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This document is a PDF version of the AMSTRAD DDI-1 USER
INSTRUCTIONS manual.
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contain spelling mistakes and errors which were not part of the original
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AMSTRAD DISC DRIVE & INTERFACE DDI-1 Congratulations on becoming the proud owner of the Amstrad DDI-1. You will soon discover the wisdom of your choice, and what a worthwhile investment your unit is. Its speed will allow you to load and save files in seconds which would take several minutes using cassette. Furthermore, each disc allows you to store up to 180k Bytes of program on a single disc surface (360k on both sides). In other words, all your utilities on a disc, 10 or so games on a disc, al
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Two operating systems are supplied: AMSDOS is an extension of the cassette filing system in CPC464 BASIC, and allows access to the BASIC interpreter. CP/M 2.2 is the standard 'random access' Z80 disc operating system for over 5000 commercial programs - ranging from business and accounts software to second languages and scientific and engineering analysis. Thanks to the thoughtful implementation of CP/M on the CPC464, CP/M files may be freely mixed on the disc with AMSDOS files, which are automat
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Contents Foundation Course F1 Setting Up F2 About Discs F3 Loading Software/Games F4 Introducing AMSDOS and CP/M Chapter 1 Making Working Discs Backup master disc A working SYSTEM/UTILITY disc A BASIC only disc Turnkey AMSTRAD BASIC discs Turnkey CP1M discs and packages Configuring discs Starting and autostarting a Turnkey CP/M package Chapter 2 AMSDOS Primer Disc directory AMSDOS filenames and filetypes Filename construction, headers and wild cards. Examples of using AMSDOS commands in a progra
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Chapter 4 Introduction to LOGO What is LOGO Dr LOGO procedures Editing programs and procedures Operating hints Summary of Dr. LOGO primitives Word and list processing Arithmetic operations Logical operations Variables Procedures Editing Text screen Graphic screen Turtle graphics Keyboard, joystick Sound System primitives System variables System properties Chapter 4 Technical information for the user – Firmware Headers Store requirements Error messages AMSDOS messages BIOS messages Disc organisat
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AMSTRAD DDI-1 FOUNDATION COURSE Foundations 1: Setting Up Connecting the Mains Lead The Amstrad disc drive operates from a 220-240V ~50Hz Mains Supply. The Mains Lead is fitted at the rear of the unit. Fit a proper Mains Plug to the Mains Lead. If a 13 Amp (BS1363) Plug is used, a 3 Amp fuse must be fitted. The 13 Amp Fuse supplied in a new Plug must NOT be used. If any other type of Plug is used, a 5 Amp Fuse must be fitted either in the Plug or Adaptor or at the Distribution Board. IMPORTANT T
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Connecting the DDI-1 to the Computer 1. Check that the computer and disc drive(s) are switched off. 2. Plug the Interface Unit firmly into the edge-connector marked FLOPPY DISC at the rear of the computer (See Figure 1) Rear of Computer Interface Unit Figure 1 3. At the end of the ribbon cable from the Interface Unit, you will find a plug which is to be used for connecting to the main disc drive (Drive A), see Figure 2. The plug which you will find slightly further back in the cable (see Figure
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4. If you are operating with one disc drive only, connect the computer and disc drive as shown in Figure 3. Computer Interface Unit Main Disc Drive (Drive A) Figure 3 5. If you are operating with 2 disc drives, connect the computer and disc drives as shown in Figure 4. Computer Interface Unit Main Disc Drive (Drive A) Second Disc Drive (Drive B) Figure 4 Switch on the disc drive(s) then the computer. Your system is now ready for disc operation. Foundation 1.3 AMSTRAD Disc Drive & Interface
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IMPORTANT 1) For maximum data reliability, do not position your disc drive(s) closer than 20cm (8 inches) to the monitor, see Figure 5. It is recommended that you locate your disc drive(s) to the right of the computer (or MP-1 modulator/power supply if used). DO NOT POSITION YOUR DISC DRIVE(S) WITHIN THIS AREA (RECOMMENDED POSITION) Disc MP-1 Computer Drive(s) (if used) Figure 5 Always ensure that your disc drive(s) is not located close to any sources of electrical interference/noise which c
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Foundations 2: About Discs The Amstrad disc drive uses 3 inch compact floppy discs. We strongly recommend that for reliable data-to-disc transfer, you use only Amsoft CF-2 compact floppy discs. Discs made by leading manufacturers however, may also be used. Each side of a disc may be used separately. A disc should be inserted with its label facing outward from the drive, and with the side that you wish to use face up (See Figure 6). Figure 6 Write Protection In the left hand corner of each side o
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When the hole is closed, data can be 'written' onto the disc by the computer. When the hole is open however, the disc will not allow data to be written onto it, thus enabling you to avoid accidental erasure of valuable programs. Various compact floppy disc manufacturers employ different mechanisms for opening and closing the Write Protect hole. The operation may be carried out on the Amsoft CF-2 compact floppy disc as follows: To open the Write Protect hole, slide the small shutter located at th
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To open the Write Protect hole on this type of disc, slide the lever towards the middle of the disc, using the tip of a ball-point pen or similar object, see Figure 10. Slide Lever towards middle of disc Write protect hole (OPEN) Figure 10 Note that regardless of the method employed to open and close the Write Protect hole, opening the hole in all cases facilitates protection against overwriting. IMPORTANT Always ensure that the Write Protect holes on your master CP/M disc are open When Your
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Indicator Lamp The red indicator lamp has two functions: If only one disc drive is connected (Drive A), the lamp indicates that data is being read from, or written to the disc. If two disc drives are connected, the red indicator on Drive B will illuminate constantly, giving you a quick indication of which unit is Drive B. When reading or writing to disc takes place however, the indicator reverts to its primary function of indicating that reading/writing is being performed. Eject Button Press
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Foundations 3: Loading Software/Games Software/Games available on disc for the Amstrad system are loaded many times more quickly than their cassette counterparts. It is necessary however, to remember a few important rules concerning the names of programs to be loaded or run. A command such as RUN" normally used when loading cassette software, is invalid during disc operation as the naming of the program to be run is obligatory on disc. Program names (or filenames) on disc are comprised of 2 par
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Bad command means that you have incorrectly named the program, either by exceeding the number of permitted characters in a field, or by introducing an unwanted space or punctuation mark. Type mismatch means that you have omitted the quotation marks Syntax error means that you mistyped the word run Drive A: read fail Retry, Ignore or Cancel? means that the computer has failed to read data from your disc. Check that you have inserted the correct disc and press R to Retry. If the above message
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Foundations 4: Introducing AMSDOS and CP/M When you switch your system on, the computer automatically runs internal checks to see which peripherals are connected to the rear sockets. If the computer senses that a disc drive(s) is connected, it will take any commands that would have been sent to the cassette datacorder, and direct them to the disc drive. Hence, typing in any of the commands: load filename" run "filename" save "fitename" chain "filename" merge "filename" chain merge "filename" op
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The commands |a and |b tell the computer which drive to direct any subsequent disc command. Typing in for example: |a load "filename" will tell the computer to load the specified program from a disc placed in drive A. If neither |a nor |b is initially entered or the computer is reset, the system will default to drive A. If you are using only one disc drive, this can be regarded as drive A, and |a or |b commands need not be issued. Entering |b when only one disc drive is connected, will result in
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Storing Data Onto Disc Before writing any data onto a new blank disc, the disc itself must first be formatted. Formatting can be likened to building a series of shelves and dividers onto a disc prior to the storage of information on those shelves; in other words, laying down an organised framework around which data can be put in or taken out. Formatting divides one side of the disc into 360 distinctly separate areas, see figure 12. Track 39 Outer Case Sector Track 0 Figure 12 There are 40 tracks
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After a few seconds you will see the following message on the screen: CP/M 2.2 - Amstrad Consumer Electronics plc. A> This is a 'Sign on' message indicating that the operating system is under the control of CP/M. The displayed A> on the screen is a prompt, (similar to Ready during normal BASIC operation) indicating that the computer is awaiting your instructions. CP/M uses several prompts, all of which will be explained later in this manual under the section concerning CP/M. Once you are operat
