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Zenith Z-100 trying to get a ST-225 to boot.

try this one. I found it on a backup of mine from 2015. This should be DSDD 5.25" but 320k 8 sectors/track. You could try formatting the floppy first with FORMAT /8 just to help out. It could be single sided for all I know.

Larry G
 

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  • Z100DIAG.IMD.txt
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What I finally did was make copy of my boot system disk and delete enough files that I don't need to make room for the the files from the H-Z_Diagnostics.ZIP file. I did not copy COMMAND.COM CONFIGUR.COM and ALTCHAR.SYS files from the ZIP file. Booted the Z-100 with the disk and it seems to be working.
 
The DIAG.EXE is showing some issues with RAM in the system and couple of other issues. I'm going to start at the top of the list and work though all the issues. It might be that the Winchester system is OK and other issues are the problem. We'll see...
 
On quick read I do have one BIG question, I do not have a Z-205 RAM card in my computer but the DIAG.EXE program is saying I have IT and I have errors and to replace U87 U4U8 U12 U14 U47 ON Z-205 ??? Why and what might I be missing?

All three main board RAM banks show no errors.

The only card in the system when I ran DIAG was the Z-207 Floppy card.
 
I configured the DIAG.EXE program for my machine. I fixed my RAM issues and everything check out OK. Installed the HD system, z-217 and data separator w/WD-12 HD. PREP worked normal, PART was checked, rebooted and FORMAT E: /S/V and system was transfered. Still unable to boot SYS from HD. Ran DIAG and did all the Winchester checks without errors.

Copied all the files from a: to e: no issues. Formatted and transfered the OS back to a blank disk un A; That disk booted. Copied all the files back to A: and at two points had bad reads and tried several times to read the files before selecting ignore to complete the copy. I'm like so close but stuck in quick sand...
 
I found this in the online Winchester manual. It does not give a reason to modify the board but am posting for comments.

data-sep-2.jpg

data-sep-1.jpg


Should I consider this approach?
 
The resistor mods could be in support of the chip change at U16. 74AS74 is probably faster than 74ALS74.
It would require realignment of the data separator. The resistors are sure odd values.

Larry G
 
Been doing more reading. My MTR-100 monitor ROM is v2.5 considered the oldest to boot from the HD. Please check your version, v2.9 was the last. There are two versions of the motherboard and modifications needed if you have version 1. I'm going to take the computer back apart to check everythings in order just to be sure. I checked before and believe I have a type 2 system board.
 
I have v2.5 rom. I checked that a few years ago. How do you tell motherboard version? I actually have 2 motherboards. Never tried the spare one.
Also the data separator requires a special cable ? I only have the standard ST506 type cables. I messaged you about cables. There's a H100 hard drive and data separator on ebay
right now. Sure thinking about it but there's always the chance the damn drive would be bad ...
 
It's not the cable... The drive needs to be jumper-ed to a radial configuration not daisy-chain. That what I must of missed. I running prep now.
 
Oh good, I hope it works for you now. Please post the complete setup notes in here if you get it going.
 
Nope... Prep fine no issues, checked Part and exited, ran format and got "drive not ready" ran DIAG.EXE and I kid you not everything checks out perfect??????????? Yes I removed the jomper fron Z-217 after PREP?????????????????????????????

So disappointed... This was the ST-225 jumper-ed for DS0 and radial configuration JP7 15&16 JP7 1&2 jumper-ed
 
What happens if you remove the radial jumper before doing FORMAT ? Radial essentially disables drive select which might be necessary initally for PREP and PART but maybe
FORMAT needs drive select enabled (radial removed) to find E:
 
I think radial is the equivalent of having all drive selects jumpered. Individual cables decide which drive is active
 
From what I read you set the drive select to DS0 and jumper for RADIAL which changes the configuration of the 20 pin data cable.

Anyway, the drive is working with Z-DOS I can write and read perfectly; however it still won't boot. I've just updated my Z-DOS v1 to it's latest version and and giving that a try. I can boot MSDOS versions 2 & 3 that I believe were made for this computer, they boot and run fine from floppy but they do not see the e: drive. I will get your boards out to you tomorrow as I let time get away from me today. Maybe you will figure the boot thing out.

Drive need to be set to RADIAL I can't find that on my WD-12 which came out of an XT. My ST-412 has a jumper for it. I might put that in for a final try.
Drive select needs to be set. I tried it both ways.

There is a 4 pole switch on the Z217 documentation is fuzzy on the setting IMHO but I have 1st switch ON then all OFF. I tried different combinations and nothing mattered.

I also switch all the cables and the new ones work the same as the old. I'm sending you a set that worked for me.
 
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