+bob1200xl Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 The XF351 is a 3.5 inch disk drive that Atari was going to sell for 8-bit computers. From what I understand, the s/w vendors objected to supporting two different media, so Atari shelved it (in my Attic) and brought out the XF551, instead. Someone mentioned the XF351 on AA so I thought I might get mine out and play with it a little. Hmmmmm... used to work some, doesn't now. It will respond to SIO but does not read or write. I have more than enough to do so I thought I would just sell the thing and see if anyone else would be willing to get it going again. Anyway, it is on ebay if you're interested. Pardon the advertising but XF351s don't come around very often. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixelmischief Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Man, I would love to get the board on this thing reproduced for installation in an SF314/354 housing. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Larry Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Hmm... On the XF351, did Atari have a new shell molded or cut out the SIO jack holes (since the ST case has the round holes plus the "sort of Chevrolet badge" front opening)? I've got a pair of Indus GT1000 (3.5" drives) that I used to use with my Floppy board. Looks pretty cool to have a 3-1/2" case for our 8bit. -Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXG/MNX Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 The XF351 is a 3.5 inch disk drive that Atari was going to sell for 8-bit computers. From what I understand, the s/w vendors objected to supporting two different media, so Atari shelved it (in my Attic) and brought out the XF551, instead. Someone mentioned the XF351 on AA so I thought I might get mine out and play with it a little. Hmmmmm... used to work some, doesn't now. It will respond to SIO but does not read or write. I have more than enough to do so I thought I would just sell the thing and see if anyone else would be willing to get it going again. Anyway, it is on ebay if you're interested. Pardon the advertising but XF351s don't come around very often. Bob Can you post pictures of the back and inside before selling would love to see more about this. I cannot afford so much for this drive otherwise I had made a bid :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walter_J64bit Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 (edited) WoW, l had no idea that this Atari drive was made, it looks like you use with the Atari ST too. What DOS came with the XF351, you got pics fi the DOS disk? Edited November 10, 2014 by walter_J64bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I think the DIN connector on the back is for power, not an ST floppy connector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Allan Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Figures. They were only going to have one SIO port. Opps. Didn't see the SIO cable. Odd that they made one cable attached unlike all the other drives. Allan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Level42 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 (edited) Not odd, smart. Saves space, a real issue on such a small (compared to the 1050) drive and....it saves one SIO connector (on the PCB) that you already always have to connect anyways. It would be really bad if they had left off the SIO connector to daisy-chain it. Edited November 10, 2014 by Level42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Level42 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Maybe handy to put a link to the actual auction directly in your first posting ? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-XF351-3-5in-disk-drive-for-8-bit-CIB-800-1200XL-800XL-130XE-/261656559073?pt=US_Vintage_Computing_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cebf23de1 Better slam that piggy bank people..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R4ngerM4n Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Wow, $1000. How many units were made? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roydea6 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I would have been the first bidder if it had started at 500.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bob1200xl Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 Yes, a link (and, maybe a picture) would have been nice. I'm still learning... The round connector is for the power supply. I don't know how many XF351s were made - not many. No DOS for the XF351. I'll take pictures before I send it off. Yes, for $500 I'd buy it also. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tillek Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Yeah, I've been known to drop some serious $$$ on ebay from time to time, but $1000 for something that it tested to not be working? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roydea6 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I just love this packaging. Nostalgic Atari... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Bob, Have you considered buying an SF314 or SF354 and swapping out the drive? I'm betting Atari used the same drives for both. The ST drives often go for cheap, especially the SF354 as it is single sided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bob1200xl Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 Yes, well... it isn't dead, just crippled. All the parts are there and it almost works. It's a collector's item, not an everyday workhorse. If you want a 3.5 inch drive on an 8-bit, use an XF551 converted to a 3.5. Bob Yeah, I've been known to drop some serious $$$ on ebay from time to time, but $1000 for something that it tested to not be working? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bob1200xl Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 No, it isn't an ST drive. The controller drives a 'standard' drive so you could probably convert the XF351 to that, but this is a one-of-a-kind item and you really shouldn't hack it up. Bob Bob, Have you considered buying an SF314 or SF354 and swapping out the drive? I'm betting Atari used the same drives for both. The ST drives often go for cheap, especially the SF354 as it is single sided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I'm not doubting you, since you own one of these, but this suggests that it is the same mechanism as the SF354. http://firewi.com/ahs/xf351.html No, it isn't an ST drive. The controller drives a 'standard' drive so you could probably convert the XF351 to that, but this is a one-of-a-kind item and you really shouldn't hack it up. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bob1200xl Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 Dang... you're going to make me take it apart again, aren't you? However it turns out, thanks for the link! Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Level42 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 (edited) I think it's the same mechanism too. The fact that they used the same controller as the ST's had is another hint in that direction. Plus that drive opening was pretty special....and typical for the ST mechanisms... It's great that the box is included but I prefer the Warner period for Atari's packaging....it got really cheap and dull in the Tramiel era. Edited November 10, 2014 by Level42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 That's why I'm here Bob. Good luck! Dang... you're going to make me take it apart again, aren't you? However it turns out, thanks for the link! Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Level42 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Man, I would love to get the board on this thing reproduced for installation in an SF314/354 housing. I really like that idea !!! would be cool if someone would be willing to offer one of these rare babies for some thorough investigation.....are there schematics ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Level42 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Unit is going to need a retro-bright treatment by the way..... sorry for being curious Bob but what is the hand writing on top of the box ? anything special ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 xf351box.jpg I just love this packaging. Nostalgic Atari... That looks like the exact same kind of packaging my XC11 was in. It even had the same writing in marker on the box. I wonder why they made production looking packaging for a prototype drive? Weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bob1200xl Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 OK - is this an SF354 mechanism? I assumed that the ST used regular 34-pin drives. Maybe not? The XF351 drive has a single row of interface pins and what looks like a standard power connector. It is also thicker than a regular 3.5. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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