Oric HFE file

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Steve M
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Oric HFE file

Post by Steve M »

I'm trying to read floppies on my Windows PC using a Greasweazle F7v2

I've got a HFE file .I was going to upload it but it isn't a recognised filetype.
Is this what can be used in Gotek and Cumana Reborn?

Is there anything yet to covert files to Dsk images?
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Re: Oric HFE file

Post by iss »

This is great that you was able to produce HFE file! We can expect lot interesting stuff from you @SteveM ;).

If you want to upload it here at DF forum - you can compress it to ZIP and then upload work fine.
You can use your file with Gotek and with the other floppy emulator.

Here I've described already a way to convert HFE back to DSK, but it's very basic and has some limitations (as only 256 bytes per sector). You can convert HFE to DSK using the latest version of HxC tools.

Please, share you opinions about Greasweazle F7v2 - it's very interesting and powerful thing.
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Re: Oric HFE file

Post by Dbug »

Steve M wrote: Fri Mar 19, 2021 12:47 pm I'm trying to read floppies on my Windows PC using a Greasweazle F7v2
This thing https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/detai ... b-_b-43881 ?
Or something else/other merchant?
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Re: Oric HFE file

Post by Steve M »

Thanks ISS.
It's been a bit of a struggle to get it working which seems to be in part down to me using Win7. I think these things appear to have a Linux user base and maybe I should try it on my laptop - but I'm very much a novice at Linux so would still find it difficult.

I tried using the GUI software but that stopped working, so it's a bit frustrating.

There is some other software to help but it appears to be in C so I'd need to try and figure out how to use it.

I had a look at the file but it appears to be one of those C files, so I wouldn't know what to do with it.
I hadn't thought of using Zip - I've attached the file. I can read to Raw Scp file. I'm not sure if that is easier for converting to Dsk(?) but the file is a lot bigger.

DBug -
Different vendor. It is Keir Fraser. There is a Facebook page for the Greaseweazle. https://www.facebook.com/groups/greaseweazle I got the hardware from him via the page. Basic model is £10. F7 v2 was £25. Then there is a more advanced Lightening model (similar to the one in your link) at £55. (P&P extra. ) https://github.com/keirf/Greaseweazle
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Re: Oric HFE file

Post by Steve M »

I managed to convert to Oric Dsk image using Hxc software. The resulting disk image doesn't work.

Maybe I need to specify some settings? https://github.com/keirf/Greaseweazle/w ... ng-Started

I'm not sure what to try next
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Re: Oric HFE file

Post by iss »

I played a bit with the file and by converting it seams to be an error at track 3 side 0:

Code: Select all

libhxcfe version : 2.13.2.2
Input file : swd7.hfe
Output file : swd7.raw
Checking swd7.hfe
File loader found : HXC_HFE (SD Card HxCFE HFE file Loader)
Loading swd7.hfe file loader found!
Write RAW file swd7.raw...
track:00:0 file offset:0x000000, sectors: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ,256B/s
track:00:1 file offset:0x001100, sectors: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ,256B/s
track:01:0 file offset:0x002200, sectors: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ,256B/s
track:01:1 file offset:0x003300, sectors: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ,256B/s
track:02:0 file offset:0x004400, sectors: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ,256B/s
track:02:1 file offset:0x005500, sectors: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ,256B/s
track:03:0 file offset:0x006600, sectors: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 
track:03:1 file offset:0x007600, sectors: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ,256B/s
track:04:0 file offset:0x008700, sectors: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ,256B/s
track:04:1 file offset:0x009800, sectors: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ,256B/s
track:05:0 file offset:0x00a900, sectors: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ,256B/s
track:05:1 file offset:0x00ba00, sectors: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ,256B/s
I'm not sure what occupies the bad place 3/0 but most probably it's the SEDORIC.
I've booted Oricutron with a good SEDORIC DSK file then I inserted the converted 'swd7.dsk'
and this is the result of DIR command:
swd7-oricutron.png
Much better result is with @ThomH's ClkSignal emulator which support HFE files.
Again I've booted with good Sedoric DSK and then I've inserted the HFE image:
swd7-clksignal.png
... and the most programs are working fine, so there is definitely hope :).
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Re: Oric HFE file

Post by Dbug »

I'm kind of puzzled that ClkSignal manages to load from an HFE file, but the toolchain for the original HFE file format does not???
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Re: Oric HFE file

Post by iss »

Dbug wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 9:57 am I'm kind of puzzled that ClkSignal manages to load from an HFE file, but the toolchain for the original HFE file format does not???
Exactly! :) This is really strange. As far I know @ThomH don't use the HxC library code but his own implementation.
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Re: Oric HFE file

Post by Steve M »

Amazing.
I'm trying to use different settings to read the disks but I keep encountering fatal errors. I'm not sure whether it's a drive read failure or something else.
I'm not sure whether 'cyinders' should be the same number as tracks. There's a 'Revs per track' setting with some software. I haven't yet got a file that will work as an Oric dsk. I've used the HxC software to convert Hfe to Oric Dsk.

SWD7 is an English verison of a CEO disk - winter 1991.
It's copied from a 3" disk to 3.5" so should be a Sedoric 3

INIST should probably be Boot.

I'm going to try some different drives and see if that makes a difference.
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Re: Oric HFE file

Post by Steve M »

Do these have the same problem? I think recorded with different settings.
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Re: Oric HFE file

Post by Dbug »

Can ClkSignal resave the file content to a DSK?
Like put the HFE as "A" and use sedoric copy function to "B" ?
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Re: Oric HFE file

Post by iss »

Steve M wrote: Mon Mar 22, 2021 1:21 am Do these have the same problem? I think recorded with different settings.
IMO these are OK. Attached are both in DSK, I've started randomly some games and they worked.
Dbug wrote: Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:33 am Can ClkSignal resave the file content to a DSK?
Like put the HFE as "A" and use sedoric copy function to "B" ?
I wanted to do the same, but I don't know how to insert 2 images (no matter their type) :lol:
IIRC, drag&drop 2 files simultaneously should work but maybe only under macOS... I'll check tonight.
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Re: Oric HFE file

Post by Steve M »

Thanks for looking at those.

I used the HxC to convert to Oric .Dsk but they wouldn't work. :(

I had a look at CLKsignal but don't even understand how to get it run. :oops:

Is HxC software no good for converting Hfe files to Oric dsk?

Am I better to record in Raw scp ?

(The Bounty disk contains a couple of tape conversion of rare/unknown games. Bounty Hunter, and Cavern. Psycho III needs a little alteration to make it run. )
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Re: Oric HFE file

Post by Steve M »

Looking at the HxC disk viewer thing this one looks good, but converting it to Oric.Dsk still isn't working.
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Re: Oric HFE file

Post by Steve M »

Any help with Clock Signal?
I've got it installed but it's asking me from 'the Oric Colour ROM'. I got it to recognise the Atmos Rom and Microdisc Rom, but nothing is working for this Oric Colour Rom.l I thought it might be the Oric-1 Rom but nothing seems to work.
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