Hi, I'm new to this forum and to MSX altogether, but I just got one from eBay, and I figured this would be a good place to ask a few questions...

The MSX-2 in the subject has (it says so in the case) a 360Kb internal floppy drive. Now, since
most of the 'dsk' images come in 720k, such a drive is not extremely useful. I'd like to know if I could replace the internal drive with a 720kb one, or just connect an external 720kb drive to the external drive port. I don't know if the floppy controller is able to drive it. I figured a 720kb drive would make the computer much more useful... But even then, I suppose I'd run into trouble trying to format a floppy?

As I suppose your understanding of the matter is well above mine, I wonder if anyone attempted this before, or otherwise knows whether it's possible.

Thank you in advance...

You're right about the diskcontroller. It should be replaced by one which can handle 720kbyte disks. You could contact Bas Kornalijnslijper about this (check his site here). You should also have a look at the MSX Info Pages (Right here).

Another option would be just buying an IDE interface or even an IDE CompactFlash device. That way, you can use HD's, CDROM's, CompactFlash cards etc. etc. There are utilities which give you the opportunity to boot diskimages, so......That way you practically don't need your floppydrive at all anymore. I for example haven't used my floppydrive in ages.....

If you want more info on the IDE possibilities, check Sunrise HQ (Indeed, right here )....

By the way, do you have the VG8235-00 or the VG8235-20? If it's the 00-version, you will have a problem with booting diskversions of megaroms etc. This is a memory bug which can be solved easily. Again, Bas Kornalijnslijper can help you with this.

And be glad I point you to this error I started my MSX carreer with a VG8235-00 and FOR YEARS, I didn't have the slightest idea why diskversions of MegaROMs didn't run on my machine....It even made me quit the MSX scene for some time. If I just would have read the manual in which it was stated

Hey, Latok:

cheers for the prompt and exhaustive reply. I take it it's useless to try and connect a 720kb drive as the controller can't handle it. I checked out the first site you point me to, but that's -er- Dutch? I can't make much out of it, unfortunately. As for IDE controllers, it's not clear to me how much work there is to install it. Mind you, I had to open the computer and totally rewire the cracked PSU board, so at least opening it was no problem. I saw "ATA-IDE Interface only with 512kB Flash-ROM" listed at 43 euros, not too bad. However, it's still not clear to me how I would use it, in terms of using DSK images at least. I do read in the doc, however, that it would enable me to even connect 1.44Mb drives. Anyway. How do I find out wether my MSX is the -00 or the -20 version?

I believe the version number is on the bottom of the machine....

And about Bas Kornalijnslijper his site. Yes, you're right. It's Dutch and pretty useless for you, for that matter.....I don't have his e-mail address right now, maybe someone else can give you that one?!

Ah, convenient. Will check tonight at home, thanks!

Here's Bas' email address: baskornalijnslijper@zonnet.nl

And Latok, you COULD have put your posts into one post, since you're moderator and all...

Yeah, but I need to work on my stats

I wonder why people are so obsessed by stats?

And I think forums must be a little messy. Not too clean and not too many rules

But we're getting off-topic now. So, as a moderator, please stick to the subject ok?!

Hi, guys: I just checked out, and in the back it says:
VG-8235/19

Don't know what this means in terms of MegaROM, but to be honest, I don't even know what MegaROM is, anyway...

I'll try mailing the guys you pointed me to for info on how to get a controller for 720kb floppies, how to install it etc. etc.

Thank you!

Quote:

Hi, guys: I just checked out, and in the back it says: VG-8235/19 Don't know what this means in terms of MegaROM, but to be honest, I don't even know what MegaROM is, anyway... I'll try mailing the guys you pointed me to for info on how to get a controller for 720kb floppies, how to install it etc. etc. Thank you!

You could check if your MSX wasn't already converted to 720K diskdrive. I think you can check this by typing 'CALL FORMAT' and see if it asks whether you want a single or double sided format. Or just try reading a 720K disk

A MegaROM is a game cartridge with a ROM-size bigger than 64kB. The so-called 'disk versions' a VG8235/00 has trouble with a pirated cracks of those cartridges, hacked so it can run from disk but needing a lot of RAM memory.