QL vDrive upgrade

[stephen_usher]

Yeah, the vDrive + vMap is great as the vDrive can act as multiple mdvs with different images, and crate new images, all from the command line. Far more flexible than a Gotek.

[rubber_jonnie]

Yeah, the vDrive + vMap is great as the vDrive can act as multiple mdvs with different images, and crate new images, all from the command line. Far more flexible than a Gotek.

I know it's superb,I'm very impressed. I have yet to play with banks, but I'm sure it'll come, I may try one with all the default SW (Quill,Abacus etc) across 4 drives, plus a blank slot for saving.

Definitely easy to manage, plus there's the toolkit that autoloads if the SD card isn't inserted

[rubber_jonnie]

To add to the fun, this arrived today:

IMG_20211111_110953.jpg (441.3 KiB) Viewed 2307 times

Should be a nice upgrade

Next I need to try and fix some microdrive cartridges by replacing the felt pads under the tape:

IMG_20211110_191641.jpg (151.86 KiB) Viewed 2307 times

These have been done, but they are a bit high, so I need to figure out the best way to trim them down, as the originals are only about 1mm thick. Once that is done I then have to figure out dumping my original microdrive carts to MDV images for use in the vDrive.

And yes, the microdrive cart has been converted to a keyring!!

[stephen_usher]

Yeah, the originals are 1.5mm thick, which is a bit of a pain.

[rubber_jonnie]

Yeah, the originals are 1.5mm thick, which is a bit of a pain.

I think I will be able to trim them down by using my wire snippers. They have a nice clean straight edge to them so I can cut them down after sticking them to the spring.

Cutting them before just doesn't work with a scalpel, as even when new it tugs at the felt, and when they're that small it's super hard to install them.

I'll report back.

[stephen_usher]

I did manage it with a scalpel but I had far denser felt, designed for cassettes.

[rubber_jonnie]

I did manage it with a scalpel but I had far denser felt, designed for cassettes.

Mins is supposed to be for cassettes, but isn't quite as dense as I'd expected.

[stephen_usher]

I found teasing the layers apart with the point of the scalpel the best way rather than trying to cut it.

[rubber_jonnie]

Quick post lunchtime update.

Minerva is installed and working:

IMG_20211111_142415.jpg (305.8 KiB) Viewed 2286 times

'Mice' is plugged in:

IMG_20211111_142434.jpg (203.52 KiB) Viewed 2286 times

And we have a GUI:

IMG_20211111_142424.jpg (72.53 KiB) Viewed 2286 times

All I have to do now is fix the microdrive carts and work out how to get the Q-Emulator dumping tool across to my QL so I can dump the fixed carts.

[stephen_usher]