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General| Manufacturer | Commodore |
|---|---|
| Model | 1581 |
| Type | Floppy Disk Drive |
| Storage Capacity | 800 KB |
| Compatibility | Commodore 64, Commodore 128 |
| Controller | Built-in |
| Format | 3.5 inch |
| Interface | IEC |
| Power Supply | External |
Explains the structure of the user's guide, divided into parts and chapters.
Detailed instructions for unpacking, setting up, and starting to use the 1581 disk drive.
Lists common problems, possible causes, and solutions for the 1581 disk drive.
Provides essential advice for keeping the 1581 disk drive in good working condition.
Explains the correct method for inserting a diskette into the drive.
Guides users on how to load and run software programs from diskettes.
Details the process of formatting a new diskette for use with the drive.
Describes how to view the list of files stored on a diskette.
Explains how to create custom directory listings for specific file types.
Instructions for printing the diskette directory.
How to use wildcard characters for file selection and directory listings.
Information on identifying and handling improperly closed files.
How to detect and diagnose disk errors using BASIC 2.0 commands.
Useful tips and best practices for using BASIC commands with the disk drive.
How to preserve programs or files on a formatted diskette.
Method for overwriting existing files on diskette with new versions.
How to confirm that a program file was saved correctly to disk.
Command to erase unwanted files and free up disk space.
Additional details and cautions regarding the SCRATCH command.
Further explanation of splat files and their handling.
Information on files protected from erasure.
How to change the name of a program or file in the diskette directory.
Techniques for managing files with problematic names.
How to create spare copies of programs or files on the diskette.
Recalculates the diskette's Block Availability Map to restore disk health.
Re-reads the diskette's directory into the disk buffer if information is unreliable.
How to diagnose disk errors using BASIC 7.0 commands.
Saves a program or file for later reuse on a formatted diskette.
Replaces an existing file on diskette with a new version.
Compares a program in memory against its copy on diskette.
Makes a spare copy of a program or file on the diskette.
Combines two sequential files into a single file.
Erases unwanted files from diskettes, freeing up space.
Additional details and cautions for using the SCRATCH command.
Explains splat files and their handling.
Information on files protected from erasure.
How to alter the name of a file in the diskette directory.
Techniques for managing files with problematic names.
Recalculates Block Availability Map, similar to VALIDATE.
Re-reads the diskette's BAM into the disk buffer to ensure data integrity.
How to open files for reading or writing using the OPEN statement.
Importance of closing files to ensure data is written and directory updated.
How to read data from disk files into variables using INPUT#.
Explains common errors encountered with INPUT# and file data.
How commas and colons affect data input and file handling.
How numeric variables are stored as strings on diskette.
How to read data character by character using GET#.
Interpretation of the ST file status variable codes.
A sample BASIC 7.0 program demonstrating sequential file operations.
Concepts of organizing data into files, records, and fields for relative access.
Constraints on record size and file capacity when using relative files.
How to create or reopen a relative file for data operations.
How to position the record pointer for reading/writing in relative files.
Practical examples of using the RECORD# command.
Steps to properly create a relative file, including initial record setup.
How to add more records to an existing relative file.
Using PRINT#, INPUT#, and GET# for writing relative file data.
Methods for structuring data within a relative file record.
Example program for entering variable length fields into a relative record.
How to read data back from relative files into memory.
How sequential files can be used with relative files for efficient data retrieval.
Setting up dedicated channels for direct sector access operations.
Loading contents of a specified disk sector into a file buffer.
Saving the contents of a file buffer into a specified disk sector.
Using older commands for block read/write operations.
How to manage the buffer pointer for accessing disk memory.
Marking sectors as used to prevent overwriting.
Releasing allocated disk blocks for reuse.
Creating and managing partition areas as sub-directories on the disk.
Developing programs that utilize random file access methods.
Overview of the 1581's internal memory layout and purpose of memory areas.
Reading bytes from disk memory into the computer.
Writing bytes into disk memory from the computer.
Executing routines directly from disk memory.
Loading and executing machine language routines from diskette sectors.
Commands for interacting with machine language programs and system functions.
Loading user-type files into the drive's RAM.
How the drive automatically loads and executes specific user files.
List of Kernal ROM routines for disk operations and their usage.
Command for reading data using the burst protocol.
Command for writing data using the burst protocol.
Command to query the diskette's format and status.
Command for formatting diskettes with various options.
Retrieves detailed information about the diskette's format.
Command to inquire about the drive's current status.
Command to view the contents of the track cache buffer.
Utility for changing drive parameters and modes.
Utility for accelerating data transfer operations.
Explains the meaning of status bytes returned by commands.
Details the handshake protocol for burst data transfers.
Defines the terms and procedures used in burst commands.
Illustrates the timing and sequence of the burst protocol.
Explains the difference between logical and physical disk formatting.
Describes the buffer used to improve disk drive efficiency.
How the DOS and Controller communicate via a job queue.
Table of indirect vectors for DOS commands, allowing customization.
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