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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Lo on August 17, 2003, 08:45:38 PM

Title: Anyone physically salvaged a floppy?
Post by: Lo on August 17, 2003, 08:45:38 PM

My old floppies sometimes start squeaking and screwing up the floppy drive.  What causes the squeaking?  I remember the cheap Columbia House cassettes would squeak because there was not enough magnetic material on the tape left.  Same with floppies?  I am tempted to soak some in alcohol or is there a better way?  I can take them apart but? :-?

Title: Re: Anyone physically salvaged a floppy?
Post by: GPT on August 17, 2003, 08:48:04 PM

I think it depends on the floppys quality.
It's when the floppy is changing tracks on the floppy it's then it "squeaks".

Title: Re: Anyone physically salvaged a floppy?
Post by: KennyR on August 17, 2003, 08:51:41 PM

How would soaking in alcohol help? You'd probably just take off the protective layer on the magnetic surface and ruin the disk.

Title: Re: Anyone physically salvaged a floppy?
Post by: DanDude on August 17, 2003, 08:54:42 PM

If the squeaking is coming only from that floppy, I'd back it up and toss it.  If it's the drive (it squeaks on other floppies including new ones), you might need it replaced as a last resort.

Most likely there's 2 pieces of cloth inside to keep it from making noises and sticking.  From the excessive wear & tear it can break apart and begin to cause problems.  

If you know how to clean the heads of the floppy drive, go for it.  Probably that may help as well to reduce dirt from them.

Hope this helps!

Title: Re: Anyone physically salvaged a floppy?
Post by: GPT on August 17, 2003, 08:56:16 PM

The best thing is to buy a cheap pc DD floppy and if you do you need to flipp two wires, don't remember witch one to flipp but thats easy to find out.


I did use a hammer to demolish my old one and then I "found" a new one and used it ever since.

Title: Re: Anyone physically salvaged a floppy?
Post by: Lo on August 17, 2003, 08:57:31 PM

@kennyR

 It might remove mildew & dust before it ruins anything.. Works for CD Discs?  Perhaps I should use something that cleans capstans and pinch rollers.  (No no, not MR. Sheen) :-D

Title: Re: Anyone physically salvaged a floppy?
Post by: GPT on August 17, 2003, 09:00:29 PM

Sorry I ment the drive "squeks" when it changes tracks on the floppy disk.

But it can be the floppy also, but that's rare it only happens on bad floppys that has encounterd physical interference.

Title: Re: Anyone physically salvaged a floppy?
Post by: KennyR on August 17, 2003, 09:39:36 PM

Quote

lo wrote:
It might remove mildew & dust before it ruins anything.

It'll also dissolve the mechanism lubricant, making it squeak even more.

Title: Re: Anyone physically salvaged a floppy?
Post by: Lo on August 17, 2003, 09:50:03 PM

Ok, off to search for "mechanism lubricant"  :-D

Title: Re: Anyone physically salvaged a floppy?
Post by: GPT on August 17, 2003, 10:17:49 PM

Or maybe invent a autorepair button for diskdrives ;-)

Title: Re: Anyone physically salvaged a floppy?
Post by: Dr_Righteous on August 18, 2003, 10:20:37 AM

Just a shade OT here, but since we're on the subject of floppies and drives... Does anyone know a good place to get the microswitches for the Chinon drives (the little "hole sensor" switches)?