MSX turboR diskdrive problem

msx guru (3908)

25-01-2005, 21:47

For quite some time now, my turboR GT diskdrive doesn't really work the way it should be.

It seems like it especially has problems writing disks at certain sectors. It also seems to have troubles reading certain sectors. For example, my original Moonblaster diskette and the saturday bought Lost World Moonsound simply don't work. They seem to hang right after the boot. Is that when the Sunrise logo is being loaded? Sector 0? Anyway, the diskdrive starts making a high noise and simply can't read (&write) things......Other diskettes seem to work just fine....

Question: Is this the common belt problem? Or something much worse? Do you guyz have any clue? Thx!

By robertwilting

Champion (467)

25-01-2005, 21:52

Sounds a lot like the problems I had befor the drive went completely death.
Still haven't checked if replacing the belt would do the trick.
Since most people think it was the belt in that case. (However it doesn't look that bad.)
Hmm well guess I will try to get hold of a new belt and try to fix it after the tests from some courses.

By HansO

Paladin (672)

25-01-2005, 21:54

Is the belt never changed? Thats the first obvious to try.

By Latok

msx guru (3908)

25-01-2005, 21:57

No, I never changed the belt. But strange thing is, some diskettes seem to work just fine, while others hang immediately. Those disks DO work in my other MSX set, though. So it isn't the diskette.

Anyway, what if it's NOT a belt problem. Can the diskdrive still be fixed? And if not, can I still find a diskdrive that will work in my GT?

By anonymous

incognito ergo sum (116)

09-05-2012, 23:10

Yes, repairbas still has the right belts. Check his website: www.bas-ditta.info.

By Sonic_aka_T

Enlighted (4130)

26-01-2005, 02:04

Those disks DO work in my other MSX set, though. So it isn't the diskette.Even if the disks do work on other computers it can still be the disk. Some older disks tend to get stuck and require more force to revolve. This is no problem for your other MSX drive, but for your GT drive with its weakered belt it's just too much... Either that or it's something else

Anyway, what if it's NOT a belt problem. Can the diskdrive still be fixed? And if not, can I still find a diskdrive that will work in my GT?If it's not the belt it'll prolly be a little more difficult to fix, and you might consider fitting an older PC drive. If you can find a DD drive, great! If not, pretty much any drive will do. Look for some info on the web, you'll see there which drives are best...

By Latok

msx guru (3908)

26-01-2005, 09:03

Thank you all. Sonic, I thought building in a PC drive in a turboR was kinda difficult, considering the turboR diskcontroller or something?

By HansO

Paladin (672)

26-01-2005, 09:50

A PC drive is very doable. I have done it, Sonic has done it.

A lot of work though since you need to wire a new cable. And modify the PC drive so that it generates the right signals (DRIVE READY on Pin 34). And neatly do the mechanical adaptation.

But first the belt! Thats something not requiring soldering skills. And from your descriptions of the symptoms it has a high probality of success: some floppies do not work, some do. And some floppies just require some more power to rotate, which a wornout belt cant deliver.

By Sonic_aka_T

Enlighted (4130)

26-01-2005, 14:32

Thank you all. Sonic, I thought building in a PC drive in a turboR was kinda difficult, considering the turboR diskcontroller or something?Nah, it's not that difficult... and fortunately you don't need to touch the FDC. It's a matter of removing the old connector and soldering a flatcable in its place. It just takes a little time, took me about 3 hours to do it neatly. Try the belt first tho, like Hans said... It's just 5 euros and it is indeed the most likely culprit. You can always 'worry' about installing a PC drive later...

By Latok

msx guru (3908)

26-01-2005, 14:34

Cheers again

By Latok

msx guru (3908)

26-01-2005, 14:35

Uhm, not that I cheer again, but cheers in the meaning of......thx