External Disk Drive working and not working

fc.studio · 02 August 2009, 17:01

I have an external disk drive that:

- if, at boot, a floppy drive is inserted the drive can load it without problems (for games) and I can operate with the disk (format, copy) using WB.
- if, at boot, a floppy drive is NOT inserted the WB shows always DF1:????. Subsequently I can't operate on inserting a disk in the drive.

Is possible, in your opinion, to fix it?

FOL · 02 August 2009, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by fc.studio

I have an external disk drive that:

- if, at boot, a floppy drive is inserted the drive can load it without problems (for games) and I can operate with the disk (format, copy) using WB.
- if, at boot, a floppy drive is NOT inserted the WB shows always DF1:????. Subsequently I can't operate on inserting a disk in the drive.

Is possible, in your opinion, to fix it?

What amiga?
Has it worked before?

Need more details.

fc.studio · 02 August 2009, 17:29

Tested on A600 and A1200: same result.
I got from a friend before he put to its thrash...

musashi5150 · 02 August 2009, 18:12

Boot with no floppy in the external drive and get into WB, your drive should display "DF1: ????"

Put a DOS disk into the external drive

Open a CLI

type "diskchange df1:"

Does this help?

fc.studio · 02 August 2009, 19:09

GREAT!!! The disk is now detected.

However if I remove and re-insert or change to another disk I have to input again this command.
It seems the sensor of the drive detecting the disk doesn't work.
Is it possible to fix it? Where is this located?

jmmijo · 02 August 2009, 19:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by fc.studio

GREAT!!! The disk is now detected.

However if I remove and re-insert or change to another disk I have to input again this command.
It seems the sensor of the drive detecting the disk doesn't work.
Is it possible to fix it? Where is this located?

Yep, it sure sounds like the diskchange sensor is out or it's a modded drive that didn't get modded properly.

I think most drives have an extra switch/sensor next to the HD sensor or the Write Protect sensor, i.e., a pair of little plastic pins sticking up for when a disk is inserted or ejected from the drive.

Since Amiga drives were mostly the low density kind, I think that the HD sensor wasn't used and it was connected for a diskchange instead.

I would say use the diskchange command under WB or if you are game to look inside the drive, check out the switch with a VOM/Multimete and see if the switch works or not.

fc.studio · 02 August 2009, 20:00

Thanks for your info.
I'll try to check how you suggested. However, what I don't understand, it's how the disk is detected at boot. Is not that sensor used during the boot?

jmmijo · 02 August 2009, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by fc.studio

Thanks for your info.
I'll try to check how you suggested. However, what I don't understand, it's how the disk is detected at boot. Is not that sensor used during the boot?

I'm thinking not since at the initial boot you have the mainboard BIOS/Firmware type boot, it may not be using this hardware feature for some reason until the OS loads.

Since I'm not familiar enough with how the low level boot procedure works on the Amiga, I will leave this for others to better explain

rkauer · 03 August 2009, 00:32

Since the sensor is stuck "on", floppy boot is always performed.

On all drives I saw, the disk change switch is on the same side of the read/write switch. Just pour some iso alcohol on it and make it "click" a few times. That will cure the problem.

musashi5150 · 03 August 2009, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by fc.studio

GREAT!!! The disk is now detected.

Looks like my hunch was right

Follow rkauer's advice and give the switch some cleaning with alcohol and all should be well again

mr.vince · 05 August 2009, 09:13

I bet this is due to fat/grease getting old and making the contact stick. You could, after using a qtip with alcohol, use a qtip that has been soaked with WD40. Gently wipe over the detection pin only. This will apply a very thin film - DO NOT SOAK the stick itself! Works very well on the machines I have...

fc.studio · 09 August 2009, 23:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmmijo

Yep, it sure sounds like the diskchange sensor is out or it's a modded drive that didn't get modded properly.

I think most drives have an extra switch/sensor next to the HD sensor or the Write Protect sensor, i.e., a pair of little plastic pins sticking up for when a disk is inserted or ejected from the drive.

Since Amiga drives were mostly the low density kind, I think that the HD sensor wasn't used and it was connected for a diskchange instead.

I would say use the diskchange command under WB or if you are game to look inside the drive, check out the switch with a VOM/Multimete and see if the switch works or not.

I found the pair of little plastic pins. I cleaned them and both go up and down fine. The pin for write protect sensor surely works. Unfortunately the other, if it is for a diskchange, doesn't work yet.
I haven't a VOM/Multimete and I would not be able to use it.
Probably is really out or badly modded.

rkauer · 10 August 2009, 03:04

Hardly the modification of a floppy unit will knack the micro switch. Retry to fix it using a lubricant spray (WD40 or similar) using a tooth stick (spray on the stick and use it in the switch).

Then test the unit again. If no go, it's time to replace the switch. IF you are not able to do, look for someone near who can make it for you.

02 August 2009, 17:01	#1
fc.studio Cat lover Join Date: May 2004 Location: Italy Age: 54 Posts: 804	External Disk Drive working and not working I have an external disk drive that: - if, at boot, a floppy drive is inserted the drive can load it without problems (for games) and I can operate with the disk (format, copy) using WB. - if, at boot, a floppy drive is NOT inserted the WB shows always DF1:????. Subsequently I can't operate on inserting a disk in the drive. Is possible, in your opinion, to fix it?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
looped sound of working Amstrad CPC tape or disk drive	s2325	request.Other	0	19 January 2010 23:28
External Disk Drive	Retro1234	support.Hardware	27	21 February 2009 19:47
external disk drive	jailer	MarketPlace	0	11 February 2009 06:09
External floppy drive not working, comes up as DF2 when should be DF1	Hewitson	support.Hardware	6	16 December 2007 03:57
now i have DCE ScanMagic external working properly!	Bamiga2002	Retrogaming General Discussion	18	13 February 2005 22:14

02 August 2009, 17:29	#3
fc.studio Cat lover Join Date: May 2004 Location: Italy Age: 54 Posts: 804	Tested on A600 and A1200: same result. I got from a friend before he put to its thrash...

02 August 2009, 18:12	#4
musashi5150 move.w #$4489,$dff07e Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Norfolk, UK Age: 42 Posts: 2,351	Boot with no floppy in the external drive and get into WB, your drive should display "DF1: ????" Put a DOS disk into the external drive Open a CLI type "diskchange df1:" Does this help?

02 August 2009, 19:09	#5
fc.studio Cat lover Join Date: May 2004 Location: Italy Age: 54 Posts: 804	GREAT!!! The disk is now detected. However if I remove and re-insert or change to another disk I have to input again this command. It seems the sensor of the drive detecting the disk doesn't work. Is it possible to fix it? Where is this located?

02 August 2009, 20:00	#7
fc.studio Cat lover Join Date: May 2004 Location: Italy Age: 54 Posts: 804	Thanks for your info. I'll try to check how you suggested. However, what I don't understand, it's how the disk is detected at boot. Is not that sensor used during the boot?

03 August 2009, 00:32	#9
rkauer I hate potatos and shirts Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sao Leopoldo / Brazil Age: 58 Posts: 3,482	Since the sensor is stuck "on", floppy boot is always performed. On all drives I saw, the disk change switch is on the same side of the read/write switch. Just pour some iso alcohol on it and make it "click" a few times. That will cure the problem.

05 August 2009, 09:13	#11
mr.vince Cheesy crust Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hawk's Creek Age: 48 Posts: 1,383	I bet this is due to fat/grease getting old and making the contact stick. You could, after using a qtip with alcohol, use a qtip that has been soaked with WD40. Gently wipe over the detection pin only. This will apply a very thin film - DO NOT SOAK the stick itself! Works very well on the machines I have...

10 August 2009, 03:04	#13
rkauer I hate potatos and shirts Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sao Leopoldo / Brazil Age: 58 Posts: 3,482	Hardly the modification of a floppy unit will knack the micro switch. Retry to fix it using a lubricant spray (WD40 or similar) using a tooth stick (spray on the stick and use it in the switch). Then test the unit again. If no go, it's time to replace the switch. IF you are not able to do, look for someone near who can make it for you.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)