ScuzzBlog: Diaries December 2017
Entry 11th December 2017: Post: 2
DDI-1 or as I call it 'The Brick'
There are noises that I associate with computers that always make
me smile. The whirr of the Amstrad DDI as it activates a three inch
disk is one such noise. Basically cus if I get the tell tale disk
activity noise unique to this beast I know I'm good to go. I have
had so much grief from the 3" drives on Amstrad machines I always
fear that first moment when the software loads the disk.
There is no automated boot with the DDI 3" disk. There is a slight
noise when the drive powers down but no noise until you activate
a CAT or RUN command. And those familiar with the noise of a three
inch disk know all too well if the process is working. If there is
a big problem you will be prompted to press play on the tape
machine... which is always annoying. Mostly its the old fail,
retry or just ignore.
Fortunately my drives work as I have recently serviced and replaced
the belts. Hopefully they will continue working for some years
to come. So here are some images of the Amstrad brick. The install
instructions always advise on safe distances the drive should be
from the monitor. Something I never got warned about on the Amiga.
The CPC464 with the other drive is
propped level with this copy of the
Max Headroom game. Not the 3" disk
version but the tape. Thing is just
like an active DDI the face of Max
brings a smile to my face
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