Broken Disk Drive?

[lemming3k]

Hey guys, does anybody know anything about repairing disk drives?
 
I've just tried my Amiga 500 for the first time in a couple years and it's not reading any disks! Sometimes the screen discolours (but the loading light stays on), and others it display messages, such as "volume tp2 has a read/write error" or "error validating disk, disk is unreadable".
I've tried to blow any dust out but it hasn't helped. :confused:
 
Also had a Guru Meditation message, is that a disk virus? Been a while since I did all this!
 
EDIT: should also mention it's louder than I remember, and making slightly weird noises when trying to load the disks - although it's sort of loading a game now, but periodically asking to insert the disk.

[commodorejohn]

I've never tried it with a 3.5" drive, but in my old 1541s opening up the case and firmly swabbing the head down with rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip works wonders.

[Fransexy_]

Hey guys, does anybody know anything about repairing disk drives?
 
I've just tried my Amiga 500 for the first time in a couple years and it's not reading any disks! Sometimes the screen discolours (but the loading light stays on), and others it display messages, such as "volume tp2 has a read/write error" or "error validating disk, disk is unreadable".
I've tried to blow any dust out but it hasn't helped. :confused:
 
Also had a Guru Meditation message, is that a disk virus? Been a while since I did all this!
 
EDIT: should also mention it's louder than I remember, and making slightly weird noises when trying to load the disks - although it's sort of loading a game now, but periodically asking to insert the disk.

Broken CIAs, perhaps?

[ElPolloDiabl]

It just sounds dirty, perhaps on the drive motor shaft. You will have to open it up give everything a good gentle clean. Check there are no hairs tangle up in it.
Otherwise try and consult an Amiga user in person and let them have a look at it.

btw. Guru meditation is the amiga way of reporting an error. It's usually a result of a software error. Or in your case a corrupted diskette boot sector. Or because the read head is so dirty.

[lemming3k]

Sounds like it needs a good clean then. I've only opened it up once(to repair the space bar) and I didn't have much luck, how easy is it to access the disk drive?
I've had it about 18 years so it's one heck of a trooper.

[tone007]

They make head cleaning disks that you can just wet with alcohol and stick in the drive that work pretty well, and I've even gotten away with just taking an old floppy and wetting both sides of the media with alcohol and running that for 10 seconds.