Whilst browsing around looking for a ZoomFloppy online I ran across a project by a man named Dirk Wouters. He designed a new version that was basically the size of a thumb drive. I was ready to order that right away. I mean, I have no need for all of the ports on the oversized ZoomFloppy. The XoomFloppy was exactly what I was looking for.
To my disappointment, it was not available for sale. He had all the info necessary for making one but he wasn’t selling it. Ok, so I ordered some boards and whatever components I needed that I didn’t have. It requires an Atmega32U2 which I bought quite a few of, why? Well, the chip shortage is definitely affecting Microchip because Mouser had maybe 100 left and not expected a new delivery until 2023. Thinking I might want to make some to sell, I bought as many as my wallet and my brain would allow (which to be honest was not a massive number). So, with the components and the boards ordered I waited.
After the boards finally arrived, I had some other things going on, but eventually, I got around to building one. It works beautifully, and because I ordered more than one board (it would have been silly not to) I built some more to sell to those who might not have the skill or desire to make one themselves. The board is great, no doubt, but there were a couple of things I wanted to change about it.
I emailed Dirk and asked him if he would mind if I made some minor changes and sold it in the US (He lives in Germany) he was pleased and suggested he would love to have his design in the hands of American users. So, with that, I have the XoomFloppy 1.1 for sale now, and soon will have the XoomFloppy 1.2. There are only minor changes and the only thing you might miss out on with 1.2 is you can easily reset the Atmega32U2 to DFU mode. You can still do it just not as easily.
So, if you’d like to make your own you can go to Dirk’s website at https://retrotinker.net/xoomfloppy-the-zoomfloppy-in-miniature-size/ if you’d like to order one from me you can do that as well.
The XoomFloppy comes already loaded with the ZoomFloppy firmware and is ready to use with OpenCBM which you can find information for OpenCBM at https://opencbm.trikaliotis.net It also comes with a 3D printed case, a 6-pin female dongle and instructions.
If you’d like to order one you can go to my store at https://kosciuskomedia.com/?page_id=920 They are $40.00 plus tax and shipping. If for some reason you are unable to purchase from the website send me an email at mailto:admin@kosciuskomedia.com
Watch the video below if you’d like to see the build process, flashing the Atmega32U2 and testing the XoomFloppy. I hope you enjoy the XoomFloppy, the video and again, special thanks to Dirk. He’s an awesome retro developer and you should really check out his website.
You can watch the video on my YouTube channel “The Tech I missed”
