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General Category => Applications (CPC and CPC-related) => Topic started by: pacomix on 18:44, 15 June 13

Title: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 18:44, 15 June 13
 Hi!
   After having faced for the first time the uPD765a I think I have now a nice little tool for using with your 3" or 3.5" drives.
   The tool lets you turn the motor on and off, seek a specific track, try to find a specific SectorID, calibrate and measure (I think quite reliably) the rotational speed of the motor.
   I didn't know it wasn't so hard programming for the FDC controller. Total time for the tool has been around 8 hours. Almost more time setting up the text in the correct places in the screen and testing than any other thing x'D

   Regarding the reliability of the measured RPMs in Winape it always gives me 300 RPMs. I tried with some drives here and it works like a charm. Of course there could be a little deviation but I think this is really useful at least diagnosing non-working drives as it happened to me with the latest two ones I bought. One of them is already repaired. :)
   The final solution I used for measuring the RPMs was to look for an invalid SectorID or a track without address marks. Both performs fine.


   I also want to warns to anybody that would like to use it. If it breaks your drive I am not responsible. So you have been warned. For me it has been really helpful.


   Any suggestion in order improving it would be more than welcome!


Regards!
Paco

[EDIT] I forgot to tell that the tool always uses the A: drive but you can load it from the B: drive.
[EDIT#2] I have update the version also in this post and deleted the other one so you can always download the latest version in the first post. :)
[EDIT#3] New version available with support for A & B drives.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1b
Post by: TFM on 19:07, 15 June 13
So how quick did your drive finally run?
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1b
Post by: Devilmarkus on 22:21, 15 June 13
Nice tool.
Would be interesting to know how much is the average RPM speed for real CPC floppies...?

JavaCPC returns 720RPM :D
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1b
Post by: TotO on 07:53, 16 June 13
Nice work!

Remember that you may damage your real drive if this program goes wrong.
Writing it and putting it as download to everybody on Internet w/o test on some reals CPC is dangerous.

I suggest to websites to wait for a no beta release before adding it as download.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1b
Post by: breiztiger on 12:21, 16 June 13
hi

On my real cpc it test my floppy at 300rpm ...

but i have adjust it at 297 to 303 with samdisk and always 300tr !!!

but like has said toto, another tool is coming and presenting on reset #10 in France  ;D

breiztiger
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1b
Post by: pacomix on 23:15, 16 June 13
Hi!


Quote from: TFM/FS on 19:07, 15 June 13
So how quick did your drive finally run?

Sorry for the late reply. With the first version it reported me it was running at 348RPM but I was not using floats (hahaha nooooob!) so the rpms were really innacurate (+- 12rpms). I think that was close to 360rpms.
Unfortunately I do not have now connected the drive and is too late. Tomorrow I will connect them again.
With my current 6128 it is reporting me 302.61 rpms but I do not have the possiblity (right at the moment) to check it against Samdisk. The 3.5" unit reports it is running at 300.77 rpms. So I guess I suppose this time it is quite right. :)
Quote from: TotO on 07:53, 16 June 13
Nice work!

Remember that you may damage your real drive if this program goes wrong.
Writing it and putting it as download to everybody on Internet w/o test on some reals CPC is dangerous.

I suggest to websites to wait for a no beta release before adding it as download.
I do not see anything bad that could happen with the tool and the drives... It is not doing dark fdc's tricks or so. Simply turning the motor on, recalibration, seeking, and... measuring the RPMs! Much less than any other advanced tools do. Like Discology in example... it is really evil that you can force a 80 track copying even using a normal 3" drives...
But I have added now a warning in the program so the people will never forget about it :)


Quote from: breiztiger on 12:21, 16 June 13
hi

On my real cpc it test my floppy at 300rpm ...

but i have adjust it at 297 to 303 with samdisk and always 300tr !!!

but like has said toto, another tool is coming and presenting on reset #10 in France  ;D

breiztiger
Hi! Thank you very much for taking the time to give it a try. Yep... that is my fault! hahaha I didn't use fixed point arithmetic so I was always rounding too much (+-12 rpms phew!!). Now it should be fixed.
3.5" units are reporting me aroun 300.67, 300.77 rpms and the cpc I have right now connected is reporting 302.61, 302.22, 303.01 depending on the disk I use.
I would love to see the new disk tool when it gets released and see what the really experienced programmers can do. I created this little thingy only 'cos it was useful for my purposes and there was nothing available and I also thought it could be of interest for the community.


[EDIT] Deleted the attachment of the latest version from this post. Now you should go always to the first post in order downloading the latest version. :)
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1b
Post by: mahlemiut on 23:36, 16 June 13
MESS reports 300RPM in both versions.  Guess some part of MESS' new upd765 core is actually accurate.  ;D
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1b
Post by: Gryzor on 08:30, 17 June 13
So I take it the spec calls for 300rpm?
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1b
Post by: TotO on 08:41, 17 June 13
Quote from: mahlemiut on 23:36, 16 June 13
MESS reports 300RPM in both versions.  Guess some part of MESS' new upd765 core is actually accurate.  ;D
Yes, some parts are one the good way!
But, it's not because an emulator return 300RPM that is FDC emulation is accurate.
It may be considered accurate when it will be able to run originals protected CPC floppy disc images.
(like Discology 5.1, hercule II, le nécromancien, basun, ...)

Quote from: pacomix on 23:15, 16 June 13
I do not see anything bad that could happen with the tool and the drives [...] But I have added now a warning in the program so the people will never forget about it
Thank you. :)
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.43b (release?)
Post by: Kris on 20:11, 17 June 13
Last version really accurate, great job.
You just need to improve the GUI now ;)

Title: Re: DskTest v0.1b
Post by: pacomix on 21:18, 17 June 13
 
Quote from: Kris on 20:11, 17 June 13
Last version really accurate, great job.
You just need to improve the GUI now ;)


Hi!
   I have just finished testing it with all my drives and adjusting all of them! I have here a 664 and two 6128 apart of some spare drives. All of them presented deviations. I have to say that one of them that was running at 320rpms was able to read normal disk but failed reading some protected disks.
   Now After adjusting them at 300.xx RPMs all of them can read all of my protected games!!! Woho!
   I still have to test the tool with my DDI-1s. A .cdt is comming out soon.   Regarding the GUI. Sorry very much! I just took the "codebase" I have to make everything works quickly without the need of having the firmware, so I took the CPC Bros routines for printing text and so...

Quote from: TFM/FS on 19:07, 15 June 13

So how quick did your drive finally run?
Finally after measuring it... it was crazy... it was spinning at 390 rpms constantly!!!!! After lowering the speed it was running in between 336 rpms and 378 rpms but it is still too fast. It might be possible that the problem comes from the spring that makes pressure on the disk surface like you said... This drive is at the moment non-recoverable.
   One thing I have noticed using the DskTest for measuring the RPMs is that it gives a deviation of around 2 rpms when it is reading in the track number 41 and the track 0. I think that the spring that makes pressure on the disk surface has a lot of influence. That might be the problem.


  Another thing I have noticed is that there is a deviation of around 4 RPMs depending on the disk you use. Really interesting...


It would be nice having feedback from all of you!
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.43b (release?)
Post by: Bryce on 21:31, 17 June 13
How are you adjusting the speed to calibrate them? You could add a small inline resistor to slightly slow the drive a bit more.

Bryce.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.43b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 21:44, 17 June 13
Quote from: Bryce on 21:31, 17 June 13
How are you adjusting the speed to calibrate them? You could add a small inline resistor to slightly slow the drive a bit more.

Bryce.



No! It is way easier than that! Even after googling it a lot (I couldn't find any info) I discovered that one of my drives had a "hole" just over the cover of the motor covered with a gum. This one didn't have it and I could see a little screw.  It controls the rotational speed of the motor. So just insert a little a litle screwdriver (not the one with a cross)  and rotate it. I have revived 2 drives that couldn't read protected games. If you still do not know what I am describing let me know and I will post a couple of pictures. :)


Regards!
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.43b (release?)
Post by: Bryce on 22:02, 17 June 13
No need for a photo, I know exactly what you mean. I didn't realise that CPC drives have that, I've only ever tweaked 3.5in drives that way. All my 3in drives have always worked fine.

Bryce.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.43b (release?)
Post by: TFM on 22:52, 17 June 13
So... altering the speed is the ultimate data protection ;-)
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.43b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 23:01, 17 June 13
Quote from: TFM/FS on 22:52, 17 June 13
So... altering the speed is the ultimate data protection ;-)


   hahaha... I wouldn't say it is the ultimate data protection but the only one.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.43b (release?)
Post by: Gryzor on 20:12, 20 June 13
Please, do add a photo. This is a very valuable piece of information...


Also, how much do you turn the screw?
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.43b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 18:31, 22 June 13
Quote from: Gryzor on 20:12, 20 June 13
Please, do add a photo. This is a very valuable piece of information...


Also, how much do you turn the screw?


The screw should be slightly turned if you only need an adjustment of a couple of RPMs. The black thingy you see there is a gum cover. Just insert your screw there and make a slight pressure. You shouldn't break anything!
There you have the picture! :)
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 19:06, 22 June 13
Hi!


   I have just updated this little tool with support for A & B drives. Feedback is welcome!


Cheers!


Paco
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: CanonMan on 23:36, 23 June 13
Why call it stupid? It's actually a very useful program, even if the user interface isn't all that good, IMHO!


I've managed to get one of my faulty spare drives working using it, turns out it was spinning at nearly 320 rpm  :laugh:
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 00:26, 24 June 13
Quote from: CanonMan on 23:36, 23 June 13
Why call it stupid? It's actually a very useful program, even if the user interface isn't all that good, IMHO!


I've managed to get one of my faulty spare drives working using it, turns out it was spinning at nearly 320 rpm  :laugh:


Haha! I meant "little" tool. Fixed! Internally I refer to them like that since it has not many functionality. Regarding the UI... Yep... I know that since the beginning but 'cos I needed a fast way of having text output without having the firmware active I just reused code of CPC Bros for saving time. That is also in the task list. :P


Regards!
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Gryzor on 17:51, 30 June 13
Thanks for the photo... never knew it was there. Cool!
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Executioner on 03:41, 18 October 13
Thought I'd at least try WinAPE and got 300.00RPM. Looks like JavaCPC needs some work there though.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TotO on 08:12, 18 October 13
Quote from: Executioner on 03:41, 18 October 13
Thought I'd at least try WinAPE and got 300.00RPM. Looks like JavaCPC needs some work there though.
As this program is nice to calibrate a real floppy disc drive, but useless on an emulator (except to said, OK I return a good value) ...
Is better to get a wrong RPM on an emulator but with an accurate FDC emulation, like cpcplusplus does.
Or the best, returning a good value and offering an accurate FDC emulation, like M.E.S.S. does.  8)

Around 6 months ago, I have made a little program that can detect all the CPC emulators and display their names. (see the screenshot)
That mean you have all some works to do to emulate (and not simulate) a real FDC...
Starting from M.E.S.S. will be great. :D
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: remax on 10:43, 21 October 13
Quote from: TotO on 08:12, 18 October 13
Starting from M.E.S.S. will be great. :D

I find it a bit sad that the CPC emulator from MESS doesn't get more love. It benefits from general device rewrites of course, and sometimes it gets some little updates but it has potential to be a really really accurate emulator.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: robcfg on 11:05, 21 October 13
As of lately is moving a bit on the CPC side, but as MESS is not only a CPC emulator, progress isn't as fast as we'd like.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Gryzor on 19:03, 23 October 13
I think people just stick with specialised emulators, especially since most come from separate communities. I can't be arsed to see if a multi-emulator works with X platform when I already know an emulator for it. And if I don't know of one, googling "NeoMSX3+TurboGTX emulator" will give me something for sure...


Btw, the relevant support page at mess.org says it supports "Sinclar".
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: breiztiger on 19:36, 22 December 13
hi

i have just try to test my ddi-1 on my cpc6128 and when i select drive b (6) and measure spin (5) but never finish the test ???

have somebody test with this config ?

breiztiger
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TotO on 20:10, 22 December 13
Try with this: RPM de Brice RIVE (http://www.amstradtoday.com/resur/rpm.zip)  :P
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Bryce on 21:39, 22 December 13
Nice program, just gave it a go. Simple and text you can read (hint to Pacomix) :)

Bryce.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TotO on 22:05, 22 December 13
The download link came for the Amstrad TODAY (http://www.amstradtoday.com/) website, witch was allowed by the author.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 16:19, 10 January 14
Hi Breiztiger!


   Strange... Could you describe what exactly are you doing?


@Bryce:


   Yep but I was first ;)
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Executioner on 02:02, 28 February 14
Quote from: TotO on 08:12, 18 October 13
Around 6 months ago, I have made a little program that can detect all the CPC emulators and display their names. (see the screenshot)

By this measure, the ability to detect an emulator shows that the emulation is not accurate enough?

Quote
That mean you have all some works to do to emulate (and not simulate) a real FDC...
Starting from M.E.S.S. will be great. :D

WinAPE already got a complete FDC rewrite with 2.0A16. I may do another, but not in the near future since 99.9% of known software appears to work, and the few that don't are usually because someone didn't include inter-sector data in the DSK image. The MESS code may be more accurate, but it requires significantly more emulation overhead and I can't currently justify it.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TotO on 16:19, 28 February 14
5 moths answer.  :o  Thank you.  :D

I suppose that, while it's possible to make the difference between the real hardware and an emulator, that mean it's not accurate and a program can fail to run. (many protected programs don't on most old CPC emulators)

Now, I understand that is not an easy task to achieve...
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Executioner on 01:07, 04 March 14
Quote from: TotO on 16:19, 28 February 14
that mean it's not accurate and a program can fail to run.

Yes, but rather than totally rewrite the emulation from scratch it's usually easier to fix it to cope with those particular programs. It all depends on your starting point of course. If people today are purposely writing new programs to break emulators just to keep us on our toes, perhaps they should find something better to do with their time since most of the point (of WinAPE at least) is preserving old software and providing a development platform for CPC/Z80.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 09:18, 04 March 14
Quote from: Executioner on 01:07, 04 March 14
Yes, but rather than totally rewrite the emulation from scratch it's usually easier to fix it to cope with those particular programs. It all depends on your starting point of course. If people today are purposely writing new programs to break emulators just to keep us on our toes, perhaps they should find something better to do with their time since most of the point (of WinAPE at least) is preserving old software and providing a development platform for CPC/Z80.


Hi! Do you plan in a future to release the source code or give the ability to write plugins? The debugging capabilities are really good but it would rock, for example, if you can communicate with the winape process and send commands like inserting breakpoints, load new symbols, snapshots, etc...
I'm developing a visual studio integration and this feature would be grand for setting breakpoints at any time from VS, building and deploying the modified source code automatically, etc...
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Executioner on 02:49, 12 March 14
Quote from: pacomix on 09:18, 04 March 14
Hi! Do you plan in a future to release the source code

Not likely. It's a mix a Delphi and x86 assembler with 3rd party components so it'd be almost impossible to compile it.

Quoteor give the ability to write plugins? The debugging capabilities are really good but it would rock, for example, if you can communicate with the winape process and send commands like inserting breakpoints, load new symbols, snapshots, etc...

That's a possibility, but also a rather huge job exposing such an API and making sure those calls are thread safe. Maybe a small set of functions.

QuoteI'm developing a visual studio integration and this feature would be grand for setting breakpoints at any time from VS, building and deploying the modified source code automatically, etc...

Wow, didn't know M$ let you write your own plugins :)
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 12:48, 12 March 14
Quote from: Executioner on 02:49, 12 March 14
Not likely. It's a mix a Delphi and x86 assembler with 3rd party components so it'd be almost impossible to compile it.

   - I'm pretty sure its possible to have the same build environment you use.

Quote from: Executioner on 02:49, 12 March 14
That's a possibility, but also a rather huge job exposing such an API and making sure those calls are thread safe. Maybe a small set of functions.


   - It would be enough:
      - Insert breakpoints with all the supported parameters.
      - Re-load the symbols table or add/modify new/existent ones.
      - Reset the emulator, autoload a .dsk, load a .sna.


  - Is it really so hard? Basically it would need to listen to commands in a specific TCP port (so you don't need to mess with forks and pipes) and just call the internal functions. But well... I don't know anything about the WinAPE code so...


Quote from: Executioner on 02:49, 12 March 14
Wow, didn't know M$ let you write your own plugins :)


   - Yes! There is a quite nice API for doing so. I wrote the first integration for Vs2008 for the DS console. It's a bit messy but quite powerful once you dominate it.

Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Bryce on 11:13, 06 March 15
@pacomix (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=855)

As this tool has now become a permanent installation on my test/repair system and gets used almost daily by me, is there any chance you could change the fonts of the tool to something less "Eye-cancer-inducing" ?

Thanks,
Bryce.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 13:23, 06 March 15

@Bryce (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=225) Haha! Yes I can. Which country flag colours do u need? :D
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Bryce on 13:54, 06 March 15
A plain "Amstrad standard" yellow text on blue background would be fine.

Bryce.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: CanonMan on 14:09, 06 March 15
Quote from: Bryce on 13:54, 06 March 15
A plain "Amstrad standard" yellow text on blue background would be fine.

Bryce.


Seconded!


It's a useful program, that's got me out of trouble quite a few times, but it does look hideous! Sorry!


Good old MODE 1, yellow on blue would do nicely. Or even white on blue, with hi-lighted text in red or green? (Think the same colours as Dizzy!)

Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 14:22, 06 March 15
@Bryce (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=225) Haha! I was joking

Would you agree to have a dark red background with orange font?
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Bryce on 14:28, 06 March 15
Anything that's readable without giving me headaches is good for me :)

Bryce.

Edit: One other question (I know this is probably asking a lot), but would it be possible to make the program ROM based?
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 15:16, 06 March 15
@Bryce (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=225) ROM based? I have no idea how to do it. This was just a quick and dirty tool I did for myself and talking honestly, right at the moment I have no time to invest on it. I need to look where I did put the source code since I don't remember. I think the best thing I can do is to publish the source code.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: CanonMan on 15:32, 06 March 15
Quote from: pacomix on 14:22, 06 March 15
@Bryce (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=225) Haha! I was joking

Would you agree to have a dark red background with orange font?


What's wrong with white or yellow on a dark blue background? Orange on red sounds like a right eyesore!

Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 15:39, 06 March 15
@CanonMan (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=455) There is nothing wrong. But I like more dark red background and orange text over it.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Bryce on 21:59, 06 March 15
I only suggested ROM based because when your drive is broken, disk based software isn't all that helpful if you only have one (broken) drive. :D If you find the source code let me know, I (or someone else most likely) could look at making a ROM from it.

Bryce.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 22:30, 06 March 15
That's true! I generated a .cdt too... but I think that I never uploaded it... Definitely having it in the ROM format would be helpful but I think that it won't be more versatile than having the .cdt in a phone or real cassette. Are there really many people with a ROM interface?
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Bryce on 22:35, 06 March 15
Maybe it could be a foreground ROM and it could be plugged in instead of ROM0 in the CPC?

Bryce.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TFM on 22:44, 06 March 15
Quote from: pacomix on 22:30, 06 March 15
That's true! I generated a .cdt too... but I think that I never uploaded it... Definitely having it in the ROM format would be helpful but I think that it won't be more versatile than having the .cdt in a phone or real cassette. Are there really many people with a ROM interface?


Well, here? Yes, way more than people with a phone for sure.  ;)
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Kris on 15:20, 27 April 15
Any news about the ROM version ?
I have several drives to fix and it's a pain to load the program each time I need it :)
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: CraigsBar on 15:47, 27 April 15
Quote from: Kris on 15:20, 27 April 15
Any news about the ROM version ?
I have several drives to fix and it's a pain to load the program each time I need it :)
it's the one thing that would not work on a no$cash cart I guess.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Kris on 16:07, 27 April 15
OK but from a ROMboard, it could be very helpful to launch from a simple RSX ;)
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TFM on 17:27, 27 April 15
Quote from: Kris on 16:07, 27 April 15
OK but from a ROMboard, it could be very helpful to launch from a simple RSX ;)


Here you go:



Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Kris on 18:57, 27 April 15
Such a fast feedback !!  :o
Thank you TFM, you are my savior ;)

Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TFM on 19:30, 27 April 15
Quote from: Kris on 18:57, 27 April 15
Such a fast feedback !!  :o
Thank you TFM, you are my savior ;)

If you need something less than 31 KB it's quite easy for me. I used the Inicrons great Softburner ROM-Maker. Well, it's in German, but easy to use.

If you need anything else in ROM, just post it. ;)
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Bryce on 19:32, 27 April 15
Great work TFM. Can you do it again when the DSKTest font has been changed to something less Eye-cancer inducing :D

Bryce.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TFM on 19:38, 27 April 15
Quote from: Bryce on 19:32, 27 April 15
Great work TFM. Can you do it again when the DSKTest font has been changed to something less Eye-cancer inducing :D

Bryce.


Yes, the font is quite   .... rich of contrast ;-) Well, getting all the scanlines a bit brighter would be helpful for sure. Of course I will do that. Just post the file here.


And here is the Softburn ROM if one want's to give it a try. I'm here for questions.



Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Kris on 19:54, 27 April 15
I will have a look to this soft, even if German version will be a pain for me :)
Google will help ;D
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Kris on 20:28, 27 April 15
It takes about 1hour of test but 2 drives are already saved; thank you once again.......
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TFM on 22:06, 27 April 15
Quote from: Kris on 19:54, 27 April 15
I will have a look to this soft, even if German version will be a pain for me :)
Google will help ;D


Haha, time to learn this wonderful and descriptive language. Software was/is for me a great way to polish my French and Spanish. But I know what you mean.  :)

Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 08:56, 28 April 15
Great you converted it to a ROM version TFM (btw... TFM is an acronym of The Fucking Master or something like that? :D).


Regarding changing the font color... I have absolutely no idea when I will have free time again. Feel free to change the palette and submit the modified binary.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Kris on 09:30, 28 April 15
@Pacomix: Would you be OK to share the source code ? I will be easier to modify and maybe improve some options (change track during reading, accelerate RPM calculation....)
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 10:04, 28 April 15
Quote from: Kris on 09:30, 28 April 15
@Pacomix: Would you be OK to share the source code ? I will be easier to modify and maybe improve some options (change track during reading, accelerate RPM calculation....)


If I find it I will do it for sure. In the meanwhile it would be good to know what do you think it would be useful to add. Remember that the main purpose of this tool is only to adjust the RPMs. Maybe the major improvement it can be carried out is the ability to adjust the RPMs in real time.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Kris on 11:07, 28 April 15
You 're right, it could be more relevant to have the RPM in real time (like RPM program from Brice Rive do).
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Neil79 on 10:14, 31 July 15
Hey pacomix, I'm having an issue and wonder if you could help.


I've just tried the RPM software as well as DSKTest and they are doing the same thing. The disk drive light stays ON with no readout given in " Measure Spin RPM ". I gave it about 30mins or just a bit longer and it still does it. However if I select the HxC drive for a scan it works perfectly, says it has a read out of about 299.6. But the real drive, it falls on it's arse.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 11:58, 31 July 15
Quote from: Neil79 on 10:14, 31 July 15
Hey pacomix, I'm having an issue and wonder if you could help.


I've just tried the RPM software as well as DSKTest and they are doing the same thing. The disk drive light stays ON with no readout given in " Measure Spin RPM ". I gave it about 30mins or just a bit longer and it still does it. However if I select the HxC drive for a scan it works perfectly, says it has a read out of about 299.6. But the real drive, it falls on it's arse.

Try a different disk. If the inserted disk has no sector information (if I recall correctly) the program will fail but I don't remember the drive will spin indefinitely. Also the configuration I have tried was only a drive connected in a 464 and with the original 6128 drive. I don't know yours.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Neil79 on 20:16, 31 July 15

Update : Just done a readout on the disk that only reads halfway, it's saying the rpm is at


305.08RPM - 310.08RPM
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.43b (release?)
Post by: Neil79 on 20:40, 31 July 15
 :'( :'(
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 10:07, 03 August 15
Quote from: Neil79 on 20:16, 31 July 15
Update : Just done a readout on the disk that only reads halfway, it's saying the rpm is at


305.08RPM - 310.08RPM

Hi! What is exactly your problem?
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TotO on 10:23, 03 August 15
It is too high to work properly. It need to be adjusted.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Bryce on 11:14, 03 August 15
He's already adjusted and broken it, see other thread...

Bryce.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TFM on 17:30, 03 August 15
But one can carefully re-adjust it, and then it will work fine. Patience is a virtue and will help here. (Ok, no virtue I got, but in genera... ;D ). Good luck, don't give in!  :)
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Bryce on 20:09, 03 August 15
Quote from: TFM on 17:30, 03 August 15
But one can carefully re-adjust it, and then it will work fine. Patience is a virtue and will help here. (Ok, no virtue I got, but in genera... ;D ). Good luck, don't give in!  :)

Ehhh, no. He really broke it: Amstrad CPC 6128 - Floppy Drive Advice (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/amstrad-cpc-6128-floppy-drive-advice/msg105861/?topicseen#new)

Bryce.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Neil79 on 21:22, 03 August 15
Quote from: TFM on 17:30, 03 August 15
But one can carefully re-adjust it, and then it will work fine. Patience is a virtue and will help here. (Ok, no virtue I got, but in genera... ;D ). Good luck, don't give in!  :)


Eh no, a slight tap and a turn and...


Dead motor
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TFM on 21:43, 03 August 15
Sorry to hear!  :(
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Starglider on 00:25, 22 September 15
Quote from: pacomix on 18:44, 15 June 13
Any suggestion in order improving it would be more than welcome!


Amstrad PCW support...?  ;D
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 09:49, 22 September 15
Just connect the drive to a CPC 6128/664/464+DDI  ;D
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Bryce on 10:07, 22 September 15
He doesn't own a CPC.

Bryce.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TFM on 19:12, 22 September 15
Time to buy one! With X-MEM of course.  ;D
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: MoteroV4 on 11:30, 03 June 19
Hello Pacomix, congratulations on your program.

I just wanted to ask you a question, I'm trying to pass your Dsktest.dsk to tape with CDTMaster because the 2 floppy disks I have are broken. I have a CPC464 and a cassette/CD/MP3 adapter tape which I connect to the PC to serve as a data source from the WinApe emulator. I do not have ROM.

The question I have to make the tape loader is that 2 files appear in your disk image:
1º DSKTEST.BIN
2º DSKTESTP.BIN
I do not know the data where the 2nd file has to be loaded. I have proved that loading only the 1st seems to be going well in Winape, but loading the 2nd it resets.

My question is, would it be enough to load only the 1st file from tape?
Thanks and best regards
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: pacomix on 11:39, 03 June 19
I don't remember exactly the files and so of the project. Let me get home an I'll take a look at it.


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: vasilisk on 22:48, 23 September 19
A quick question. The nominal speed of a cpc drive is 300rpm?
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TotO on 01:43, 24 September 19
Yes
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: vasilisk on 09:37, 24 September 19
One of my drives is measured 294.50. It reads and runs almost all the disks I have (originals and copy). except from one.
The "Calibrate" option what does it do?
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Bryce on 10:46, 24 September 19
Anything between 290 and 310 is fine. I wouldn't touch anything, there's more chance something will get damaged while trying to adjust it.

If it's not broken, don't fix it!

Bryce.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TotO on 11:54, 24 September 19
Better between 295 and 305. 310 should fail to read floppy wrote with a 290/295 drive (and the invert too).
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: vasilisk on 11:59, 24 September 19
Quote from: TotO on 11:54, 24 September 19
Better between 295 and 305. 310 should fail to read floppy wrote with a 290/295 drive (and the invert too).


I will stay at 294 for now. I got to this number by adjusting it manually and without oscilloscope. Since the drive was not not reading at all at first. Most discs run so better safe than sorry.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: TotO on 12:01, 24 September 19
Sure, you are close (it is not the same value from track 0 to 39) and if you do not have any problem to read floppies it is not required to change that.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: vasilisk on 12:12, 24 September 19
The "calibrate" option what does it do?
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Bryce on 13:10, 24 September 19
Quote from: TotO on 11:54, 24 September 19
Better between 295 and 305. 310 should fail to read floppy wrote with a 290/295 drive (and the invert too).

Yeah, but the measurement isn't accurate anyway. It will vary just by tilting the drive, it varies with the actual voltage of the 12V rail and it even varies with temperature, so a drive spinning at 300 at 22°C might spin at 290 at 30°C. That's why I tell people not to break their neck trying to get it exactly on 300RPM. 290 is only 3.3% off and the protocol allows for a tolerance of around +/-5%.


Bryce.
Title: Re: DskTest v0.1.47b (release?)
Post by: Mark_wllms on 18:21, 25 June 22
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