Trying to get Game Doctor SF7 to work

[Harsky]

I bought a Game Doctor SF7 not too long ago and only got round to trying it out. The problem is that I used ucon64 to convert and split the rom to fit on the floppy disks but when I put it into the SF7, it comes up with a disk error message. Then I used the "format disk" option in the SF7 and it reads it perfectly enough for me to dump one of the SNES carts I own to the disk but the problem it reversed in that it if I try to open it on my PC, it just gives an error message. I did think that the problem was due to the floppy drive itself but now I'm not sure if there's something else.

[MottZilla]

I'm a bit confused but generally when I used floppys I would format them on the GDSF and then copy the file to the floppy or copy the file off the floppy. I usually wouldn't use the PC to format the floppys cause I think I was having the issue you might be having where it doesn't want to read the disk even though there shouldn't be anything wrong with it.

I recommend you get the parallel cable to send ROMs direct from a PC as it's faster and more reliable. Also you could try using 1.44mb formatting opposed to 1.6mb if you are doing that.

[Harsky]

Unfortunately I think the parellel port cable solution is out of the question because I bought a new PC not too long ago and the parellel port is omitted. Unless the USB-parellel port cables can work as well?

So yeah, I can sum the problem up as being that a floppy formatted in the GDSF7 can't be read on my PC to transfer roms to it.

[MottZilla]

No, you'll need a real parallel port, or it's possible a PCI card with a parallel port might work but I can't really confirm such. But I know the USB to Parallel adapters will not work at all.

So what happens when your PC formats the disk? Same issue in reverse?

[Harsky]

No, you'll need a real parallel port, or it's possible a PCI card with a parallel port might work but I can't really confirm such. But I know the USB to Parallel adapters will not work at all.

So what happens when your PC formats the disk? Same issue in reverse?

Yeah, pretty much. SF7 will kick up a Disk Error message. Is it possible that the disks can't be read on the SF7 because I'm using a USB floppy disk drive to transfer the roms? I really wouldn't like the idea of borrowing someone's PC with the floppy drive built in and windows 98 to try it but that's the only thing I can think of that's causing this. Or is there such a program that can format a disk differently without having to use the windows one?

[ASSEMbler]

The belt in the drive might have broken. If it makes no noise when accessing, it might be broken.

[Harsky]

The belt in the drive might have broken. If it makes no noise when accessing, it might be broken.

Well, when I put in a copy of Super Mario World into the slot and dumped it to the floppy disk, it did so without any problem but when I took the floppy with the dumped rom to my PC USB floppy drive, it gives a, "disk not recognized" error message.

[MottZilla]

But it does load back up in the GDSF, the disk you made a backup of Super Mario World on right? So the issue is you can't seem to put the ROMs on floppys that the GDSF will read.

[Harsky]

But it does load back up in the GDSF, the disk you made a backup of Super Mario World on right? So the issue is you can't seem to put the ROMs on floppys that the GDSF will read.

That's pretty much it. So I can definitely rule out having to replace the floppy in the copier which I thought was going to be my main concern. Either way, I'm going to be without a usb floppy drive because I put a disk in and it suddenly gets stuck in it which resulted in me just throwing it away and ordering a new one.

What really puzzled me is that I borrowed the same copier from a friend to try it out but back then, it was when I had a Windows XP computer WITH a floppy drive built and it still managed to work. That was five years ago and since then, that PC bit the dust and I'm having to use USB floppy drives which is now why I seem to think that will floppy drives on the PC be the main culprit.

[MottZilla]

That could very well be the case. Strange that your PC doesn't have a regular floppy drive. I know some don't come with them but if you want one it's usually easy to install one.

[Harsky]

Well, seems like everything seems to be working now. Problem actually lies in my old USB floppy disk drive which pretty much gave up the ghost because I handled it like crap. Spent money on a new USB floppy drive and everything works perfectly well again. Thanks for the suggestion and help guys.

Edit: Now I have a different question. I turn the SF7 off and the game I load into the copier gets deleted. Is it because it needs the power adapter to retain the games?

[MottZilla]

Yes, Power Supply to the GDSF must be maintained at all times to keep a game in RAM. This also applies to the save game memory (BRAM).