Giving back info I've Learned about my QX-10's

[tyhoeffer]

GOTEK Config Files for the QX-10

FF.CFG
---------------------------------------
interface = shugart
host = unspecified

pin02 = nc
pin34 = rdy

autoselect-file-secs = 5
autoselect-folder-secs = 5
twobutton-action = eject
display-type = oled-128x64-rotate

IMG.CFG
---------------------------------------
# QX-10 16x256 DSDD 41/40 cyl
[::331776]
cyls = 40
heads = 2
secs = 16
bps = 256
# QX-10 16x256 DSDD 40 cyl
[::327680]
cyls = 40
heads = 2
secs = 16
bps = 256
#
# Appears as 396k bytes on USB Drive
#
[::405504]
cyls = 40
heads = 2
tracks = 0-1
secs=16
bps=256
interleave=4
tracks = 2-39
secs=10
bps=512
interleave=4
#
# Appears as 399k bytes on USB Drive
#
[::408576]
cyls = 40
heads = 2
tracks = 0.0
secs=16
bps=256
tracks = 0.1
secs=10
bps=512
tracks = 2-39
secs=10
bps=512


Much of this was given to me by Brijohn in this forum.

Convert .TD0 files to .IMD Files:
----------------------------------------

TD02IMD CPM22M1.TD0 <ENTER>

Convert .IMD files to RAW format.
----------------------------------------

IMDU CPM22M1.IMD CPM22M1.RAW /B /E /D <ENTER>

The /E is important as it expands the file to original size which allows it to match the filesizes listed in the IMG.CFG fie above.


I'll add more as I finish documenting things.

Ty Hoeffer
Palmyra, VA

 

[tyhoeffer]

KEYBOARD Cable PIinout

You will need Two 8 pin DIN MALE 262 Degree connectors. NOT the more common 270 Degree connectors.



The pin labels are directly from the schematics. The computer side TxD & RxD pins are "From the Keyboard's point of view".
This pinout is currently working on both of my QX-10's. Pins 6,7, & 8 on the KEYBOARD side do not need to be connected,
but 6,7, & 8 on the COMPUTER side are critical. Otherwise the COMPUTER will ignore the data coming from the keyboard.



Ty Hoeffer
Palmyra, VA

 

[DeltaDon]

Thanks for the above great info.

I'll add some stuff I've worked out for the QX-16. Finding the correct B&W (green) CRT monitor for the QX-16 seems to be like finding a unicorn in your backyard. So a more common QX-10 CRT can be made to work. The main difference between the two seems to be the QX-16 monitor has a built-in AC to DC power supply while the more common QX-10 monitor get power from the QX-10 via the video cable. The choice then becomes modify the QX-16 to supply the necessary +12VDC and feed the power out on the correct pin. I don't know if the QX-16 power supply is up to the additional drain or if a small extra power supply would be needed internally. Or just do as I did and buy a +12VDC wall wart adapter of about 1.5 to 2 amps output and modify the CRT monitor to use the adapter to power it up. I guess a 3rd choice could be to modify the QX-16 to use the same wall wart with some internal wiring to get the power to the CRT via the video cable.

Also, the QX-16 keyboard is a foam/film membrane style keyboard and most likely will need new foam/film rings or the keys won't function. A royal PITA to make all keys work. Or do as I did and use a QX-10 keyboard which seems to be mechanical and does works with the QX-16. I didn't tear my QX-10 keyboard apart and so that's an assumption on my part.

The CMOS backup battery for the QX-16 (and QX-10??) is available from Lowes online for less dollars than found on eBay.

A QX-16 when booted to CP/M has a M: drive using the additional RAM found inside the QX-16. But the QX-16 when booted to DOS can not read QX-10 CP/M disks and booting to DOS from CP/M requires a reboot wiping out the M: drive. I have only a single DOS disk and it is without any Epson utilities and so don't know if there's was a utility to allow CP/M diskettes to be read or written to by DOS. I'd love to get a complete Epson set of DOS disks!