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General Stuff(tm)
Re: General Stuff(tm)
I want chips to global shortage good news about the resistor
Tom
Tom
- stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)
Bingo!
Don't you just love variations in chips? Apparently needing the trigger voltage ~ 1/4 rather than a 1/3rd of Vcc is still just about in spec.
Don't you just love variations in chips? Apparently needing the trigger voltage ~ 1/4 rather than a 1/3rd of Vcc is still just about in spec.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
Re: General Stuff(tm)
I think I wrote the book on that quite literally
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Re: General Stuff(tm)
Well, assuming that it passes the full floppy diagnostic tests I think that I can declare the machine fully fixed (until something else breaks), excepting the small number of lines on the LCD which have stopped working. These aren't really fixable.
The only enhancement I've made is to change the internal floppy cable, extending it and adding an extra plug on the end. This allows me to hook up an external Gotek drive (or 600RPM floppy). This is accessible from the expansion hatch, along with the serial and parallel printer and RGB ports.
P.S. The floppy motor on that old drive is LOUD!
The only enhancement I've made is to change the internal floppy cable, extending it and adding an extra plug on the end. This allows me to hook up an external Gotek drive (or 600RPM floppy). This is accessible from the expansion hatch, along with the serial and parallel printer and RGB ports.
P.S. The floppy motor on that old drive is LOUD!
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
- stephen_usher
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- Posts: 7498
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:19 pm
- Location: Oxford, UK.
- Contact:
Re: General Stuff(tm)
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
- stephen_usher
- Site sponsor

- Posts: 7498
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:19 pm
- Location: Oxford, UK.
- Contact:
Re: General Stuff(tm)
Hmm... How can I describe the sound of the floppy drive?
You know the loud drone of really early MFM/RLL hard drives? Well, take that down an octave and you've got something similar.
Anyway, having the original drive has been very useful. In future, if I make another adapter for Shugart drives I'll use the "Head Load" signal to control the "Motor On" instead of the one being generated by the system, as this is permanently on. On newer drives the heads rest on the platter continuously, unlike this drive, which lowers the heads in response to the "Head Load" signal. This means that although the disk is spinning continuously it's not having the head wear it out. For later drives it needs the motor to be stopped to prevent the disk being worn out.
You know the loud drone of really early MFM/RLL hard drives? Well, take that down an octave and you've got something similar.
Anyway, having the original drive has been very useful. In future, if I make another adapter for Shugart drives I'll use the "Head Load" signal to control the "Motor On" instead of the one being generated by the system, as this is permanently on. On newer drives the heads rest on the platter continuously, unlike this drive, which lowers the heads in response to the "Head Load" signal. This means that although the disk is spinning continuously it's not having the head wear it out. For later drives it needs the motor to be stopped to prevent the disk being worn out.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
Re: General Stuff(tm)
The floppy motor just want you to know its there for you
Tom
Tom
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Re: General Stuff(tm)
Eh? What? Can't hear you! I'm deaf! HeheTomswork wrote: Mon Dec 20, 2021 9:34 pm The floppy motor just want you to know its there for you
Tom
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
- stephen_usher
- Site sponsor

- Posts: 7498
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:19 pm
- Location: Oxford, UK.
- Contact:
Re: General Stuff(tm)
OK, here's it booting from floppy but somehow the iPhone has removed the floppy motor sound!!!
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
- rubber_jonnie
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- Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
- Location: Essex
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Re: General Stuff(tm)
Good job sir it's nice to see it's up and running, but that 555, nice find and very annoying!
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...