Trying to test my Hybrid Music 500 (and failing!) *Electron*

[daveejhitchins]

My Hybrid 500 is being passed-on to someone who will use it - but - I need to test it first as I've recapped the PSU and haven't used it in a long time - and I'm having problems, as follows:

Note: This using an Electron, AP3/4 (ACP DFS) and AP5.

I have the original ROM and the original disc. The disc verifies OK - it reports the correct ID - 60205. However, when I Boot the disc it reports "Bad modules" for all of them (!!!) ending with:
%MAIN
! Mistake

So, If anyone can talk me through this, please.

Dave H.

[reanimate]

From the user guide:

If on starting from the system disc, you get the '! Bad module' message, you entered the wrong passcode for your ROM. Remake the system disc, checking the passcode carefully.

If you have to repeat the generation process for any reason, you must begin again with a new copy of the issue disc.

[reanimate]

I found the above here:
https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.or ... 4000IG.pdf

[daveejhitchins]

From the user guide:

If on starting from the system disc, you get the '! Bad module' message, you entered the wrong passcode for your ROM. Remake the system disc, checking the passcode carefully.

If you have to repeat the generation process for any reason, you must begin again with a new copy of the issue disc.

Thanks for posting.

That's interesting - I was using the original disc supplied with the Electron kit. I do have a Disc (that has the correct serial number written on it) and it fails in the same way. I may have others . . . Need to rumage!

Dave H.

[daveejhitchins]

I found the above here:
https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.or ... 4000IG.pdf

Thanks - some bedtime reading Dave H.

[MartinB]

Hi Dave - I helped the late Paul V with some Music 500x issues waaay back and the problem you’re seeing was definitely protection-related in his case. I don’t have anything explicit to offer but I think you can perhaps get various patched disc (+ maybe rom?) images here….

http://www.colinfraser.com/m5000/m5000.htm

[DaveLecky]

Hi Dave,
Here is a forum link to my Electron Ample rom for an 5000 , with working password and discs.

It may or may not be useful.

viewtopic.php?p=376224#p376224

Dave

[daveejhitchins]

Hi Dave - I helped the late Paul V with some Music 500x issues waaay back and the problem you’re seeing was definitely protection-related in his case. I don’t have anything explicit to offer but I think you can perhaps get various patched disc (+ maybe rom?) images here….

http://www.colinfraser.com/m5000/m5000.htm

Thanks Martin . . . All help appreciated.

I was expecting this to "just-work", as it did back in the 80s! Looks like I need to spend a little more time than just using the first things that came to hand

Dave H.

[daveejhitchins]

Some Progress . . .

Digging to my archive I found a complete Electron solution comprising: ROM (with serial number), Virgin Set-up/Installation Disc (.ssd), Working System Disc (.ssd) and text file with serial and pass code details. I've attached the files . . .

So, I now have a working installation for the Electron Unfortunately still no working Music 500! Just-in-case it's an Electron setup issue I'll try running from a Master. I have two complete Masters (3 including Mrs H. ) with one of them currently not reading DFS discs (ADFS OK) so I need to look at that. The second I've not used for a while! I also have two Master boards from the Disc Master Jukebox - still not found time to look at

I'll update later.

Dave H.

Electron Music 5000 Kit.zip

(106.98 KiB) Downloaded 5 times

[chrissawer]

Just-in-case it's an Electron setup issue I'll try running from a Master.

You may well already know this - but if it is an Acorn branded Music 500 then it might not work on a Master due to 1Mhz bus timing issues. If it is a Hybrid branded Music 5000 then it should be fine.

That is the only difference between the two and it is possible to do a minor mod to make the Music 500 into a 5000. From the title of the thread it isn't completely clear which of the two you have!

[daveejhitchins]

Hi Dave - I helped the late Paul V with some Music 500x issues waaay back and the problem you’re seeing was definitely protection-related in his case. I don’t have anything explicit to offer but I think you can perhaps get various patched disc (+ maybe rom?) images here….

http://www.colinfraser.com/m5000/m5000.htm

Thanks for the link, Martin . . . And, thanks once more for UPURS - it just works

Dave H.

[dp11]

I'm working with an M500 which I've done the mod to make it a M5000. This unfortunately doesn't work reliably. One of the issues is the new series 4k7 resistor is too high when 74LS input leakage is taken into account. My next test is to change to 470R with a 100pf to keep the timing skew similar. Also some descriptions of the M500 to M5000 miss the top side track cut.

[daveejhitchins]

Just-in-case it's an Electron setup issue I'll try running from a Master.

You may well already know this - but if it is an Acorn branded Music 500 then it might not work on a Master due to 1Mhz bus timing issues. If it is a Hybrid branded Music 5000 then it should be fine.

That is the only difference between the two and it is possible to do a minor mod to make the Music 500 into a 5000. From the title of the thread it isn't completely clear which of the two you have!

Ah! Yes . . . It's an original Hybrid Music 500, however, I've added the 'mod' to enable operation with the Master - I haven't really looked at what the mod does, however, I'd be surprised if it makes it non functional for the Electron!

Dave H.