Re: Alignment disk and diagnostic program - ][+ and //e

[bwyer@my-deja.com]

> Brett,
>
> Quite a few programs did this.  Apple Cillan was a great one, and
there were
> others that tested disks for speed / alignment as well.  I don't know
where
> / if it is still being sold though.
>
> There is a 30 page scan of a  disk repair / maintenance in the
incomming
> directory on Asimov :
>
>  ftp://ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/incoming/Apple%20Drive%
20Maintainance%20Manual%20(30pages).zip
>
> It is a 1.5 MB ZIP.
>
> Apple Cillan and other programs should also be there on Asimov - under
> Utilities - if you can't find them still for sale somewhere.  If you
can
> find them for sale, they will be cheap and well worth buying if you
have a
> drive or 2 to repair.
>
> Mike O'Malley
>
>
Mike-

Unfortunately, a disk image or copy won't do any good.  You actually
have to have the original disk, as there are special analog patterns
written on the disk that cannot be read by the OS, only by an
oscilloscope.  The software would seek to a particular part of the disk
and you'd attach a probe to a test point on the analog board and adjust
azimuth, etc.  Additionally, for track alignment, the disks are written
by highly accurate equipment.  I've seen these advertised for IBM
drives, even down to 360k, but none any more for Apple 5 1/4" :(

Brett


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