MicroP Controller with Minerva Issue

[t0nyt]

Are there any known issues with using the MicroP floppy controller (Micro P QL FDC v5.1) with Minerva please?

Which firmware has the MicroP controller, the original (with FDK device rather than FLP) or the replacement QJump?

It has QJump v1.19

Many thanks

[Martin_Head]

I remember that I once had a QL that if I plugged a MicroP floppy interface, and an Miracle expander RAM into. The QL would not work. Either card on its own, and everything was OK. I don't remember if Minerva was involved or not.

I did not investigate it much, I think I just mixed and matched interfaces and QL's, till it worked.

I did wonder if it was something to do with the power supply, that it could not quite supply enough power for all three at once.

[t0nyt]

I remember that I once had a QL that if I plugged a MicroP floppy interface, and an Miracle expander RAM into. The QL would not work. Either card on its own, and everything was OK. I don't remember if Minerva was involved or not.

I did not investigate it much, I think I just mixed and matched interfaces and QL's, till it worked.

I did wonder if it was something to do with the power supply, that it could not quite supply enough power for all three at once.

Hi Martin,

in my case the MicroP is the only plugged in expansion (when testing) so seems to be Minerva related

I have an older (non-A1) version of Minerva on order with Chr$ that will be going in the current Minerva 1.98a1 QL (not related to the MicroP issue), so just to be sure I'll try the Minerva ROM I take out in the JM ROM QL, when I've swapped in the replacement ROM, to make sure the problem follows Minerva

Many thanks

[tofro]

You are aware that you have no proof the problem is actually Minerva (which I find possible, but unlikely)?

You have proof the Interface doesn't work in that specific QL (which happens to have Minerva).

Actually, that would be the first of such boards that wouldn't work with Minerva. (To answer your last from your initial questions: No, no issues known with any expansion cards).

I'd rather have a look into the connectors again, clean everything, De-Oxit it, and look for bent pins

[t0nyt]

Hi tofro,

I’ll try the Minerva ROM, when I have it spare, in the JM QL where it does work which I assume will resolve the conundrum?

Thanks
Tony

[tofro]

Hi tofro,

I’ll try the Minerva ROM, when I have it spare, in the JM QL where it does work which I assume will resolve the conundrum?

Thanks
Tony

That would be my next step. I can't really imagine an easy scenario where Minerva would collide with an expansion card

[jobdone]

Any chance you can dump the ROM and try it on an emulator? I find Q-emulator works well for this, of course the hardware will not be emulated , but it may show the two roms working (or not) together

[t0nyt]

Any chance you can dump the ROM and try it on an emulator? I find Q-emulator works well for this, of course the hardware will not be emulated , but it may show the two roms working (or not) together

Maybe, will give it a try

Thanks

[t0nyt]

I found a couple of ROMS on Dilwyn's download page and (after extending them to 16k) put them in as the backup ROM in Q-emuLator without any problem, but I've no idea if this is what's required to test. Probably not?

Will try the Minerva ROM in the JM QL when I have a chance

[jobdone]

I too tried the 8k one in q-emulator which seemed fine with minerva 1.98. I wonder if the jumper for the mdv over-ride makes any difference?