Need U.S. source for belt for Amstrad PCW8256 3" drive

From: Don Maslin <donm_at_cts.com>
Date: Sat Jul 8 22:58:24 2000

On Sat, 8 Jul 2000, Bill Dawson wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> Here's the dimensions of the needed belt:
>
> 72mm x 3mm x 0.5mm
>
> also acceptable:
>
> 71.0mm x 2.8mm x 0.6mm or 69-72mm x 3-4mm x 0.5-0.6mm
 
Any significant electronic parts house or VCR repair shop should be able
to supply one that will do the job for you.

                                                 - don

 
> The rest of the story:
>
> I picked up an Amstrad PCW8256 today complete with printer, original
> disks (LocaScript and CP/M Plus), 2 game disks with instructions, 5
> spare disks with LocaScript files from the previous owner, the Start Up
> Guide and the User Guide. All for $10.00.
>
> It is in great condition and appears to have had little use. However,
> this is the first Amstrad I've ever owned (or seen for that matter), and
> also my first experience with these strange 3" floppy disks and drive.
> I was told it worked, but upon getting it home I found it wouldn't boot.
> After some poking around I decided to take the floppy drive out and
> check for head movement. This is when I discovered that the floppy only
> spun when I pulled up on the pressure pad. At this time it started
> seeking, so seeing that the spindle is belt driven, I knew where the
> problem was. I removed enough screws and connectors to get to the old
> belt out and replaced it with an appropriately sized rubber band. After
> reassembly, everything now works great. It boots LocaScript, CP/M, and
> runs the games.
>
> But.....
>
> I'd like to replace the rubber band with real belt.
>
> Can anyone help?
>
> Bill Dawson
> whdawson_at_mlynk.com <mailto:whdawson_at_mlynk.com>
>  
> Your computer will do far more than you ever expected it to,
> and that won't be enough.
>
> Pournelle's First Law
>
>
Received on Sat Jul 08 2000 - 22:58:24 BST