"Error validating disk" message.. what's wrong?

[scifi]

Hello guys...

After a long time stashed up in the attic, I decided to bring my Amiga 500 out of the shadows...
But when I started inserting floppies in DF:0, I keep receiving this message.. error validating disk..

I must mention that I cleaned the floppy drive very thoroughly but the problem remains.. is it the floppy drive or the disk images that may be corrupted after all these years?

In some cases, the floppy drive is loading the welcome screen but it fails to load the whole game... and then I receive the Guru Meditation message and the power light is flashing...

Any suggestions from the experts?

[orange]

did you clean the two switches as well? (one for writeprotect, other for disk inserted)
I would do the testing with Workbench and x-copy. games could crash for various reasons.

drive heads might need recalibration (if it works fine with diskettes written on it)

if all else fails, perhaps you should try re-seating (and replacing if possible) chips.

[scifi]

I have cleaned everything and thoroughly.. I removed the cover and cleaned everything with a cotton tab and pure alcohol.. but the problem insists..
If the drive heads need recalibration unfortunately, I don't know how to do that.. and to tell you the truth I haven't eliminated yet the possibility of the disks failure..

The last thing is the most evasive.. re-seating and replacing chips? Isn't it too hard core for an amateur like me?

[orange]

well you could at least re-seat them, its not difficult. gently pull one end with screwdriver (if you don't have 'chip-puller') then the other so the chip lifts a bit and put it back. or just push them a bit (you should hear crackling sound).
you would need to open the metal shielding, though.
to test for calibration try to format and verify a new diskette. (if you manage to load xcopy)

[scifi]

I will try it tomorrow... in the daylight...

Unfortunately, XCopy or Workbench doesn't work too.. so it's impossible to format a diskette right now... if only I could have a diskette that I am sure it's working..

Worse case scenario? I will try to find a playable diskette to test it... xcopy preferable... to use it afterwards... thanks for all the help that you have provided so far.. much appreciated!

I will notify you about the progress of my efforts...