Greaseweazle - Revision history

Tingo: /* ND format 0b */ testing with updated Disk-Utilities; now it groks ND format 0b too

2021-02-05T15:12:26Z

ND format 0b: testing with updated Disk-Utilities; now it groks ND format 0b too

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:12, 5 February 2021
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	To convert a .scp file from a ND format 0b floppy to .img you would use		To convert a .scp file from a ND format 0b floppy to .img you would use
	<pre>		<pre>
	tingo@z30b:~/work/greaseweazle$ LD_LIBRARY_PATH=Disk-Utilities/libdisk/ ./Disk-Utilities/disk-analyse/disk-analyse --config=./Disk-Utilities/disk-analyse/formats --format=ibm --ss=0 --end-cyl=76 525_nd_f0b_nd-~~10005u_2~~.scp 525_nd_f0b_nd-~~10005u_3~~.img		tingo@z30b:~/work/greaseweazle$ LD_LIBRARY_PATH=Disk-Utilities/libdisk/ ./Disk-Utilities/disk-analyse/disk-analyse --config=./Disk-Utilities/disk-analyse/formats --format=ibm --ss --end-cyl=76 525_nd_f0b_nd-10005u.scp 525_nd_f0b_nd-10005u.img
	*** T0.0: Unexpected track length (seen ~~83293~~, expected 100150)		*** T0.0: Unexpected track length (seen 83287, expected 100150)
	*** T1.0: Unexpected track length (seen ~~83406~~, expected 100150)		*** T1.0: Unexpected track length (seen 83297, expected 100150)
	*** T2.0: Unexpected track length (seen ~~83407~~, expected 100150)		*** T2.0: Unexpected track length (seen 83287, expected 100150)
	*** T3.0: Unexpected track length (seen ~~83404~~, expected 100150)		*** T3.0: Unexpected track length (seen 83298, expected 100150)
	[..]		[..]
	T0.0-38.0: IBM-FM DD (8 512-byte sectors, 4096 bytes)		*** T76.0: Unexpected track length (seen 83283, expected 100150)
	T39.0-76.0: Unformatted*		T0.0-76.0: IBM-FM DD (8 512-byte sectors, 4096 bytes)
	** WARNING: 38 tracks are damaged or unidentified!
	</pre>		</pre>
	As usual, lots of "unexpected track length" warnings, ~~but then a warning~~ that ~~some tracks are unformatted, and / or unformatted - never a good sign~~.		As usual, lots of "unexpected track length" warnings, they can be ignored. The last line says that the program understands the format.
	~~But~~ ndfs ~~doesn't like~~ the resulting image file		Now ndfs is happy with the resulting image file
	<pre>		<pre>
	tingo@z30b:~/work/greaseweazle$ ~/bin/ndfs -t 525_nd_f0b_nd-~~10005u_3~~.img		tingo@z30b:~/work/greaseweazle$ ~/bin/ndfs -t 525_nd_f0b_nd-10005u.img
	Directory name : ND-10005U		Directory name : ND-10005U
			Directory size : 154 pages
	Object file index pointer : 150 SI: 0x1 (indexed)		Object file index pointer : 150 SI: 0x1 (indexed)
	User file index pointer : 152 SI: 0x1 (indexed)		User file index pointer : 152 SI: 0x1 (indexed)
	Bit file pointer : 77 SI: 0x0 (contiguous)		Bit file pointer : 77 SI: 0x0 (contiguous)
	No. of unreserved pages : 1		No. of unreserved pages : 1
	~~Error reading~~ page ~~152: Success~~		Files:
			0 0: I 11 pages 21864 bytes 1984-01-09 13:26:39 (FLOPPY-USER)NRL-1935J:BPUN
			0 1: I 2 pages 3852 bytes 1982-03-17 11:07:51 (FLOPPY-USER)GPM-2365B:BPUN
			0 2: I 2 pages 4067 bytes 1982-03-17 11:09:37 (FLOPPY-USER)GPM-LIBR-2366B:SYMB
			0 3: I 25 pages 49569 bytes 1983-12-19 13:47:07 (FLOPPY-USER)PERFORM-2412F:BPUN
			0 4: I 2 pages 3497 bytes 1984-01-09 13:30:26 (FLOPPY-USER)PERFORM-LIBRARY:MCRO
			0 5: I 9 pages 16748 bytes 1983-12-30 10:21:59 (FLOPPY-USER)BRF-EDITOR-1858F:BPUN
			0 6: I 19 pages 38394 bytes 1978-12-21 13:54:33 (FLOPPY-USER)F32-EXTR-2232B:BPUN
			0 7: I 41 pages 82337 bytes 1984-01-09 13:30:36 (FLOPPY-USER)LOOK-FILE-2244E:BPUN
			Directory size: 149 pages
			Bit file size : 1 page
	</pre>		</pre>
	~~Too early~~ to ~~tell if the problem is with the conversion program or the floppy I used~~.		Earlier versions of Disk-Utilties had problems with format 0b, but now it appears to work.

	== References ==		== References ==

Tingo: /* Converting from .scp to .img (image) format */ add section headers

2021-02-05T15:05:26Z

Converting from .scp to .img (image) format: add section headers

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:05, 5 February 2021
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	This is the more complex operation, but it is where you can try many options until you get one that is perfect (assuming that the tools are able to decode the format that the floppies was written with). I'm testing keirf's Disk Utilities for this task.		This is the more complex operation, but it is where you can try many options until you get one that is perfect (assuming that the tools are able to decode the format that the floppies was written with). I'm testing keirf's Disk Utilities for this task.

			==== ND format 17b ====
	Converting the .scp file from a ND format 17b into .img (image) format		Converting the .scp file from a ND format 17b into .img (image) format
	<pre>		<pre>
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	It will report a lot of "unexpected track length" warnings - simply ignore those. The important part is the last line - it tells you if the program was able understand the data, and what format it thinks this is. Now you can use other tools (like ndfs) on the .img file.		It will report a lot of "unexpected track length" warnings - simply ignore those. The important part is the last line - it tells you if the program was able understand the data, and what format it thinks this is. Now you can use other tools (like ndfs) on the .img file.

			==== ND format 0b ====
	To convert a .scp file from a ND format 0b floppy to .img you would use		To convert a .scp file from a ND format 0b floppy to .img you would use
	<pre>		<pre>

Tingo: add link to testing subpage

2021-02-05T14:15:17Z

add link to testing subpage

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:15, 5 February 2021
Line 1:		Line 1:
	Greaseweazle<ref>[https://github.com/keirf/Greaseweazle Greaseweazle]</ref> is not an ND product. However, it allows you to connect a floppy drive to a modern computer and use it as a [[ND media reader]] for floppies. It is like the [[FluxEngine]], but with cheaper hardware, and a different set of programs to use it.		Greaseweazle<ref>[https://github.com/keirf/Greaseweazle Greaseweazle]</ref> is not an ND product. However, it allows you to connect a floppy drive to a modern computer and use it as a [[ND media reader]] for floppies. It is like the [[FluxEngine]], but with cheaper hardware, and a different set of programs to use it.

			Subpages: [[Greaseweazle/testing\|testing]],

	== Hardware setup ==		== Hardware setup ==

Tingo: /* Converting from .scp to .img (image) format */ fixed formatting

2021-02-05T12:57:29Z

Converting from .scp to .img (image) format: fixed formatting

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:57, 5 February 2021
Line 90:		Line 90:
	T39.0-76.0: Unformatted*		T39.0-76.0: Unformatted*
	** WARNING: 38 tracks are damaged or unidentified!		** WARNING: 38 tracks are damaged or unidentified!
	<pre>		</pre>
	As usual, lots of "unexpected track length" warnings, but then a warning that some tracks are unformatted, and / or unformatted - never a good sign.		As usual, lots of "unexpected track length" warnings, but then a warning that some tracks are unformatted, and / or unformatted - never a good sign.
	But ndfs doesn't like the resulting image file		But ndfs doesn't like the resulting image file

Tingo: /* Hardware setup */ fix a spelling error

2021-02-05T12:55:29Z

Hardware setup: fix a spelling error

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:55, 5 February 2021
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	* the Greaseweazle hardware		* the Greaseweazle hardware
	** a STM32F103C8 "Blue Pill" development board (or alternative - see the Greaseweazle wiki)		** a STM32F103C8 "Blue Pill" development board (or alternative - see the Greaseweazle wiki)
	** a Blue Pill Adapter (files to order the pcb are ~~aavilable~~<ref>[https://github.com/keirf/PCB-Projects/tree/master/greaseweazle PCB-Projects - greaseweazle]</ref>)		** a Blue Pill Adapter (files to order the pcb are available<ref>[https://github.com/keirf/PCB-Projects/tree/master/greaseweazle PCB-Projects - greaseweazle]</ref>)
	* a usb to micro-usb cable for connecting the FluxEngine to the computer		* a usb to micro-usb cable for connecting the FluxEngine to the computer
	* a floppy cable, for connecting the FluxEngine to the floppy drive		* a floppy cable, for connecting the FluxEngine to the floppy drive
Line 11:		Line 11:
	* a power supply for the floppy drive. Except for 3.5 inch drives, you can't power the drive from the usb port		* a power supply for the floppy drive. Except for 3.5 inch drives, you can't power the drive from the usb port

	You also need a bit of storage space for the images you capture.		You also need a bit of storage space for the images you capture.

	== Software setup ==		== Software setup ==

Tingo: /* Converting from .scp to .img (image) format */ correct a spelling error

2021-02-05T12:53:00Z

Converting from .scp to .img (image) format: correct a spelling error

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:53, 5 February 2021
Line 91:		Line 91:
	** WARNING: 38 tracks are damaged or unidentified!		** WARNING: 38 tracks are damaged or unidentified!
	<pre>		<pre>
	As usual, lots of "unexpected track length" warnings, but then a warning that some tracks are unformatted, and / ~~oer~~ unformatted - never a good sign.		As usual, lots of "unexpected track length" warnings, but then a warning that some tracks are unformatted, and / or unformatted - never a good sign.
	But ndfs doesn't like the resulting image file		But ndfs doesn't like the resulting image file
	<pre>		<pre>

Tingo: /* Usage */ correct a spelling error

2021-02-05T12:51:54Z

Usage: correct a spelling error

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:51, 5 February 2021
Line 28:		Line 28:
	Actions: read, write, delays, update		Actions: read, write, delays, update
	</pre>		</pre>
	you can add ~~and~~ action to get more info		you can add an action to get more info
	<pre>		<pre>
	tingo@z30b:~/work/greaseweazle$ ./Greaseweazle-v0.11/gw.py read		tingo@z30b:~/work/greaseweazle$ ./Greaseweazle-v0.11/gw.py read

Tingo: /* Converting from .scp to .img (image) format */ Document the commands to convert from .scp to .img

2020-02-03T23:01:06Z

Converting from .scp to .img (image) format: Document the commands to convert from .scp to .img

@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 === Converting from .scp to .img (image) format ===
 This is the more complex operation, but it is where you can try many options until you get one that is perfect (assuming that the tools are able to decode the format that the floppies was written with). I'm testing keirf's Disk Utilities for this task.
 == References ==

Tingo: /* Converting from .scp to .img (image) format */ more text

2020-02-03T22:44:14Z

Converting from .scp to .img (image) format: more text

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:44, 3 February 2020
Line 65:		Line 65:

	=== Converting from .scp to .img (image) format ===		=== Converting from .scp to .img (image) format ===
			This is the more complex operation, but it is where you can try many options until you get one that is perfect (assuming that the tools are able to decode the format that the floppies was written with). I'm testing keirf's Disk Utilities for this task.

	== References ==		== References ==

Tingo: created Greaseweazle page

2020-02-03T22:40:30Z

created Greaseweazle page

New page

Greaseweazle<ref>[https://github.com/keirf/Greaseweazle Greaseweazle]</ref> is not an ND product. However, it allows you to connect a floppy drive to a modern computer and use it as a [[ND media reader]] for floppies. It is like the [[FluxEngine]], but with cheaper hardware, and a different set of programs to use it.

== Hardware setup ==
You will need a computer with a usb port. You will also need:
* the Greaseweazle hardware
** a STM32F103C8 "Blue Pill" development board (or alternative - see the Greaseweazle wiki)
** a Blue Pill Adapter (files to order the pcb are aavilable<ref>[https://github.com/keirf/PCB-Projects/tree/master/greaseweazle PCB-Projects - greaseweazle]</ref>)
* a usb to micro-usb cable for connecting the FluxEngine to the computer
* a floppy cable, for connecting the FluxEngine to the floppy drive
* a floppy drive capable of reading the floppies you want to read
* a power supply for the floppy drive. Except for 3.5 inch drives, you can't power the drive from the usb port

You also need a bit of storage space for the images you capture.

== Software setup ==
The Greaseweazle comes with the firmware, and the program to read data from the floppy drive. This program (gw.py - yes, it is written in Python) does only one thing: it reads data from the floppy drive, and stores it in a file, in .scp (SuperCard Pro) Flux image format<ref>[https://www.cbmstuff.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=16 SuperCard Pro Flux Image format (.scp)]</ref>. You ''will'' need a program to convert the .scp files into something you can use, like a direct "image" format.

I have (briefly) tested keirf's Disk Utilities<ref>[https://github.com/keirf/Disk-Utilities Disk Utilities]</ref>, and it appears to work, at least for ND format 17b floppies

== Usage ==
Using the Greaseweazle consists of two steps: capture data from a floppy to a file (.scp file), and the converting this file into a more usable format.

=== Reading data ===
This is a simple operation. If you just type the command with no parameters, you get a help text
<pre>
tingo@z30b:~/work/greaseweazle$ ./Greaseweazle-v0.11/gw.py
Usage: ./Greaseweazle-v0.11/gw.py [action] ...
Actions: read, write, delays, update
</pre>
you can add and action to get more info
<pre>
tingo@z30b:~/work/greaseweazle$ ./Greaseweazle-v0.11/gw.py read
usage: gw.py read [-h] [--drive DRIVE] [--revs REVS] [--scyl SCYL]
[--ecyl ECYL] [--single-sided]
file [device]
gw.py read: error: the following arguments are required: file
tingo@z30b:~/work/greaseweazle$ ./Greaseweazle-v0.11/gw.py write
usage: gw.py write [-h] [--drive DRIVE] [--scyl SCYL] [--ecyl ECYL]
[--single-sided] [--adjust-speed]
file [device]
gw.py write: error: the following arguments are required: file
tingo@z30b:~/work/greaseweazle$ ./Greaseweazle-v0.11/gw.py delays
** Greaseweazle v0.11 [F1], Host Tools v0.11
Select Delay: 10us
Step Delay: 3000us
Settle Time: 15ms
Motor Delay: 750ms
Auto Off: 10000ms
</pre>
To read a ND format 17b floppy, you would use
<pre>
tingo@z30b:~/work/greaseweazle$ ./Greaseweazle-v0.11/gw.py read --ecyl 76 525_nd_f17b_211024-c01-xx-01d.scp
** Greaseweazle v0.11 [F1], Host Tools v0.11
Reading Track 76.1...
</pre>
77 tracks means track 0 - 76.

For a ND format 0b floppy you would use
<pre>
tingo@z30b:~/work/greaseweazle$ ./Greaseweazle-v0.11/gw.py read --ecyl 76 --single-sided 525_nd_f0b_nd-10005u_2.scp
** Greaseweazle v0.11 [F1], Host Tools v0.11
Reading Track 76.0...
</pre>
This format also have 77 tracks, but is single-sided.

=== Converting from .scp to .img (image) format ===

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Greaseweazle]]