Spectrum +3 disc drive won’t read discs

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1024MAK
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Re: Spectrum +3 disc drive won’t read discs

Post by 1024MAK »

Lardo Boffin wrote: Thu Jan 06, 2022 11:17 pm How would I check the RPM is ok?
Find where you can pick up a suitable signal from the index sensor (TP9 according to the schematic in the DDI-1 service manual, or on the photo transistor connections to the drive board) or use the /INDEX connection on the interface cable/connectors (but the drive must be selected by the computer) and use a frequency counter or oscilloscope. Or less good, identify a mark, or make a mark on the rotating part of the drive assembly. Then use a strobe light.

If the disk drive controller has not detected that the drive is rotating within the correct rotation speed, it will return a drive not ready error. See also the drive ready output on the interface cable/connectors, is this at the correct logic level?

I *think* there are other problems that also cause a drive not ready error. This may include faults in the connectors/connecting cable. But I’ve not fiddled with a faulty floppy for some time now on an Amstrad…

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

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Lardo Boffin
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Re: Spectrum +3 disc drive won’t read discs

Post by Lardo Boffin »

Thanks Mark. I don’t have the required equipment for that unfortunately. May chuck it in a box and send it off to a repairer at some point.

I have put in a working drive and the +3 now works fine so it is definitely the disc drive.
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
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1024MAK
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Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: Spectrum +3 disc drive won’t read discs

Post by 1024MAK »

Lardo Boffin wrote: Fri Jan 07, 2022 2:57 pmMay chuck it in a box and send it off to a repairer at some point.
Unfortunately since brexit, the person I would recommend you send it to, is no longer offering his services to people in the U.K. because of the difficulties with all the extra red tape and expense of parcels crossing the U.K./E.U. border :(

And I don’t know of anyone else who is good at repairing these disk drives :(

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
Lardo Boffin
Posts: 2160
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: Spectrum +3 disc drive won’t read discs

Post by Lardo Boffin »

1024MAK wrote: Fri Jan 07, 2022 3:11 pm
Lardo Boffin wrote: Fri Jan 07, 2022 2:57 pmMay chuck it in a box and send it off to a repairer at some point.
Unfortunately since brexit, the person I would recommend you send it to, is no longer offering his services to people in the U.K. because of the difficulties with all the extra red tape and expense of parcels crossing the U.K./E.U. border :(

And I don’t know of anyone else who is good at repairing these disk drives :(

Mark
Thanks.

Dataserve retro have sorted a couple for me so will contact them in the first instance.
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
ints99
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2022 1:47 pm

Re: Spectrum +3 disc drive won’t read discs

Post by ints99 »

1024MAK wrote: Fri Jan 07, 2022 3:11 pm
Lardo Boffin wrote: Fri Jan 07, 2022 2:57 pmMay chuck it in a box and send it off to a repairer at some point.
Unfortunately since brexit, the person I would recommend you send it to, is no longer offering his services to people in the U.K. because of the difficulties with all the extra red tape and expense of parcels crossing the U.K./E.U. border :(

And I don’t know of anyone else who is good at repairing these disk drives :(

Mark
Hi,
please share the contact, as I am located in EU...
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1024MAK
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Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: Spectrum +3 disc drive won’t read discs

Post by 1024MAK »

Bryce over on the CPCWiki forums, link to his profile on that site here.

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
Lardo Boffin
Posts: 2160
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: Spectrum +3 disc drive won’t read discs

Post by Lardo Boffin »

In the UK there is also:

https://www.mutant-caterpillar.co.uk/sh ... ts_id=5087

I have not used this particular service but have had other computers fixed by them and had great service.
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
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