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Showing results for tags 'Happy'.
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Hi, I thought I would start a separate thread for this, just in case anyone comes along later, and wants copies of these utility disks. I'll post a link to this article in the related threads - http://atariage.com/forums/topic/279029-slowdefective-1050-drives-with-lazer-upgrade/ and http://atariage.com/forums/topic/289957-interesting-homebrew-1050-happy-mod-pics/ I have archived off/preserved the disks that came with my Lazer (laser) / US-Doubler upgrade for my 1050. Unfortunately, the disk with the Lazer software was damaged, but only near the end of the disk, and all the sectors in that area contain only zero bytes, so I think the program itself is OK. I have written the Lazer software ATR that I made back to a real floppy, and tried that with the Lazer drive, and it seems to work fine - all the main menu options load (apparently) working programs, so I think this image is good. I've also included the Happy software I got with the drive - it's Happy 7.0, and appears to be a hacked version - I haven't tried the official Happy 7.0 software with the Lazer drive though, so can only assume it's been hacked. I do recall using this disk bitd, though that's all I can recall (at the moment). Also included is the Archiver Fix disk - this programs the Lazer to emulate an Archiver/The Chip, so you can use the Archiver/Editor software - I checked by programming the drive with menu item "E - Lazer Archiver", which was from LPS, and then loading the Archiver/Editor software (also on the disk), and reading tracks 1 and 2 (I assume this is a reasonable test). There are also some other Archiver Fix utilities, not sure if they work too, but they are probably worth a try if you have problems with menu item "E". Final disk image is "US Doubler Utilities" double density disk - it has a lot of menu programs, etc., on it that work with the US Doubler. This disc was supplied to support the Lazer drive in US Doubler mode. If anyone from any of the Software Preservation projects wants to include these images they are more than welcome to do so. Hope this is of interest! lazer_copier_master.atr lazer_happy_7_0_copier_master.atr lazer_archiver_fix_master.atr lazer_US_Doubler_utilities_master.atr
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Hey all, With a keen eye I spotted this 'untested' 'Modded???' drive on eBay. Sure enough it had a genuine Happy board, later 8KB SRAM revision, and Controller, but the mechanism needed some TLC. It was definitely stored for a long time in a humid environment because there was a bit of rust, and Aluminum oxidization that cleaned up nicely with an IPA wipe-down. The stepper motor and the top clamp spinner were totally seized. The stepper released with a little force and seems to be behaving now, and the top spinner and rails received a healthy dose of 3-in-1 oil. Now onto the testing! As you can see in the 'before' pictures the lower switch was busted off. This switch selects the write protect mode, which operates a little differently than the standard DIY mods in that the LED is an indicator of Write enable, even when in the lower position - It will actually turn off and on live depending on what the optical sensors see. The middle and top positions function as usual (always read only / always allow write) so I spent this evening replacing the broken switch with a spare On-Off-On switch. I didn't have one with the side-mount pins, so I fabricated it by soldering the bendy leads from the old switch onto mine, and then onto the PCB. It was a little tricky, because too much heat and the graft would let go. It's also not the same 'flat paddle' style switch, but it's not too practical to search & wait for a custom order for that... But I might still replace it I come across one in the future... so it matches that little paper printout The board has 4 wires that connect to a pin-header on the Happy board itself, and to the write-protect sensor & emitter pin header at the back of the drive. The removed sensor/emitter header then plugs directly into the controller board so it can monitor, and intercept or pass-through the real write-protect status. Anyhow, I believe there's been some interest in the 'Happy Controller' companion board for Genuine Happy 1050 upgrades, and maybe some detailed pictures may help someone someday in reproducing these. I've used Happy since forever, but its my first time with my hands on this little add-on. The upper track-buffer toggle switch is interesting, as it will actually still operate in Ultraspeed SIO, but with long gaps between each sector on a regular skew disk similar to USDoubler on a standard skew disk. I haven't yet tried a disk formatted with Ultraspeed skew. If you'd like to see any other views, let me know!
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Happy Retro Future New Year!
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From the album: Warp Speed DOS XL v2.42w
Diskette label was marked by hand with "WS" (assuming "Warp Speed"). Unknown if that was written by previous owner or by OSS, Inc. or Happy Computers, Inc. -
From the album: Warp Speed DOS XL v2.42w
Warp Speed DOS XL v2.42w Screen Shot -
I have a fully working Happy1050 Disk drive for sale, complete with 9V power supply. The case is clean with absolutely minimal yellowing - photos available on request. The 'Happy' upgrade allows the 1050 to write disks at true double-density, gives a much higher SIO transfer rate and various other imaging and backup features. The 5.25" floppy containing the Happy diagnostic and copying software will be provided. I am asking either a flat £65 or alternately an direct swap for a working "Ultimate1MB". Given how bulky the 1050 and power adapter are I can only offer this to a buyer within the UK. I am expecting the postage to be around £10 for basic ParcelForce delivery and somewhat more if insurance is required.
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