Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey
paul wrote: A) External interface, plugs into parallel port of SuperGoldCard B) External interface, plugs into QL ROM port C) Internal interface, plugs into CPU socket D) Internal interface, replacing a microdrive(!) Personally, the option of tucking the adapter/interface inside the standard QL case has a lot of appeal. would be cool, even compairable to using the cartidge slot in the Timex 2068 in the 'Good Ol Days' if there is enough internal physical space for the unit to reside in the outer of the 2 cavities, that would be just peachy keen! If I go for option D, I don't think space will be a problem. The device should fit both microdrive locations. To those who prefer option D: * How important would it be to keep an original microdrive functional? * How important would be speed? (To reach maximum speed, it is impossible to use the microdrive connectors for an SD-card device. A second board would be required, attached at a place where some of the 68008 bus is available. Higher costs, and might work for GoldCard/SuperGoldCard only.) All the best Peter ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey
On 17/01/2011 09:53, Peter wrote: paul wrote: A) External interface, plugs into parallel port of SuperGoldCard B) External interface, plugs into QL ROM port C) Internal interface, plugs into CPU socket D) Internal interface, replacing a microdrive(!) Personally, the option of tucking the adapter/interface inside the standard QL case has a lot of appeal. would be cool, even compairable to using the cartidge slot in the Timex 2068 in the 'Good Ol Days' if there is enough internal physical space for the unit to reside in the outer of the 2 cavities, that would be just peachy keen! If I go for option D, I don't think space will be a problem. The device should fit both microdrive locations. To those who prefer option D: * How important would it be to keep an original microdrive functional? * How important would be speed? (To reach maximum speed, it is impossible to use the microdrive connectors for an SD-card device. A second board would be required, attached at a place where some of the 68008 bus is available. Higher costs, and might work for GoldCard/SuperGoldCard only.) All the best Peter ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm Personally, I think it is essential that at least one microdrive unit remains operational if option D is chosen. As for speed - I don't think in reality speed is that much of an issue, provided the device is quicker than a floppy disk drive. -- Rich Mellor RWAP Services http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk http://www.rwapservices.co.uk -- Try out our new site: http://sellmyretro.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey
Any speed faster than the original drive would be fine for me and also I don't mind about losing or keeping an original drive. --- On Mon, 17/1/11, Peter pg...@q40.de wrote: To those who prefer option D: * How important would it be to keep an original microdrive functional? * How important would be speed? (To reach maximum speed, it is impossible to use the microdrive connectors for an SD-card device. A second board would be required, attached at a place where some of the 68008 bus is available. Higher costs, and might work for GoldCard/SuperGoldCard only.) All the best Peter ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey
--- On Mon, 17/1/11, Peter pg...@q40.de wrote: To those who prefer option D: * How important would it be to keep an original microdrive functional? I would very much like to have one functional microdrive. * How important would be speed? Not important for me. But would be *very* nice to have something that works without GC/SGC on the original machine. Cheers, Petri ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey
I suppose Peter's question How important would it be to keep an original microdrive functional? is twofold Firstly to have some sort of compatability with any existing software, still keeping it on microdrives and not converted to some other format due to copyright/protection. It may be that the software prevents itself from running without the microdrive being present. so having one still in exisence may be needed. Secondly it maybe that in order to fit a SD card based system in to the existing QL, physical space is required for the interface that requires both microdrives to be removed even if only one microdrive slot is replaced by the SD card version. If it is easier to fit a single or twin SD system using the whole space then surely this would be the preferred method? But heres a thought, if both microdrives are replaced by the SD card interface, could the removed microdrives be fitted in their own container with a cable plugged in to the extension socket at the right hand side of the QL and used as external (expanded) microdrives as an when needed, this would solve the desire to have microdrives and still allow existing software on the microdrive to be copied across to the new storage medium. Lee Privett - Sent from my Laptop running XP but emulating the QL using QPC Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey --- On Mon, 17/1/11, Peter pg...@q40.de wrote: To those who prefer option D: * How important would it be to keep an original microdrive functional? I would very much like to have one functional microdrive. * How important would be speed? Not important for me. But would be *very* nice to have something that works without GC/SGC on the original machine. Cheers, Petri ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey
Rich Mellor wrote, on 17/Jan/11 15:14 | Jan17: snip The problem with copy protected microdrives continues to be an issue even some 20 years after the practice was stopped! A lot of software is cracked to overcome this issue, but not all. The use of an external microdrive may be a solution to some software, but the majority of software which anticipates a key cartridge looks only in mdv1 or mdv2 (or both). It would never look at an mdv3_, so that would have to be taken into consideration. One potential way around this, would be for the SD card hardware to be able to present a default microdrive image to the system as a microdrive cartridge, in much the same was as Q-emuLator can now do. Daniele could probably comment better on the feasibility of porting his code across ... or pins one and two of each mdv socket be jumpered together, and then the externals start at mdv1. I used to do this with a small loop of wire. Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey
Message: 2 Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 10:53:32 +0100 From: Peter pg...@q40.de If I go for option D, I don't think space will be a problem. The device should fit both microdrive locations. To those who prefer option D: * How important would it be to keep an original microdrive functional? * How important would be speed? (To reach maximum speed, it is impossible to use the microdrive connectors for an SD-card device. A second board would be required, attached at a place where some of the 68008 bus is available. Higher costs, and might work for GoldCard/SuperGoldCard only.) All the best Peter I would prefer to keep an original microdrive. as for speed? anything equals to or higher than the floppies would be plenty. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey
On Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 11:27 AM, fern ferng...@yahoo.com wrote: I would prefer to keep an original microdrive. as for speed? anything equals to or higher than the floppies would be plenty. What about option E -- floppy emulator? This seems like it would have broad compatibility (GC, SGC, maybe my QXL included), and I'm betting most original QL owners do have floppy drive controllers.. Plus, this more or less exists already, unless this is meant as an academic exercise. http://www.torlus.com/floppy/ ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey
On 17/01/2011 19:33, Mark Martin wrote: On Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 11:27 AM, fernferng...@yahoo.com wrote: I would prefer to keep an original microdrive. as for speed? anything equals to or higher than the floppies would be plenty. What about option E -- floppy emulator? This seems like it would have broad compatibility (GC, SGC, maybe my QXL included), and I'm betting most original QL owners do have floppy drive controllers.. Plus, this more or less exists already, unless this is meant as an academic exercise. http://www.torlus.com/floppy/ I have already tested and successfully used this interface with the QL as well as host of other computers - instructions for using this SD card interface with the QL appeared in the November 2010 Quanta magazine. You can purchase the interface through me at http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/HxC_SD_Card_Floppy_Disk_Emulator_%28replaces_floppy_disk_drives%29-1140 -- Rich Mellor RWAP Services http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk http://www.rwapservices.co.uk -- Try out our new site: http://sellmyretro.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Ql-Users Digest, Vol 83, Issue 28
-- Message: 5 Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 13:33:24 -0600 From: Mark Martin storycraf...@gmail.com To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey Message-ID: aanlktiksubkrfmh+w3kub2b8lvyiwo+sqoj9jnod_...@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 On Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 11:27 AM, fern ferng...@yahoo.com wrote: I would prefer to keep an original microdrive. What about option E -- floppy emulator? This seems like it would have broad compatibility (GC, SGC, maybe my QXL included), and I'm betting most original QL owners do have floppy drive controllers.. Plus, this more or less exists already, unless this is meant as an academic exercise. http://www.torlus.com/floppy/ __ well, that equates to about $100usd and for a Floppy to SD adapter, I would hope the proposed device could be brought in under that price! maybe even well under that $$ -- Paul Holmgren Mine: 2 57 300-C's in Indy Hers: 05 PT GT R/T HO Stage 1 Hoosier Corps L#6 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey
At 14:53 17/01/2011, you wrote: I suppose Peter's question How important would it be to keep an original microdrive functional? is twofold Firstly to have some sort of compatability with any existing software, still keeping it on microdrives and not converted to some other format due to copyright/protection. It may be that the software prevents itself from running without the microdrive being present. so having one still in exisence may be needed. Secondly it maybe that in order to fit a SD card based system in to the existing QL, physical space is required for the interface that requires both microdrives to be removed even if only one microdrive slot is replaced by the SD card version. If it is easier to fit a single or twin SD system using the whole space then surely this would be the preferred method? But heres a thought, if both microdrives are replaced by the SD card interface, could the removed microdrives be fitted in their own container with a cable plugged in to the extension socket at the right hand side of the QL and used as external (expanded) microdrives as an when needed, this would solve the desire to have microdrives and still allow existing software on the microdrive to be copied across to the new storage medium. Lee Privett Once upon a time I had a third microdrive that plugged into the side of the QL As far as I remember it was a Spectrum item that that worked when you plugged it into a QL upside down martinw ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey
On 17/01/2011 21:53, Martin Wheatley wrote: At 14:53 17/01/2011, you wrote: I suppose Peter's question How important would it be to keep an original microdrive functional? is twofold Firstly to have some sort of compatability with any existing software, still keeping it on microdrives and not converted to some other format due to copyright/protection. It may be that the software prevents itself from running without the microdrive being present. so having one still in exisence may be needed. Secondly it maybe that in order to fit a SD card based system in to the existing QL, physical space is required for the interface that requires both microdrives to be removed even if only one microdrive slot is replaced by the SD card version. If it is easier to fit a single or twin SD system using the whole space then surely this would be the preferred method? But heres a thought, if both microdrives are replaced by the SD card interface, could the removed microdrives be fitted in their own container with a cable plugged in to the extension socket at the right hand side of the QL and used as external (expanded) microdrives as an when needed, this would solve the desire to have microdrives and still allow existing software on the microdrive to be copied across to the new storage medium. Lee Privett Once upon a time I had a third microdrive that plugged into the side of the QL As far as I remember it was a Spectrum item that that worked when you plugged it into a QL upside down martinw ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm Yes, Martin that was always the case - the Spectrum ZX Microdrive faced the back of the QL - there was supposed to be a QL equivalent released, but it never made it to market. I never found using a ZX Microdrive unit as mdv3_ very reliable. -- Rich Mellor RWAP Services http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk http://www.rwapservices.co.uk -- Try out our new site: http://sellmyretro.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey
Martin Wheatley wrote, on 17/Jan/11 21:53 | Jan17: snip Once upon a time I had a third microdrive that plugged into the side of the QL As far as I remember it was a Spectrum item that that worked when you plugged it into a QL upside down Yes exactly. I used a ribbon cable adaptor with a twist. Bill Richardson got me to make 100 of these, but he lost all of them! As I said earlier, if a jumper is fitted to pins 1 and 2 of each internal socket, then the external starts at mdv1. Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey
That sounds like a great QL story to tell :D --- On Mon, 17/1/11, Tony Firshman t...@firshman.co.uk wrote: From: Tony Firshman t...@firshman.co.uk Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Date: Monday, 17 January, 2011, 22:09 Martin Wheatley wrote, on 17/Jan/11 21:53 | Jan17: snip Yes exactly. I used a ribbon cable adaptor with a twist. Bill Richardson got me to make 100 of these, but he lost all of them! Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL SD/MMC-Card interface survey
peet vanpeebles wrote, on 17/Jan/11 22:14 | Jan17: --- On Mon, 17/1/11, Tony Firshmant...@firshman.co.uk wrote: Martin Wheatley wrote, on 17/Jan/11 21:53 | Jan17: snip Yes exactly. I used a ribbon cable adaptor with a twist. Bill Richardson got me to make 100 of these, but he lost all of them! That sounds like a great QL story to tell :D Not really - you have the *whole* story! edited as far as I can into inline. This is a classic example of how top posting can totally destory the unity of the threading. I know it is debaltable, but when people in a mailing list possible start reading later, non-inline posting makes for great illogicality in reading. The vats majority here *do* top quote, or are veyr good at editing ! Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
