-----Original Message-----
From: NorthStar_Computers@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NorthStar_Computers@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Andrew Lynch
Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2008 12:24 PM
To: NorthStar_Computers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [NorthStar_Computers] Re: Looking for testers for hard sector PIC circuit

Hi!

Chuck Guzis was working on this project and I was helping him test it with my machine.  I have a built prototype PIC interface which seemed to work.  However, I think Chuck was having trouble with the software timing and the software was extremely difficult to test and debug.

This is one of those projects which sounds simple to implement but in reality is much more difficult than it looks, IMO.

The project stands unfinished right now.  IMO, probably what this project needs is someone who is proficient with the PIC programming and has access to the NorthStar hardware directly.

Right now, I am busy working on a home brew SBC project so will not be working on this, unfortunately.  My suggestion is to get some 10 sector HS DSDD disks and build some boot disks for NS-DOS and CP/M.

Thanks and good luck with your project.

Andrew Lynch

---

From: NorthStar_Computers@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NorthStar_Computers@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of brianties
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008 11:29 AM
To: NorthStar_Computers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [NorthStar_Computers] Re: Looking for testers for hard sector PIC circuit

Do you have an update on this project? I do not have a working
Northstar yet (in transit), but I know I'll be interested in this.
I have a PIC programmer so I should be able to build one.

-Brian

--- In NorthStar_Computers@yahoogroups.com, "Andrew Lynch"
<lynchaj@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
>
>
> I am working with Chuck Guzis testing a PIC circuit which allows a
computer
> whose floppy disk controller requires hard sector floppy disks to
use soft
> sector floppy disks. The circuit synthesizes the index/sector
signals to
> allow soft sector media to be used with those controllers. The
circuit is
> configurable for 10 and 16 sector 5.25" floppy disks and also 32
sector 8"
> floppy disks. It is a small circuit board placed in series
between the
> floppy drive controller and the floppy drive.
>
>
>
> If you'd like to join the testing, you'll need to have a known
good working
> machine, the ability and components to build a small circuit
board, and the
> capability to program PIC chips specifically the 12F629. We will
not be
> providing anything other than object code you'll program into your
PIC and
> install in your circuit.
>
>
>
> Please contact me if interested in helping. This project has
obvious
> benefit to the NorthStar and Vector Graphic communities due to the
chronic
> difficulties in obtaining hard sector media so your help would be
much
> appreciated!
>
>
>
> Thanks and have a nice day!
>
>
>
> Andrew Lynch
>