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Floppy disks have disappeared from the market since many years now, but surprisly the machines needed them still largely being used in various domains :
Video games, Retro computing, Music, CNC machines (manufacturing/industrial process)... Early 2000s an alternative to the floppy disks was needed for these machines because the floppy support in PC machines started to disappear and the floppy disks reliability and quality was getting worse and worse.
I personnally started this project in 2006 to revive my Atari ST & Amiga machines and make them easier to use in the incoming world without floppy disks and floppy drives.
The project have grown with the various support requests received during all these years. It now support hundreds of machines and floppy formats. See the showroom to have a preview of the currently supported machines.
The HxC Floppy Emulator project main idea is to completely replace the floppy disk drive by an electronic device.
This electronic device emulate the floppy disk drive behavior and functionnalities.
The HxC Floppy emulators are designed to be very versatile and to support a large variety of computers / keyboards / samplers / CNC machines at a reasonable price.
The HxC Floppy Emulators support most existing floppy formats.
Today the HxC Floppy Emulator is a well established floppy disk drive replacement solution present into the retro-computing domain, Music domain and industrial domain.
See the showroom to have a preview of supported machines.
The HxC project currently offers different floppy emulation hardware and software solutions :
 
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- A SDCARD version which allows to emulate floppy disks which images are stored in a SDCARD. For more information on this interface, go to the "SD HxC Floppy Drive Emulator" part. |
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- A USB version which allows to connect the floppy disk drive interface of the computer to a PC via a USB cable. For more information on this interface, go to the "USB HxC Floppy Drive Emulator" part. |
In the table below, you can find a preview list of supported machines and floppy file images.
For a more complete list, please visit the HxC Floppy Emulators compatibility table.
Note : Some computers/hardwares are probably missing in these lists.
If you have tested the HxC Floppy Emulator successfully with another hardware or if you want a new file/hardware support, don't hesitate to contact us.
| Supported Computer/Hardware | Supported File Formats | Notes |
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Atari ST (STE/STF/Falcon...) 
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*.ST | 9,10,11 and 18 (1.44MB) sectors/track format supported. |
| *.DIM | ||
| *.MSA | ||
| *.STT | Steem Imager file format. | |
| *.IPF | ||
| *.STX / Pasti | ||
| "Non images" files. | The HxC Floppy Emulator software allows to create an virtual FAT12 (Atari ST/ MS DOS) floppy disk containing files present in a PC folder. | |
| *.IMA Hard Disk Image | Hard disk drive emulation done by the HxCMount driver. More details on : https://hxcmount.atomas.com/ | |
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Amiga (500/600/1000/1200...) 
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*.ADF | |
| UAE / Extended ADF | New and old version supported. | |
| *.ADZ | Based on the zlib. | |
| *.DMS | Based on xdms. | |
| *.IPF | 26/03/2008 > New software and CPLD core -> Full support of protected floppies image. Variable bitrate and flakeys bits protection are now supported. | |
| "Non images" files. | The HxC Floppy Emulator software allows to create an virtual AmigaDOS floppy disk containing files present in a PC folder. | |
Amstrad CPC6128/CPC6128+
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*.DSK | |
| *.DSK (extended) | ||
| *.IPF | ||
Sinclair ZX Spectrum +3
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DSK and Extended DSK | |
| TRD (BetaDisk) | ||
| SCL (BetaDisk) | ||
| *.FDI | ||
| *.IPF | ||
MSX2
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*.DSK |
Caution : Some MSX2 computers use a non-standard floppy connector pinout. Please check that the computer pinout is compatible with the HxC Floppy Emulator or use an adaptator. |
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Thomson TO8D MO5 + CD90-640 
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*.SAP | Based on Libsap. |
| *.FD |
FD files can be loaded with the raw image loader (in the gui software) with these parameters : MFM-256bytes/sector or FM-128bytes/sector, 16 sectors/tracks, 2 or 1 sides. |
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Oric+MicroDisk
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*.DSK | Oric & MicroDisc support tested at the Infoticaires 2008 convention party |
C64 + 1581
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*.D81 | |
Dragon 32/64
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*.VDK Dragon 32/64 disk image | |
Sam Coupé
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*.MGT | |
| *.SAD | ||
TI99/4A
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TI99 PC99 | MFM & FM tracks supported. |
| TI99 V9T9 (*.V9T9 / *.PC99) | ||
TRS-80
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*.JV1 | |
| *.JV3 |
JV3 support done by Gustavo E. A. P. A. Batista. Thanks to him. Video demo JV3 write support done by David Barr. Thanks to him too ! :) And another video here ! |
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| *.JVC | Jeff Vavasour Color Computer Disk Image | |
| *.DMK | ||
Acorn A3000
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*.ADF | |
Acorn BBC
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*.SSD | |
| *.DSD | ||
| *.ADL | ||
ACT/Apricot
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ACT Apricot disk image | |
Robotron KC 85/X
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*.TD0 | |
Kaypro 4-84
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*.IMD | |
RML 380Z/480Z
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*.IMG | More details on the forum |
CamputerLynx
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*.LDF | Tests on the real hardware done . |
PC-6601/PC6601SR
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*.D88 | |
PC88
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*.D88 | |
x68000
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*.HDM | 360RPM, 500Kb/s, 8 1024Bytes sectors, 2 sides, 77 tracks floppy format. |
| *.XDF | ||
FM Town II
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*.D88 *.BIN (raw image) |
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Super Wildcard DX-SWC3201
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*.SMC | Create a MS-DOS FAT12 floppy disk containing the SMC Super NES / Super Famicon ROM file. |
PC
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*.IMG/*.IMA/*.IMZ | 720kB and 1.44MB floppy image files supported |
Korg DSS-1 Keyboard
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*.DSK (CopyQM) | Note : Here a demo : http://www.reflexmusic.de/DSS-1/ |
Korg Is40 Keyboard
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*.IMG/*.IMA/*.IMZ MS DOS Floppy disk image |
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Ensoniq EPS Keyboard
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*.EDE *.GKH |
Video demo. |
Ensoniq SD-1 Keyboard
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*.EDV | Note : The floppy file image must have the *.EDV extension |
Ensoniq Mirage Sampler
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*.EDM | Note : The floppy file image must have the *.EDM extension |
Ensoniq ASR-10
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*.EDA | |
Ensoniq SQ-80
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*.EDS | |
Ensoniq TS-10
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*.EDT | |
Kurzweil K2000
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*.KRZ | |
Oberheim DPX1 Sampler
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*.DPX | Video demo. |
Emax & Emax II Sampler
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*.EM1 & *.EM2 | Note : The operating system image (emaxos.emx) must be present in the same folder than the bank files. |
Prophet 2000 & 2002
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*.IMG | |
E-mu Emulator
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*.EMUFD | |
E-mu Emulator II
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*.EMUIIFD | |
| *.EII |
Note : The operating system image (emuiios.emuiifd) must be present in the same folder than the bank files. Credits & Thanks: E-mu Emulator I & II support was possible thanks to Jan Kiefer who supply all necessary materials and supports, to the Software Preservation Society team for the reverse engineering of the EmuII Floppy disk format, and to Kris Van de Cappelle (EMXP developer) for the tests and EmuII technicals informations. |
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E-mu SP1200
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*.SP1200FD |
Video demo. Thanks to rosefloyd for the tests on the SP1200 hardware! |
Yamaha Clavinova CVP-83S
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*.IMG/*.IMA/*.IMZ MS DOS Floppy disk image |
Note: The virtual floppy disk image can be generated from midi files with the software. |
Yamaha TX16W
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Raw sector images/Floppy dump | More details on the forum |
Roland G800
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*.IMG/*.IMA/*.IMZ MS DOS Floppy disk image |
Note: The virtual floppy disk image can be generated from midi files with the software. Video demo. |
Roland W-30
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*.TD0 Floppy Disk Dump |
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Roland S-330
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*.TD0 Floppy Disk Dump |
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Roland S-50
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*.IMG/ raw sector images | |
Roland MV 30
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Floppy Disk Dump | |
Roland MC 300
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Floppy Disk Dump | |
Akai S900/S950 Sampler
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*.IMG/ raw sector images | Video demo |
Akai S01
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Raw sector images/Floppy dump | More details on the forum |
Akai ASQ-10
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Raw sector images/Floppy dump | |
Akai MPC60 MKII
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Raw sector images/Floppy dump. | More details on the forum |
Akai MPC2000
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Raw sector images/Floppy dump. |
More details on the forum Video demo |
JB-Lighting Licon
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*.IMG/*.IMA/*.IMZ MS DOS Floppy disk image |
Note: The virtual floppy disk image can be generated from files with the software. |
ALESIS DataDisk
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Raw sector images/Floppy dump. | More details on the forum. |
| TD0 Teledisk format | *.TD0 | Teledisk file format: Normal and advanced compression supported. |
| IMD file format | *.IMD |
ImageDisk File format Note: supported modes: MFM & FM. |
| MFM file format | *.MFM | Internal format of the software: contains encoded tracks. |
| AFI file format | *.AFI | Advanced floppy image: Contains Track data, variable bitrate, flakey bits informations. |
| HFE file format | *.HFE | File format used by the SD HxC Floppy Emulator |
| VTR file format | *.VTR | File format used by the VTrucco Floppy Emulator (variant of the SD HxC Floppy Emulator) |
Note : Since the above table is becoming too long, the full compatibility table has now its own page. Please have a look :
HxC Floppy Emulators supported machines / compatibility table.
To download the software please go to the software section.
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You can found details about these floppy emulators into this pdf : SDCard_HxC_Floppy_Emulator.pdf Hardware/software specifications Floppy interface: HE10 34 pins floppy connector Power supply User Interface SDCard support SDCard Filesystem Read / Write support Floppy bitrate supported RPM Tracks / Side Additionnal features |
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SD HxC Floppy Emulator Mechanical drawing (Rev B/C):
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Firmware : Please go to the download section to get the latest version. |
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Host control/File selector tool (Atari ST, Amstrad CPC, Amiga) : With the HxC File selector the host computer can access directly to the SDCard to select files images and change the SDCard HxC Floppy Emulator settings. The LCD screen and the buttons are becoming optional / useless. You can even remove the LCD screen to put the SD HxC Floppy Emulator inside the Amiga/Atari/CPC computer without case modification. Atari ST, Amstrad CPC and Amiga versions of this tool are currently available. Videos-demo of the HxC File Selector :
Note : Please go to the download section to get the latest version. |
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- Read only Floppy emulator (SD,DD,HD & ED mode) To see the list of computer tested with it, please go to this List |
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All necessary informations to build your own USB HxC Floppy Emulator are available here. The main part of the USB HxC Floppy Emulator is a MAX EPM7128S CPLD from Altera with 128 Macrocell. This chip is connected to a 32KB SRAM memory buffer and a FT245 from FTDI for the USB communication. |
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Warning : Do not disconnect the floppy ribbon while the USB is connected. This may damaged the emulator and your equipements. Always disconnect the USB cable before connecting/disconnecting the Floppy ribbon. |
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The bitstream to use to program the CPLD is available here.
To program this chip you can use Quartus II and an Altera compatible JTAG probe (The ByteBlaster for example).
The programmer software can be downloaded from the Altera website. Once programmed the CPLD got this pinout -> The VHDL sources are available here : VHDL USB HxC Floppy Emulator sources |
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There are two differents USB HxC Floppy Emulator PCBs : - An "homebrew" version (Rev B). This is a one layer "Do It Yourself" PCB. - A "Production" version (Rev C). This is a two layers PCB. I recommend this version since it have a better layout. Regarding the features of the board there are no differences between these two boards. You can downlead the Schematic / PCB Layout / BOM of the revision B & C board here ! If you don't want build it, this board is also available to purchase. Have a look to the sale points section. |
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This software act as the floppy server with the USB HxC Floppy Emulator. Notes:
- Supported operating systems :
- The USB HxC Floppy Emulator support is based on the FTDI D2XX Direct Drivers.
The lastest software sources codes can be donwloaded on the SourceForge project page : Note : Please go to the download section to get the latest software version. |
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Here you can find the up-to-date softwares, firmwares and documentations :
Last update : January 08, 2019
Devices list :
> SD HxCFloppyEmulator firmware upgrade v1.8.2.40 (please have a look to the release notes for the latest changes)
> SD HxCFloppyEmulator beta firmware upgrade (Beta version!)
> Slim SD HxCFloppyEmulator firmware upgrade v2.1.2.40 (please have a look to the release notes for the latest changes)
> Slim SD HxCFloppyEmulator beta firmware (Beta version!)
> HxCFloppyEmulator software v2.1.21.1 (please have a look to the release notes for the latest changes)
> HxCFloppyEmulator software beta/SNAPSHOT version (updated regularly)
> HxC Floppy Emulator DOS Disk Browser : A new DOS image type browser solution Please have a look to the README file for more details !
> VFD - Virtual Floppy Drive for Windows with DOS/FAT HFE files images support !
> ADF Opus - An Amiga floppy image browser with HFE files images support !
> Arburg COPYLOG Diskstation Emulator : A software solution to completely replace the Arburg COPYLOG Diskstation ! (Video demo !)
> HxC Floppy Emulator Manager/File selector (for Atari ST,Amstrad CPC and Amiga)
> HxCMount: https://hxcmount.atomas.com/
> Quick Install Disk Images : Some prepared SDCard images
> Softwares and Libraries sources can be found on SourceForge and GitHub:
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> General specifications : SDCard_HxC_Floppy_Emulator.pdf
> General specifications : SDCard_HxC_Floppy_Emulator_JP.pdf (Japanese)
> User Manual : SDCard_HxC_Floppy_Emulator_User_Manual.pdf (English)
> Manuel utilisateur : SDCard_HxC_Floppy_Emulator_User_Manual_FRA.pdf (Français)
> User Manual (Slim version) : Slim_SD_HxC_Floppy_Emulator_User_Manual_ENG.pdf (English)
> Software Step by Step guide : HxC_Floppy_Emulator_Software_User_Manual_ENG.pdf (English)
> HFE File format specification : SDCard_HxC_Floppy_Emulator_HFE_file_format.pdf
> HXCSDFE.CFG config file specification. : SDCard_HxC_Floppy_Emulator_HXCSDFE_CFG_file.pdf
> SD HxC Floppy Emulator mounting kit documentation.
The following elements allow you to program the low cost Gotek USB Floppy Emulator with the HxC bootloader & Firmwares.
To purchase the firmware : https://hxc2001.com/store/ 
> USB STM32 HxCFloppyEmulator firmware upgrade v3.1.34.2a (HFE + HFEv3 + ADF + ST + IMG + (E)DSK file and many others format support)
Please have a look to the release notes for the latest changes
> Online bootloader programmer (Instructions inside the zip file)
> HxCFloppyEmulator software v2.1.21.1 (please have a look to the release notes for the latest changes)
> HxCFloppyEmulator software beta/SNAPSHOT version (updated regularly)
> HxC Floppy Emulator DOS Disk Browser : A new DOS image type browser solution Please have a look to the README file for more details !
> VFD - Virtual Floppy Drive for Windows with DOS/FAT HFE files images support !
> ADF Opus - An Amiga floppy image browser with HFE files images support !
> Arburg COPYLOG Diskstation Emulator : A software solution to completely replace the Arburg COPYLOG Diskstation ! (Video demo !)
> HxC Floppy Emulator Manager/File selector (for Atari ST,Amstrad CPC and Amiga)
> HxCMount: https://hxcmount.atomas.com/
> Quick Install Disk Images : Some prepared SDCard images
> Softwares and Libraries sources can be found on SourceForge and GitHub:
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> HxCFloppyEmulator software v2.1.21.1 (please have a look to the release notes for the latest changes)
> HxCFloppyEmulator software beta/SNAPSHOT version (updated regularly)
> Quick Install Disk Images : Some prepared SDCard images
> Softwares and Libraries sources can be found on SourceForge and GitHub:
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> CPLD VHDL source code and bitstream
> Schematic & PCBs of the USB HxC Floppy Emulator
You can find into the following archives all the hardware informations to build / repair an HxC Floppy Emulator :
> USB HxC Floppy Emulator (2007) Hardware files (Schematic, PCB GERBER, BOM...)
> SD HxC Floppy Emulator Rev C (2010) Hardware files (Schematic, PCB GERBER, BOM...)
> Slim SD HxC Floppy Emulator Rev A (2012) Hardware files (Schematic, PCB GERBER, BOM...)
The USB HxC Floppy emulator and SD HxC Floppy Emulator are produced and sold by Lotharek.
Lotharek online shop:
https://lotharek.pl/
Lotharek ebay page :
http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/lotharek1977/
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/lotharek1977/m.html
Click on the above picture to visit the software store and get the HxC Firmware for Gotek License
WinImage (shareware) : a Windows program to create/modify dos/fat12 files images.
http://www.winimage.com/
ImageDisk : A DOS software to read/write floppy disk.
http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/img/index.htm
OmniFlop : a Windows program to read almost any kind of non standard floppy disk.
http://www.shlock.co.uk/Utils/OmniFlop/OmniFlop.htm
VFD - Virtual Floppy Drive : a Windows Floppy disk drive emulator : This software is able to mount an .IMG file as a floppy disk drive under windows.
http://vfd.sourceforge.net/
All pictures / videos of the project can be found on this page!
| Jean-François DEL NERO (Jeff) | Project Initiator - Main project developper/maintainer. |
| Gregory ESTRADE (Torlus) | Forum hosting, FAT32 support of the SD HxC Floppy Emulator. |
| Christophe ESC. (Giants) | Manufacturing of the First USB HxC Floppy Emulator batch. |
| Przemyslaw Krawczyk (Lotharek) | Manufacturing and selling facilities. |
| Arnaud STORQ (Norecess) | Amstrad CPC file selector optimization and support. |
| Gustavo E. A. P. A. Batista | TRS-80 JV3 support implementation. |
| David Barr | TRS-80 JV3 write support implementation. |
| Michael Gibs (gibs) | Some incredible promotionals videos ;-) |
| Kris VC (Esynthesist) | Providing a great help for the E-mu Emulator I & II support. (Technical informations and tests). |
| The Software Preservation Society Team | Providing the first E-mu Emulator I & II floppy disk dump and E-mu track format. |
| Joseph REDON (Namida) | NEC PC88 support tests. |
| Alex Mena | x68000 support tests. |
| Petari | Atari ST ST/MSA/STT support tests. |
| Jan Kiefer | E-mu Emulator II tests. |
| Rosefloyd (One MPC Two DJ'S) | E-mu SP1200 tests and some demos videos. |
And thanks to all others who contribute to the project by reporting bugs, submitting new ideas, contributing code, spreading the word about the project !
| HxC Floppy Emulator project | Legal Mentions | (C)2006-2018 HxC2001 / Jean-François DEL NERO |
