Apple IIe doesn't read disks

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cbmeeks's picture
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Apple IIe doesn't read disks

I have an Apple IIe that I just hooked up with a single Disk II (more recent, plastic version).  I previously cleaned the heads and I'm 95% sure I didn't mess anything up but I could be wrong.

 

When I insert a disk into the drive, the drive just spins forever.  Nothing ever loads.  My disk controller is in slot 6 and the only other cards I have in there are the Super Serial and the aux RAM.

I'm also running a new PSU on this unit (ReactiveMicro Universal).  I have several Disk II's so  I can bring in another to see if the disk controller or computer are at fault.

 

But I'd like to find out the issue with this unit.

Any pointers?

 

Thanks!

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I'd suspect that it isn't

I'd suspect that it isn't finding track 0, sector 1, via the index/alignment hole. 

 

You should hear the disk motor and stepping the head in any case. Take the case off and watch the drive operate with a diskette inserted. 

 

If you have the capacity to post a video of that, it'd help with remote diagnostics. 

 

 

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Assuming you hear the normal

Assuming you hear the normal head stepper noise recalibrating the head, it probably is due to either a speed issue or head contact problem. There is no index hole sensor so that is not the problem. If the drive worked fine before you cleaned it, then that might be the problem. How did you clean it? Did you lift the pressure pad mechanism? There are many programs for checking the spindle speed; or you can use the strobe disk on the pulley with a neon/fluorescent light.

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Thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

I'm not completely sure the drive worked previously.  I have several A2 drives and this was one I just happened upon when looking through my stuff.

 

I cleaned it by removing everything down to the drive itself.  I cleaned the head with 99.9% IPA and put fresh lithium grease on the rails.  Plus I put grease in other places where parts rub together.  I've restored many machines over the years so I don't "think" I did anything wrong when I cleaned the drive.

 

I do hear the stepper inside when I do something like a PR#6.  It rattles like normal when it locates track 0.  But then it just spins.

 

I did lift the head pressure pad but was careful not to break anything and didn't mess with the felt pad.

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FYI,

FYI,

 

I tried another drive and it works just fine.  So there is something up with this drive.  I will debug some other time.  I have 6-7 of these things so no huge rush.  :-)

 

Thanks all.

 

PS, is there a really good book on diagnostic routines on the disk drives?  Including the new version?

 

 

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