k drive may be able to do it.


[http://trs80stuff.net/tpdd/tools.html TpddTool] Python TPDD Client
To read or write a TPDD disk from a modern machine, you need a working TPDD drive, the special RS232-to-TTL level-shifting serial cable, and "TPDD Client" software to talk to the drive over the serial connection the same way the M100 does. See PDD.EXE or TpddTool.py from the TPDD clients link above.


There are several [[TPDD_server]]s, which are programs that run on a host pc, that don't *use* a TPDD, but they emulate *being* a TPDD, so a Model 100, 102, 200, WP-2, NEC PC-8201, PC-8201a, PC-8300, Kyotronic KC-85, Olivetti M-10, can save and retieve files on a modern computer.
Don't use 1.44M HD disks in a TPDD. Use 720K DD disks.<br>
[[File:720vs144.jpg|left|thumb]]


==For M100/102/200==
<!--
The normal way to use a TPDD is to install a "dos" or [[TPDD_client]] on an M100. Several such dos's have been made. The drive came with a utility disk and a functional dos called "floppy". Others have been made by 3rd parties that provided more features or smaller ram footprint or more flexible installation/usage. There are also various special purpose utility programs aside from dos's.
https://www.ordersomewherechaos.com/rosso/fetish/m102/web100/docs/pdd2-sector-0.html
https://www.ordersomewherechaos.com/rosso/fetish/m102/web100/docs/pdd-sector-access.html
-->

Revision as of 12:44, 19 April 2022

Tandy Portable Disk Drive

There were two versions of the original Tandy Portable Disk Drive, "26-3808 Tandy Portable Disk Drive" or now called "TPDD1", and "26-3814 Tandy Portable Disk Drive 2" or "TPDD2". Both were very similar.

The original TPDD1 is a re-branded Brother FB100. In fact the Brother FB100 was sold under several names. At least:

Brother FB100
TANDY Portable Disk Drive
knitking FDD19
Purple Computing D103

The TPDD2 was also sold under multiple names. At least:

TANDY Portable Disk Drive 2
XOB Disc-88

Common features of both versions

Size, shape, weight
Batteris: 4 x AA
Wall power: 5.5mm x 2.1mm, 6vdc, center negative, 400ma (Tandy 26-3804)
Media: 3.5" DD, aka "720K" diskettes (not HD 1.44M)
Drive is single-sided. The disks may be single or double-sided, but the drive only uses one side.

Documentation

Tandy Portable Disk Drive

100K

Operation Manual
Software Manual
Service Manual
TPDD1 bootstrap procedure
Command Reference

Tandy Portable Disk Drive 2

200K, in the form of 2 100K banks

TPDD2 Operation Manual
TPDD2 bootstrap procedure
TPDD2 Sector Access

Parts

Belt

Standard size code: FRW-8.5

Search "FRW 8.5 belt" on Google or ebay

Cable

You can't buy the original special cable any more, but there is a new one you can buy, or you can build one for yourself.

The "RS-232C" interface to the TPDD is actually 5v TTL (0v to +5v), while RS-232 serial ports use -12v to +12v. So the cable isn't just a cable, it has electronics inside the DB25 plug to convert the signal levels between TTL and RS-232.

Pinout

+------------------------------------------------+
|                                                |
|                                                |
|                 RS-232C                        |
|                   ___                          |
|               +--+   +--+              +-----+ |     
|               | 7 5 3 1 |              | (o) | |
|               | 8 6 4 2 |              |     | |
|               +---------+              +-----+ |
+------------------------------------------------+
1 GND
2 CTS
3 DTR
4 RTS
5 DSR
6 TXD
7 RXD
8 EB+ (External Battery +4.8 to +6v) (Only on TPDD2, n/c on TPDD1)


Software

Software related to these drives can be broken into 2 main categories, clients and servers.

A TPDD client (aka DOS) is software that uses a TPDD drive. This includes the "Floppy" that came on the utility disk that came with the drive, TS-DOS, and others.

A TPDD server (aka emulator) is software that pretends to BE a TPDD drive. This includes LaddieAlpha, dlplus, and others.

Misc Related Info

TS-DOS implements an extension to the TPDD protocol to provide subdirectories.
A real TPDD or TPDD2 doesn't support this, but some TPDD emulators do (NADSBOX, PDDuino, LaddiAlpha at least)

TS-DOS Directories

TPDD uses standard 720k DD 3.5" disks, but uses a format that is incompatible with modern pc drive controllers.
Normal MS-DOS formatted disks are written with MFM encoding, while the TPDD uses FM encoding.
Even using special software like TeleDisk to read non-standard track/sector formats, you can't make a normal drive & drive controller read or write FM. An old pc with an early floppy controller chip and an old 720k drive may be able to do it.

To read or write a TPDD disk from a modern machine, you need a working TPDD drive, the special RS232-to-TTL level-shifting serial cable, and "TPDD Client" software to talk to the drive over the serial connection the same way the M100 does. See PDD.EXE or TpddTool.py from the TPDD clients link above.

Don't use 1.44M HD disks in a TPDD. Use 720K DD disks.