Electron Cumana Utilities disc

[Pernod]

This is for the Electron Cumana Disk System and is in their own CDFS format of 40/80 track, 9 spt, 512 bytes per sector. If double sided then the tracks will be interleaved.

Not sure how we'd image it if found, but a raw sector data dump should be sufficient.

[Arcadian]

I'll message DaveE, I know he has (or at least had) this as he sent me a copy about 20 years ago (I'm not sure what happened to mine).

[Leew]

Was the Cumana util disk ever found?

I got hold of one of these interfaces recently with the original Cumana manual and have just repaired it (it was damaged due to corroded battery). Seems to be working OK but according to the manual you need a utility disk to set the clock.

The clock currently reads 31 October 1989 08:51... It's a little out of date

Wonder if it can be set with Y2K date?

[Arcadian]

No, Dave couldn't locate it either when I enquired last year, unfortunately.

If you wanted to use it as an Acorn DFS-compatible disc interface, you could install the SEDFS rom that Slogger produced especially for the Cumana interface.

[Leew]

Yeah, was just working on my Slogger Electron Disk Interface, replacing the battery in that too whilst I had the soldering iron on the go, and realised that it is identical to the Cumana one.

I would prefer to preserver the Cumana in it's original configuration rather than replace it's ROM with a Slogger one.

Thanks anyway.

[topcat96]

CJEMicros has a copy for sale if you can't locate it anywhere else.

http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/micros/indiv ... =CUM-EUDSH

[billcarr2005]

CJEMicros has a copy for sale if you can't locate it anywhere else.

http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/micros/indiv ... =CUM-EUDSH

I enquired about this yesterday and was told it couldn't be found and appears is not in stock.
Unless somebody snapped it up on Tuesday!

[daveejhitchins]

That happens a lot with CJE stock. I don’t think he’s managed to get stock control sorted out yet!

Maybe Chris can comment, if he’s watching?

Dave H

[Trelach]

I have one of these interfaces and pretty sure I saw the disk not that long ago stashed away.

If people are still interested I can try and dig it out and post?

[Pernod]

If people are still interested I can try and dig it out and post?

A definite yes from me!

[Arcadian]

If people are still interested I can try and dig it out and post?

Yes please!

[Trelach]

A definite yes from me!

No problem - I will see if I can track it down.

Chaotic week coming up so it may not be for a week or two but will do my best as soon as I am able to.

[Pernod]

No problem - I will see if I can track it down.

Be aware that we don't actually know how this disc is formatted, so a flux image may be required for investigation. How are you intending to image it?

[Trelach]

No problem - I will see if I can track it down.

Be aware that we don't actually know how this disc is formatted, so a flux image may be required for investigation. How are you intending to image it?

I had a flash of inspiration as to where I saw it, checked and there is was.

As for how to image it- good question. I think I used it way back but could not be sure (40 years is a long time). I tried very quickly now but had no success, probably the most effective way would be to find a volunteer who has more knowledge than I and the right kit.

I can then post it to them in the hope that they can image it then send it back

I do not have access to PM at the moment so cannot reply, but let me know if that would work for you and if so send me some details.

Thanks
Ian

[Pernod]

As for how to image it- good question. I think I used it way back but could not be sure (40 years is a long time). I tried very quickly now but had no success, probably the most effective way would be to find a volunteer who has more knowledge than I and the right kit.

That's the one! Hopefully someone will volunteer to image this for us.

PS. You only need one more post for your PM's to be enabled.

[Trelach]

As for how to image it- good question. I think I used it way back but could not be sure (40 years is a long time). I tried very quickly now but had no success, probably the most effective way would be to find a volunteer who has more knowledge than I and the right kit.

That's the one! Hopefully someone will volunteer to image this for us.

PS. You only need one more post for your PM's to be enabled.

Just one more post?

[IanJeffray]

@philpem's probably your man for this, but I may be able to help otherwise.

Is there any reason to beleive it needs anything other than "just reading", though?

[Pernod]

Is there any reason to beleive it needs anything other than "just reading", though?

It's not a standard Acorn format, suspect it's 9spt 512bps, so would prefer something that preserves the geometry rather than a raw sector dump.

[philpem]

I'm happy to help - feel free to drop me a PM.

[Trelach]

Thanks very much Phil - appreciated


OK we are moving forward as I have finally made the time to get the disk in the post to Phil.

So, with the Bank Holidays in between, I would imagine that it will get there sometime next week.