The Sinclair QL Forum

I've fitted the new Sinclair QL-SD card that I bought from SellMyRetro from the Seller Paulveltjens.

However I wish to edit the SD card image called QL_BDI.BIN. In the manual it states that you can create/edit these BIN images using a tool called 'MakeImage.exe' on the PC. But does not state where this tool can be downloaded from, and I've tried various Google searches with no joy

On top of that, I'm struggling to create sub-directories on the SDC1 card:-
Tried the normal command 'MAKE_DIR SDC1_GAMES_'. But all I keep getting is BAD NAME. I have tried contacting Paul via SellMyRetro, no reply as yet. Any help you chaps can offer me will be appreciated

Seems to be easy: Neither the firmware on your Sandy disk I/F nor the Toolkit 2 in these versions support the Level 2 device drivers. You have to make an upgrade.

Just ask Rich.

Ah ha, so you got the other one I've not tried making directories on mine, I'll find out what happens tonight I'm using a trump card v1.28.

Just to add, the manual states "As QL-SD comes with a fully fledged Level 2 device driver, you can use „real“ directories provided you are using at least TK2 (Which normally comes with the QL-SD ROM)."

I thought the ROM that comes with the QL-SD provides the level 2 access? My question is the manual says the sd card comes with software on it but all I had was the bin file

With the trumpcard it is easy as there is an update Rom with Level2 Drivers. About Sandy I/F I do not know.

And...no chance to fool your System by taking a TK2, which inhibits the Level 2 keywords. This does not work, if the Level 2 driver ain't there, you always get an ERR.BP after a "MAKE_DIR", even if it recognizes the keyword. I know, because I have tried that long ago...

"If you don’t have a proper MAKE_DIR command, the images on the supplied SDHC card have a
binary that implements MAKE_DIR and can be loaded into any QL." is also stated in the manual but I've not tried anything for myself just yet

Hmm, I do not believe that the SD Driver supply a separate Level 2 Driver.

All,

the QL-SD driver actually is a level 2 device driver implementing every necessary function (on trap level). So using TK2 with a MAKE_DIR command will work.

What's missing is (to save ROM space, because most of the Toolkits already come with MAKE_DIR) the S*Basic extension supplying the MAKE_DIR command.

If your set-up doesn't provide a MAKE_DIR command, it can be implemented using the attached extension (simply unzip and LRESPR from your BOOT file and Bob's your uncle)
This seems to be missing from some SD-Card images for some reason.

Regards,
Tobias

What software should be on the card as well as the .bin file?

vanpeebles wrote:What software should be on the card as well as the .bin file?

Erm?

In order to make MAKE_DIR work? Nothing except the _bin file. A BOOT file, maybe. But that should be enough.

Tobias