Re: 5.25" drive problem

[lambert@erc.msstate.edu (Brian K. Lambert)]

I had a problem very similar to this, with regard to the reported drive speed
fluctuating wildly.  Turns out that I *thought* the disk itself was spinning,
but it was in fact periodically slipping from the mechanism.

If I put a little torque on the lever that closes the drive the disk is
grasped more firmly.  This solves the problem, but it requires putting pressure
on the mechanism every time the disk is accessed... not very convenient!

Anyway, have a closer look at the disk, and make sure it is spinning the way you
think it is.

hope that helps

--Brian


Ken Tucker (ktucker@NOSPAMiit.net) wrote:
: I just got a 5.25" drive cleaner, and that didn't make any difference at
: all.

: I haven't been able to read, write, or format/init any DS/DD (old and new).
: I finally got Copy II Plus 9.1 on a bootable 3.5" drive so I could check the
: drive speed. The drive speed varies between 0 and 230 all over the place.
: I've adjusted the speed control and it doesn't seem to make any difference.
: I've got the drive fairly clean, have taken most of it apart, and have
: examined the chips, belt, etc. Everything *looks* good, but then again I'm
: not a drive expert. It looks like the disk is spinning fine, the belt looks
: like new, and the motor seems to spin without effort... So I guess whatever
: is wrong is going to elude me. Unless anyone has any other ideas, I suppose
: I'll trash this and get another!

: Thanks for your suggestions!
: Ken

: "Vince Briel" <vbriel@yahoo.com> wrote in message
: 0032a14204d1bd6b8819a19c6d3a0473.10725@mygate.mailgate.org">news:0032a14204d1bd6b8819a19c6d3a0473.10725@mygate.mailgate.org...
: > "Ken Tucker" <ktucker@NOSPAMiit.net> wrote in message
: > news:deHE7.52513$pb4.28910729@news2.rdc2.tx.home.com...
: >
: > > I have a brand new box of DS/DD disks and a stack of older disks from a
: > > friend (with Apple II games/data on them). Every disk gives me the same
: > > result... Two relatively long sounds then the error. :(
: > >
: > > Ken
: >
: > I ran into the same problem with my Disk ][ for my ][+.  I could read
: disks
: > fine
: > but if I tried to format the disk, I got a write protect error.  It turned
: out
: > to be a bad write protect switch in the drive.  Now, can you read disks at
: all?
: > Try using a disk head cleaner (carefull to use single sided type!) and
: clean
: > the
: > heads.  If you have gone thru the FAQ section on drives and come to the
: > conclusion
: > that any part of it is bad, they are everywhere on eBay. $5 should get you
: a
: > new
: > drive.
: >
: > Vince
: >
: >
: > --
: > Posted from 0-2pool19-225.nas4.cleveland1.oh.us.da.qwest.net
: [63.232.19.225]
: > via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG