The Sinclair QL Forum

Hi All
Help needed. Using Alvaro Alea's boards I've just built Mini Trump 3 and Trump 2 Clone cards.
The first one is working like a charm the second is not - but the schematics are almost the same.
I'm also using the same chips: WD, ROM, inverters. TC2 clone boots up - I can see the messages - so GAL/ROM part is working.
But when I issue dir flp1_ command drive starts but I get 'not found' message.
I've checked the clock - nice sinus 8MHz. Also I have only FDC part of TC2 populated, the rest is empty.
Any idea?
Regards
Tomasz

Also I'm using the same drive and the same cable. I also had third TC card made by me - this also works.
Tomasz

What do you mean that you have a third ? Where come the Gerber? It's also like the blue?

Frankly speaking I'm in the same situation, I have several mini trump 3 that work always, but have several clone of the 2 and work depends on the weather...

Work perfectly, I put in the drawer and one moth later when try again do not work.

I exchange IC with the mini, and do not work, sometimes, other works, and other depend on the drive I use.

I also know @titounix is in the same situation.

I usually put a warning in my project, but one I test it, with 1 drive, with 2, with a gotek, etc... I remove the warning. But now this happens after successfully test.

I'm so sorry but I do not have any clue of how to solve it.

Only to be sure, if you have Minerva ROM, test the gal code in the folder only_minerva, just in case.

@aalea - at the beginning - BIG thank you for your work!

By "third" I meant my variation on Mini Trump 3 that also works flawlessly.

I'm using Sony MFP920 drive that is said to work OK and it is (tried also Alps - not OK).

This is really strange - I use the same drive, same cable and SAME ICs (moves them between boards).
Also, these cards have the same schematic (except for the clock - but my "third" card works on two inverters clock)

No idea - what to do next - will check only_minerva version of GAL.

Thank you very much for your response.

PS. I've also built Minerva MK II however I'm not sure how to get RTC to manifest itself. Should it be automatically read at startup?

tommy.sz wrote: Fri Jun 27, 2025 6:31 pm @aalea - at the beginning - BIG thank you for your work!

By "third" I meant my variation on Mini Trump 3 that also works flawlessly.

I'm using Sony MFP920 drive that is said to work OK and it is (tried also Alps - not OK).

This is really strange - I use the same drive, same cable and SAME ICs (moves them between boards).
Also, these cards have the same schematic (except for the clock - but my "third" card works on two inverters clock)

No idea - what to do next - will check only_minerva version of GAL.

Thank you very much for your response.

PS. I've also built Minerva MK II however I'm not sure how to get RTC to manifest itself. Should it be automatically read at startup?

Wait, same cable?
Test if flp2_ work.
Be aware that mini trump 3 use the typical cable of the PC AT computer with a twist, but the original one need a plain cable and proper floppy configurated as DS0.

For the RTC clock you need the original Minerva tools (are on Dilwing site) to set the clock.
If not you only see that the message of the Minerva on boot show that hold the clock, to the same all time.

@aalea - you're the BOSS!

It works! Plain cable and flp2_ (drive has no jumpers) - GREAT!
THANK YOU!

As for the clock - I don't get it. Once I use the tools and set date/time - Minerva will read it automatically at startup?
Or should I have sth to run at boot time?

Minerva mk2 will set the QL clock at boot

As long as the battery backup is working and date/time was previously set

You will need to trim the crystal with the trimmer to maintain accuracy though

At least that’s what mine does