Happy 1050 drive error

[gtkakega]

I'm having problems formatting and writing DOS to disk using my upgraded Happy 1050 drive. I ran Happy 1050 ver 7 software and did enhanced diagnostics. I got a 'disk error 1764 8c'. Any ideas?

[Rybags]

8C (140) is Serial Bus Input Framing Error.

 

So, probably a hardware problem - or maybe just a bad SIO cable.

 

Try it running at low I/O speed and with a different cable.

 

Ed: also, isn't there a problem running some drive upgrades made for NTSC on PAL machines (due to different I/O rates you get with POKEY).

 

Input Framing error means that the start/stop bit combinations aren't occurring properly (0 for start, 8 data bits, 1 for stop).

Edited April 29, 2006 by Rybags

[gtkakega]

8C (140) is Serial Bus Input Framing Error.

 

So, probably a hardware problem - or maybe just a bad SIO cable.

 

Try it running at low I/O speed and with a different cable.

 

Ed: also, isn't there a problem running some drive upgrades made for NTSC on PAL machines (due to different I/O rates you get with POKEY).

 

Input Framing error means that the start/stop bit combinations aren't occurring properly (0 for start, 8 data bits, 1 for stop).

 

I did an RPM check and it reports 'too fast'. How do you tweak RPM?

[Rybags]

I think RPM is adjusted by a trimpot (with flat-head screwdriver).

 

Never had to do it myself - someone else would probably have more info.

[ijor]

Run the Happy Hi Speed Xfer diagnostics in the first place. This will tell you if you have any problems in the SIO chain.

 

How you measured RPM? Most RPM programs will be fooled by the Happy track buffer. You must use the RPM measurement in the Happy software. Doesn't look you have an RPM problem.

 

Which software gave you the "disk error" you mentioned?

[Nukey Shay]

Adjusting RPM is described in this thread:

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=25783

 

There's also a small Basic program to use if your DOS lacks an RPM monitor.

[gtkakega]

Run the Happy Hi Speed Xfer diagnostics in the first place. This will tell you if you have any problems in the SIO chain.

 

How you measured RPM? Most RPM programs will be fooled by the Happy track buffer. You must use the RPM measurement in the Happy software. Doesn't look you have an RPM problem.

 

Which software gave you the "disk error" you mentioned?

 

I'm running Happy ver 7 software diagnostics.

I ran X) Hi Speed Xfer diagnostics and it passed.

I ran R) RPM test and it reported 294 RPM too fast. I since adjusted RPM to 287 is just fine.

I ran W) Read/Write test and it passed.

I ran E) Enhancement diagnostics and RAM test #1 passed, but RAM test #2 failed. Disk error 1764 8C.

 

???

[ijor]

That’s quite strange. I’m not sure the problem is actually in the RAM.

 

As far as I can see, that error message is produced when activating the test program inside the drive. SIO detected a serial framing error at this point. It is not a disk error despite what the error message says. I don’t know what could produce this error.

 

RAM can’t be that bad, or otherwise the drive won’t even boot, it will fail the self-test that includes a full RAM test on power up. The RAM might have a subtle problem that shows up only on this test. But then, the problem might be anything else (including a corrupted diagnostic disk), and not necessarily the RAM.

 

Are you still having write problems after correcting the RPM?