reapair/maintenance tips for a 1541 drive?

[marcfrick2112]

Hi Everyone,

A few important C-64 disks have died on me over the years, so I finally got a 1541 transfer cable for my PC to replace the missing software.  On my 128, after quite a bit of fomatting, etc. ,2 of my 1541's seem to have problems. First, I was wondering if anyone had info about drive alignment / maintenance, etc.

Here's the problem(s) One drive works fine thus far, but makes a squealing sound, most noticeable when reading a directory. I guess it needs lubrication, but where, and how? It's an older Newtronics mech.

The other drive is a bit harder to figure out. It will load about 85% of my disks, but will not load disks written out from my PC (with a 1541 attached) I can't format disks from basic, the drive goes about half way through, then goes quiet, with a flashing red LED) But, oddly, I seem to be able use the '10-second format' from Copy 64/128, with no probs.

If one or more drives need alignment, where can I get the software? I had read that an alignment disk shouldn't be copied, since it's only as good as the drive that made it...

Any advice?

Specs: C128, 2 1541 drives, one hard-wired as device #9, Super Snapshot V. 4.something, original PSU and serial cables.


Many Thanks!
:afro:

[marcfrick2112]

Thanks much everyone!

Dr. Bongo: the website mentioned gives a 'pag not found' error. But I think I found the right program through creative Googling. No worries about getting the program to my 128, I just use the 1541 and transfer cable. I'll give it a shot tommorow.

Dang, I miss 'the old days' when I could buy C= stuff locally at thrifts

[marcfrick2112]

scuzzb494: I've seen that page already, but thanks.

Thanks for the link, Dr. Bongo, *lots* of useful programs there

I picked up both my C128 systems at a thrift, er, a resale shop.... :roflmao:Paid about $40 for both, but they included a monitor, 1 1571, 2 1541's, Flexidraw + light pen, modem, mouse, and a heap of 128 apps....
Sigh, those were the days.

Well, a slight update. I took apart the noisy 1541 and lubed it. It's working much better, the squealing is almost gone....

Again, thanks everyone!