Floppy accessing

[kixs]

Floppy drive tries to access the disks. It's not that standard tick, tick, tick... but sounds more like when PC is trying to access disk when there isn't any inserted.

Is goes like this:

tick...tick...tick...grrrrororor...groororro...tick.... .... .... and goes on forever...

Sometimes it would stop accessing and show DF0:???? on the Workbench even if there is no disk inserted. This icon would show from a split second to more then an hour - quite randomly.

Othewise the floppy drive is working OK. Reads/writes floppies without any problem.

It does this with ClassicWB and clean WB 3.0 install.

Any suggestions what to do?

Its a standard A1200 with memory expansion. Floppy drive is from Mitsumi don't know the exact model.

cy

[clauddio]

Originally Posted by kixs

Floppy drive tries to access the disks. It's not that standard tick, tick, tick... but sounds more like when PC is trying to access disk when there isn't any inserted.

Is goes like this:

tick...tick...tick...grrrrororor...groororro...tick.... .... .... and goes on forever...

Sometimes it would stop accessing and show DF0:???? on the Workbench even if there is no disk inserted. This icon would show from a split second to more then an hour - quite randomly.

Othewise the floppy drive is working OK. Reads/writes floppies without any problem.

It does this with ClassicWB and clean WB 3.0 install.

Any suggestions what to do?

Its a standard A1200 with memory expansion. Floppy drive is from Mitsumi don't know the exact model.

cy

that error is a bad (inserted disk 'switch) in the floppy drive
that switch is located in the floppy disk...the switch is in short then the drive thinks that there is a disk inserted but of course there is no disk....that' why the drive start to make rare noises until stops and show DF0 ???
replace the switch or replace the floppy drive

[kixs]

Maybe cleaning the drive would help?

[cpiac64]

the switch are very small, open the drive, remove the switch whit soldering iron, open the switch with cure, a small spring remove, net the contacts (spray or fine sandpaper), insert a spring, close the switch and resolder it

[FOL]

Originally Posted by cpiac64

the switch are very small, open the drive, remove the switch whit soldering iron, open the switch with cure, a small spring remove, net the contacts (spray or fine sandpaper), insert a spring, close the switch and resolder it

I would do this as a last resort as WD40 normally does the job without taking it apart.

[kixs]

How does the switch look like and where is it in the drive?

PS:
I just find out that it can write to a write protected floppy disk

ty

[orange]

I would also try to clean both switches without opening drive or case.
but I'd avoid WD40 at all cost and use (Isopropyl) alcohol.

I believe WD40 is not good for such stuff. people say its bad for moving parts because it dissolves grease and attracts dust.

[kixs]

Just been poking around some spare PC drive to see where these switchers are. Will try and clean the switcher, but don't think I have any alcohol.

[clauddio]

Originally Posted by kixs

How does the switch look like and where is it in the drive?

PS:
I just find out that it can write to a write protected floppy disk

ty

viewing the floppy drive from the front you will see 2 switches
on the left is the switch of floppy write protection and on the right is the insert disk switch

and you can write to protected floppy disks because also the protection switch is in short
you must clean both switches or replace them

btw, There is a Mitsumi model that comes with the A1200 which contain very buggy switches...

[kixs]

I've done as orange said. But only blowed air and also pressed them a few times with screw driver. For now it seems to work.

Thanks!