USB HxC works only with 5.25 inch images not 8"

HxC Floppy emulator support for all others computers...
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__m
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Jun 20, 2021 7:53 pm

USB HxC works only with 5.25 inch images not 8"

Post by __m »

I am trying to fault find an error with the USB HxC

/* POST IS RE-EDITED SINCE I NOW KNOW IT'S A READ ONLY DEVICE, BUT THERE STILL SEEMS TO BE AN ERROR */

Until recently I have been using the SD HxC units forever and have multiple of them

I wanted instead to use the USB HxC because I would then not have to keep putting .HFE files onto a physical card on and off as I move files from my Workstation to the Cromemco.

----

I HAVE THIS ERROR WITH 8" DRIVES

a) Note all .HFE files work fine on the SD Card HxC

b) HxCFloppEmulator.exe is at v2.5.6.6 sitting on a Windows 10 with all fixes.

c) I can load any valid .HFE without error, it says right number of tracks and sides on bottom scrolling display

d) Back on the cromemco I can use ANY command to look at the disk FINE
e.g. cdoscopy -l # for CDOS diskettes list
e.g mount sfda /da; ls -l /da # to list on a CROMIX diskette
e.g cptree -ftv /da /tmp # copy all files off the diskette to /tmp

HOWEVER

e) Using the Track Analyser (doumentation ?!) I can see that the RPM is about 300 RPM. THIS IS FINE FOR 5.25 INCH but not for 8"

f) I have an old copy of HxCFloppyEmulator.exe at v2.1.4.0
this does not work either



ALSO I note that in the USB HxC Floppy Emulator settings panel, unless the Packet size is set away from default 1664 to 4096 then I get Sync Lost errors. But with it set at 4096 I dont get a single /Sync Lost/ error. But the USB unit STILL DOES NOT WORK for any write operation


----

Suggestions please anybody

thanks m
Last edited by __m on Mon Jun 21, 2021 4:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

__m
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Jun 20, 2021 7:53 pm

Re: Bizzare error with USB HxC connecting to Cromemco ... help!

Post by __m »

So I have more detail. I realised I dont need the Cromemco OS started as the RDOS monitor has a diskette test

SO

a) with a 5.25 DS DD Diskette image loaded on the USB HxC

I can seek diskette fine
Read diskette Fine
Writes do not work ... I NOW UNDERSTAND THIS IS BY DESIGN

;tz

Bank 0 > 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Type (F, H) F
Drive (A-D) A
Size (L, S) S
Speed (F, S) S

Seek Tests
1 OK 2 OK 3 OK 4 OK 5 OK
6 OK 7 OK 8 OK 9 OK 0 OK
27H OK 10H OK 20H OK 0 OK 1 OK
Restore OK
27H OK
Read/Write Tests
Data Read OK



b) With an 8" diskette image loaded basically NOTHING WORKS
Diskette cannot be seeked.
02 usb status.jpg
02 usb status.jpg (21.57 KiB) Viewed 1813 times
01 8 inch image.jpg
01 8 inch image.jpg (27.59 KiB) Viewed 1813 times
A;;;tz


Bank 0 > 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Type (F, H) F
Drive (A-D) A
Size (L, S) L
Speed (F, S) S
Error-H A4 > Drive not Ready
A;;s10
Error-S B0 > Drive not Ready, Record not Found
A;;s3
Error-S B0 > Drive not Ready, Record not Found
A;;s3
Error-S B0 > Drive not Ready, Record not Found




Both these examples are using the v2.5.6.6 level of software


CAN I EMPHASISE that I take a working SD HxC system, using the same cable and .HFE images, disconnect the SD unit and connect the USB unit. Load the same .HFE on my connected workstation, check the USB status screen says okay , with no dropouts, then perform the test.

the SD HxC unit works fine (with images on an SD card)
the USB HxC unit does not work fine as above

Since there is good read activity on the USB HxC unit with 5.25 inch diskette I can be sure that the cable is 34 pin floppy ribbon is the correct way around etc.

The SD Unit shares its cable with 2 other devices so to be paranoid sure I took a separate Floppy cable and connected ONLY that from Cromemco Disk controller to USB HxC unit. To avoid any termination issues et al. Same result. 5.25 emulation works read only, 8 inch emulation totally and utterly fails.
Last edited by __m on Mon Jun 21, 2021 4:55 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Jeff
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Re: Bizzare error with USB HxC connecting to Cromemco ... help!

Post by Jeff »

Hello,

As stated there :

https://lotharek.pl/productdetail.php?id=42

This device is read only.

__m
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Jun 20, 2021 7:53 pm

Re: Bizzare error with USB HxC connecting to Cromemco ... help!

Post by __m »

OKay,

Noted the limitation about Read Only, that is a pity,

I presume 8" drives should work well.

Can you explain how HxC determines RPM speed.

I will check my images with the Visual Floppy Disk and see if all images are reporting 360 RPM as I had thought this was not the case.

For Cromemco systems all 8" disks should revolve at 360 rpm and all 5.25 inch at 300 rpm, as 'usual;

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