Date   : Thu, 22 Dec 2005 16:43:24 -0000
From   : Littlefield Aaron <CALITTLEFIEL@...>
Subject: Re: Beeb problems!

The disks are from several different sources, so I guess I might be
optimistic to get them all to load. Sadly most don't. I haven't tried saving
and loading tonight, I'll probably do that later as a test.

Strange thing though, the Cumana utilities disk that came with it will quite
happily get as far as *CAT, but I can't load any of the programs from it.
Damned annoying!

As for the dodgy beeb, I'll probably try and solder the connection back and
get rid of it, so long as it's safe to use. I desperately need to clear some
space!



-----Original Message-----
From: David Hunt [mailto:dm.hunt@...] 
Sent: 22 December 2005 09:32
To: Littlefield Aaron; bbc-micro@...
Subject: RE: [BBC-Micro] Beeb problems!

>_______________________________________
>From: Majordomo List Manager [mailto:majordomo@...] On Behalf Of
>Littlefield Aaron
>Sent: 22 December 2005 09:09
>To: 'bbc-micro@...'
>Subject: [BBC-Micro] Beeb problems!
>
>Hi,
>
>Could anybody advise me on two problems I discovered last night with my
>Beeb set up?
>
>1. I installed a DFS upgrade on a tape-only issue 7 last night - all seemed
>well, came up with Acorn DFS so I was happy enough. I recently got my hands
>on a minty fresh Cumana 5-1/4" drive, and having amazed about 60 floppies
>over the past year I tried to get things loaded up and discovered.....Disk
>fault 18 at .........
>
>Hmmm, the jumper settings looked okay, everything connected up. Some disks
>loaded I'll be honest, most notably Spellbinder from an original disk. The
>oddest thing was, the drive quite happily performed *CAT without an issue,
>but loading them was a nightmare. I tried 40 and 80 track settings and
>nothing worked. To check whether it was the beeb I connected another (this
>time with a Watford DFS), and again the same problem albeit with 'Sector
>error'.
>
>I know it's been years since some of this software has been used, but 1 out
>of 60 disks sounds a bit suspect. Do you think it's the drive? Should I
>just bin it and find another? I doubt it's the DFS upgrade I did as it
>loaded Spellbinder.
>
>The other problem:
>
>2.I recently got my hands on a tidy looked model B, all appeared fine and
>it started up okay. However, a quick inspection inside to see what
>treasures might be installed I noticed that the 0V connection from the
>power supply unit was snapped off. The rubber covered connector still had
>the broken part so I can literally pull this out and try to re-solder it.
>I'm wondering whether the Beeb is safe in the condition it's in? Someone at
>work has shown an interest in it and I'm keen to downsize my collection.
>Another issue with this beeb is that it will automatically perform a new
>line (i.e. as if the return button has been pressed) every so often. Weird
>behaviour.
>
>Can anybody offer any advice other than binning most of it!
>
>
>Thanks
>
>Aaron

On issue 1 - I'd say if it is reading commercial discs OK, then the
alignment of the drive that made the other discs is different from your
current drive. Make sure the 40/80 switch is working, I spent half an hour
with a drive because the switch had died. Do you have the drive that made
those discs. Are those discs yours, or do they come from another source. Did
those discs work in the past ? Try another drive. 

On issue 2 - the normal reason those 0V connectors break is from repeated
removal and reconnection and the result of someone pulling the connector off
rather than a gentle easing off of the connector. It is possible to solder
this on but it will not be as strong as the original all copper part, but if
you are desperate to keep the connector then give it a try.

Dave ;)

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