{"id":1306,"date":"2019-05-15T04:49:32","date_gmt":"2019-05-15T02:49:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pagetable.com\/?p=1306"},"modified":"2019-05-15T04:49:32","modified_gmt":"2019-05-15T02:49:32","slug":"blue-chip-bcd-5-25-disk-drive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pagetable.com\/?p=1306","title":{"rendered":"Blue Chip BCD\/5.25 Disk Drive"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>After previously <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pagetable.com\/?p=1048\">dissecting the firmware of alternate C64 disk drives<\/a>, let&rsquo;s now look at the hardware of one: This is the Blue Chip BCD\/5.25.<\/p>\n<p>The BCD\/5.25 is a clone of the 1541. Its hardware is equivalent to the Commodore 1541, and it even uses an obfuscated version of that drive&rsquo;s firmware.<\/p>\n<p>My device came in the original box. It was bought at Sears for $179.99 (in 1986).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"docs\/bluechip\/box_front.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"docs\/bluechip\/box_front_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>COMMODORE COMPATIBLE FLOPPY DISK DRIVE BCD\/5.25<\/li>\n<li>Works with Commodore 64 and 128, SX64, C15, Plus 4, and VIC 20.<\/li>\n<li>100% Compatible with Commodore Computers<\/li>\n<li>Runs 1000&rsquo;s of programs written for Commodore<\/li>\n<li>Faster, More Accurare, and Less Expensive than Commodore.<\/li>\n<li>BLUE CHIP ELECTRONICS, INC. \u2022 7305 W. BOSTON AVE \u2022\u00a0CHANDLER, AZ 85226 \u2022 (602) 961-1485<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"docs\/bluechip\/box_back.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"docs\/bluechip\/box_back_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Commodore Interface. 100% Compatible with the Commodore 64, Commodore 128, SX16, C16, Plus 4, and VIC 20. The cable&rsquo;s included free.<\/li>\n<li>Rugged construction. Virtually bulletproof. Fully shielded, high impact case. Comes with a Full Year Warranty.<\/li>\n<li>Mass Data Storage. Stores over 174,000 bytes and 144 separate directory entries per diskette.<\/li>\n<li>Key Latch. A lightly engineered precision disk centering system guarantees exact disk positioning everytime. State-of-the-art Ceramic heads, and a steel band positioner eliminate almost all read\/write errors.<\/li>\n<li>External Power Supply. Because the power supply is outside the drive, the BCD\/5.25 runs 24 hours a day without overheating. (No more lost programs because your disk drive got too hott!)<\/li>\n<li>Compact Size. The BCD\/5.25 takes up a lot less space than the Commodore drive. (And because it&rsquo;s more efficient&hellip;it&rsquo;s also less expensive.)<\/li>\n<li>Software Compatible. Runs 1,000&rsquo;s of programs written for Commodore. Works with almost everything. You name it. Games, Wordprocessors, Spread Sheets, Education packages.<\/li>\n<li>Easy to read panel indicators tell status of the drive at a glance. Built-in &ldquo;Power On Diagnostics&rdquo; included!<\/li>\n<li>State-of-the-art ceramic read0write heads for long life and trouble free operation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"docs\/bluechip\/box_side.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"docs\/bluechip\/box_side_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Model BCD\/5.25<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>   <\/th>\n<th>   <\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td> Interface: <\/td>\n<td> Commodore compatible, dual serial port with daisy chain option <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Number of Tracks: <\/td>\n<td> 35 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Number of Heads: <\/td>\n<td> One <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Data Encoding Method: <\/td>\n<td> Group Coded Recording (GCR) <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Net Weight: <\/td>\n<td> 3 lbs. 12 oz. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Capacity: <\/td>\n<td> 174,848 bytes per diskette. Total.<br \/>168,656 per diskette with Sequeltial Files.<br \/>167,132 bytes per diskette with Relative Files. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Buffer Memory: <\/td>\n<td> 2048 bytes <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Track Density: <\/td>\n<td> 48 Tracks per inch. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Directory Entries: <\/td>\n<td> 144 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Sectors per Side: <\/td>\n<td> 17 to 21 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Bytes per Sector: <\/td>\n<td> 256 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Blocks per Side: <\/td>\n<td> 683 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Internal Write Protection: <\/td>\n<td> Yes <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Power On Diagnostics: <\/td>\n<td> Yes <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Power Consumption: <\/td>\n<td> 15 Watts (Typical) <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Power Supply: <\/td>\n<td> External \u2013\u00a016 VAC 0.8 Amps<br \/>9 VAC 1.5 Amps <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Power Requirements: <\/td>\n<td> 120 VAC, 60Hz. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Dimensions: <\/td>\n<td> 3.0&#8243; x 6.75&#8243; x 10.6&#8243; <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Reliability: <\/td>\n<td> Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) 10,000 Power-on hours <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Media Requirements <\/td>\n<td> Industry Standard (ANSI) 5 1\/4&#8243; diskettes; soft sectored <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Warranty: <\/td>\n<td> One year. Parts and Labor <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td> Compatible Computers: <\/td>\n<td> Commodore 64, Commodore 128, SX64, Plus 4, C16, and VIC 20 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><a href=\"docs\/bluechip\/front.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"docs\/bluechip\/front_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The label on the front panel says &ldquo;BLUE CHIP 5.25 DISK DRIVE&rdquo;. Surprisingly, the lever opens to the left.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"docs\/bluechip\/back.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"docs\/bluechip\/back_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>On the back, there is a power switch, a proprietary power connector and two Serial connectors.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"docs\/bluechip\/psu.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"docs\/bluechip\/psu_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The power supply (Model No. 108-138) outputs 16V and 9V. It is possible <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=CP0CD8iphzM\">mod the drive<\/a> to work with a 1541-II power supply (12V and 5V), though.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"docs\/bluechip\/board.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"docs\/bluechip\/board_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The board contains<br \/>\n* UC7: 2 KB SRAM (SRM2016C)<br \/>\n* UC8: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.zimmers.net\/anonftp\/pub\/cbm\/firmware\/drives\/other\/misc\/index.html\">16 KB EPROM<\/a> (&ldquo;COPYRIGHT 1985 \/ BLUE CHIP ELECTRONICS, INC. \/ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED&rdquo;)<br \/>\n* UD1\/UD2: Two 6522 VIAs by UMC<br \/>\n* UD3: A 6502 CPU marked &ldquo;N 3065&rdquo;, with a date code of 8622.<\/p>\n<p>It is unknown who made this 6502, I&rsquo;ve never seen one with these markings.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"docs\/bluechip\/mechanics.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"docs\/bluechip\/mechanics_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>These are the mechanics, from the top&hellip;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"docs\/bluechip\/bottom.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"docs\/bluechip\/bottom_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&hellip;and from the bottom.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"References\">References<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cbm8bit.com\/articles\/ray-charlsen\/article44\">https:\/\/cbm8bit.com\/articles\/ray-charlsen\/article44<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After previously dissecting the firmware of alternate C64 disk drives, let&rsquo;s now look at the hardware of one: This is the Blue Chip BCD\/5.25. The BCD\/5.25 is a clone of the 1541. Its hardware is equivalent to the Commodore 1541, and it even uses an obfuscated version of that drive&rsquo;s firmware. My device came in &#8230; <a title=\"Blue Chip BCD\/5.25 Disk Drive\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pagetable.com\/?p=1306\" aria-label=\"Read more about Blue Chip BCD\/5.25 Disk Drive\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,13,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commodore","category-floppy-disks","category-teardown"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pagetable.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pagetable.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pagetable.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pagetable.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pagetable.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1306"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pagetable.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1306\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pagetable.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pagetable.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1306"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pagetable.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}