I've got two Disk 2 drives that I'd like to get up and running, but I'm a little unclear as how to proceed.
The problem is that both drives came without cables, so ordered those in ahead of time. I was expecting to hook these up to a Disk 2 controller card. However, the Apple IIe that showed up with these drives has an I/O controller with a different dsub connector. So given that I'm running 5v and 12v through those cables, I'd like to make sure I hook them up correctly.
It's been kind of hard to find a definitive source the explain this, so I'm looking to get some input.
Basically, can I connect the Disk 2 drive to that dsub (given the proper adapter) or do I need a Disk 2 controller card to do that? I believe the I/O controller deals with the more advanced cousins of the Disk 2, but I thought it would still work with the Disk 2s if they were daisy-chained.
Disk ][ drives do not daisy chain. They use an IDC20 ribbon cable. You need an adapter to use them with the later Apple 5.25 Floppy Controller card that uses a DB19 connector. You need a special adapter to use more than one IDC20 type floppy drive with that card. The adapter routes the drive control signals to make one drive D1 and the other D2. In general it is easier just to get a Disk ][ Controller Card which has the two separate IDC20 connectors on it. Disk ][ controller cards are plentiful and cheap. I've seen them frequently on eBay for $15-$30. You can easily spend nearly that on the cables and adapters needed to mix and match the different type of drives. Or your other option would be to buy a couple of Apple 5.25 drives that have the DB19 connector and the pass-through daisy chain connector on the back. If your Disk ][ drives are missing their cables entirely it may be almost as cheap just to buy new drives, as they are also extremely cheap and plentiful. You should be able to get working ones for $25-$40.
Gotcha, thanks very much!
I think I'll go with a Disk 2 controller so they can both sit (in bulk) next to the Apple II. That's the classic look in my head anyway.
That's probably your best option.