CMD HD Series Hard Drives

CMD HD hard drives bring the latest in SCSI technology to the Commodore arena. By using SCSI, the HD can interface with other computers and connect to other SCSI devices such as additional hard drives and tape backup units.

The CMD HD is designed to hook up directly into your serial chain, just like your other drives. This hard drive is the first true 'plug-in and play' hard drive ever developed for the C-64 or C-128 which is compatible with all serial modes, JiffyDOS protocol, GEOS, CP/M and standard Commodore DOS commands. Just plug it in and begin using it - it's that simple.

Partitioning is another unique feature of the CMD HD. The 1541, 1571, and 1581 emulation partitions within the HD are very useful for interacting with drive specific programs. These partitions have basically the same parameters as the original disk used in these drives, allowing the HD to be compatible with programs that would normally operate only on one of these three drives. Our own native mode partitions allow sizes of up to 16 Mb per each partition, and allow you to use MS-DOS style subdirectories to organize your data. Any combination of partition types is allowed up to a total of 254 partitions. These partitions may also be accessed through device numbers 8 through 29. Our easy to use utilities allow you to create these partitions.

Another feature that adds to the flexibility of the CMD HD is the way that the operating system is stored in a closed partition on the drive itself and downloaded into fast  RAM for operation. By putting the operating system on the drive in this manner, the DOS may be upgraded at any time by simply uploading a new version from a floppy disk. This may be done easily by the end user and maintenance upgrades will be made available periodically.

Compatibility is another area where the HD is superior. Software falls mainly into two categories: copy protected and not copy protected. Software which is not copy protected is easily moved directly onto the hard drive simply by copying it over from your floppy disk. Most copy protected software is easily copied over to the HD by using a freeze type cartridge. If this is not possible, you may copy any auxiliary files to the HD, boot the software from your floppy disk, and then utilize the HD's SWAP feature to begin using the software from the HD.

Features
--------
* Prices start at under $600 -   hundreds less than the competition
* Connects easily via the serial port   like any other disk drive
* Compatible with Commodore DOS   commands, GEOS and CP/M
* Compatible with slow and fast serial   bus modes, as well as JiffyDOS   protocol and burst commands
* Real Time Clock performs automatic time and date stamping of all files
* Write protect switch prevents   unintended writing to disk
* Swap functions easily enable drive   to become device 8 or 9 at any time
* Optional ultra-high-speed parallel   connection through RAMLink, CMD's   RAM disk interface
* Standard capacities of 20, 40, and 100 Mb with custom capacities also   available. 
* All models feature Auto-Parking heads
* Additional drives may be chained to create capacities of more than 4   gigabytes
* Drive may be divided into as many as 254 separate partitions
* 1541, 1571, 1581 Emulation mode  partitions imitate the mapping of   these drives to provide high levels   of software compatibility
* Native mode allows partition sizes up to 16 Mb with MS-DOS style   subdirectories
* SCSI interface port allows connection of other SCSI devices * Drive may be interfaced with other types of computers (Amiga, IBM,   Macintosh)
* Foreign partitions allow data from   other types of computers to co-exist on the drive
* Drive-based operating system allows   for easy upgrades to future versions of DOS
* Registered HD owners receive free   DOS upgrades within Version 1
* Extended warranty plans to protect   your drive for as long as 2 years

Performance
-----------
CMD Hard Drives are designed to be the fastest serial mass-storage devices available for the C-64 and C-128. When connected on the serial bus to a completely stock computer, HD series hard drives outperform all other serial bus drives (including the 1581). If your computer is equipped with JiffyDOS, the HD delivers unbelievable speed, rivaling and in many instances outperforming even our competitor's parallel interfaced system. And when connected to the parallel port on CMD's RAMLink, HD series drives become as fast as the hard drives found on newer, more expensive machines.

Compatibility
-------------
Our specially designed operating system (HD DOS) gives HD series drives the ability to work with nearly all commercial software. This proprietary DOS fully supports all Commodore DOS commands, including block reads and writes, memory access commands, fast serial and burst commands. Complete compatibility with GEOS and CP/M coupled with the HD's ability to use partitions which emulate the popular 1541, 1571, and 1581 disk drives, result in a level of compatibility unparalleled in any other hard drive system available for C-64 and C-128 computers. Another  feature of the HD's operating system is that it is stored on the hard drive itself and not in ROM. This means that DOS upgrades can be installed quickly and easily without opening your drive. 

Ease of Use
-----------
From the moment you plug in and begin using the HD, the simplicity of design and operation become apparent. We provide you with the tools to easily organize and access the large amounts of data you will be storing. Partitions and system defaults are effortlessly handled through our HD-TOOLS software. Use with GEOS is accomplished easily by installing a new CONFIGURE file on your GEOS boot disk. Utilities have been provided to automatically set the GEOS clock from the HD's Real Time Clock and to quickly navigate through and copy files between the HD's partitions. Easy to remember commands allow subdirectories to be created within native mode partitions and within other subdirectories, and enable easy movement to other areas within the drive.

Features, compatibility, ease of use and modern technology would make you think the HD is priced higher than existing drives, but once again the HD comes out on top. Prices start under $600.00. So while other companies are willing to let your computer become obsolete, CMD is taking your 64/128 into the '90's.