Gotek Compatibility

FlashFloppy is compatible with any Gotek device with a 34-pin header, all of which share the SFR model prefix (eg SFR1M44-U100K, SFRM72-U100; though not all sellers mention the model name explicitly). These 34-pin models all share the same basic design, varying only in preinstalled firmware and user interface (display and buttons). Since the fixed-format (720kB vs 1.44MB) stock firmware is being replaced, this particular distinction between Gotek models is irrelevant: all of them can handle an almost infinite range of disk formats with FlashFloppy installed.

Unless performing display and rotary encoder upgrades, choose a model with three-digit LED display. Be aware that the very cheapest models often have no display and buttons, which makes disk changes impossible unless you install your own alternatives. There also exist some older models with a two-digit LED display: although compatible, try to avoid these.

Update April 2021: Artery Microcontrollers

Starting Spring 2021, the STM32F105 microcontroller previously used has been replaced with Artery AT32F415 varieties due to cost and availability. These are supplied on two PCB types:

• SFRC922D: Carries the 64-pin AT32F415RCT7. This PCB is shared with STM32F105RBT6; You cannot tell which MCU is installed without opening the Gotek.
• SFRC922AT3: Carries the smaller 48-pin AT32F415CBT7. This PCB is missing the usual header pins for installing a rotary encoder; Instead the CLK/DT wires can be connected to pins PA13 (SWDIO) and PA14 (SWCLK) on the programming port.

Artery Goteks can be programmed via USB-DFU using Artery-specific software. A full guide can be found on msx.org.

Although largely compatible with STM32F105, these chips have only half the RAM (32kB). This makes it difficult to reliably support some operations, particularly track formatting of high-density HFE images. Reliability of these operations will depend on USB stick performance, and is also expected to improve with future firmware updates.

Models to Avoid

• UFA prefix (eg UFA1M44): Emulates a USB floppy drive and hence lacks the 34-pin header, which is replaced by a mini-USB socket.
• DU26, TU26 suffix (eg SFR1M44-DU26): Emulates a slimline laptop drive, and hence has 26-pin header with integrated power, rather than the required 34-pin header. However, see #155 for one user's successful modifications to run FlashFloppy on a DU26.
• FDD-UDD U144K: A Gotek variant with 34-pin header but a completely different PCB layout with undocumented pin headers (see photo below). I strongly recommend to avoid this model as it cannot be programmed by the usual serial and USB methods, and it lacks convenient headers for popular hardware additions. However, see #232 for discussion of how to program this model via JTAG, and header assignments.