Apple IIc disk drive

8 posts / 0 new
Last post
papalapa's picture
Offline
Last seen: 2 years 3 months ago
Joined: Mar 2 2020 - 04:43
Posts: 21
Apple IIc disk drive

Hi! Recently I got an Apple IIc and all is working except the internal disk drive. I passed the built-in checking (Ctrl+Open Apple+Closed Apple+Reset) and after around 1 minute it says "System OK", but when I put a disk inside during the startup (and even withtout any disk inside), a noise can be heard and the message "No bootable device" is shown.

 

I use the original DOS 3.3 floppy disk from my Apple IIe and I also tried the ProDOS 2.0.3 boot disk unsuccesfully. Both of them correctly work in my Apple IIe. I guess that Apple IIe disks will work also on Apple IIc it isn't?

 

As I cannot load the DOS or ProDOS software I cannot start the computer and therefore I cannot pass any drive checking software. Will be possible to connect one of my Apple IIe 5,25" drives to the Apple IIc? Is there some cable adapter to do this? I also own the wDrive (drive emulator) for the Apple IIe, and I know that this manufacturer made a cable to connect the wDrive to the Apple IIc, but unfortunatelly he "closed" the company and there's not on-line anymore.

 

Any ideas about how can I check the drive or load some drive checking software?

 

Thank you

amauget's picture
Offline
Last seen: 17 hours 33 min ago
Joined: Jan 3 2011 - 11:34
Posts: 339
Check AtariAge forum

Hi !

I've seen your post on the AtariAge forum too and it seems you've already got a response there :-)

 

Best regards,

Antony

 

 

papalapa's picture
Offline
Last seen: 2 years 3 months ago
Joined: Mar 2 2020 - 04:43
Posts: 21
As I only had one floppy

As I only had one floppy drive, I couldn't do anything, and before using ADTPRO I disassembled the computer and connected the floppy drive to the Apple IIe and it worked properly there.

 

I have passed tests and calibrated the drive, and everything was correct. Then I connected the the Apple IIe drive to the Apple IIc and it also worked fine, so it was not a controller problem. Finally I connected the drive back to the Apple IIc and was working fine. I did not know very well what had happened but I was not happy because things that fix themselves "alone" are not usually fixed. Indeed, when I closed the Apple IIc and started up, I got the error message again.

 

I removed the cover one more time and when I tested the computer without the cover it worked fine, so it seemed to be a mechanical problem. With the cover removed, if I press with my hand on the floppy drive it would fail again, I'm not sure if it was touching some component on the PCB (I don't think so) or touching something that disturbed the motor turn. Anyway, I have solved the problem by placing four 1.5mm metal washers in the four floppy drive supports to separate it a bit the drive from the PCB and it has not failed anymore. As they are metallic, they ensure the ground contact with the PCB through the two original "washers-scourer" that were originally set.

 

It was a fun breakdown, although it kept me busy all the morning.

 

papalapa's picture
Offline
Last seen: 2 years 3 months ago
Joined: Mar 2 2020 - 04:43
Posts: 21
Yes. many thanks for your

Yes. many thanks for your interest . I'll explain also here how was it solved because maybe can be useful for someone with a similar problem.

 

 

Offline
Last seen: 2 months 1 week ago
Joined: Dec 19 2003 - 14:45
Posts: 219
BMOW Floppy EMU

Papa: have you considered getting a Big Mess O'Wires Floppy EMU

it really added versatility to my Apple //c!

And it can act like a connected hard drive

papalapa's picture
Offline
Last seen: 2 years 3 months ago
Joined: Mar 2 2020 - 04:43
Posts: 21
MichaelLAX wrote:Papa: have
MichaelLAX wrote:

Papa: have you considered getting a Big Mess O'Wires Floppy EMU

it really added versatility to my Apple //c!

And it can act like a connected hard drive

 

Thank you for the advise, but I already own the wDrive that is very similar to the Floppy EMU. Finlly I bought to BMOW the Internal/External drive switcher and in this way I'll have the wDrive as a main drive and the internal 5,25 drive as a secondaty drive so, problem solved.

 

 

Offline
Last seen: 2 months 1 week ago
Joined: Dec 19 2003 - 14:45
Posts: 219
Link for wDrive

Could you please provide a Link for the wDrive?

papalapa's picture
Offline
Last seen: 2 years 3 months ago
Joined: Mar 2 2020 - 04:43
Posts: 21
MichaelLAX wrote:Could you
MichaelLAX wrote:

Could you please provide a Link for the wDrive?

Of course, here's the link:

http://www.mfa2lab.com/opcart/index.php?route=product/category&path=59

But there's no way to contact him from the website (Contact section is empty), it can only be used to see the products. Better to use Facebook, if  do you open a chat the guy answers in 1 day usually.

 

On the other hand, this is the new team that actually takes care of the KbooHK products, not the original guy that started to sell them

 

Log in or register to post comments