Questions tagged [spectrum-plus-3]
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11
questions
3
votes
2answers
121 views
Is there a “most correct” name for the disk format / filesystem used by Amstrads and Spectrum +3's?
The native floppy disk format/layout or "filesystem" used by Amstrad microcomputers such as the CPC and PCW range and by the Sinclair Spectrum +3 are versions of one that came from CP/M.
In Amstrad ...
2
votes
1answer
131 views
Are there open source Java libraries for reading DSK and EDSK disk image files as used by Amstrad and Spectrum +3 emulators?
I've been working on some modules for the Ghidra reverse engineering tool.
Ghidra is written in Java, which I'd always avoided when I was more actively programming so this is an opportunity to learn ...
1
vote
1answer
155 views
How does the Spectrum +3 know how many files are in the disk's directory?
The Spectrum+3 uses a version of the Amstrad and CP/M disk layout.
The Speccy version has a directory at the start of the disk after any reserved tracks and it can hold up to 64 files.
Each ...
0
votes
1answer
170 views
What did “double track” meaning in relation to floppy disks?
I mostly used 3½″ floppies back in the day but I also used 5¼″ floppies to some extent on Apple II's and TRS-80's. I was never exposed to 3″ floppy disks as used mainly on Amstrad microcomputers and ...
3
votes
1answer
92 views
Is there a Spectrum +3 ROM disassembly available with the addresses of the instructions included?
In my experiments with Spectrum disk formats I've found myself looking into the ROM code a few times. Several Spectrum emulators have built-in debuggers that let me dissassemble and step through the ...
0
votes
2answers
186 views
How do I know where the file directory is stored on a Spectrum +3 disk layout?
I'm trying to parse Spectrum +3 disk images. I only ever had a tape-based Speccy back in the day.
The +3 had a built-in floppy drive but was late to the party and not that successful. It had the same ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
How does the Spectrum +3 know whether a disk is bootable or not?
I've been looking through documentation on The Sinclair/Amstrad Spectrum +3 which was the only Spectrum that came with a built-in floppy disk drive. The disk format was based on The Amstrad CPC and ...
6
votes
2answers
795 views
Are there any drivers available to use DivMMC on the Spectrum +3e with CP/M plus?
Heading says it all. I have a Spectrum +3 (with +3e ROMs if that makes any difference) with a DivMMC SD card interface.
This works fine in +3e mode, but as I like to use the +3 with CP/M plus (...
12
votes
4answers
3k views
Writting DSK images onto a 3″ floppy for Amstrad/Sinclair computers
For a project I'm working on, I need to write some disks to test on my Amstrad CPC 6128.
I've got some 3″ blank disks, and all my Amstrad computers (CPC and PCW) have 3″ disks, as well as my Spectrum +...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
Transferring data from Spectrum +3 disk to tape/.TAP etc
I've recently found a number of my own programs (very old!) on Spectrum +3 discs, and I'm about to get hold of a working +3. Assuming the discs are readable, I'd like to transfer the programs (mostly ...
12
votes
2answers
699 views
Why did Amstrad choose such bank combinations for its all-RAM mode in +2A and +3 Spectrum computers?
The +2A and the +3 versions of the ZX Spectrum, made by Amstrad, had a new banking mode, called "special". This banking mode is entered by setting bit 0 of port 1FFD. When active, two bits from this ...
