External floppy connector to be axed ?

[exxos]

As external drives are old / faulty and expensive, it would be better to print a new case and add a 1.44 drive instead. Only my stock of 14pin din plugs is gone now.. The PCB sockets are not a issue, but the plugs are.

So I am wondering about swapping the connector for maybe a d-sub or something ..open to suggestions.. Really need a extra 2 or 3 pins to pass 5v and HD select down the cable as well.

[PhilC]

I've got two external drives and never use them, so i agree to getting rid of the socket. Maybe a second internal drive option for options of using a gotek and 1.44 floppy?

How about 2 phono out for audio like on the ste?

[exxos]

@PhilC I'm talking about getting rid of the din 14 and replacing it with something else..

[exxos]

I guess something like the DB26 would do the job, should fit hopefully...

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We could actually route DRIVE A & B select lines to that port. We could even have 2 floppy DIN 14 sockets to use Atari drives as both external A & B.

[rubber_jonnie]

I have an external Gotek and find it quite useful, so I'd quite like to keep it, but that's just me. If the pinout is clear and I can make an adapter from something like a DB26, that's fine.

The only other consideration for me is that It would be nice to have it as an option, since I'd have to mod my original cases to use an H4 with a DB26 socket.

I know there is work going on re the case, but for now, I'd certainly want an option for either.

[exxos]

It's not really possible to have a option, its gotta be one or the other. But like I posted above, it be easy to make a adapter anyway. Even so, any external drives would only need a cable change anyway. I assume you added gotek in a external case yourself ? I'm thinking more of new cases and connectors to use new floppy drives / gotek etc.

[rubber_jonnie]

It's not really possible to have a option, its gotta be one or the other. But like I posted above, it be easy to make a adapter anyway. Even so, any external drives would only need a cable change anyway. I assume you added gotek in a external case yourself ? I'm thinking more of new cases and connectors to use new floppy drives / gotek etc.

Yeah, I had a (working) Datel external drive which I dropped a Gotek into. I don't mind having an adapter per se but I don't want to totally re-cable it, but for old cases getting a replacement MB, that's going to be problematic, as I won't want to be cutting them. I'm more likely to leave a DB26 off than getting into cutting existing cases.

BTW, I am just thinking out loud here, I have other options for getting data in such as a USB stick in my CosmosEx, but will people wanting to use an old case be happy to start cutting out the floppy connector hole and making a slot?

I don't know, and my intention would be to put a board into an existing machine to bring it back to life, not necessarily putting it in a new case, which I'm guessing are still a way off?

Just thoughts from my perspective.

[exxos]

I don't know, and my intention would be to put a board into an existing machine to bring it back to life, not necessarily putting it in a new case, which I'm guessing are still a way off?

The Hx series will still use the din 14 like now, and so will the legacy board, but that board will be a replacement for original cases and won't have any expansion sockets on it. The "H series" board will likely end with the H5, but no definite plans yet. As @Icky is slowly creeping towards new cases, we will pushing future motherboards to fit new cases. So if people want all the latest stuff they have to get a updated MB and case, if they want a legacy machine, then will get that board instead. There can be small adapters (and likely will be) but it won't fit in a original case anymore, not without some cutting.

[terriblefire]

Is there already an Atari DB26 floppy standard? if not consider DB23 as there are a buttload of amiga external drives that will just plug and play (at least i'm pretty sure its DB23 female at the mobo).

Either that or just remove it completely.

[exxos]

Is there already an Atari DB26 floppy standard? if not consider DB23 as there are a buttload of amiga external drives that will just plug and play (at least i'm pretty sure its DB23 female at the mobo).

There is no standard.. we would make one. I don't see DB23 on aliexpress so assume its not a easy to find connector ? The DB26's are easy to find and cheap.

Either that or just remove it completely.

I think people would protest removing the port. Though the sockets I have loads of, but like I said, I have no plugs, no way to create new external drives, only re-using old 30+ year ones. As we are doing new boards , I think it should have new alternatives to using external drives IMHO.