Repair & Schematics
BBC Micro
1770 Floppy Upgrade (BBC Micro)
3min
if your floppy interface on the bbc micro is using the 8271 you can only load 40 track disks there is an official upgrade guide here https //archbee doc uploads s3 amazonaws com/j28kvka0c jxcfzcoqq29 xyijuvotazhdd8n6y5ysd 20250416 091705 pdf there are modern upgrade kits from places like retroclinic , with official install guides in short remove the yellow bridge wire if it is there (or cut it) replace ic79/80 with 78 f 38 versions (ideally, not always required) remove the old 8271, socket in the new 1770 upgrade remove ic86 (74393), and add a bridge wire between pins 1 and 4 if ic87 (near the rear) is missing, bridge pins 9 and 12 if it is present, leave it in and do nothing with it finally, replace your old dfs rom (usually 0 9) with dfs 2 26 or watford1 54 now you should be able to use and read/write/format 80 track disks if you have issues with reading/writing/formatting you can also try changing the dip switches on the keyboard pcb pins 3 and 4 can both be set high or low, to change the speed of the drive find which works for you