Disc drives

Fitting a second 3.5" disc drive

The ADFS can support a second 3.5" floppy disc drive which may be mounted

on the right-hand side of the base unit next to the existing disc drive. The

second drive allows you to access twice as much information (bringing the

maximum to 1280K bytes) without having to change discs. Furthermore, it

simplifies many copying operations by eliminating the need to change discs.

Fitting this upgrade is a specialist job and unless you have considerable

relevant experience you should ask an official Acorn dealer to perform it for

you.

Connecting a 5.25" external disc drive

In order to allow your computer to access the physically larger 5.25" floppy

discs you may wish to fit an external disc drive. Such a drive is connected via an

adaptor which connects in-line with the normal disc drive cable.

To provide software compatibility with earlier Master computers the Acorn

Disc Filing System (DFS) is available from your supplier. It should be

emphasised that this software is NOT suitable for use with 3.5" drives, nor

should its availability be assumed by software producers.

Connecting a printer

A printer is essential if you are going to use your computer for word processing

or other business work, and it is a great convenience if you are writing your

own programs.

Your computer can be used with the vast majority of currently available

printers, which connect to the computer in one of two ways:

-- with a parallel interface, often known as 'Centronics-style';

-- with an optional serial interface, using the 'RS232-C' or 'V-24' interface

standard.

All printers are powered from the mains; parallel printers are connected to the

'Printer' socket on the rear of the computer; serial printers are connected to the

optional RS232 socket, also on the rear panel. The RS232 socket takes a '5-pin

Domino DIN' plug, and you will need an interconnecting lead with such a plug

on one end and a plug suitable for your printer at the other. Your Acorn dealer

should be able to furnish you with printer leads.

You must tell the computer which kind of printer you are using, and this is

done with the *FX5 command:

-- *FX5, 1 tells the computer that you are using a parallel printer;

-- *FX5 ,2[„„ tells the computer that you are using a serial printer, in

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