Kryoflux parameters for writing an X68000 FD

Started by psmart, June 17, 2021, 11:28:42 PM

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psmart

I forgot my manners!!! have been reading the forum for quite some time had forgot this was my first post!!!!
My forte is Sharp machines and I have an X68000 Expert HD Black, all fully working. I have a SCSI2SD (Itead) which I want to add into the machine to make it easier to copy programs/data to/fro and in order to do this I need to make a Human68K boot disc which loads the SASI drivers. I also have a RaSCSI/Pi 3+ for external use and this too needs drivers. Hence the question below where Im using the original floppy drives from the Expert connected to a Kryoflux and using HD disks:-

Hi All,

I've been scanning the forum for actual details to write an X68000 FD with a Kryoflux and there is nothing concrete.

Basically I'm trying to create a Master Disk to boot up and load the SASI drivers. I know both floppy drives work as I have a copy of Emerald Gate which boots and runs, I also have a HD which boots Human68K v2 and when I insert my FD copy some of the directory entries can be seen but with CRC errors.

So the process I am taking is as follows:
1. Convert MasterDisk_V2.xdf to Kryoflux Raw Stream format using HxC2000 software.
2. Write the raw stream to FD by the Kryoflux with the command:
   dtc -d1 -dd1 -wv1 -v360 -w -e79 -fMasterDisk_V2_xdf

I set the end track to 79 because the HxC2000 conversion claims there is 79 tracks albeit it should be 77.

Creating a disk using the above just ends with it not booting and being ejected. I've tried several other games images using the above procedure and the same response.

Any exact information or pointer to what is missing would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

Philip
Sharp MZ/X Series Projects and FPGA Emulator
engineers@work : https://eaw.app/sharpmz-series/

psmart

Anyone else coming across this issue and wanting to know the simple solution to writing an X68000 floppy disk with a Kryoflux, the solution is as follows:

1. If you have a DIM floppy image, convert this image to XDF format using the Windows based Virtual Floppy Image Converter (https://www.vector.co.jp/soft/dl/win95/util/se151106.html). You can drag and drop multiple DIM image files into this application for rapid conversion.
2. Using the HxC2001 (Windows based) Emulator Floppy Disk conversion software (http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_emulator/index.html#download), convert the XDF format image into KryoFlux Raw Image (either use the manual Load/Export or the Batch Convertor for entire directories).
3. Copy the raw image files to Linux/MacOS (I prefer Unix but you can remain on Windows using the KryoFlux Windows command line tools).
4. Connect up the KryoFlux to your Sharp X68000 floppy disk units and the Kryoflux to your PC/Linux/MacOS machine. NB. Kryoflux only seems to work with the floppy whose jumpers are set as follows, which equates to drive 1:
   o o o o.      o o o o
      |                  |   
   o o o o       o o o o
5. Insert a verified, branded HD quality 5.25" floppy (this is important, unbranded or old floppies sold on Ebay are not HD spec or poor quality).
6. On the command line of Linux/MacOS (or Windows), issue the command:
   dtc -d1 -dd1 -wv1 -v360 -w -e77 -oe77 -fMasterDisk_V2_xdf

   The above command specifies:
   -d1    = drive 1
   -dd1  = High Density Media
   -wv1  = Write Verify
   -v360 = Disk Rotational Speed set to 360RPM
   -w      = Write operation
   -e77   = Last track = 77
   -oe77 = As above, an addition added by Kryoflux to prevent continued writing to what would
           be a normal disk track count, ie. 80/82.
   -fMasterDisk_V2_xdf = Name of the image to write, exclude the Kryoflux numbering and image extension
           qualifiers.

Voila, bobs your uncle, one working X68000 floppy disk. NB This method doesn't cater for copy protected disks!!
Sharp MZ/X Series Projects and FPGA Emulator
engineers@work : https://eaw.app/sharpmz-series/