ADF Hell

Jherek Carnelia · 06 February 2002, 20:27

When I try to create disks from adf files I just end up with NDOS disks. I have tried AdfBlitzer and also Adf2disk; both give me the same results. I managed to create one disk, but it won't work again!

The adf files are not of bootable disks, i.e Eye of the Beholder, and HiSoft Pascal.
I am using PC2Amiga to transfer the files from my PC to an A1200 with2 meg RAM and a harddrive.

The adf files can be read in WinUAE and I can transfer the disk contents as a series of files which I can use to install them on the A1200 - so the adfs seem to be ok.

I don't know what to try next! Are my floppies at fault? Or my floppy drive? Or is it me??

RetroMan · 06 February 2002, 20:42

Well, I haven´t used AdfBlitzer neither Adf2Disk yet, I only use Transdisk, but for me it helped to format the floppy on the Amiga before writing an ADF back, maybe you should try that first

Jherek Carnelia · 06 February 2002, 22:13

Thanks Retro Man but I've tried formatting the disks first. I use a parallel cable so Transdisk won't help...

RetroMan · 06 February 2002, 22:52

Uhm .... bit of misunderstanding here

I also use PC2Amiga for the TRANSFER and Transdisk for putting the images back to disk on the Amiga itself

Overdoc · 06 February 2002, 22:54

Maybe you are using HD disks and your Amiga's diskdrive cannot write to them ?
Just an idea...
Better try to transfer one disk with Crossdos and 720k PC disks and then use Transdisk to write them back. Maybe there is something wrong with your parallel connection ?

Jherek Carnelia · 06 February 2002, 23:24

Ah... I thought Transdisk was a transfer prog that wrote the disk as it transferred!
I am using DD disks (although they are old and have been written on many times), and I think the connection is good.
I will go and get Transdisk and try it tomorrow. I will keep you posted.
Thanks
:laugh oops! again... it seems I have it anyway!

jmmijo · 07 February 2002, 01:22

Jherek, another Amiga app or two to try is Packmaster or Tracksaver GUI. They are both GUI based apps that support multiple file archives, like adf files for instance. I personally use them both on my A4000 and use Tracksaver GUI the most.

I also preformat my disks with something called Formatter. This app will allow you to format with verify and to use the auto-diskchange built into the Amiga. This is handy to format on one drive while writing to another, that's if you have two floppy drives that is

The main reason for re-formatting your floppys is that some of the older ones can no longer hold a proper disk format and need to be recycled. This will ensure that the floppy you intend to use is in fact still good!

All of these apps can be found on Aminet.

ptrchiappe · 07 February 2002, 08:28

While you're on aminet, you can also download the XFS package that, among other things, lets you read an adf file as if it was a real floppy (so you don't even have to write to the disks )

.

Jherek Carnelia · 07 February 2002, 22:29

Well I don't know what's going on!

I have used Formatter 2.7 to do a verify format and it formats a blank disk with no reported errors. I can use DOpus to copy files onto the new disk. I can drag files onto it. I can read the files from DOpus.

I used Transdisk to write a file from the harddrive to the disk.

-w work:sas-c1.adf

...off it goes and does it. The disk is empty if I double-click it or try to look at it from DOpus.

If I take the disk out and reinsert it - DF0:NDOS !!!

I have looked at the adf file from DOpus and it reports 901120 bytes. I can do a hexread and it displays loads of stuff which seems to indicate that the adf is not empty.

To say I am puzzled would be an understatement!

@jmmijo
I searched Aminet this morning and couldn't find Tracksaver GUI - do you have its' filename?

jmmijo · 07 February 2002, 23:13

Man, I have no idea other then the drive and/or the media itself. Have you tried a new pack of HD disks? I would do this and cover the extra hole if needed then use Formatter to re-format as an Amiga DOS disk then try it once more.

Here is the link to Tracksaver, they shortened the name!

http://wuarchive.wustl.edu/pub/amine...misc/tsgui.lha

John...

Overdoc · 08 February 2002, 02:06

Well, now I see what's the problem:

There is a ghost inside your Amigas drive that wants to protect your A-1200 from illegal ADF copies being put back on real floppies which will be used on the A-1200 then. It is the soul of former Amiga programmers that haunt you

Ok, seriously, is your A-1200 one made by Escom or Commodore ?
Does it's label say 'Commodore A-1200' or does it say 'Amiga A1200 HD' ?
I think I once heard that some newer Amigas by Escom had some drive problem. Something like a missing ready-signal. But that would also mean that your A-1200 must have some problems with all N-DOS disks, like e.g. a lot of games and demos.

The last idea that come to my mind would be that you have some problem in your system, like a wrong trackdisk.device file or something like that ? I know that e.g. my version of Crossdos has to install a patch for trackdisk.device because there are some bugs in it. Maybe that could have something to do with it ?

jmmijo · 08 February 2002, 02:55

This could be the issue as I can convert and get adf's to work fine on all my Amiga's, knocks on wood

Twistin'Ghost · 08 February 2002, 03:58

I tend to lean in the direction of covering the extra hole (on high density disks).

Jherek Carnelia · 08 February 2002, 20:36

@Overdoc - it is a Commodore A1200, how can I check the trackdisk.device file?

My friend is going to lend me his external drive, so hopefully that will eliminate the hardware side of things.

I'm only using DD disks, so the hole trick isn't applicable.

If all else fails does anyone know of an exorcist to rid me of the ghost in my machine? - I wonder if it is a virus, or a dodgy PSU...

I am going to try XFS in the meantime.

jmmijo · 08 February 2002, 22:19

Quote:

Originally posted by Jherek Carnelia
@Overdoc - it is a Commodore A1200, how can I check the trackdisk.device file?

My friend is going to lend me his external drive, so hopefully that will eliminate the hardware side of things.

I'm only using DD disks, so the hole trick isn't applicable.

If all else fails does anyone know of an exorcist to rid me of the ghost in my machine? - I wonder if it is a virus, or a dodgy PSU...

I am going to try XFS in the meantime.

So you were able to find Tracksaver GUI on AMINET then?

Something has to work for you. If need be lemme know if you wanna try out a real Shitnon 720k drive. I still have a couple lying around

RCK · 09 February 2002, 04:47

@jmmijo: Just a note, if you reply directly after someone, don't {quote} all his previous message !! (or I will really think you are a Spam-BóT

)

jmmijo · 09 February 2002, 05:28

Sorry about that, I'll be editing direct quotes in the future, thanks for the heads up

Overdoc · 10 February 2002, 02:54

To check your diskdrive boot up X-Copy and insert a well known good disk - best would be a original Workbench.
Then select 'Checkdisk ' from the tools menu and have a look if your drive can read all tracks of the disk correctly.
Maybe your drive is slightly misaligned ?

Also check the ADFs once transferred over to the A-1200 with this XMS thingy. Maybe the transfer is the problem ?
Maybe give other methods a try, like e.g. transferring with 720k PC disks via Crossdos ?

Jherek Carnelia · 14 February 2002, 19:35

I have just tried my friend's external disk drive and I can create adfs on it! I guess my internal drive is dodgy. Another mate is going to bring me another A1200 tomorrow - I can check it out then...

jmmijo · 14 February 2002, 20:09

Let us know what happens then Jherek, it could just be the internal drive is slightly out of alignment. Not sure it's really worth trying to get repaired because you can just replace the drive with another one. Also, didn't some of the 1200's come with HD drives or am I just confusing this with the 4000 ?!?

06 February 2002, 20:27	#1
Jherek Carnelia Dazed and Confused Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: portsmouth/uk Posts: 242	ADF Hell When I try to create disks from adf files I just end up with NDOS disks. I have tried AdfBlitzer and also Adf2disk; both give me the same results. I managed to create one disk, but it won't work again! The adf files are not of bootable disks, i.e Eye of the Beholder, and HiSoft Pascal. I am using PC2Amiga to transfer the files from my PC to an A1200 with2 meg RAM and a harddrive. The adf files can be read in WinUAE and I can transfer the disk contents as a series of files which I can use to install them on the A1200 - so the adfs seem to be ok. I don't know what to try next! Are my floppies at fault? Or my floppy drive? Or is it me??

06 February 2002, 22:13	#3
Jherek Carnelia Dazed and Confused Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: portsmouth/uk Posts: 242	I tried that! Thanks Retro Man but I've tried formatting the disks first. I use a parallel cable so Transdisk won't help...

06 February 2002, 23:24	#6
Jherek Carnelia Dazed and Confused Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: portsmouth/uk Posts: 242	oops Ah... I thought Transdisk was a transfer prog that wrote the disk as it transferred! I am using DD disks (although they are old and have been written on many times), and I think the connection is good. I will go and get Transdisk and try it tomorrow. I will keep you posted. Thanks :laugh oops! again... it seems I have it anyway! Last edited by Jherek Carnelia; 06 February 2002 at 23:30.

07 February 2002, 22:29	#9
Jherek Carnelia Dazed and Confused Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: portsmouth/uk Posts: 242	Baffled of Pompey... Well I don't know what's going on! I have used Formatter 2.7 to do a verify format and it formats a blank disk with no reported errors. I can use DOpus to copy files onto the new disk. I can drag files onto it. I can read the files from DOpus. I used Transdisk to write a file from the harddrive to the disk. -w work:sas-c1.adf ...off it goes and does it. The disk is empty if I double-click it or try to look at it from DOpus. If I take the disk out and reinsert it - DF0:NDOS !!! I have looked at the adf file from DOpus and it reports 901120 bytes. I can do a hexread and it displays loads of stuff which seems to indicate that the adf is not empty. To say I am puzzled would be an understatement! @jmmijo I searched Aminet this morning and couldn't find Tracksaver GUI - do you have its' filename?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What the hell is this ?	THX1138	support.Hardware	17	15 September 2004 21:09
Hell yeah!	Pyromania	Amiga scene	20	27 May 2003 14:30
What the Hell!!	Mick_AKA	Retrogaming General Discussion	7	27 July 2002 13:32
Visualprefs HELL :(	Amiga1992	support.Apps	3	02 March 2002 17:31

06 February 2002, 20:42	#2
RetroMan Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Germany Age: 51 Posts: 3,704	Well, I haven´t used AdfBlitzer neither Adf2Disk yet, I only use Transdisk, but for me it helped to format the floppy on the Amiga before writing an ADF back, maybe you should try that first

06 February 2002, 22:52	#4
RetroMan Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Germany Age: 51 Posts: 3,704	Uhm .... bit of misunderstanding here I also use PC2Amiga for the TRANSFER and Transdisk for putting the images back to disk on the Amiga itself

06 February 2002, 22:54	#5
Overdoc Commodore Collector Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Austria Age: 53 Posts: 944	Maybe you are using HD disks and your Amiga's diskdrive cannot write to them ? Just an idea... Better try to transfer one disk with Crossdos and 720k PC disks and then use Transdisk to write them back. Maybe there is something wrong with your parallel connection ?

07 February 2002, 01:22	#7
jmmijo Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: PDX Age: 62 Posts: 2,395	Jherek, another Amiga app or two to try is Packmaster or Tracksaver GUI. They are both GUI based apps that support multiple file archives, like adf files for instance. I personally use them both on my A4000 and use Tracksaver GUI the most. I also preformat my disks with something called Formatter. This app will allow you to format with verify and to use the auto-diskchange built into the Amiga. This is handy to format on one drive while writing to another, that's if you have two floppy drives that is The main reason for re-formatting your floppys is that some of the older ones can no longer hold a proper disk format and need to be recycled. This will ensure that the floppy you intend to use is in fact still good! All of these apps can be found on Aminet.

07 February 2002, 08:28	#8
ptrchiappe Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Cagliari / Italy Age: 61 Posts: 186	While you're on aminet, you can also download the XFS package that, among other things, lets you read an adf file as if it was a real floppy (so you don't even have to write to the disks ) .

07 February 2002, 23:13	#10
jmmijo Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: PDX Age: 62 Posts: 2,395	Man, I have no idea other then the drive and/or the media itself. Have you tried a new pack of HD disks? I would do this and cover the extra hole if needed then use Formatter to re-format as an Amiga DOS disk then try it once more. Here is the link to Tracksaver, they shortened the name! http://wuarchive.wustl.edu/pub/amine...misc/tsgui.lha John...

08 February 2002, 02:06	#11
Overdoc Commodore Collector Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Austria Age: 53 Posts: 944	Well, now I see what's the problem: There is a ghost inside your Amigas drive that wants to protect your A-1200 from illegal ADF copies being put back on real floppies which will be used on the A-1200 then. It is the soul of former Amiga programmers that haunt you Ok, seriously, is your A-1200 one made by Escom or Commodore ? Does it's label say 'Commodore A-1200' or does it say 'Amiga A1200 HD' ? I think I once heard that some newer Amigas by Escom had some drive problem. Something like a missing ready-signal. But that would also mean that your A-1200 must have some problems with all N-DOS disks, like e.g. a lot of games and demos. The last idea that come to my mind would be that you have some problem in your system, like a wrong trackdisk.device file or something like that ? I know that e.g. my version of Crossdos has to install a patch for trackdisk.device because there are some bugs in it. Maybe that could have something to do with it ?

08 February 2002, 02:55	#12
jmmijo Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: PDX Age: 62 Posts: 2,395	This could be the issue as I can convert and get adf's to work fine on all my Amiga's, knocks on wood

08 February 2002, 03:58	#13
Twistin'Ghost Give up the ghost Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: U$A Age: 33 Posts: 4,662	I tend to lean in the direction of covering the extra hole (on high density disks).

08 February 2002, 20:36	#14
Jherek Carnelia Dazed and Confused Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: portsmouth/uk Posts: 242	@Overdoc - it is a Commodore A1200, how can I check the trackdisk.device file? My friend is going to lend me his external drive, so hopefully that will eliminate the hardware side of things. I'm only using DD disks, so the hole trick isn't applicable. If all else fails does anyone know of an exorcist to rid me of the ghost in my machine? - I wonder if it is a virus, or a dodgy PSU... I am going to try XFS in the meantime.

09 February 2002, 04:47	#16
RCK Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Paris / France Age: 45 Posts: 3,091	@jmmijo: Just a note, if you reply directly after someone, don't {quote} all his previous message !! (or I will really think you are a Spam-BóT )

09 February 2002, 05:28	#17
jmmijo Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: PDX Age: 62 Posts: 2,395	Sorry about that, I'll be editing direct quotes in the future, thanks for the heads up

10 February 2002, 02:54	#18
Overdoc Commodore Collector Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Austria Age: 53 Posts: 944	To check your diskdrive boot up X-Copy and insert a well known good disk - best would be a original Workbench. Then select 'Checkdisk ' from the tools menu and have a look if your drive can read all tracks of the disk correctly. Maybe your drive is slightly misaligned ? Also check the ADFs once transferred over to the A-1200 with this XMS thingy. Maybe the transfer is the problem ? Maybe give other methods a try, like e.g. transferring with 720k PC disks via Crossdos ?

14 February 2002, 19:35	#19
Jherek Carnelia Dazed and Confused Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: portsmouth/uk Posts: 242	I have just tried my friend's external disk drive and I can create adfs on it! I guess my internal drive is dodgy. Another mate is going to bring me another A1200 tomorrow - I can check it out then...

14 February 2002, 20:09	#20
jmmijo Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: PDX Age: 62 Posts: 2,395	Let us know what happens then Jherek, it could just be the internal drive is slightly out of alignment. Not sure it's really worth trying to get repaired because you can just replace the drive with another one. Also, didn't some of the 1200's come with HD drives or am I just confusing this with the 4000 ?!?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)