X68000 - Writing 5.25" Floppies in Linux

You need a package of tools called `fdutils` installing, this includes things like 'getfdprm', 'setfdprm', etc:

$ apt-get install fdutils

To set up the drive for the Sharp X68000 track layout, you need to configure the drive. Here's a quick shell script that automates it:

#!/bin/bash
 
MODE=$1
FD=$2
 
if [ "$MODE" == "on" ]
then
    echo "1232/1232 2464 16 2 77 0 0x35 0x08 0xDF 0x74" > /etc/fdprm
    setfdprm /dev/$FD -p 1232/1232
    fdformat /dev/$FD
else
    setfdprm /dev/$FD -c
fi

Run it as

<konsole> $ sudo setx68flop on fd1 [sudo] password for user: Double-sided, 77 tracks, 16 sec/track. Total capacity 1232 kB. Formatting … done Verifying … done $ </konsole>

Then write your disk image using dd (dd if=image.xdf of=/dev/fd1):

<konsole> $ sudo dd if=Phalanx_disk1.xdf of=/dev/fd1 [sudo] password for user: 2464+0 records in 2464+0 records out 1261568 bytes (1.3 MB, 1.2 MiB) copied, 81.9835 s, 15.4 kB/s $ </konsole>

Then after you are done, clear the floppy settings so that your floppy drive goes back to normal IBM/PC 1.2MB format:

<konsole> $ sudo setx68flop off fd1 [sudo] password for user: $ </konsole>