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Re: Running SMSQ/E
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 5:17 pm
by robheaton
Pr0f wrote:
Hi Rob, if this is the machine I think it is, then it's got the mplane backplane in it (
https://qlwiki.theqlforum.com/doku.php?id=qlwiki:mplane), so it should fit in a small tower case or an old desktop case.
If you do decide to move it from it's current case, can I make a very odd request in true Hermit Crab Style - will you sell me the original one back?
That's an old rig of mine by the way
Yes this machine has the mplane backplane.
So my Aurora was once yours?!
I remember buying it about 4 years ago on eBay, was it you I got it from?
You are more than welcome to the case, where abouts are you?
Re: Running SMSQ/E
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 5:41 pm
by Pr0f
I sold it to a guy in Godalming who collected old retro machines - I did tell him the hard disk was temperamental but he was just going to put it on display I think/
I'm in Reading - but will happily pay postage. Has it still got that funky 'Q' button on the front?
Re: Running SMSQ/E
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 6:39 pm
by robheaton
Pr0f wrote:Has it still got that funky 'Q' button on the front?
Sure does!
Re: Running SMSQ/E
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 9:30 am
by Derek_Stewart
robheaton wrote:I've decided it's time to rehouse my Aurora, it's current case is just far too small.
Can any case be used? - I've not stripped the machine down to have a proper look.
Hi Rob,
Any PC case will do, I tired to fit a mplane based system in a Black Shuttle case. the dimensions of the Shuttle case a re a little tight for the mplane.
If you need a case I have a Black Tower case with ATX power supply and Shuttle cases.
Re: Running SMSQ/E
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 4:29 pm
by robheaton
Derek_Stewart wrote:Any PC case will do, I tired to fit a mplane based system in a Black Shuttle case. the dimensions of the Shuttle case a re a little tight for the mplane.
That is a shame about the Shuttle cases, I'm sure there is one sat in the workshop at work.
The plan is for a dual floppy setup, one physical 3.5" HD floppy and a Gotek drive.
How easy is it to modify the ATX PSU to power the board?
Re: Running SMSQ/E
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 8:10 pm
by Derek_Stewart
Hi Rob,
An ATX power supply can be switched by making the PS_ON ( pin 14 ) on the PC ATX Connector connected to GND.
I usually connect Pin 14 to Pin 15 on the ATX PC Connector.
There maybe more subtle ways, like having a toggle switch to switch the lines. But I find this is the simplest way.
Is there a better way to switch the ATX power on with a switch?
Re: Running SMSQ/E
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2020 2:36 pm
by Derek_Stewart
mk79 wrote:tofro wrote:robheaton wrote:Thanks for all the help, I'll give this a go later today!
Does SMSQ/E need unzipping on the Aurora? Or can I unzip it in Windows?
As the binary download of SMSQ/E is too big for me to put on a floppy to transfer it.
You can unzip on Windows. The binary is normally not EXECed, so you can do without the header.
Actually that's not 100% true, there is a header and it is used by SMSQ/E to recognize another LRESPR of SMSQ/E, in order to prevent the boot loop rob has experienced.
Hi,
I have just installed SMSQ/E v3.36 Gold on my BBQL + Tetroid Supergold card.
SMSQ/E is loaded from Floppy Drive, bu I can get the system to bootup unless there is an IF statement checking for the VER$
How does this 'header' work as stated above?
Re: Running SMSQ/E
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2020 4:35 pm
by RalfR
Derek_Stewart wrote:How does this 'header' work as stated above?
Seems SMSQ/E checks for "Gold" at a special place in memory to prevent endless BOOT loops.
Re: Running SMSQ/E
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2020 4:43 pm
by Derek_Stewart
RalfR wrote:Derek_Stewart wrote:How does this 'header' work as stated above?
Seems SMSQ/E checks for "Gold" at a special place in memory to prevent endless BOOT loops.
Hi,
Thank you for the reply, but it does not work, I have to put the line:
Otherwise, the QL loads SMSQ/E and reboots and goes into a boot loop.
Re: Running SMSQ/E
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2020 6:03 pm
by RalfR
Derek_Stewart wrote:RalfR wrote:Derek_Stewart wrote:How does this 'header' work as stated above?
Seems SMSQ/E checks for "Gold" at a special place in memory to prevent endless BOOT loops.
Hi,
Thank you for the reply, but it does not work, I have to put the line:
Otherwise, the QL loads SMSQ/E and reboots and goes into a boot loop.
Hmm, I have read this somewhere, but do not remember, where.
Well, in Norman's site it is told:
---------- snip ----------
If you are using SMSQ/E on the Gold Card or Super Gold Card,
you should normally use the LRESPR command to start up the copy of SMSQ/E - if this is used in a boot program, if SMSQ/E is already loaded when the LRESPR command to load SMSQ/E is read, then it is ignored. If you use RESPR and LBYTES, then the boot would get into a loop - continually loading the operating system (unless you check VER$=’HBA’, although this will not work on QXL as SMSQ also reports VER$=’HBA’).
---------- snip ----------
There is also an comment on MK's site:
https://www.kilgus.net/2016/03/17/smsqe-boot-sequence/ from David Westbury.