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[C64] 1541 Disk Drive ERROR

M

MBaNL

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Aug 20, 2011
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If you've read my other topic about my C64 experience I can now say I got another one. After trying it out with the 1541 disk drive it worked perfectly but trying a second disk the fun was over... When I "LOAD" a disk I now only get "?FILE NOT FOUND ERROR". When trying the first disk, which was working, again I also get that error.

To make it more clear I made a video:

I already tried to clean the heads with a cotton swab and alcohol (96%) but no luck there.

I've read something about non aligned heads but I can't figure how to align them correctly.

Anyone got other ideas?
 
MBaNL said:
I've read something about non aligned heads but I can't figure how to align them correctly.

Anyone got other ideas?
Click to expand...

See if you can get a hold of one of the 1541 alignment disks. I recently picked the Free Spirit 1541/1571 from e-bay for what I considered a reasonable price ($20, full retail package). You need an actual disk, not an image or a disk created from an image. I haven't tried it yet, but apparently consensus is that this particular version is one of the better (and easier) ones available. A quick peek at e-bay shows a Commodore version up for bid (not buyout).
 
I doubt that version hes selling no EBAY is Original,even if he claims so. To make those Analog Alignment Disks, special equipment is needed (big machines).

Even with a disk,Alignment is tricky.
 
Ok, quick test for alignment problems.

Format a disk on your drive, can you read it? does it act correctly?
If the answer to the any of the above questions is no, then you have more problems than disk alignment.

From your video, it doesn't appear that the disk is spinning correctly. The disk should be running at 300rpm.

Later,
dabone
 
Dabone makes a very good point that I never think of. If you can format and then read your own disks, then it's probably alignment. If not, there's something else wrong.

Not having a true Dysan alignment disk, I have used the Free Spirit disk for many years, and interestingly, you CAN use a copy of the program. This is what I do since my original went bad. When it calls for the alignment disk (which is side 2 of the Free Spirit disk), just use a factory formatted disk like the 1541 Test/Demo disk. Do NOT use game disks, because they often have copy protection schemes which will cause false readings.

This might be more complex than you want to deal with, but lately I have been using the "video detector" method that is recommended in several repair manuals, and also here:

To use this method, you need a voltmeter, and you need to build a simple "video detector" cable, which is also described on the page above. Then there's a very simple program you can download from that page called "align1541" that does basically the same thing as Free Spirit, but without all the fluff. I have been using this one with the video detector/voltmeter method. If you don't have the ability to download it and another disk drive to run it, there's a similar version in BASIC that you can type in.
 
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Thanks for the reactions!

I cannot format a "new" disk (previously in IBM format and in working order on my IBM PC XT) but as it seems the drive speed is to slow (when I read the link by KevinO) since the marks on the flywheel are just a blur when spinning...
The only tungsten light I have near my 1541 is a 70's 12V desk lamp (can't tell if it is still 50Hz after converting it to 12V). I will try again tomorrow with a normal light source.
 
@dabone, I know about that but since my IBM PC XT only holds a DSDD drive I have all the HD disks stored since I have no use for them.

About the light needed to check the drive speed... according to a Dutch website about the speed on turntables you can also use energy saving lights... when I use that type and also my 12V tungsten light the drive seems to be to slow (turning counter clockwise)... As i read from the link by KevinO I have to locate VR1. next thing for tomorrow (since it's almost 2:00AM here)...
 
MBaNL said:
About the light needed to check the drive speed... according to a Dutch website about the speed on turntables you can also use energy saving lights... when I use that type and also my 12V tungsten light the drive seems to be to slow (turning counter clockwise).
Click to expand...
Fluorescent, compact or otherwise; NOT tungsten (incandescent)!
 
Well... I found a lamp that does the job and the drive seems to spin the right speed. Also flipped the drive belt but that doesn't do anything. Cleaned the head again with (almost) pure alcohol but still no sign of life... Don't know what to do else with it so I think I have to search for another drive in working order...
 
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