Last Updated on 27 March 2026 by Suffocation

Control board to be able to address one to two floppy drives via USB. Various formats are supported and the documentation is really extensive (see WikiYou don't have to build the project yourself; it can also be found from various European retailers for around €30. For a few euros more, you also get a nice case to go with it.

ADDENDUM I wish I'd read the description beforehand, but no, I was determined to include the PCB in a large order. For this PCB, it's recommended to have the seeds (lots of small components) already soldered by the PCB manufacturer, especially since very small ones (SMD 0402) are used here. I've ordered a few more populated PCBs. Anyone who wants the unpopulated ones should get in touch ;) .

Link to the project

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Facts

Supports reading and writing to floppy disks
Can describe floppy disks for PC, Amiga, Amstrad, PDP-11, musical instruments, industrial equipment….
Formats such as ADF, IPF, DSK, IMG, HFE are supported.

Circuit diagrams

Source: https://github.com/keirf/greaseweazle

schematic Download

Positioning Plan

Click on the individual components to get more information.

Layout Download

Documentation

https://github.com/keirf/greaseweazle

Assembly

Record

Description	Worth
Gerber available	Yes
Gerber file	Link
Ordered where	JLCPCB
Piece	5 / 5 Stocked
Price	€16 / €70 incl. shipping and taxes in large package
Special features	Leedfree, Green Paint

PCB order data

Here are the Gerber files saved. Please check the original site for anything newer.

greaseweazle_4_1_gerber Download

Components

Please take the list of components from the manufacturer's website. I did not assemble this board myself.

https://github.com/keirf/greaseweazle/wiki/Design-Files#v41

Thanks to George R. Mezzomo for the hardware layout and collaboration on schematic design. These designs may be freely reproduced, for example, in the manufacture of PCBs by your favourite board factory.
https://github.com/keirf/greaseweazle/wiki/Design-Files#v41

Structure

I've only soldered the pins for the jumpers and the floppy connectors.

Commissioning

Firmware

Download Atery tool

Here at the manufacturer:

https://www.arterychip.com/en/product/AT32F435.jsp

and here it is again, preserved:

Artery_ISP_Programmer_V2.0.16 Download

Unpack
DFÜ Driver Install /Atery_DFU_DRiverInstaller/Artery_DFU_DriverInstall.exe
Set jumper to Write Enable (see image below)
Set jumper at 3.3V DFU (see image below)
Start Artery ISP Programmer
Programming (see pictures below)
Afterwards remove the programming jumper
Done 😉

greaseweazle 4.1 – Jumper set for programming

greaseweazle 4.1 – Connected device should be displayed

After programming, don't forget to remove the dial-up networking jumper.

Application

The console program is required to control the circuit board.

https://github.com/keirf/greaseweazle/wiki/Download-Host-Tools

Here is the version I used for my tests. Windows 64-bit x64 greaseweazle-1.22-win64.zip

Configuration

Simpler than the console tool is to use a decent interface. On Greaseweazle's GitHub, two tools are linked:

FluxMyFluffyFloppy Frank Bopple
GreaseweazleGUI Don Mankin

FluxMyFluffyFloppy

The programme makes a better impression on me, so I tested it. Install the programme according to the instructions and off you go. The console tool is also required here, enter the path to the tool in Location above.

Read Amiga diskette

greaseweazle 4.1 – Reading Amiga Floppy Disks with FluxMyFluffyFloppy

Write Amiga diskette

greaseweazle 4.1 – Writing to Amiga Floppy Disks

Miscellaneous

Case

Complete solution

Here is the complete solution with space for a 3.5-inch drive.

https://www.printables.com/model/1232091-slimline-enclosure-for-greaseweazle-41-and-35-inch/files

For the board only

A small, plain package.

https://www.printables.com/model/653462-greaseweazle-v41-slimline-case

General Tips

Soldering points

Check the solder joints on the ICs again carefully, preferably with a microscope or magnifying glass, for short circuits and contact. Measure with a multimeter or continuity tester.

For small solder joints on through-hole components, use flux if possible; it makes life easier and increases the quality of the connection.

Problems

Floppy disk

Is not written

Insert jumper, enable write, and try again.

Voltage too low at USB port, choose another port or cable.

Cannot be read on the computer

Check tracks and format, in which the floppy disk was written.

Voltage too low at USB port, choose another port or cable.

Artery Tool

Surface with Asian characters

Open the file ArteryISPProgrammer.exe.config in an editor and enter en-EN in the line with Language.

greaseweazle 4.1 – ArteryISPProgrammer.exe.config

Error after selecting USB device

greaseweazle 4.1 – Error after device selection

This seems to be related to a Windows update; I installed the latest version of the Artery software and then it worked.

Adapter

Not recognised properly

ZADIG can help change the driver, which should then allow the board to be recognised correctly.

You can find more on this topic here.

Which USB port is being used

In Windows, you can check which USB port is being used in the Device Manager. By plugging it in and unplugging it, it should become clear which port is the correct one.

Conclusion

Description	Worth
Successful	Yes
Price per piece	~18 €
Soldering time	Half an hour with a pre-populated circuit board
Function	Class
Is it worth it	Yes – preparing floppy disks for various retro computers on your work PC is unbeatable.
Restrictions	–

Conclusion to the project

Sources

To the project

GitHub Link

Parts list

Gerber files

Retro pages

https://archive.org – Old software, magazines, manuals, and much more.

https://theretroweb.com – PC Hardware Directory.

https://www.winhistory.de/index.php – DOS, Windows Version Descriptions.

Win 3.1x Tools and Tricks

Retro Forensics

https://forum.classic-computing.de/forum – German/English forum with many retro computer enthusiasts.

https://www.vogons.org – I have found many tips on hardware here, they also have a driver directory.

https://www.dosforum.de – Forum with strict rules and very helpful regarding DOS, Windows questions are not welcome.

https://dosreloaded.de – DOS, hardware repairs, BIOS files and more.

https://www.winhistory-forum.net DOS and Windows history.

Retro Shops

https://ram-co-shop.de - PC parts, including newer ones, have ordered a lot from there and it's always worked.

http://www.amoretro.de – Sold on eBay and has a nice directory of old hardware

https://retroreiz.de – Atari, Nintendo, Sega and others.

https://www.retroworld.info/de – Stickers, signs and more.

https://retesa-nb.de – Older PC hardware

https://www.retro8bitshop.com – C64 tricky

Logbook

Date	Description
21.08.2024	Record ordered
30.08.2024	Receive
11.04.2025	Record received, post created.
12.04.2025	Boards ordered populated again.
05.07.2025	Remaining circuit boards fitted with pins and floppy connectors
06.07.2025	Post finalised, next steps testing with 5 1/4 inch drive
20.09.2025	– Received new delivery, fitted pins and uploaded the firmware. – For the new boards over 50€ paid. – Had a few problems with this and documented them.
28.11.2025	2 housings added
29.11.2025	Images of the housing print have been added
30.12.2025	Pictures of the case added
27.3.2026	Error added due to insufficient voltage to the device.

Revision history