Cyclone Drive Help

[Conkers]

I've just bought a Cyclone Floppy Drive from eBay. The model is compatible with Siena, Series 3a & 3c and the Acorn Pocketbook II. The model I bought came with the cable adaptor for a 3c, but reading the instruction manual, the unit is supposed to work with all the models listed.
As I have a 3a, I tried using my spare 3link cable for the units to communicate, as there is a 9 pin serial port on the rear. The Psion isn't recognising the unit. (I've installed RunImg on the Psion first as instructed, and the serial link is open.)
The troubleshooting page isn't much help. Should I have the correct lead (as originally supplied by Purple) or should the 3Link cable suffice? Or do I need an adaptor (Null modem cable for example).
All help gratefully received.

[Conkers]

Just a footnote to the above: I found amongst the documentation for the Cyclone a flyer saying that Purple would supply Free of charge the S3a lead. The phone number is obsolete, and an Internet search for Purple hasn't been much help. I did ring a number that turned out to Symbian with a most unhelpful person answering the phone that couldn't/wouldn't help and was quite rude that I was asking!
Anyone know what happened to Purple? Have they gone or is there a number/e-mail address anyone can supply?
Once again all help gratefully received

[MikeMcC]

There has been some doubt recently as whether or not Purple are still trading but www.purplesoftware.co.uk (http://www.purplesoftware.co.uk) now displays a message that as of March 2003, they have ceased trading as a UK company.

I used to have a "3a only" version of the Cyclone drive, but it had the short cable to the SIBO connector hard wired into the drive and, at that time, there was no 3c anyway. What exactly does your drive have as a connecting cable - presumably it unplugs from the drive? If I remember correctly, the "3a only" version was followed by the "3c/Siena only" version and then there was a dual version supporting SIBO and Honda connectors which presumably is what you now have. I didn't have a serial connector at the rear, the only other connector was for the mains lead which I always used because its appetite for batteries was insatiable! Do the instructions say what the purpose of the 9-pin serial port is?

After installing RunImg to the system screen, the Psion should see the Cyclone.img file in drive "C" and you run that to install the Cyclone. After installation, the Cyclone itself becomes drive "C" and the Cyclone.img file is no longer accessible. You should therefore make a copy of it on another drive as it is also used to uninstall the Cyclone (although there is a copy of the .img file on my Series 3 page if you need it).

[Conkers]

My Cyclone is a multi model one in that it supports the Siena, 3a, 3c and Acorn Pocketbook II.
The 9 pin serial port is where the supplied 3c connecter is fitted. There is only the 9-pin port on the rear of this unit, and apart from the PSU scocket, there are no other connections.
The flyer in the box states that if I own a 3a they will supply a lead free of charge - which appears to be a 3a plug (the six pin type) to a 9 pin serial plug.
I have installed the RunImg file, and when I connect the 3Link to the serial port, and the other end to my 3a there is no sign of life, though the cyclone is switched on. The 3a isn't recognising the Cyclone, and my C drive appears to be the chip in the 3Link cable.
I am going to try the unit on a friend’s 3c to check it works but I am wondering if I should be using the 3Link to connect to the 3a?

[MikeMcC]

I have installed the RunImg file, and when I connect the 3Link to the serial port, and the other end to my 3a there is no sign of life Do you mean you have installed the RunImg application to the System screen or have you installed the Cyclone.img file?

If you haven't run the actual Cyclone.img file, it is attached so try running that. The problem with using the "3Link" to connect may be that its ROM chip will always be recognised as "C" drive, thus preventing the Cyclone from being 'seen'.

[Conkers]

I have installed RunImg to the system screen.
Do I put the cyclone.img file in a specific folder (OPL, OPO or OPD)?
Thanks for all your help so far. I think that the 3Link is the problem, as the 3c detects the Cyclone.img file without any problems.
Is it possible to adapt another cable? I have a parallel printer cable that I don't use. Could that be fitted with a 9-pin serial plug as an alternative?

[MikeMcC]

Do I put the cyclone.img file in a specific folder (OPL, OPO or OPD)?Yes, it must go in an \IMG\ directory on any drive.
Is it possible to adapt another cable? I have a parallel printer cable that I don't use. Could that be fitted with a 9-pin serial plug as an alternative?Possibly, but I don't know where you would be able to get the pinouts, unless you can get them from your "3Link" cable using a multimeter to check which SIBO pin matches with which serial connector pin. See what happens when you run the Cyclone.img file though.

Did you get a copy of Purple's "File Manager" that originally came with the Cyclone drive? I still think it was the best ever Series 3 file manager and can let you have a copy if necessary.

[Conkers]

I have loaded the cyclone.img file, but my 3a can't find the rest of the software to run the drive. The chip in the 3Link appears to be the problem.
The alternative is to try and find an SIBO to 9-pin serial cable, as this will make the disk drive work. I have tried it on a friend’s 3c with the supplied cable, and it does work, so the unit is working.
I did look at the Purple Software site from your link, and I am considering contacting the new company on the off chance they have the required lead knocking about somewhere. Unless of course, someone has the knowledge to put one together for me?
Thanks for all your help once again Mike, and yet again the Forum is invaluable.

[Suomiman]

Hello,

Can someone (MikeMcc?) send me some picture of the dual version (with the serial port) and with the leads what comes with the unit.

Have to explain someone the difference

Thanks,
Suomiman

[Conkers]

If it's any help, the port on the back of the Cyclone drive I have is a standard 9 pin serial port. The lead supplied fits a 3c, but I am looking for the cable that will allow me to fit a 3a. I tried the 3Link cable but it won't work with the unit.
Does that help?

[Suomiman]

Maybe when you add a nulmodem adapter and a "strait" serial to serial lead it might work. Conkers, thanks for the info. But can you also send me a picture of the back of the unit and one of the lead for to the 3c/3mx/Siena.

Thanks

[allmypsions]

I have got the 3a version, I am interested in knowing if there is any way that I could get it to work with an original series 3

Len