Tag Archives: ql-sd

QL-SD Page

Now that QL-SD is available via SellMyRetro.com, albeit in small numbers so far, I’ve set up a page where you can download the manual, software starter pack and the BDI (Block Device Image) specification for emulators, thanks to Peter Graf for supplying the software and documents. I hope that as QL-SD becomes more widely available and used, this page can act as a source and repository for documents and files relating to the QL-SD

The page is at http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/qlsd/index.html

Also, thanks to Graeme Gregory, a version of qltools has been developed specifically for use with the HxC floppy disk emulator. This is available from http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/files/index.html

And while on the subject of QL-SD, most people choose to install one QL-SD, usually in the MDV2_ slot, leaving MDV1 free to work as a microdrive. For those who would like two QL-SD per QL (e.g. backup?), Paul Veltjens who builds these devices has confirmed it’s possible to install a second SDHC adaptor as device name SDC2_. Paul says he then needs to set a jumper differently and a cable with three connectors, one for your QLROMEXT and two for the two sd card interfaces.

Pictures below from Peter Scott:

Picture of a QL-SD installed in a QL

A QL-SD installed in the MDV1_ slot on a QL, above. The two circuit boards are the ones on the left of the picture connected to the one at the bottom right of the picture via the ribbon cable. The picture below shows the finished product – all you see is the SDHC card protruding from the MDV1_ slot of Peter’s albino QL.

Picture of a QL-SD in the MDV1_ slot of a QL

Picture of a QL-SD installed in the MDV1_ slot of Peter Scott’s ‘albino’ QL

No price set for this yet, so if you require such a setup, please ask Paul via QL Forum.

QL-SD Is Here

The QL-SD is finally available. Designed by Peter Graf and with software developed from original drivers from the designer of the Ser-Usb device, QL-SD was built and made available on a no-profit basis by members of the German QL community (http://forum.tlienhard.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=9 ), including producing a manual for it. The units themselves were built by Paul Veltjens, who initially made a batch of 12. Support was through the German QL forums and the devices will be available via SellMyRetro.com, with the price expected to be around €60

The first unit was auctioned off on SellMyRetro.com and apparently fetched a price of £128 in the end after a total of 16 bids starting at £40 – see http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/QL-SD-internal-SDHC-Card-Interface-for-QL-3596 for details, a picture and a copy of the manual!

A few weeks ago, I got to try out an older prototype version of QL-SD which hooks up to a QL via the bi-directional parallel port of a Super Gold Card. Peter sent me a version of the QL-SD software to try it out and I eventually got it working after a few mistakes – read about my experiences with it on my blog at http://dilwyn2.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/ql-sd-for-sgc-par-port/?relatedposts_exclude=164

While this particular version isn’t in production at the moment, perhaps Peter Graf would consider making a few if enough people ask him nicely! Given that early standard QL-SD devices don’t work with all versions of Gold Cards and Super Gold Cards, this might be an alternative route to getting SD cards for QLs if you have a Super Gold Card, or perhaps for those who are not confident of opening up their QL and removing a microdrive to make room to install a standard QL-SD. Please bear in mind that a parallel port version of QL-SD might be a little slower than a standard version, of course. You also have to use the higher capacity SD-HC cards rather than the early SD cards.