Adding Iomega 100MB External Parallel Zip Drive Z100P2 ZIP100 onto Amstrad PC 1512

Please note: This blog sets back originally around sometime in between Feb 2012 & 22nd Nov 2014. During that time, I didn't have a lot of spare time for writing up a fully tested and complete step-by-step guide with pics of all my Amstrad PC 1512 modifications including this blog or didn't fully settling in my parent's huge master bedroom with all my stuff are fully organised until Sun 06/03/16 02:20 after sending a email to Klaus Peichl.

 

While I was researching on the Internet using Dell XPS 630i PC and trying to find out a solution with finding a suitable replacement for my faulty XEBEC 4000 10MB MFM 5.25" Hard drive with XEBEC SCSI controller FAB 104277 REV E-00 (pictured below) containing 50 pin IDC connector & cable for internal hard disk connection, 37 pin D- type connector for external connections as well 4 jumper positions for I/O configuration, 4 Jumpers for "OPTN", 1 jumper marked RD and 3 jumpers for ROM from my Amstrad PC 1512 HD10, due to water damage from moist / damp in my mum's huge unfurnished attic on Tuesday 7th February 2012.

Somehow I ended up reading Amstrad PC 1512 mini forum and saw Henk Siewert (The Netherlands)'s message dated Tuesday 29th March 2011 which it has caught to my attention especially saying "...The machine has a Iomega ZIP-100 connected to its printer port. Giving me 3 30Mbyte hard disks!" At the time, I don't what Iomega ZIP-100 looks like or what is until I saw some pics on eBay, purchasing both IOMEGA Z100P2 EXTERNAL PARALLEL PORT ZIP 100 DRIVE from colinw4187 for £8.89 and Genuine Iomega Zip 100 Storage Discs - 100MB x 12 discs from nige247 for £6.70 on 19th Feb 2012 but didn't have the chance to open my parcel when received as well with my other unopened packages hidden under a huge pile of rubbish (mostly junk mail, various old paperwork, old newspapers, etc) piling up in one corner of my 2nd floor small bedroom with low celling due to lack of space and my very busy schedule, during that time I was working out in L.A Fitness gym training with Jacob as my PT before achieving unreal results while preparing for my 1st time competing in Miami Pro UK Championships 2012 on 1 April 2012.

 

Fast forward to 22nd Nov 2014... During moving around between 2 bedrooms phrase from 2nd floor small bedroom (L: 3.96m x W: 3.26m x H: 2.56m) to my parent's huge master bedroom (L: 5.27m x W: 3.926m x H: 2.56m) on the same floor and still experimenting with RM NIMBUS X10 WITH PHILIPS CM8833-II MONITOR (TESTING) still using Dell XPS 630i PC at the time, since finally I've got more space and maneuvre for myself to experimenting on my various retro computers collection - upto expanded Amstrad PCW 8256 to PCW 8512 spec. (69) point during that time, I've decided to continue on where I've left off back in 19th Feb 2012 - researching for suitable HDD replacement on my Amstrad PC 1512 HD10 literally, the very same day that I've ordered both AIWA T220A Super Bass Stereo Cassette Player WALKMAN (identical to my oldest brother, James's walkman) and Amstrad 1512 - 128K Memory Expansion from eBay for upgrading 512K to 640K conversion on my Amstrad PC 1512 HD 10 to PC 1640 spec.

 

Reading Henk Siewert (The Netherlands)'s message again in Amstrad PC 1512 mini forum, finding out more about "...Giving me 3 30Mbyte hard disks!" which I've found out about Connecting 100MB ZIP DRIVE to AMSTRAD PC 1512, palmzip.sys as well AMSTRAD PC 1512 - 3.5" Floppy Installation and Amstrad PC1640 HD20 Hard Drive | ASSEMbler - Home of the obscure.

 

From there, I've ordered Iomega Internal ATAPI Zip 100 Drive from ukbec2012 on 06/12/14 while sending a email to Klaus Peichl on Sun 14/12/14 04:01 for ordering myself a copy of palmzip.sys Driver (disk and printed manual) in full English for my Iomega External 100MB zip drive model 100P2 for my Amstrad PC 1512, paying 12 € via PayPal to which he has replied back to me on the same day at 10:56am as follows:

 

Dear Jonathan,

Thanks for being interested in palmZIP.

I'm happy to see that there are still people having fun with "historic" PCs.

The price for sending it on a disk with the printed manual depends on the destination country. It is 12 € for shipping within Germany, and 14 € for most other countries, e.g. USA.

I'd be happy to receive your order.

You may submit a payment via PayPal to pei@freenet.de.

If you prefer, I can also send an invoice via Paypal.

Of course I also need to know the destination address for sending the package.

Note that there are (at least two) diffrent ZIP100P2 versions and only the older one is compatible with my driver. I'm not sure how to distinguish the drive versions, but from my experiece, it seems that the ones made in Philippines work well, whereas the ones made in Malaysia are incompatible.

You should definitely try the demo before sending the money.The demo version is available here: http://leute.server.de/peichl/palmdemo.zip

If you run a Linux PC, then you can also test if the "ppa" driver works for your drive, or if the newer "imm" driver must be loaded instead. If ppa works, then palmZIP should work, too.

Of course you could also get another ZIP drive rather cheap on eBay in case yours is incompatible.

Best regards,

Klaus

I've replied back to Klaus on Tue 16/12/14 03:59, trying out on his demo at the same time after researching on the Internet about how to install Zip 100MB drive on Amstrad PC 1512 and coming across to these links: Connecting 100MB ZIP DRIVE to AMSTRAD PC1512 and Using Zip Disks to Transfer Files To/From Old/Modern PCs while going through my retro Computer Accessories collection to sort out my faulty 10MB hard drive and saw my old Iomega Z100P2 with power supply, parallel cable, software and few of Zip 100MB disks, etc with invoice dated Feb 19 2012 (pictured bottom left) for £8.89. So I dig it out my Z100P2 - Malaysia version and giving it a try with using a free demo version of PalmZIP.sys - PALMDEMO.ZIP, connected to the back of my Amstrad PC 1512 as shown picture below.

 

In a result, it works ok with the demo version including formatting 3 x 32MB partitions using ZIPMAN 1.40 utility as well ejecting ZIP disk, etc except having a small problem with accessing one of 32MB partitions. 

 

But I'll be getting another 2 x Z100P2s from eBay soon, definitely one of them is Philippines version including the soft case and other accessories for £25.60 according to one of the photos on eBay, but not so sure with the other one that I've won on eBay for £18.30 on 7/12/14.

 

Finally, Philippines version (DDXZ100P2) including the soft case and other accessories (pictured bottom right) for £25.60 from eBay - 10/12/14 has arrived!!!
 

And the Seller: mcjibba from eBay tried to ripped me off with selling me his dodgy Iomega Z100P2 Malaysia version with missing supplied complete power cable, no disks, software, nothing, even tried to refused sending me a full refund, but it didn't worked!! Lucky, both eBay and PayPal are on my side and offered me a full refund of £18.30 via PayPal from eBay after I've returned back to him via Recorded delivery on 15/12/2014 16:47, even the Seller has send back his Iomega Z100P2 to me, this time with fully complete power cable while preferring Klaus Peichl to send me PayPal invoice and I just pay instantly whilst continuing on using his demo to test with other Z100P2s, requesting a copy of the licensed program on 3.5" disk and English version printed manual and copy of the same English manual on PDF format version, saved on same 3.5" disk if possible, thanks.

 

To which, Klaus Peichl has replied back to me another email on Tue 16/12/14 22:49 as follows:

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for your order!

I'm sending the driver in advance attached to this e-mail.

The file is actually a ZIP archive, so you may have to rename it from 0170.dat to 0170.zip before unpacking. (The number 0170 is the serial number btw.)

Seems you proved my theory wrong that drives made in Malaysia won't work... Thanks for the link to the translated Greek page. That's interesting: Maybe then "DDXZ" is the magic formula to find compatible drives. Does your working Malaysia version have DDXZ on it, too?

I will prepare and send the package and a Paypal-invoice to you within the next two days. The disk will have the documentation in TXT format. The printed manual was made long ago by somebody who originally distributed palmZIP for me. I don't have this one in PDF format. But you can get a 2nd printed one for free if you like ;-)

Best,

Klaus

 

I've tested Philippines version (DDXZ100P2) the same way as I did with my other Malaysia version while replying back to Klaus Peichl on Thu 18/12/14 00:54. Unfortunately, it come up with the exactly same problem. So I checked the version of MS-DOS, it was running MS-DOS 3.20 from Western Digital FileCard 30 Perference ISA Card (30MB HardCard) fitted with Western Digital WD93038-X 30MB IDE XT Hard drive internally, supplied with my 2nd customized Amstrad PC 1512 DD (right hand side with PC-MM Monitor showing FastLynx software main screen and Malaysia version Z100P2 under the table) in one of the pics below - has seriously & heavily 'upgraded' to Amstrad PC 1640 spec, I finally realized the problem was from this link: Modern 8 bit IDE Controller for XT

I needed to use MS-DOS 3.30, NOT MS-DOS 3.20!! But I don't have a copy of MS-DOS 3.30 unless I try to use one of Amstrad PPC 640 System Disks (supplied with my Amstrad PPC 640 with built-in 20MB Hard drive) on Amstrad PC 1512. I'll give it a another try with both Malaysia & Philippines versions of Z100P2s using MS-DOS 3.30 on Amstrad PC 1512 this time and see what happens. I think Malaysia version will work with PalmZIP driver, same way as Philippines version, but will wait and see for the outcome after finished experimenting with both Z100P2s versions.

Saying "You're very Welcome" to him about the link to the translated Greek page, that's how I found out about his demo version of Palmzip and how to use Iomega 100MB Zip Drive on Amstrad PC 1512. Looking forward with the package having both printed manuals including the 2nd printed one and PayPal invoice. 

 

In the end, finally, I've got the Malaysia Z100P2 version working with PalmZIP driver, same way as Philippines version while sending another email to Klaus Peichl on Sat 20/12/14 06:43.

Works perfectly in both DOS 3.20 and GEM 2.0 desktop environments, recognized 3 x 32MB Partitions as follows:

Drive Letter	Volume Label	HDD Size Max
D:	Partition 1	32MB - FAT12 / FAT16
E:	Partition 2	32MB - FAT12 / FAT16
F:	Partition 3	32MB - FAT12 / FAT16

To add the icons in Disk Drives: section on GEM desktop as shown on my 1st Amstrad PC 1512 HD10 - upgraded to Amstrad PC 1640 spec (left hand side with PC-CM Monitor & Philippines version Z100P2 under the table) in one of the pics below, I had to add them manually via Install Disk Drive... from Options menu and then select Save Desktop from Options menu one more time. After that, I can access, copy, delete in any of 3 x 32MB Partitions as normal without any problems and no need to add icons manually ever again.

Instead of waiting for Klaus Peichl's reply, I just continuing on as before back to more researching on the internet, analyzing while experimenting at the same time, so busy that I didn't realised Klaus Peichl has send me PayPal invoice for palmZIP device driver dated 20 Dec 2014 21:58:06 wiith the following note:

  

Hi Jonathan,

The disk and the two manuals are on their way to you.

Best regards & Merry Christmas
Klaus 

 

As well replying back to me via email dated 20/12/14 22:09:10 as follows:

 

Hi Jonathan,

 

I've just requested a payment of 14 € via Paypal. Thank you very much!

"You are really digging out interesting information. I must admit I wasn't aware of the difference between MS-DOS 3.2 and 3.3. But I'm a bit confused. On the page you linked, it reads "No partitions supported" in MS-DOS 3.2. But if I understand you correctly, you *did* manage using 3 partitions with DOS 3.20 and GEM 2.0?"

 

Best,
Klaus 

 

While I was taking a break from experimenting, I decided to check my emails and saw Klaus Peichl's PayPal invoice, I immediately paid a total of €14.00 EUR (£11.38) via PayPal on 20/12/14 23:42:46 for my full licensed copy of PalmZIP.sys driver with printed manual and replying back to Klaus Peichl's email on Sun 21/12/14 05:06 just to let him know that I've just paid 14 € via Paypal as well my summary report.

To be honest with you, from the start, I was very confused with Cauldron's pages about his Amstrad PC 1512 modifications and other linked pages why it didn't worked on my Amstrad PC 1512, it turns out that some of his info is incorrect, all thanks to my usually learning long and hard way of trial and error methods with thinking, planning, researching, analyzing, comparing and experimenting and that's what I loved the most about what I always do for anything especially when trying out with any Computers / Electronic goods. 

 

That's how I proved some people wrong, lol! Not just like only testing one item, it works and that's it or just assuming it works without any huge amount of experimenting involved.

As for my very first attempt, after reading palmZIP printed manual, I thought let's try with some options, so I put the following line in Config.sys file using simple screen editor RPED:

DEVICE=C:\PALMZIP\PALMZIP.SYS /LPT1 /B

It didn't let me to access any of the partitions in DOS with Malaysia version after it has been formatted, spending whole day, trying to figure out the problem, then when Philippines version arrived from eBay, same problem. Back to the drawing board and couldn't access to 5.25" disks at all, as all 5.25" disks are damaged including original Amstrad PC 1512 System Disks or 5.25" drives are no longer working. 

In the end, I've managed replaced the 360k 5.25" Floppy Drive A with 1.44MB / 720k 3.5" drive as well adding a few lines in Config.sys file:

DRIVPARM /D:0 /F:7
DEVICE=\DOS\DRIVER.SYS /D:0 /F:7
      
And created a copy of both Amstrad PPC 640 (containing MS-DOS 3.30) and Amstrad PC 1512 System Disks (for MS-DOS, NVR and GEM 2.0) in 3.5" format, trying both of them, still didn't solved the problem, until I give it a try with using only this line:

DEVICE=C:\PALMZIP\PALMZIP.SYS and it worked, just realized /B option - switches the parallel interface into fast bi-directional mode (byte-mode) is what causing the problem the whole time, so in the end, I just modified the same line as follows:

DEVICE=C:\PALMZIP\PALMZIP.SYS /LPT1 /T /C to make it as default setting for selection of parallel port where the drive is connected (/LPT1), provides 3 drive letters for DOS>3.3 (/T) and checks out for a really connected ZIP (/C) while playing around with GEM 2.0 Desktop as well reading Amstrad PC1512 User Instructions Book 1 on both pages 167 & 168 to get the additional Disk Drive Icons for 3 x 32MB partitions from Iomega Z100P2 Drive.

As a bonus, I've managed to install separate Internal Iomega Zip 100MB Drive - IDE ATAPI version and got it working for my Daewoo CT5810 PC (Windows 98SE) with TEAC TEAC FD-505 3.5" and 5.25" combination Drive.

So, in a summary as follows:

• Can be used any Iomega Z100P2 versions - either Malaysia or Philippines (DDXZ100P2) on Amstrad PC 1512
• Works with either MS-DOS 3.20 (supplied with Amstrad PC 1512 Disks) or MS-DOS 3.30 (supplied with Amstrad PPC 640 Disks)
• Must own a licensed copy of PalmZIP.sys Driver with or without printed manual from Klaus Peichl
• Add this line in C:\Config.sys file: DEVICE=C:\PALMZIP\PALMZIP.SYS /LPT1 /T /C
• Had to add 3 x Disk Drives section icons manually on GEM desktop via Install Disk Drive... from Options menu, as well Save Desktop from Options menu AFTER booting DOS.SYS (F2) first, load up mouse.com file and then loading GEM from DOS Prompt.

After all that, you can access, copy, delete in any of 3 x 32MB Partitions as normal without any problems.

My next Amstrad PC 1512 project will be adding XT-IDE rev.2 ISA 8-bit IBM XT PC AT CF adapter with separate 40-pin IDE Connector (male) CF to IDE Compact Flash Card Adapter - fixed on the case by screw, so that I can insert or remove any 32MB, 256MB, 512MB or 1GB CF Cards easily from the side of Amstrad PC 1512 without opening the whole computer case and covering up the remaining empty slots with one of PCI Metal Blank Plates / PC expansion slot covers.

And Amstrad PC 1512 to Windows based PC communication for transferring data between two computers, using both Internal & External Iomega Zip 100MB Drives as data storage. 

Update on Monday 7th March 2016 01:11:

I've successfully tested the same Iomega Z100P2 (Malaysia) on my Amstrad PPC 640 with SPRINT Hard Disk Expansion: Conner Peripherals 20MB - CP3024 with Stratum Technology Sprint Model 3 Controller & Broomsleigh Disc BIOS version 1.6.3 installed and it works perfectly!!! Even, I've got FastLynx software loaded from the E: drive on Z100P2 - previously copied all the contents from Western Digital FileCard 30 (Hardcard) supplied with my Amstrad PC 1512DD.

All I did was copy the 'Palmzip' folder from C: drive to the A: drive and as well add this line in A:\Config.sys file: DEVICE=A:\PALMZIP\PALMZIP.SYS /LPT1 /T /C

See following pictures below:

 
Update on Wednesday 9th March 2016 00:00:

I've successfully tested the same Iomega Z100P2 (Malaysia) on my Amstrad Mega PC with MS-DOS Shell Version 5.0 installed on 40MB HDD and it works perfectly except /T /C are invalid switch and 3 x 32MB Partitions are not recognized, instead only Drive D: recognized and can be used in MS-DOS 5.0!! FastLynx software loads up smoothly from D: drive on Z100P2 - previously copied all the contents from Western Digital FileCard 30 (Hardcard) supplied with my Amstrad PC 1512DD. 

 

Update on Thursday 25th February 2021 02:14:
 

Quick testing / experimenting with using Iomega Z100P2 on RM Nimbus PC-386/20 (90) and it works very successfully without any problems (see pics as shown below) including 3 x 32MB Partitions, making sure to use these following settings in PSETUP menu (as shown in 1st pic below) after having an idea in my mind for testing. See both 12th Feb 01:48 & 25th Feb 03:02 posts from RM Nimbus User Group on Facebook. 

 

Gotek drive is extra added bonus - a lifesaver especially with quick editing changes on the CONFIG.SYS file, adding PALMZIP folder (driver files) to WinImage software, saved image file, transferring the USB drive from Dell XPS 8940 PC to RM Nimbus PC-386/20 and take it from there - simple as that!