Install a 3,5" floppy drive in first generation 5170

[Pekopome]

Hey guys, so I got my MFM-drive to work perfectly with my first generation 5170 running DOS 5. Only problem is, that I have no way of getting software and games on to the system because it only has the original 5 1/4 floppy drive. I'm dying to get all of my childhood classic games on to the computer.

My first plan was to install a IDE Compact Flash card reader on the system. But I'm afraid that installing a XTIDE BIOS or change the original BIOS is going to exceed my vintage computer skills.

Therefor I think the best solution would be to install a 1,44 MB 3,5" floppy on the system and buy a USB floppy drive for my new PC. But the first generation BIOS in the 5170 doesn't support that? - or is it only booting from that type of drive that can cause problems? I have a Western Digital IDE hard disk controller card. Can I use that, or what is the easiest way to install a 3,5" floppy?

Best David

 

[k2x4b524[]

the first run of 5170's can and will see 720kb floppies, if you want 1.44 with them, use GSetup. Did that myself, it will do everything with 1.44mb but boot from them, but it should allow you to use a 1.44mb drive in the PC/AT