Another disk imaging project

[Andrew Lynch]

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