The XXP1541 cable combo

Description

The XXP1541 cable combo is a Y-shaped cable that is, actually, a pair of an X1541 cable and an XP1541 or XP1571 parallel cable. It's compatible with PS/2 parallel ports and with Commodore 1541, 1570 and 1571 drives.

Hardware requirements

You need the following hardware to make use of this cable:
  • A PC with a PS/2 parallel port
  • A Commodore 1541, 1570 or 1571 drive or compatible clone

Software support

The following PC softwares fully support this cable: For the list of softwares that partially support this cable, see the page of the X1541 cable and the XP1541 and XP1571 parallel cables.

Important notes

  • Don't let the name "XXP1541" fool you. This cable also works with the Commodore 1570 and 1571 drive, not only the Commodore 1541 drive.
  • This cable definitely needs an SPP port. You can check the compatibility between your parallel port and the X1541 cable with X1541Test. Also, your parallel port must be bidirectional so that the XP1541/XP1571 cable will work on it. For parallel ports incompatible with the X1541 cable, you need the XEP1541 cable combo instead; for unidirectional ones, use the XXH1541 cable combo instead.

Construction

You can find the details on how to build this cable at the construction page.

If you already have an X1541 cable then you can find the details on how to transform it at the construction page.

Usage

Connect the serial plug into the serial port on your Commodore drive. Connect the parallel plug into the parallel port on your Commodore drive. Connect the PC parallel plug into the parallel port of your PC.

Make sure to put your equipment far away from monitors, TV sets and other devices with strong emission, otherwise cables may pick up interference and you may experience data loss or corruption.

Copyright

The X1541 cable is © by Leopoldo Ghielmetti, 1992. The XP1541 and XP1571 parallel cables are © by Joe Forster/STA, 1997. If you produce and sell cables or adaptors that are compatible with this cable or the XP1541/XP1571 parallel cable it implements then you must give credits to the respective copyright owners. If your adaptors are built onto printed circuit boards then you must also make the complete layout available in a format and resolution that is suitable for high quality reproduction.

Source: The Joe Forster-STA homepage

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