Re: 5.25 disk corrupted - what are my options?

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

Yukon wrote:

>Hey gang,
>
>I recently dusted off the IIe to do some archiving.
>
>One disk with some important stuff cataloged fine, then a minute later 
>when I typed "CATALOG" it sat there for like a minute, then gave the "]" 
>prompt.
>
>Now it won't catalog at all, won't boot, etc.
>
>I've tried running D.A.R.K (Disk Repair Kit) and that shows all kinds of 
>errors and makes the horrible disk drive sounds.
>
>The disk had programs and graphics, I think standard Dos 3.3, possibly 
>pronto-dos.
>
>Any way to recover this stuff?

The fact that it cataloged once correctly argues that the disk is fine
(unless the drive/controller clobbered it, which is unlikely).

I presume that you've tried it in another drive?

I also presume that other disks work fine in this drive?

Trying a drive cleaning is a possibility, though if this is the only
disk that doesn't work, that seems a long shot.

Best bet:  the disk is binding in the jacket and not turning freely.
Try this maneuver--carefully.  Run the edges of the diskette perpen-
dicularly against the edge of rhe desk, applying just enough pressure
to slightly deform the edge.  This will decrease the radius of the edge,
causing the sides of the sleeve to open out a millimeter or so, freeing
the disk to spin.  Don't worry about the places near the opening where
the sleeve is cut almost to the edge--just get the three and 2/3's
sides where the sleeve is pretty solid.

This is a very common problem with diskettes that have been
stored for a time with pressure on them.

Good luck.

-michael

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