Date   : Sun, 17 Jul 2005 17:43:23 +0100 (BST)
From   : Greg Cook <debounce@...>
Subject: Re: floppy discs

On Sun, 17 Jul 2005 15:25:30 +0100, Colin wrote:

> No it's not the disk  - it doesn't get that far - (although the disks
> and
> even the drive may be defective as I haven't been able to try them )
> It's
> the program I'm having a problem with (my fault).
> After copying it from Beebmaster's site, it won't run as I have
> obviously
> copied something down wrongly and I just can't see it despite hours
> of
> checking..
> Line 360 is the error trap for the program so it only runs part of
> the way.
> It's the value (in the program) that should be 0 but when I type
> "PRINT
> osblock?12" it gives me a value (not an error code) of 18 which means
> I have
> entered something wrongly.

There's not necessarily anything wrong with the program as typed.

The OSWORD call does not trap errors itself (which is what most
programs want) so it writes an error code (a value) after the last
parameter, then exits as normal.  Decimal 18 is the error code for
"Disc write protected", and since the disc operation failed (the code
was not 0) our program determines it should not continue, and stops.

Make sure the rectangular write enable hole on the disc is uncovered. 
Also see that the cables are securely inserted before running the
program.

Try formatting only track 0, and then *CAT the disc; it may be that
changing tracks causes the head to become misaligned.  One other thing
to check is if the disc has no plastic washer on the media, and your
drive is a model that needs the washer for grip.

Greg



       
       
               
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