Kaypro 10 HDD Emulator Issues

[QuillOmega0]

Been having issue with the Kaypro 10 HDD.

I get NID errors when trying a lowlevel format. This is to the MFM Emulator from https://www.pdp8online.com/mfm/mfm.shtml
I also get get the same errors when doing a low level format to it's original Seagate drive.

What's odd is the MFM Emulator then proceeds to crash.

What gets weirder is I have another Kaypro 10 with the exact same symptoms. I've swapped out the WD1002 Controller, same issue. Swapped cables, same issue.

The only item I have to go off of is there is something burned out or bad that is mirrored on both systems. I'm just wondering if there is a common component that I can try replacing.

Beyond that the system boots fine off the disk drive and everything else works.

 

[cj7hawk]

What is a NID error?

The only thing that comes to mind without knowing that particular HDD emulator is how is stores data and what formats it accepts. You could always install a logic analyser and see if the commands to the controller are working correctly.

Are those emulators sold anywhere or are they still a hobbiest DIY item?

 

[djg]

What's odd is the MFM Emulator then proceeds to crash.

The crash dump may give some information on what is going wrong. If you post it or DM it to me I can see what it didn't like.

Are those emulators sold anywhere or are they still a hobbiest DIY item?

The link was in his post. I sell assembled or bare board for people who want DIY.

 

[cj7hawk]

The link was in his post. I sell assembled or bare board for people who want DIY.

I missed the "assembled" cost further down and I missed it because I was looking for an "order assembled" type link on the page.

Is that your site/product? It looks interesting. Can you clarify the difference between the SA1000 and the "BeagleBone" ? Are both required? It's not entirely clear if the base SA1000 works without the BeagleBone - And there's a $150 price for an "Assembled Board" but it also shows an $80 price for an assembled board - Is there anywhere I can read more about what boards are needed for different purposes and what the minimum replacement MFM emulator requires?

Thanks
David

 

[djg]

Is that your site/product?

Yes

Can you clarify the difference between the SA1000 and the "BeagleBone"

The BeagleBone is a commercial single board computer similar to Raspberry PI. It is required. Some people have one laying around from other projects so only order the MFM adapter board. SA1000 refers to an older category of 8" drives that are similar to the 5 1/4" ST506 type drives though use different connectors. Unless you have something that uses that type of 8" hard drive you don't need the SA1000 board. It is an adapter that goes on the MFM board.

Website clarified.

To avoid excessive thread drift if you have more questions either email me direct or start a new thread.

I was looking for an "order assembled" type link on the page.

For various reasons never set up online ordering. Its old school email.