Need help with defective floppy drive in A1WSX

Paragon (1570)

16-05-2004, 07:26

I did a variety of tests on my A1WSX computer to make sure that memory upgrade was a success. Unfortunately floppy drive isn't working very well. It fails to format floppies somethere near the end of formatting, as well as it fails to open some files on floppy disks...

I need an advise on what I can do with it. I was thinking about using a cleaning floppy disk with special solution. Will it help?

I know that PS2 users with DVD-reading problems adjust the power on their laser. Is there something similar for floppy drives?

How hard is it to replace original drive with a new PC 1.44 floppy drive? Did anyone do that? I think A1WSX drive is the same as in A1ST and A1GT, and those are very popular.

Thank you,

Adrian

By dhau

Paragon (1570)

16-05-2004, 18:51

Bump... I can't beleive no one ever had issues with floppy drive in their A1WX, A1WSX, A1ST or A1GT!!! Please help me with advice how did you resolved the problem!

By flyguille

Prophet (3028)

16-05-2004, 19:02

yeah, i mount a 3 1/2 unit on my machine, but as the WD FDC chip, only accept 5 1/4, the 3 1/2 unit are used and format disk as a 5 1/4. To get a good format, i first erase the current format of the disk with a magneto.

No, the diskdrivers not got a intensity laser control, or magneto or sensivility control.

but got a speed rotation control some models. Exist soft for test if the speed is the problem. (on pc world)

a diskdriver got a azimut screw or iron support (as a cassete player), but in a diskdriver is very hard to calibrate and you can serious damage the unit, is NOT recomended. Also exist software for check that plus specials commercial disk (on pc world)

FIRST: try use a cleanner disk
SECOND: so, try changing the flat wire of the unit, or clean his connectors.
THIRD: to experiment.

By [D-Tail]

Ascended (8259)

16-05-2004, 20:07

A1ST, GT, WX and WSX have one thing in common concerning their disk drives, and that's the lablility of the drive belt. Most of the FDD issues on one of these machines have the belt problem, but yours seems more or less like a drive head which cannot reach the end of a disk. Maybe some troublesome garbage fell in when you were doing your hardware project on the A1ST. I don't recommend opening of the thing though, unless you're so confident of yourself. Anyway, you can give it a try, if all else fails.

By flyguille

Prophet (3028)

16-05-2004, 20:20

ooh that got the fucking belt...

just change it....

By flyguille

Prophet (3028)

16-05-2004, 20:32

a old belt can do that issue... because when the head is at the end of the disk, outside part it makes more friction (disk/head) and if the belt is very old the belt will slide

By dhau

Paragon (1570)

17-05-2004, 03:27

Make sence... I'll order silicon belts from Ikeda

By dhau

Paragon (1570)

18-05-2004, 04:54

Here is neat info on PC floppy drives in MSX computers:

members.chello.nl/h.otten/drive.htm

By [D-Tail]

Ascended (8259)

18-05-2004, 10:52

Such a belt won't cost you a kidney and you don't have to import it either. I think it should be available in Canada somewhere, but don't ask which shop...

By dhau

Paragon (1570)

18-05-2004, 16:23

It's a flat belt, specific for late 80-s and early 90-s Panasonic designs. I remember Ikeda mentioned that some electronic typewriters have exactly the same drive as in WX/WSX/ST/GT

Anyway, Ikeda has a stock of silicon flat belts which are somehow better then rubber...

By dhau

Paragon (1570)

19-05-2004, 02:46

Heh, I tried to use special cleaning floppy with alcohol, and it didn't do nothing good