WiP Raspberry Pico Microdrive Hardware Emulator

[PeterJ]

Is the web interface still on the future plan @TomD. That would be excellent!

[TomD]

Is the web interface still on the future plan @TomD. That would be excellent!

Yes, now I've got most of the basic functionality working I'm going to mess about with the W model and see if I can get it working.

TomD

[TomD]

I've released a new test firmware for the ZX PicoMD (v1.12t) as users have reported some issues with writing to cartridges. If you are having issues or just want the latest version then you can download it from the usual place https://github.com/TomDDG/ZXPicoMD

TomD

[zx-heinz]

as users have reported some issues with writing to cartridges.

What kind iof issues did they have? I never had problems with v1.1 and older.

[TomD]

What kind iof issues did they have? I never had problems with v1.1 and older.

Occasionally they get a bad sector during format. I'm investigating to see if I can figure out why

TomD

[zx-heinz]

Indeed, I have checked it. If I use the FORMAT command from the IF1, then just 124 sectors are free (see picture). In contrast, if I use the GUI for formatting, then 127 sectors are free. I expect some timing problems.

[TomD]

Indeed, I have checked it. If I use the FORMAT command from the IF1, then just 124 sectors are free (see picture). In contrast, if I use the GUI for formatting, then 127 sectors are free. I expect some timing problems.

Yes me to, did you try the new 1.12t firmware for that test or the old v1.1?

TomD

[zx-heinz]

Yes me to, did you try the new 1.12t firmware for that test or the old v1.1?

TomD

I have used v1.1.

[zx-heinz]

I have tried now the version 1.12t. The problem still consists, but the position of the not free sectors has changed. I checked it several times, the position of the occupied sectors stays fix. I hope you can solve the problem. On the other hand, a lost of 3-4 sectors is not really important. By the way, one could also format the drive using the GUI. This works perfectly.

[TomD]

v1.13t release which I hope addresses most if not all of the write issues. It seems that sometimes the SD card writes took too long which interfered with the next read cycle. I increased the buffers and sector read ahead to 10 from 8 to make this less likely to happen. I also tightened the read timings which was causing it to miss a couple of bits. I ran 15 formats in a row and all were 126 so fingers crossed!

Grab latest version from the usual place https://github.com/TomDDG/ZXPicoMD

TomD

[zx-heinz]

v1.3t looks so with 126k:

Great!

[TomD]

Thanks to all who tested, I've just released v1.2 to replace the test version. Grab at the usual place https://github.com/TomDDG/ZXPicoMD

TomD

[zx-heinz]

Hello Tom,
is it possible to use a second ZXPicoMD instead of a real H/W?

[TomD]

Hello Tom,
is it possible to use a second ZXPicoMD instead of a real H/W?

Yes it would be fine. I tested with vDrive as part of development. Not sure why you would though as a single ZXPicoMD can emulate all 8 Microdrives.

TomD

[TomD]

v1.3 released adding Quick Swap functionality which allows you to stack up cartridges on drive 1 and quickly swap between them. Thanks to flatduckrecords for the suggestion.

I've also added wrap around to the file explorer making it a little easier to jump to the end of a directory listing.

Grab at the usual place https://github.com/TomDDG/ZXPicoMD

TomD

[zx-heinz]

Grab at the usual place https://github.com/TomDDG/ZXPicoMD

Sorry, can't download the v1.3.

[zx-heinz]

I got it. Thank you fotr the new release.

[TomD]

I got it. Thank you fotr the new release.

No worries, wonder why it wouldn't download?

[zx-heinz]

Hello Tom,
do you intend to develope an onboard version "QLPicoMD" to replace the MDV1_ in the QL in such a way that an SD-card could be changed through the slot in the QL case (similiar to the SD-QL)?
I have seen your Oqtadrive board for the QL, but the QLPicoMD would be much cheaper and simpler.

[TomD]

Hello Tom,
do you intend to develope an onboard version "QLPicoMD" to replace the MDV1_ in the QL in such a way that an SD-card could be changed through the slot in the QL case (similiar to the SD-QL)?
I have seen your Oqtadrive board for the QL, but the QLPicoMD would be much cheaper and simpler.

No plans to covert for the QL, timing is different so would need a re-write plus the design doesn't really fit internally due to the screen and buttons. I think the Oqtadrive with the wifi capabilities fits the QL better especially internally as you can control and load new cartridges externally so no need to access the SD Card.

TomD

[drdivago]

Hi Tom,

Talking about the latest version of your OqtaDrive QL (v1.2), where can I find the BoM?

I ordered a few of them from PCBWay, but now I'm stuck. I think I saw it linked to the previous version (v1.1)?

Thanks

Ciao
Leo

[TomD]

Hi Tom,

Talking about the latest version of your OqtaDrive QL (v1.2), where can I find the BoM?

I ordered a few of them from PCBWay, but now I'm stuck. I think I saw it linked to the previous version (v1.1)?

Thanks

Ciao
Leo

Ah ok yes the BoM was on the v1.1 PCB. Luckily it is the same as the v1.2b standalone PCB, so recommend you use that. Labelling is similar so hopefully you should be able to find the right place for everything

https://www.pcbway.com/project/sharepro ... b_PCB.html

TomD

[TomD]

Ah ok yes the BoM was on the v1.1 PCB. Luckily it is the same as the v1.2b standalone PCB, so recommend you use that. Labelling is similar so hopefully you should be able to find the right place for everything

https://www.pcbway.com/project/sharepro ... b_PCB.html

TomD

I've uploaded a couple of photos to PCBWay to show component placement.

TomD

[drdivago]

Great, thanks!

[Paul]

Would be happy to. I'm planning on tidying up the Microdrive code (running on the 2nd core) and releasing standalone so people can mess with it.

Do you have an idea when this might happen?