Sinclair QL User Manual page 13

accept commands or data it disappears when the computer is busy. As you type, the
cursor will move along the line showing where the next character to be typed will appear.
If the machine ever fails to respond correctly or you want to force a SuperBASIC program
to
stop hold down the CTRL key and press the space bar.
The computer should then display its cursor. If this doesn't work remove any Microdrive
cartridges and then press reset.
The message Bad Line appearing in the command window means that the computer
doesn't understand a command that you have typed in. Delete or correct the line using the
cursor keys.
MICRODRIVES
The two QL Microdrives are called mdv1_ on the left and mdv2_ on the right.
Cartridges must be placed correctly into the Microdrives. Hold the cartridge by the ribbed
plastic handle and remove it from its protective cover. The cartridge's name label, or the
recess for its stick-on label, should face upwards.
Cartridges should always be treated with care. You should never turn the QL on or off with
a cartridge in the Microdrives. Take care when inserting or removing cartridges, wait until
the Microdrive lights have gone out before removing the cartridge, be gentle but firm.
Never touch the tape in the cartridge and always return the cartridge to its protective cover.
Before a blank cartridge can be used it must go through a process called formatting. This
process erases any data or programs on a cartridge so always be sure that all
cartridges are clearly labelled with their contents and check that cartridges to be
formatted contain no useful data. Instructions for formatting cartridges are contained in
the Information section.
All magnetic storage media including Microdrive cartridges eventually suffer from wear.
Hence it is strongly recommended that all important programs and data should be
stored on at least two cartridges, that is 'backed up'. This means that if a cartridge is