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Re: QL vDrive upgrade
Posted: 11 Nov 2021 20:59
by rubber_jonnie
@stephen_usher Just wondering if you have any experience of mdump_task for the QL?
I have managed to get this onto floppy and run the command: ew flp1_mdump_task as instructed here:
http://qxl.win/ql_cartridge_recovery.htm
However all I get in return is 'bad parameter' suggesting I need to perhaps add something extra to the command line. It's driving me nuts as I want to test mdv cart dumping, but it just won't run :(
All thought welcome, and I will also have a look over on the QL forum.
Re: QL vDrive upgrade
Posted: 11 Nov 2021 22:03
by stephen_usher
I've forgotten what the program was I used to read the carts. It was by an Italian bloke. I wish I could remember.
Re: QL vDrive upgrade
Posted: 11 Nov 2021 22:11
by rubber_jonnie
stephen_usher wrote: 11 Nov 2021 22:03
I've forgotten what the program was I used to read the carts. It was by an Italian bloke. I wish I could remember.
If it's the Italian bloke I'm thinking of it's mdump_task, which I can find precious little info on how to run. I've got a post up now on the QL forum, so we'll see if they can give me any pointers.
Re: QL vDrive upgrade
Posted: 11 Nov 2021 22:38
by rubber_jonnie
rubber_jonnie wrote: 11 Nov 2021 22:11
stephen_usher wrote: 11 Nov 2021 22:03
I've forgotten what the program was I used to read the carts. It was by an Italian bloke. I wish I could remember.
If it's the Italian bloke I'm thinking of it's mdump_task, which I can find precious little info on how to run. I've got a post up now on the QL forum, so we'll see if they can give me any pointers.
It's Simone Voltolini, website here:
https://sinclairql.wordpress.com/
Re: QL vDrive upgrade
Posted: 12 Nov 2021 09:55
by rubber_jonnie
stephen_usher wrote: 11 Nov 2021 22:03
I've forgotten what the program was I used to read the carts. It was by an Italian bloke. I wish I could remember.
You may have seen my posts here by now:
https://qlforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1 ... 8&start=10 but I managed to create a disk from an image that contained the beta 2.0 version of mdump_task and can now boot from floppy to run it, and have copied 3 carts. I now need to fix the pads in the carts I really want to back up and then understand how I can convert the images for use with vDrive.
I have a newer version of mdump now too, so need to unzip that in QDOS and add it to my boot disk.
Re: QL vDrive upgrade
Posted: 12 Nov 2021 14:14
by stephen_usher
:dualthumbup:
Re: QL vDrive upgrade
Posted: 12 Nov 2021 14:29
by rubber_jonnie
Just to add, I also bought Q-Emulator :)
That should help
Re: QL vDrive upgrade
Posted: 12 Nov 2021 16:12
by stephen_usher
I've used SMSQmulator (
https://www.wlenerz.com/SMSQmulator/ ) in the past to do the disk transfer. It can also handle Microdrive images from what I can remember.
Re: QL vDrive upgrade
Posted: 12 Nov 2021 16:18
by rubber_jonnie
That was suggested too over at the QL forum, just not had a chance to play with it today.
Re: QL vDrive upgrade
Posted: 13 Nov 2021 16:05
by rubber_jonnie
@stephen_usher
So I splashed out on Q-Emulator and it really did make life easier. I have been able to make a boot floppy for mdump_task and was able to do some cartridge dumping earlier :)
IMG_20211113_143455.jpg
I managed to dump all of my MICE carts, so ICICLE, TOOLKIT, SPRITEGEN and MICEART plus my Talent Assembler Toolkit and port them back to vDrive QL and use them as MDV images, so altogether a successful day.
To top it off I managed to get the felt pad replacement technique sorted for the carts I was trying to preserve :)