Hi !
I just got my 1st MSX2 computer (Philips VG8235) and I have to start at "zero"...

- How can I transfer programs from PC to MSX 2 ? I use Win XP and it seems it only can format 1.44 MB to 3,5 disks :-(
- What games and demos are a "must have" for this (unmodified) computer and where can I find them ? ;-)

Any help is appreciated ! ;-)

- Mr.B. -

For generic info: The Ultimate MSX fAQ

Asking for copyrighted games and other copyrighted material is not done on MRC (boring and at times annoying policy, yes ). I'm sure you can find some if you look for 'em tho.. You might also want to inspect the MRC download database which contains some cool freeware stuff (also some games and a lot of demos, and music).

But if you ask for "must have games", then I could list some:
All Konami games (at least all the megaroms), and especially: SD-Snatcher, Space Manbow, Nemesis 2, Kings Valley 2, Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake.
Compile also made a lot of quality games, such as Aleste, Aleste 2, Randar 3, Puyo Puyo.
Microcabin made super-quality RPG's (Japanese, tho some of 'em have been translated to English), like Xak, Xak 2, Xak The Tower of Gazzle, Fray.

And that's not all, there are way more quality games out there.

If your 8235 is still in its original form then you probably have a single sided diskdrive, that ain't too good. If possible, try to find a double sided drive, as about all demo's and games require it. (some games come as cartridge tho).

If you want to do things yourself, draw, compose, code etc. (or just put games on it) then you might want a decent mass storage device, such as a Compact Flash reader (see: www.msx.ch ), because a fast storage medium is just convenient.. imagine your PC without harddisk for a while..

Welcome to the community!

About your questions:

To format a 720Kb floppy on XP: from a console try with format a: /t:80 /n:9
To dump an image (dsk) to a floppy: dcopy <image.dsk> a:

In the same page above you'll find also several useful tools to work with MSX files

Only for vg9235 total tracks = 40 (360k disk)
so format a: /t:40 /n:9 might do it.. I hope

Else there's the CF card stuff, which I don't have exp with tho.

Thanks for the nice introduction ! :-)
I tried to format a disk to 360k with "format a: /t:40 /n:9" but I get an error message something like
>parameter is not supported by drive< !
Doesn't newer 3,5" floppy drives support low densities ?

Format the disk on your MSX and use diskmanager to write the desired content to the disk, see if it works. don't format the disk with diskmanager.

good luck

You could also format your disk with a program called MSXForm.
Then write dsk images using RawWriteXP. Works for me.

Edit: Oh wait, scratch that. I don't think MSXForm can format 360k disks.

Formatting on MSX is really the best.

Okay, I tried to format the disk on my MSX with "call format" but it seems the disk drive is not working properly ! :-(
Floppy motor is spinning without any head stepping and it's spinning (most probably) forever, without getting back to Basic...
I guess I can't use normal pc floppy for replacement ... Any hint what can be the reason ?

It could be that your drive has gone to the dogs.. (used to happen with the 8245 as well ). Perhaps it can be repaired, or you could try to find a similar drive, but preferably a double-sized one. Or find another cheap MSX2 perhaps, sometimes you spot these cheap MSX2's on Ebay, it could be that such a whole MSX2 is cheaper than a repair or a new diskdrive.. dunno, ask an authority ^_^..

> I tried to format a disk to 360k with "format a: /t:40 /n:9"

Not that it will help you with your problem, but MSX single sided disks are also 80 tracks (/t:80), it just writes to just 1 side of the disk.

Last week I've successfully formatted and written several 360kB disks with Disk Manager in XP. Actually works great . I was told that if you use HD disks, you need to cover the HD hole before trying to format with XP. And yes, they are indeed 80 tracks/sector.

Quote:

> I tried to format a disk to 360k with "format a: /t:40 /n:9" Not that it will help you with your problem, but MSX single sided disks are also 80 tracks (/t:80), it just writes to just 1 side of the disk.

ah, ofcourse. thanx vincent.

It seems to me that the belt of the drive is not in good condition.Msx vg8235 is notorious for the fact that the belt got rubbed off many times.You can easily replace that belt.Careful open that msx,locate the drive and remove the old rubber belt and place a new one.After that your drive will work great.I did this to mine too

Best regards

Quote:

It seems to me that the belt of the drive is not in good condition.Msx vg8235 is notorious for the fact that the belt got rubbed off many times.You can easily replace that belt.Careful open that msx,locate the drive and remove the old rubber belt and place a new one.After that your drive will work great.I did this to mine too Best regards

This seems to be a good point that is worth to be checked :-) Any hint where to get such a replacement belt ?
what about connecting a PC disk drive to the MSX ? I found interesting page ...
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/lafey/vg8235_drive.htm
Has anybody tried this already ?