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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: curtis on September 14, 2015, 10:38:29 PM

Title: Can't format floppies on A500
Post by: curtis on September 14, 2015, 10:38:29 PM

So, I'm setting up another A500 and am trying to format a floppy diskette.

Stick a disk in an external drive (no-name) and start the format process.

Error message comes up saying the  disk is write protected.  Hmm.  Check the write protect tab.  No, it's right.

Try again.  Same thing.

Try a 1011 drive.  Ditto.

Try df0:  Yep, same thing!

Okay, try a different motherboard AND different df1:

SAME THING!!!

WTF?????

Any suggestions?

Could my df0: be hogging the line and locking out the write somehow?

I suspect a CIA problem, but would appreciate suggestions from the audience.

Title: Re: Can't format floppies on A500
Post by: Blizz1220 on September 14, 2015, 11:05:41 PM

Maybe sensor that checks if hole on the floppy is there or not
is blocked by something or floppy dis(quete) is defective ?

Title: Re: Can't format floppies on A500
Post by: curtis on September 15, 2015, 12:57:05 AM

Okay, forgot to make sure the write sensor it clear.

Forgot to mention,tried a couple of different diskettes with same result.

Title: Re: Can't format floppies on A500
Post by: Blizz1220 on September 15, 2015, 01:13:54 AM

Well if you tried two floppy drive and few floppy disks it seems you
just don't get any lack with Amiga related things lately :)

I'm lost.

Title: Re: Can't format floppies on A500
Post by: ElPolloDiabl on September 15, 2015, 03:44:10 PM

find the best condition floppy that you have and try that. Old floppies plus old drives equals problems.

Title: Re: Can't format floppies on A500
Post by: pVC on September 15, 2015, 05:15:00 PM

Heh, you've tried that many different hardware combinations, that it really sounds that hw isn't the issue. Are you sure you remember which way the write protect tab should be? ;)

And how do you boot to get the format command? From WB floppy? From HD installation? Patched installation? There are software solutions to prevent formatting too... for example MCP can disable formatting for the selected devices for the security reasons. Can you format RAD: drive if you mount it?

Title: Re: Can't format floppies on A500
Post by: curtis on September 15, 2015, 07:10:10 PM

Swapped out the df0: drive and the problems went away!

Will continue to figure out what the problem with the old drive is.  Hopefully it just needs cleaning.

However, still puzzled how a dodgy drive can take down both df0: and df1:.  That's what really threw me and made me suspect the CIA chip.


@Blizz1220.  Yeah, I've had a few problems with Amiga stuff.  But with the helpful suggestions from members, I usually get it sorted.

@pVC.  I've been working with floppies since the 8 inch days!  I'm pretty sure I know when the tab should be closed and when it should be opened.  After all, seems like the industry switches every time they change disk size!  Only time it didn't was when Zenith played around with 2" diskettes on the Zenith MiniSport and they kept the same configuration as the 3.5" drive.

Title: Re: Can't format floppies on A500
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on September 15, 2015, 07:39:28 PM

I LOL'd at "Are you sure you remember which way the write protect tab should be?".  Certainly that could've been an issue for some of us!  ;)

(http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130311231936/fat-man/images/4/4d/The_Grumpy_old_man_in_the_cartoon.jpg)

Title: Re: Can't format floppies on A500
Post by: curtis on September 15, 2015, 09:11:33 PM

Love the cartoon!

I may have to steal it for my avatar.  Only problem is I still have a full head of hair.  Albeit it's mostly gray now...  Maybe from working on Amiga's???

Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;795674

I LOL'd at "Are you sure you remember which way the write protect tab should be?".  Certainly that could've been an issue for some of us!  ;)

(http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130311231936/fat-man/images/4/4d/The_Grumpy_old_man_in_the_cartoon.jpg)

Title: Re: Can't format floppies on A500
Post by: Blizz1220 on September 15, 2015, 09:36:45 PM

Lol :roflmao:

Title: Re: Can't format floppies on A500
Post by: smerf on September 16, 2015, 05:48:24 AM

Get rid of the floppy and buy yourself a gotek floppy, have one that I put in an old 1011 case, this way I can move it around between all my Amigas. Works great. Needed to transfer some files from my A4000 to PenPal on my PC Amiga Forever emulator. Just pulled out the USB Thumb drive and plugged it into my USB port on the PC and transfer of files is a snap, same for transferring files from my PC to Amiga. You won't be sorry.

Title: Re: Can't format floppies on A500
Post by: curtis on September 16, 2015, 03:23:02 PM

I've actually got 2 Gotek's sitting on the shelf.

Question tho, when you have a program on a floppy disk and you want to create an adf from it, how do you do it without a floppy drive?

Quote from: smerf;795711

Get rid of the floppy and buy yourself a gotek floppy, have one that I put in an old 1011 case, this way I can move it around between all my Amigas. Works great. Needed to transfer some files from my A4000 to PenPal on my PC Amiga Forever emulator. Just pulled out the USB Thumb drive and plugged it into my USB port on the PC and transfer of files is a snap, same for transferring files from my PC to Amiga. You won't be sorry.

Title: Re: Can't format floppies on A500
Post by: curtis on September 16, 2015, 03:25:35 PM

Well, things still aren't all sunshine and rose petals.

After a while the 500 tries to read the diskette in df0: and I get an error saying it can't validate a disk.

Thinking this may be a flaky diskette tho.  Will try a fresh format and see how that goes.