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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: blanning on June 06, 2008, 04:55:08 AM

Title: roctec floppy drive problems and questions
Post by: blanning on June 06, 2008, 04:55:08 AM

Back when I had my 500 a friend of mine (also with a 500) had a roctec external floppy drive.  I liked it so much I ordered one from ebay.  Looks like it might be a dud.   :-(   Workbench recognizes the drive.  When you do a list df2:, it claims that it's not a valid disk image (iirc), then crashes the OS.  Of course, doing a list dh0: did the same thing, so I think something else is amiss.  

In any event, the drive makes a buzzing sound.  I suspect the drive motor is shot.  But it may just be that something's obstructing things.  I'll take it apart later.

One question though:  there's a 3-way switch on the back labeled 0, I, II.  Any idea what this is?

brian

Title: Re: roctec floppy drive problems and questions
Post by: rkauer on June 06, 2008, 05:10:51 AM

 Try DF1: instead DF2: !

 The switch is intended to set "ID address" (DF1 to DF3) to daisy-chain up to 3 external floppy drives.

Title: Re: roctec floppy drive problems and questions
Post by: blanning on June 06, 2008, 05:21:55 AM

There's two internal floppy drives.  I plan to use this with the 600 that should be here shortly.  But I wanted to test it on the 2000 tonight.

brian

Title: Re: roctec floppy drive problems and questions
Post by: Fraggle1 on June 06, 2008, 06:25:11 AM

There may be a problem with Roctec drives. I have one that works like a dream on my A500, but is not even recognized by my A1200. Dunno why.

Title: Re: roctec floppy drive problems and questions
Post by: Retro_71 on June 06, 2008, 11:46:57 AM

lol i have to turn mine upside down for it to work on my A1200. Right side up get me non valid disks.... still dont know why but hey ot works.......

Title: Re: roctec floppy drive problems and questions
Post by: Marcb on June 06, 2008, 01:19:11 PM

Quote

Retro_71 wrote:
lol i have to turn mine upside down for it to work on my A1200. Right side up get me non valid disks.... still dont know why but hey ot works.......

But... how did you first discover it would work with the 1200 when upside down???

I gotta go try this with my non working Roctec!   :lol:

Title: Re: roctec floppy drive problems and questions
Post by: blanning on June 06, 2008, 01:39:23 PM

the motor hub on 3.5" floppy drives has a little spring-loaded  bump that sticks up.  This engages that little square hole on the hub of the floppy disks.  If the spring is broken or has lost its spring, maybe it won't engage the back of the floppy.  Upsidedown, gravity would make it fall into the hole.

The woman I ordered it from has another drive.  She said she'd send it to me for free plus shipping if I can't get this one working.

brian