Epson QX-10, Floppy Images and Greaseweazle for "real floppy use"

[spacepilot3000]

Hi Epson-ists!

Has anyone finally managed to use greaseweazle made floppys with the Epson QX-10? I have tons of Images right now and I managed to convert them from .IMD or .TD0 to .hfe with the HyCFloppyEmulator and use them with a Gotek as floppy A. So far so good, but I really like to use the original floppy drives (working fine after recapping).

So I tried to write 360kb double sided, double density (NOS floppys from Verbatim). But what ever format/config I use in fluxmyfluffyfloppy (epson.qx.360 - 400), little Epson does not want to read them. If I directly format the same floppy in Drive B, it is usable fine.
I even used one original Drive form the Epson at the Greaseweazle, but nothing is working.

I read a lot about that issue here, but until now I have not found the "solution".

Maybe someone can help me out here, finding the correct way?

Thank you all!

 

[brijohn]

Hi Epson-ists!

Has anyone finally managed to use greaseweazle made floppys with the Epson QX-10? I have tons of Images right now and I managed to convert them from .IMD or .TD0 to .hfe with the HyCFloppyEmulator and use them with a Gotek as floppy A. So far so good, but I really like to use the original floppy drives (working fine after recapping).

So I tried to write 360kb double sided, double density (NOS floppys from Verbatim). But what ever format/config I use in fluxmyfluffyfloppy (epson.qx.360 - 400), little Epson does not want to read them. If I directly format the same floppy in Drive B, it is usable fine.
I even used one original Drive form the Epson at the Greaseweazle, but nothing is working.

I read a lot about that issue here, but until now I have not found the "solution".

Maybe someone can help me out here, finding the correct way?

Thank you all!

So you can write imd directly with greaseweazle, no need to convert it to hfe first.

Also which layout format you use depends on which version of CP/M you are running, but the most common format used with Epsons CP/M B2.2x. is the "epson.qx10.396" format.

This is the command i use with my greasweazle to write an imd diskimage: gw write --drive=A --format="epson.qx10.396" <imd image>

You could also try writing the flux images directly, most of the disks i have dumped for the QX-10 are available in flux format at https://archive.org/details/@brian_johnson605

 

[spacepilot3000]

Maybe I have to try the images from your link. I am not sure why, but whatever I do, the image gets written well, but the Epson does not boot from a gw made floppy this way. I tried with the original drives, and my very generic Panasonic JU-475-4...

like that: gw.exe write --drive=0 --format="epson.qx10.396" --tracks=c=0-39:step=2 Q10VALD.IMD

 

[brijohn]

Maybe I have to try the images from your link. I am not sure why, but whatever I do, the image gets written well, but the Epson does not boot from a gw made floppy this way. I tried with the original drives, and my very generic Panasonic JU-475-4...

like that: gw.exe write --drive=0 --format="epson.qx10.396" --tracks=c=0-39:step=2 Q10VALD.IMD

Well first i would not really recommend writing a double density disk using a high density drive such as the JU-475-4. You should be able to use the drives that come with the QX-10 though. Also you don't need "--tracks=c=0-39:step=2" the cylinder information is part of the format (and also part of the imd image), and step=2 should not be used when using a double density drive such as the original qx-10 drives.

To validate the disk has the correct image, you could try reading it back as a raw sector image with greaseweazle and make sure it seems to be valid. gw.exe read --drive=0 --format="epson.qx10.396" Q10VALD.IMG

 

[spacepilot3000]

Using the JU-475-4 was my second try here. I at first tried with the original drives and without all of this options without success.
I currently have no other "360K DD" drive for the GW, and for future use I like to close the espon case, and make disks from the outside. Ineed to get one, I guess.

Today I tried some of your uploaded raw files (with the JU), and SOME worked. Very strange to me. I have now to disconnect this heavy top case from the epson again, and try the same with that drives.

Update: I will get myself a 360K drive now...

 

[spacepilot3000]

Today my "plain-360k" drive arrived. Or let me call it - the rescue. All problems gone, as you told me! Wooohoooo! Now really every single image works. Lets say I am deep into Valdocs now, and I have to play stardestroyer tonight...

THANK YOU!

(Now I need a 3-bay case for 5,25 - 360, 5,25 1,2 and 1,44 ... :-D )