Using my SAM to copy non-SAM format disks
Hi, I have a need to duplicate a BBC style ADFS single density disk, but have discovered that every IBM PC I can find has broken single density floppy disk compatibility, such that none of the physical sector copiers will work. However, I remember picking up a SAM disk magazine at an All Formats show which came on single density floppies, and so I am aware that the SAM disk interface has no such problems. Therefore, is there any tool available for my 256kb SAM that will copy such a disk for me? I'm also aware that KE-Disk (since I owned it twice counting the later distribution with Fred) was a BASIC program that could read non-SAM format disks. So perhaps there is a place somewhere where I could just read up on the correct commands to write such a program? -Thomas
Re: Using my SAM to copy non-SAM format disks
I'm also aware that KE-Disk (since I owned it twice counting the later distribution with Fred) was a BASIC program that could read non-SAM format disks. So perhaps there is a place somewhere where I could just read up on the correct commands to write such a program? Most of the simple whole-disc copiers seem to just read the disc sector-by-sector and then churn it out the same way. The copier on Enceladus (3, I think) does this, compressing it as it goes, so sometimes a whole disc will fit in memory. It basically just uses the READ AT sector track address and WRITE AT sector track address (sommat like that - check the disc manual for exact syntax). The only thing is: does the BBC disc have 9 or 10 sectors per track? (Assuming we're talking 3.5 here) copying sector-by-sector is fine, but the destination disc will need to be pre-formatted. The SAM can format at 10 sectors per track, and I think there is a program that will format at 9 sectors per track. It may be best to format the destination disc on your BBC / a PC if it is 9 sectors. I've got a PC reader (can't remember what it's called ... PC DISC? It came from Nev's Software, I think) that says you can sometimes write to a 10 sector per track disc, ignoring the last sector on the track, and some PCs can cope. That's all I know! I'm sure Ian, Simon, and plenty of others know tons about disc formats. Andy
Re: Using my SAM to copy non-SAM format disks
The only thing is: does the BBC disc have 9 or 10 sectors per track? (Assuming we're talking 3.5 here) copying sector-by-sector is fine, but the destination disc will need to be pre-formatted. The SAM can format at 10 sectors per track, and I think there is a program that will format at 9 sectors per track. It may be best to format the destination disc on your BBC / a PC if it is 9 sectors. IIRC, it has 9 sectors per track. But I wouldn't worry about that; as long as you don't use the last sector, everything will be fine. I've got a PC reader (can't remember what it's called ... PC DISC? It came from Nev's Software, I think) that says you can sometimes write to a 10 sector per track disc, ignoring the last sector on the track, and some PCs can cope. Most, if not all, should be able to cope :) Actually, the ideal program would write to a SAM disk from a PC, and would know how to avoid the last sector. You'd end up with less data space, and a maximum of 17 files per disk, but it should work quite happily. Simon
Bizarre SimCoupe .dsk problem
Some of you who read comp.sys.sinclair may be aware of a recent thread in which Stuart Campbell (ex-YS writer) has been trying to get SimCoupe to run. Because some of his questions have come up before and may come up again, I put together a quick web page at http://mnemotech.ucam.org/newbie.html Unfortunately, it seems that some of the sample .dsk images on my site are not working correctly. However, I suspect the problem is restricted to Windows... probably trying to do something clever behind the user's back - we just have to work out exactly what it is :) I've tried uploading, downloading, redownloading and reuploading the file at /downloads/samdos2.dsk.gz - I'm now pretty certain that the file my Mac downloads is exactly the same file as it uploaded. I'm also certain that the file is also correctly downloaded and ungzipped by Linux[1], and the file appears to be the same even on Windows98. However, on SimCoupe/MacOS the file works; on SimCoupe/DOS the file doesn't work (it gives Loading Error when I try to boot). I'd like people to help me identify (and perhaps fix) the problem by testing three things: Please download that file from the website, on as many different platforms as possible, and tell me whether or not they work. Also please download some of the MNEMOtech demos from /mnemotech.html, and tell me if they work on different platforms. Finally please download some of the same demos from ftp://ftp.nvg.ntnu.no/pub/sam-coupe/demos/ and tell me if they work on different platforms. Hopefully, if certain files fail under certain conditions, I might be able to work out exactly which combinations are to be avoided Thanks in advance, Andrew [1] Which probably indicates that Macgzip has been successfully tamed... -- -- Andrew Collier ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --My other -- http://mnemotech.ucam.org -- .sig is a -- Part 3 Materials Science, Cambridge -- PDF file --
Re: Using my SAM to copy non-SAM format disks
Hi, I have a need to duplicate a BBC style ADFS single density disk, but have discovered that every IBM PC I can find has broken single density floppy disk compatibility, such that none of the physical sector copiers will work. Do you really mean single density? (as opposed to double which the Sam normally uses, or High which the PC normally uses) The tech docs for the VL1772-02 floppy controller chip do indeed claim that it can handle single density, although they think you're using 5.25 inch disks HOWEVER the disk state (single or double density) is determined by the signal on an input pin[1] rather than by software, and I'd be prepared to bet that the Sam hardwires it to double density. If not, it will depend on the capability of the drive. I'd say you're probably out of luck. However, I remember picking up a SAM disk magazine at an All Formats show which came on single density floppies, and so I am aware that the SAM disk interface has no such problems. Yes, but was it *formatted* as single or double density? Using inferior disks may well tend to cause errors, but the formats certainly don't necessarily need to match. For example, I often use HD disks formatted as DD, just because I can't find DD any more. I was not aware that SamDOS was written to cope with anything other than 800K disks, although someone else who has hacked about with it more than I have may know different (Edwin?) Therefore, is there any tool available for my 256kb SAM that will copy such a disk for me? I'm also aware that KE-Disk (since I owned it twice counting the later distribution with Fred) was a BASIC program that could read non-SAM format disks. So perhaps there is a place somewhere where I could just read up on the correct commands to write such a program? Most of the meat of KE-Disk was actually written in machine code, for speed. Anything more complicated than sector reads and writes you will not be able to achieve in BASIC. Andrew [1] 26 -- -- Andrew Collier ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --My other -- http://mnemotech.ucam.org -- .sig is a -- Part 3 Materials Science, Cambridge -- PDF file --
Re: Using my SAM to copy non-SAM format disks
-Original Message- From: Andrew Collier [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: sam-users@nvg.ntnu.no sam-users@nvg.ntnu.no Date: 06 July 1999 01:23 Subject: Re: Using my SAM to copy non-SAM format disks Most of the meat of KE-Disk was actually written in machine code, for speed. Anything more complicated than sector reads and writes you will not be able to achieve in BASIC. That program that Nev Young was selling for about 25 quid was written in Basic
Re: Using my SAM to copy non-SAM format disks
I have a need to duplicate a BBC style ADFS single density disk, but have discovered that every IBM PC I can find has broken single density floppy disk compatibility, such that none of the physical sector copiers will work. The really spooky thing is, Wal-Mart sell DD disks at under $5 a box.. -- James R Curry - [EMAIL PROTECTED] The Balloon Doggies DEMANDED it!
Re: Using my SAM to copy non-SAM format disks
The really spooky thing is, Wal-Mart sell DD disks at under $5 a box.. Not really, I've seen quite a few places here that sell them at 1.99 a box... Just not saying where ;-) @/
Re: Using my SAM to copy non-SAM format disks
Just not saying where ;-) @/ Book Sale in Stratford had them at 1.50. Until I bought them all. -- James R Curry - [EMAIL PROTECTED] The Balloon Doggies DEMANDED it!
Re: Sam -year 2000-The Secretary
On Sat, 3 Jul 1999 16:30:22 +0100 Sat, 3 Jul 99 17:04:50 BST, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: | Has anyone got a fix for the Secretary wordprocessor to make understand the | year 2000 I think it is MasterDOS that needs a patch. Waste of time anyway. Who the hell would want to use that crap in this day and age?
Re: Format
On Sat, 3 Jul 1999 16:28:29 +0100 Sat, 3 Jul 99 17:04:49 BST, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: | | What's the story with Format these days. Any news - anybody? | | Dave | If you have read my past messages you will know that Bob hopes to restart Format very soon. Try sending him a direct email at [EMAIL PROTECTED] And feelings of euphoria swept through the SAM universe. Bye for now, Dave
Re: Sam -year 2000-The Secretary
| On Sat, 3 Jul 1999 16:30:22 +0100 Sat, 3 Jul 99 17:04:50 BST, | [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: | | | | | | Has anyone got a fix for the Secretary wordprocessor to make understand the | | year 2000 | | | I think it is MasterDOS that needs a patch. | | Waste of time anyway. Who the hell would want to use that crap in this | day and age? Are we talking MasterDos or Secretary? -- Samsboss - The One And Only. Accept No Others.
Re: Format
| Nice to see u back Bob [cut] Don't you start that again. -- Samsboss - The One And Only. Accept No Others.
Re: Format
-Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: sam-users@nvg.ntnu.no sam-users@nvg.ntnu.no Date: 06 July 1999 21:05 Subject: Re: Format | Nice to see u back Bob [cut] Don't you start that again. Right Bob
Re: Format
| Nice to see u back Bob [cut] Don't you start that again. Start what, Bob? *ducks* ;) -- James R Curry - [EMAIL PROTECTED] The Balloon Doggies DEMANDED it!
