Re: apple//c repairs ?

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

savage300@webtv.net writes ...
> 
> I live in Pa. and have an apple//c that won't read the disks. Is there
> anywhere close to send it for repairs?
>

 ....

     If you have not tried cleaning your drive R/W head(s), you should.
Here is the way to do it:


>>

004- How do I clean my disk drive R/W head(s)?

     The easiest way to clean a drive's R/W head(s) is with a Cleaner
Diskette. This is a diskette with a paper disk such as the 5.25" and
3.5" Cleaner Diskettes available in Radio Shack's Disk Drive Head
Cleaner Kits. These kits usually include "Cleaning Fluid" (isopropyl
alcohol), too.

     The 5.25" Cleaner Diskette has panels you pop out to expose the
cleaning surface. Apple II 5.25" drives have a single head which
contacts the disk from the bottom and a pressure pad which presses
against the top side. So, pop out the panel on the bottom side of the
Cleaner Diskette and leave the top panel in place. When cleaning, insert
the diskette with the bottom side facing down. This lets the paper disk
rub against the head and avoids wear on the pressure pad.

     The 3.5" diskette has a small plastic panel you can snap out for
cleaning two-head drives. Since the standard 3.5" 800k Apple II drive
has two heads, snap out the panel so that both the top and bottom heads
get wiped.

     To clean your drive head(s), you sqirt a few drops of Cleaning
Fluid onto the Cleaner Diskette disk, insert it into the drive, and get
the disk spinning for 20 seconds. (Booting the Cleaner Diskette is one
way to get it spinning. If DOS or ProDOS is installed, doing a CATALOG
is another way. For example: CATALOG,S6,D2 would get your 5.25" Drive 2
spinning.)

     If you think it has been several months since the drive was last
cleaned, repeat the procedure-- i.e remove the Cleaner Diskette, add
more fluid, etc.. As a rule, do not let the disk spin more than 20
seconds for any cleaning cycle. This is especially a concern with 3.5"
drives where the heads are mounted on springs and much more subject to
snagging and being pulled out of alignment. 

<<


     If it turns out you still need repair work done, check your local
directory for an Apple II Users Group. (You may need to look for a Mac
group and, then, contact Apple II people there.)



Rubywand