Ressurecting FDDs (was Original IBM PC (was Re: Prices to pa

From: Lawrence Walker <lwalker_at_mail.interlog.com>
Date: Thu May 28 10:12:45 1998

On 27 May 98 at 20:16, Tony Duell wrote:

> > oh well with my 5150 it has two FH IBM drives in i and they both seem to be
> > dead, Ive replaced the controllor card check the dips,
> > checked power output, it seems here in Austrlaia these drives are almost
> > impossable to get a hold of......
>
> I have schematics for these drives (in the IBM O&A TechRef) and the Tandy
> instructions for aligning the single-sided version. So I think we can get
> them working.
>
> You say they're 'dead'. How dead? Why you access them, does the motor
> start. Does the spindle rotate? Does the head carriage move to track 0
> when you first boot up the machine (turn off, move the head towards the
> spindle, turn on). Does the LED come on?
>
> Or do they seem to work, and go through all the motions, but give you
> data errors?
>
> -tony

 On a related note, I have 3 Atari STs all with failed fdds. Any tips on
re-alligning these with-out the rather expensive reallign equipment ? Quite a
while ago I was able to revive another one by trial and error ,fiddling with
the head placement. More blind luck than skill. I've heard that most 3 1/2 fdds
will work by reversing the P-S connecter and I picked up a 720k Mitsumi to that
end recently to no avail. So rather than throwing away more money I would like
to try fixing the ones I have first. I have some test equipment but
unfortunately my old Dumont tube scope died the good death. (impossible to
find neon current limiter). Any suggestions ?

ciao larry
lwalker_at_interlog.com
Received on Thu May 28 1998 - 10:12:45 BST