QubATA v3.11.. - can't seem to re-partition my DOM drive...

[martyn_hill]

Hi everyone (and esp. Alain Haoui - if you're here!)

I've finally gotten my Aurora+SGC system built and started to explore using the QubIDE (original board - but with the v2 GALs "1a/2a") expansion-card.

I had successfully attached and formatted a 128MB DOM (single partition) with the QubIDE v2.01 ROM/driver and was able to save and access files on it. At each reboot, a 'FAT problem' was reported, but no problems accessing the files.

I then re-programmed the ROM with Alain's v3.11 QubATA ROM image (driver_S_ROM). It successfully detected the existing DOM at boot-up (the boot-up diagnostics are very helpful!), but reported a problem with the FAT and couldn't mount the existing partition.

This wasn't a problem as I hadn't stored much there so proceeded to read Alain's excellent QubATA User Guide to understand how to re-initialise the DOM, following carefully the 'Typical sequence' steps listed on page 20 (Manual v3, from here: https://dilwyn.theqlforum.com/qlrom/QubATA311.zip)

However, at step #6 "WIN_DISK CREATE,<dev>,<part>,<size>", the command returns 'Disk full' - even though no partitions are listed by WIN_DISK "SUMMARY",<dev> (only the column headings are displayed.)

Any ideas?

One point to note - I had manually 'hacked' the ROM images (both the v2.01 and the v3.11) in a Hex editor to replace all occurrences of 'WIN' with 'QUB' - I also have a working SD-Card in this system that already uses the WIN device-name. Alain does explain that the RAM version can be CONFIGured to use the alternative device-name, but I wasn't sure how relevant that was for the ROM image, so did it by hand - which seemed to work under v2.01...

Thanks in advance for your thoughts...

[Derek_Stewart]

Hi Martyn


The error message FAT problem means there is no Qubide Partition table on the drive.

On nee drives of say 1Gb, I use this process:

Code: Select all

100 REMark Unlink all WIN Drives
110 WIN_DRIVE -1
120 :
130 REMark Set Format to Write,Format Quick,No Confirmation, No Verbose
140 REMark Block Size=4
150 WIN_FORMAT 15,4
160 :
170 REMark Initialise Disk 1
180 WIN_DISK "INIT",1
190 :
195 FOR dr=1 TO 7
200   WIN_DISK create,1,dr,128
210 END FOR dr

It doesn't have to be a Superbasic programme, but I forget the process to create a QubATA drive system.

[martyn_hill]

Thank you Derek

Your SB program appears functionally similar to the process I followed.

I suspect something awry with my DOM - I have another to test - after I return from the family holiday in August

Warm regards,
Martyn.

[Derek_Stewart]

Hi Martyn

Some DOM need power, maybe adding a power supply to the DOM will help.

What is the make and model of the DOM?

You could try inserting the DOM into a PC IDE port, and use the Windows or Linux diagnostics to see if there is any problems.

[martyn_hill]

Hi Derek

Yes, I provide power via a separate 2-pin 5v connector (though it could take power from Pin-20 as well.)

Is a 'PQI 128MB' - cheap, if I remember correctly, so probably not quite to standard anyway.

What is perplexing is that it formatted and was accessible under QubIDE 2.01, but not once I upgraded the driver to Alain's terrific QubATA 3.11 - which autodetects the brand/model, just doesn't like the FAT and doesn't seem to allow me to remove/re-add the partition...

Good idea to try it on a PC - let's see what Windoze makes of it...