The Sinclair QL Forum

Those cartridges were bought to you, last month. Are they formatted?
The thing is that I don't want to ask the membrane untill I'm sure that I don't need any other parts, as for the microdirve So I wanted to test the mdv1_ unit

No - the cartridges would not have been pre-formatted so that would explain it - I think you bought some new old stock ones...

OK, next year I'll ask you for the membrane and leds


Happy new year!!

Great work!

Another QL resurrected - I take it the LEDs are fitted too?

Thanks, boys!!

I have not put the leds yet, as I was spending the time trying to have the mdv's working, but I've tested the 4 cartridges, and no one can be read
How is it possible?

OK - we could do with something in the FAQs about diagnosing microdrive faults...

a) Are the cartridges in good condition? Check the small felt pad just underneath where you can see the tape - if this is missing, then it needs replacing before the cartridges can be used. Has the tape wound itself around the small white plastic wheel on the left of the cartridge?

b) Are the cartridges known to be formatted?

c) Clean the tape heads on the microdrive units

d) Check the small rubber roller on the left hand side of each microdrive unit. There should be a gap of 0.5mm at the bottom of the rubber roller (there is a plastic collar underneath). The rubber roller can ride up the metal shaft of the motor and then will not work properly

e) Is the small rubber roller worn? You can try turning it upside down, but may need a replacement.

f) If cartridges will read, but not format, then unfortunately, the ULA has probably failed. Although you can buy replacement microdrive ULAs (one per unit) replacing them is not simple.

Amazing test! I'll be soon testing all this

OK, let's go with it:

RWAP wrote: a) Are the cartridges in good condition? Check the small felt pad just underneath where you can see the tape - if this is missing, then it needs replacing before the cartridges can be used. Has the tape wound itself around the small white plastic wheel on the left of the cartridge?

AS you know I bought to you the cartridges, some months ago, and this is the 1st time I test'em. I've put some pics of a cartridge so you can see if they're in good condition:

RWAP wrote: b) Are the cartridges known to be formatted?

AFAIK, not. As you told me once, these cartridges weren't be formatted

RWAP wrote: c) Clean the tape heads on the microdrive units

Houw could I do this?


And I'll do the next tests as soon as the above is ok

RWAP wrote: d) Check the small rubber roller on the left hand side of each microdrive unit. There should be a gap of 0.5mm at the bottom of the rubber roller (there is a plastic collar underneath). The rubber roller can ride up the metal shaft of the motor and then will not work properly

e) Is the small rubber roller worn? You can try turning it upside down, but may need a replacement.

f) If cartridges will read, but not format, then unfortunately, the ULA has probably failed. Although you can buy replacement microdrive ULAs (one per unit) replacing them is not simple.

[/quote]


Thanks a lot!!