Hello all,
I have a Disk ][ drive that I can read/write to (for example, using Locksmith to adjust the speed) when used as drive 2. But I cannot boot off of it; the disk just spins and the light remains on when I use it as drive 1.
Basic troubleshooting: the controller is fine, as I can swap the drives and drive 2 will boot. The cable *should* be ok as I can read and write to the drive when adjusting the speed. Drive was working (booting) when I last powered it up some years ago...
Is this a common issue? if so, what are the possible causes?
Thanks
Armando
Possibly out of alignment? Try initializing a disk in the drive and see if it can read and write normally to that.
If you are using an unshielded CRT monitor or TV, make sure it is not too close to the drive. For example, this is the minimum distance my Disk ][ drive needs to be away from my 14" Sony Trinitron CRT in order not to show the exact symptoms you are describing:
Result.JPG
If it is an alignment problem then jeffmazur's advice is good - see if you can format a disk in that drive when connected as Drive-2
If you can do it, then copy something onto it, or use Locksmith to copy a bootable volume onto it.
Then swap the drives on the card and see if it will read it back and boot from it.
If you can then the alignment between the two drives is off.
There's a tool you can use to realign it, but it's just as easy to make things worse with it, so be careful - the program is APTEST from Call A.P.P.L.E.
Do make sure the drive head is super clean. If it still doesn't read I'd suspect either the MC3470 chip or the 74LS 125 .
I will try the suggestions out this weekend and report back.
Armando
I followed the suggestions and cleaned the r/w head, reseated the ICs on the analog board, and added Deoxit to their sockets.
The drive now makes the usual trr-trr-trr sound when I power up the machine, and the computer boots off the drive.
Thank you all!
Armando
Thanks for checking back in.
Glad it's all working again.