I have been reading with interest the various posts on floppy disk 'hacks' with USB interfaces, like the plrelectronics device. I was thinking of going the same route. I did not buy the overpriced Floppy/Ethernet option with my TM-1 back in 2006, and have been using the tried and true RS232 port. While the port works fine, the ancient laptop that I use for file transfer has a weak battery. While it lasts long enough to transfer my programs, every time I go to use it, it is stone dead. So rather than transfer from desktop to laptop to machine, I want to cut out the laptop and go via USB. I do not have any other computers/Ethernet/wireless out in the workshop and am not inclined to make room for same if I can avoid it.
So I started to do a little investigation. First was to search old posts on the Forum to determine if the floppy cable in the back of the pendant was live, or needed activation. Unfortunately mine has the dreaded T code next to parameter 209, so that means $$$ to get the activation code. However I think I have a solution, as I have approval authority to add two small milling centers this year that I should be able to leverage into a free activation code!
Next problem and the real question for the Forum, is about the floppy serial cable in the back of the pendant. From what I have read in the old posts, those that replaced or upgraded the floppy or gone USB, already had the floppy option. By all account folks just plugged in and were on their way. Before I found out about the activation code, I was going to try plugging in an old floppy drive to see if it would work. And here is where I ran into a snag. One of the receptacles for the pin (I think it is position 2) is blocked off. See image below, bottom row, right-hand side.
So no plugging directly into the standard IDE device. So how do other manage to plug in? Does taking some wire cutters and nipping one post off the drive turn it into the special propriety $500 HAAS device? Or is my cable just poorly assembled and have a bit of insulation jammed where it does not belong. I suspect the latter, else someone would have mentioned running into this before with all the rants - I mean posts! - on floppies, and the more recent discussions on USB retrofits. Would someone mind checking against their floppy cable, or remember this detail from when they did their upgrade? Of course I tried picking it out, but it is in there very tight and it looks as if I am to fix it it will require a new IDE jack and resetting the end of the cable. Another thought is that pin 2, if that is what it is, may not even be used for data.
Regards,
-Doug