The Sinclair QL Forum

Hi, I recently bought a pair of Cumana disk drives to attach to my QL, which has a Miracle Systems Gold Card. I've got a pair of Miracle Systems drives but only flp1_ works. Having connected the Cumana they don't work. I contacted Gareth Hern, Which-Era, who assured me the drives were Ok and that the problem is the step rate. I've exhausted the FLP_STEP options and even the program in the Gold Card Manual, supplement page iii. Finally Gareth suggested that I log my problem here. If anyone can help me resolve this problem i will be extremely appreciative.
Much thanks,
Stan D.

You should have used FLP_STEP 6 (or even FLP_STEP 12 although that is unlikely)

The other thing to try is FLP_JIGGLE 1

Alternatively In can exchange your Gold Card with a Cumana I/F
Tassos

RWAP wrote:You should have used FLP_STEP 6 (or even FLP_STEP 12 although that is unlikely)

The other thing to try is FLP_JIGGLE 1

Thanks for that. I tried FLP_STEP, both 6 and 12, with no joy. It didn't recognise the FLP_JIGGLE saying it was a bad name.

Are you really attached to that interface? Would you consider a replacement?

Dave wrote:Are you really attached to that interface? Would you consider a replacement?

Yes, I like the card for the TK2 etc. However, if I could acquire an interface that worked with the Cumana drives then I'd be very interested.

Stan D.

Part of the problem with the Cumana drives is they expect to be working with a WD1770, and the Gold Card doesn't use that IC at all. The GC is emulating a theoretical interface that supports SD, DD and ED drives. You'll probably find that one or the other is just being picky, and the Cumana will work just fine on a real WD1770 or WD1772.

The Gold Cards I have tested/used here have been a little picky, liking Mitsumi mechanisms and not playing nice with Citizen mechanisms, etc.

My humble opinion.

Thanks to all for the feedback. I've put the Cumana drives on hold for the moment and have attached a 1.44 Mb pull from a PC. The cable is bog standard but, owing to no twist, only gives me FLP2_ ! I've made this pretend to be FLP1_ and, so far, its working Ok. It means I've got a 1.44Mb instead of a 720K. I'm going to try for set of two 1.44Mb and should I succeed I'll let everyone know.

Stan D.

At least you're functioning