Using a Cumana floppy drive with a Gold Card interface

[Stan]

Hi, I recently bought a pair of Cumana disk drives to attach to my QL, which has a Miracle Systems Gold Card. I've got a pair of Miracle Systems drives but only flp1_ works. Having connected the Cumana they don't work. I contacted Gareth Hern, Which-Era, who assured me the drives were Ok and that the problem is the step rate. I've exhausted the FLP_STEP options and even the program in the Gold Card Manual, supplement page iii. Finally Gareth suggested that I log my problem here. If anyone can help me resolve this problem i will be extremely appreciative.
Much thanks,
Stan D.

[RWAP]

You should have used FLP_STEP 6 (or even FLP_STEP 12 although that is unlikely)

The other thing to try is FLP_JIGGLE 1

[cybervet]

Alternatively In can exchange your Gold Card with a Cumana I/F
Tassos

[Stan]

You should have used FLP_STEP 6 (or even FLP_STEP 12 although that is unlikely)

The other thing to try is FLP_JIGGLE 1

Thanks for that. I tried FLP_STEP, both 6 and 12, with no joy. It didn't recognise the FLP_JIGGLE saying it was a bad name.

[Dave]

Are you really attached to that interface? Would you consider a replacement?

[Stan]

Are you really attached to that interface? Would you consider a replacement?

Yes, I like the card for the TK2 etc. However, if I could acquire an interface that worked with the Cumana drives then I'd be very interested.

Stan D.

[Dave]

Part of the problem with the Cumana drives is they expect to be working with a WD1770, and the Gold Card doesn't use that IC at all. The GC is emulating a theoretical interface that supports SD, DD and ED drives. You'll probably find that one or the other is just being picky, and the Cumana will work just fine on a real WD1770 or WD1772.

The Gold Cards I have tested/used here have been a little picky, liking Mitsumi mechanisms and not playing nice with Citizen mechanisms, etc.

My humble opinion.

[Stan]

Thanks to all for the feedback. I've put the Cumana drives on hold for the moment and have attached a 1.44 Mb pull from a PC. The cable is bog standard but, owing to no twist, only gives me FLP2_ ! I've made this pretend to be FLP1_ and, so far, its working Ok. It means I've got a 1.44Mb instead of a 720K. I'm going to try for set of two 1.44Mb and should I succeed I'll let everyone know.

Stan D.

[Dave]

At least you're functioning