Mrbombermillzy's box of delights

Blogs & guides and tales of woo by forum members.
User avatar
mrbombermillzy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 2284
Joined: 03 Jun 2018 19:37

Re: Mrbombermillzy's box of delights

Post by mrbombermillzy »

PhilC wrote: 19 Aug 2025 20:12 I'll have to dig out my DTV and try it again. I wonder if it does indeed have a working keyboard port after all.
Go for it @PhilC .

Now is probably the best time to check/troubleshoot with either me or Jon and get it fired up properly.

I'll even send you my game engine demo to try. :lol:

(FYI, I think the newtons cradle DTV demo is a pretty cool one):


User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 14888
Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
Location: Essex

Re: Mrbombermillzy's box of delights

Post by rubber_jonnie »

mrbombermillzy wrote: 19 Aug 2025 20:08
Once you do what you need to do to test the drive loading with the SD2IEC, I would be extremely greatful if I could get a regular IEC connector on there, so I can use my trusty old 1541 and floppies and other options, should the SD2IEC fail, or be incompatible with something. :)
I don't think I'll be getting it going before I go on my hols, and I don't have an IEC socket, but will order one to arrive as I'm getting home. That way I can test my SD2IEC on it which has a separate power connector and will run just fine off a battery pack.

I would like to see it working though, the SD2IEC seems to be giving a flash code, so I'll go and look them up.
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...
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 14888
Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
Location: Essex

Re: Mrbombermillzy's box of delights

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: 19 Aug 2025 20:12 I'll have to dig out my DTV and try it again. I wonder if it does indeed have a working keyboard port after all.
Definitely worth a try.
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...
User avatar
mrbombermillzy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 2284
Joined: 03 Jun 2018 19:37

Re: Mrbombermillzy's box of delights

Post by mrbombermillzy »

rubber_jonnie wrote: 19 Aug 2025 22:33 I don't think I'll be getting it going before I go on my hols, and I don't have an IEC socket, but will order one to arrive as I'm getting home. That way I can test my SD2IEC on it which has a separate power connector and will run just fine off a battery pack.

I would like to see it working though, the SD2IEC seems to be giving a flash code, so I'll go and look them up.
All in your own time.

It should give @PhilC a chance to dig out his DTV and come up to speed. :D

Unless he is 100% Ravened out! :lol: :hide:
User avatar
PhilC
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 7440
Joined: 23 Mar 2018 20:22

Re: Mrbombermillzy's box of delights

Post by PhilC »

More like 100% too much to do.i know where it is, just need to get it on the bench again.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 14888
Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
Location: Essex

Re: Mrbombermillzy's box of delights

Post by rubber_jonnie »

So I've done a little testing with the latest SD2IEC firmware and there is still an issue. I also tried other SD cards. Still a no go, The LED's shouldn't be flashing when the SD2IEC is initialised, and they are.

One thing I noticed is that one of the TAC switches is damaged:

IMG20250820103605.jpg

And I did wonder if it was jammed, but seemingly not.

I need to figure out what the jumpers are too as they aren't clear, but seem to make no difference. IEC socket is on the way.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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...
User avatar
mrbombermillzy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 2284
Joined: 03 Jun 2018 19:37

Re: Mrbombermillzy's box of delights

Post by mrbombermillzy »

rubber_jonnie wrote: 20 Aug 2025 10:40 So I've done a little testing with the latest SD2IEC firmware and there is still an issue. I also tried other SD cards. Still a no go, The LED's shouldn't be flashing when the SD2IEC is initialised, and they are.
Oh dear.
rubber_jonnie wrote: 20 Aug 2025 10:40 One thing I noticed is that one of the TAC switches is damaged:
Would you believe me if I told you that damage was actually the 'repair shop' I took it to?
rubber_jonnie wrote: 20 Aug 2025 10:40 IEC socket is on the way.
I think this may be looking like the way forward, if - as it seems - the SD2IEC isnt co-operating. :(
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 14888
Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
Location: Essex

Re: Mrbombermillzy's box of delights

Post by rubber_jonnie »

mrbombermillzy wrote: 20 Aug 2025 10:47
Oh dear.
Indeed...
mrbombermillzy wrote: 20 Aug 2025 10:47 Would you believe me if I told you that damage was actually the 'repair shop' I took it to?
I would. What did it go to a repair shop for?
mrbombermillzy wrote: 20 Aug 2025 10:47 I think this may be looking like the way forward, if - as it seems - the SD2IEC isnt co-operating. :(
Yes and I can at least test with my known good SD2IEC then. I have also got a 6 pin DIN plug on the way which I'll attach to your SD2IEC for testing.
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...
User avatar
mrbombermillzy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 2284
Joined: 03 Jun 2018 19:37

Re: Mrbombermillzy's box of delights

Post by mrbombermillzy »

rubber_jonnie wrote: 20 Aug 2025 10:54 What did it go to a repair shop for?
To re-attach a couple of wires that had pinged off of the power LED module IIRC. So not anything major really.

Interesting story...

The guy didnt charge me, but was quite 'upset'/angry (with the board!) and told me not to come back.

I dont think he enjoyed fixing it. :roll:
rubber_jonnie wrote: 20 Aug 2025 10:54 I can at least test with my known good SD2IEC then. I have also got a 6 pin DIN plug on the way which I'll attach to your SD2IEC for testing.
Nice one. Thanks. :)

Although I have a feeling I may have to dig out the Pi1541. :)
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 14888
Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
Location: Essex

Re: Mrbombermillzy's box of delights

Post by rubber_jonnie »

mrbombermillzy wrote: 20 Aug 2025 11:09
rubber_jonnie wrote: 20 Aug 2025 10:54 What did it go to a repair shop for?
To re-attach a couple of wires that had pinged off of the power LED module IIRC. So not anything major really.

Interesting story...

The guy didnt charge me, but was quite 'upset'/angry (with the board!) and told me not to come back.

I dont think he enjoyed fixing it. :roll:
rubber_jonnie wrote: 20 Aug 2025 10:54 I can at least test with my known good SD2IEC then. I have also got a 6 pin DIN plug on the way which I'll attach to your SD2IEC for testing.
Nice one. Thanks. :)

Although I have a feeling I may have to dig out the Pi1541. :)
Do you recall where you got it from? There seem to be 1001 different types that all do the same thing but that are designed slightly differently.

Do you recall what those wires were? Was it attached to the DTV at that point?

Seems like he was not familiar with SMD soldering!!!
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...

Return to “MEMBER BLOGS”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: ClaudeBot, semrush [bot] and 11 guests