[vcf-midatlantic] Apple IIe Duodisk Disk Drive

Michael Pohl michael.h.pohl at gmail.com
Fri Jan 25 17:13:11 EST 2019


Thanks Tony.  I see a few videos on head cleaning on youtube so we will
give that a try.

We may see you at the workshop as well.

Thx

On Fri, Jan 25, 2019 at 12:00 PM Tony Bogan <thebogans at mac.com> wrote:

>
> > On Jan 25, 2019, at 11:14 AM, Michael Pohl via vcf-midatlantic <
> vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
> >
> > My son and I have an Apple IIe with a Duodisk 5.25 floppy drive.  The
> > floppy drive drive suddenly stopped loading programs but still lights up
> > and make the same loud turning noise when a disk is inserted.
> >
> > I did some research and see that we can't load programs from drive B on
> the
> > Duodisk, but that we can open it up and swap the B drive to the A
> > location.  Of course, that won't solve the problem if the problem is with
> > the controller card or circuit board in the Duodisk.
> >
> > Any opinions on whether we should (a) assume there's a mechanical issue
> > move froward with the swap or (b) do additional diagnostic work with the
> > control card and Duodisk circuitry?  If (b), what should we try?
> >
> > Thx,
> >
> > Mike Pohl
>
> In all likelihood the drive head just needs to be cleaned. Disassemble the
> unit and clean the head (you should clean both drive heads while it’s
> apart!) with isopropyl alcohol.
>
> Unless you have a cleaning disk with cleaning solution in which case that
> will more than likely fix your problem without disassembling the drive.
>
> If you’re coming to the workshop in February I can help as I’ve taken them
> apart numerous times. Dirt and more commonly mold/mildew from old Floppies
> will stop the drive from reading and/or writing disks. I’ve had disks that
> would kill any drive they were put in, and only a head cleaning would solve
> the problem even though no residue or debris was visible to the naked eye
> on the heads.
>
> I also have cleaning disks.
>
> Tony
>
>
>


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