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Microdrive fault

mick66mick66
edited November 2010 in Hardware
Hi,

After a chat with "Winston" at the R3PLAY show I have been able to fix my 48k spectrum faulty M1 signal.

My problem with the microdrive is intermittent, when it wants it works just fine and will format and "cat 1" , then next time I use it it will not " cat 1 " any disk. I get the microdrive not present error. If I try to format, the screen will flash black and white for a few seconds then the drive keeps running and screen stays blank (white) until I pull the power


Anyone got any ideas. I'm ok with a soldering iron and multimeter, but don't have anything else fancier.

Thanks for looking

Mick
Post edited by mick66 on

Comments

  • guesserguesser
    edited November 2010
    mick66 wrote: »
    Hi,

    After a chat with "Winston" at the R3PLAY show I have been able to fix my 48k spectrum faulty M1 signal.

    My problem with the microdrive is intermittent, when it wants it works just fine and will format and "cat 1" , then next time I use it it will not " cat 1 " any disk. I get the microdrive not present error. If I try to format, the screen will flash black and white for a few seconds then the drive keeps running and screen stays blank (white) until I pull the power


    Anyone got any ideas. I'm ok with a soldering iron and multimeter, but don't have anything else fancier.

    Thanks for looking

    Mick

    I can't be any help I'm afraid but I can tell you what happened to me...

    Mine was doing this, only working intermittently. I dismantled the IF1 and mdrive unit and cleaned and repaired the connectors etc. Fiddled around with the 'scope looking to see whether signals were getting through the ribbon etc. Now it doesn't work at all, the spectrum never detects the microdrive.
    Basically it's now broken... I think I've fried one or more of the outputs on the IF1 ULA :(

    In other words, be very careful poking about if you don't know what you're doing!
    My rubbish website including the redrawn Amstrad schematics and the Sinclair Wiki.
  • mick66mick66
    edited November 2010
    Hi guesser

    guesser wrote: »
    In other words, be very careful poking about if you don't know what you're doing!

    Thanks for the advice,


    Mick
  • guesserguesser
    edited November 2010
    mick66 wrote: »
    Hi guesser
    Thanks for the advice

    I find it's good advice in general for life in general... though of course I never follow it myself :lol:
    My rubbish website including the redrawn Amstrad schematics and the Sinclair Wiki.
  • mick66mick66
    edited November 2010
    Hi,


    Thanks guesser and Rich from RWAP for your help and advice. I have got my Microdrive to work.

    The little rubber wheel was to blame and after a bit of fiddling about it now contacts the tape in just the right place.

    I have been Formatting and Cat 1'ing all my tapes and have got a few to work. As stated elsewhere the "Felt-Pad" is the problem.

    I have also got my "Mirage Microdriver" working and have been able to "Poke" infinate lives in "Manic Miner" and then save each level as I progress, (abit like the modern F5 quick save).

    I don't know how long these tapes will last but having fun for now.


    Michael
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