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From: davis@umn-cs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.micro.cbm
Subject: 2 c64s sharing a 1541 drive: questio
Message-ID: <8900001@umn-cs.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 15-Feb-86 15:56:00 EST
Article-I.D.: umn-cs.8900001
Posted: Sat Feb 15 15:56:00 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 17-Feb-86 05:05:48 EST
Lines: 34
Nf-ID: #N:umn-cs:8900001:000:1368
Nf-From: umn-cs!davis    Feb 15 14:56:00 1986




[*]

Can one 1541 disk drive be shared between two C64s ?

I find that I use my C64 exclusively to run 2 programs: Kermit and
PaperClip. Both use the user RS232 port, one for the modem, the other
for a serial printer. I also need to keep reloading "the other" program
from disk because I often switch between these programs. 
I am thinking of investing in a second C64, so I can keep
each C64 loaded with one program, and connect the modem to one and the
printer to the other. I would like the two C64s to share the same disk
drive (while both computers are on), as well as the same monitor. As my
monitor has two inputs, I can switch between the two C64s.

The big questions: 
1. Can the disk drive be shared? i.e. can I plug one C64
   into one of the ports on the back of the 1541, and the other C64 into
   the other port on the 1541? 
2. I suppose this is a funny form of daisy-chaining; will any of the 
   devices involved get screwed up?
3. Can I define the drive to be device 8 to both C64s? Device 8 to on C64,
   device 9 to the other?  

Note that I do not want one C64 to talk to another through the drive, 
but merely share the drive without having to unplug the cables or re-boot.
(A most primivitive form of multitasking, I suppose.)
Any help or comments welcome; please post to the net or reply by mail.

Thanks, Jay

davis%umn-cs.csnet@csnet-relay