Re: 5.25" drive problem

[mjmahon@aol.com (Michael J. Mahon)]

Ken Tucker 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!

The problems you describe are what would happen if the read/write
head, or any electronics in the read chain, is not functioning.  This
includes a wire in the cable from the drive to the controller and a
chip on the controller.  If the read signal is not getting to the controller,
you will have all the symptoms you describe.

More tests are needed to isolate the problem.  It may not be worth it.

-michael

 Email:  mjmahon@aol.com
 Home page:  http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/