[Coco] Disto Super Controller problem

[Roger Taylor]

At 11:25 PM 3/28/2008, you wrote:
>On Saturday 29 March 2008, Roger Taylor wrote:
> >I'm not sure if this is my controller at fault or my drive, but when
> >I DSKINI or write anything to a disk, the CoCo doesn't complain, but
> >when you read the directory back, nothing has changed.  A DSKINI
> >format will step through the tracks until it goes to verify then an IO
> > error.
> >
> >I've tried to DSKINI a known good disk with CoCo files on it, and
> >after the DSKINI appears to write then fails, you can type DIR and
> >the files are still there.
> >
> >Anybody know what's going on?
> >



>It sounds like you are not actually writing to the disk, Roger.

That's what I was explaining.   I guess with VERIFY OFF the CoCo 
wouldn't care.  Other than this problem, the controller itself is 
impressive compared to all the others I've owned.





>  There is I
>believe a write enable signal that turns on the drives write circuitry, and
>it may not be enabled.  Chip failure or drive failure can be determined by
>looking at the pin on the interface with a scope and seeing it if goes to the
>other logic state during a DSKINI operation.  Since the also writes the
>intersector data, the signal should be true at whatever logic level enables
>the write, and go to the other logic level when the verify phase starts.  If
>it does, drive problem, if it doesn't, controller problem & start chasing it
>back through the buffers to the src, which I believe is the 1773.  If nothing
>there, double check that the coco's write is getting to it.  Stuck bits in a
>read scan might be enlightening too.
>
> >Also, what kinds of devices are there, or can be made, to work with
> >the MEB connector on the side?  It sure does look like an IDE connector.  :)
>
>Its not, but all the other stuff on the 4n1 cards run on that bus, scsi,
>parport, rs232 & the realtime clock, so its a fairly complete bus, but IDE
>its not.
>
>--
>Cheers, Gene
>"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
>  soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
>-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
>The rhino is a homely beast,
>For human eyes he's not a feast.
>Farewell, farewell, you old rhinoceros,
>I'll stare at something less prepoceros.
>                 -- Ogden Nash
>
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