Date   : Mon, 04 May 2009 13:06:28 +0100
From   : philpem@... (Philip Pemberton)
Subject: faulty floppy drives

naz sajid wrote:
 > The 4pin power connection needs to be
> moved and it starts working(sometimes). Problem is that when the power 
> connector is moved from side to side, and assuming the load command is 
> given on the bbc, the led lights up and a clicking sound can be heard, 
> but when I let go, the drive doesn't light up. So using this method is 
> hit and miss.

It sounds like the soldering has failed on the power connector. In which case, 
it's a five minute fix for anyone with a soldering iron and a roll of solder.

> Also, is there anyone who can fix faulty 5.25 drives no matter what the 
> fault?

Depends. A lot of the older drives have (or had) service documentation 
available, but parts like the controller ICs and heads are no longer 
available. Something simple like a failed resistor or diode can most likely be 
fixed, but anything else is unlikely to be repairable.

> I also have a teac 55. It runs ok on a 1770dfs but not on a 8271. Any 
> idea on how to make it 8271 compatible?

If that's a 3.5" drive, then IIRC there's some sort of issue with modern 
drives and the 8271 controller. So basically, it's not going to work without 
some modification to either the drive or the machine. Unfortunately I can't 
remember what the issue is (probably on account of the only BBC machine I have 
being a Master 128, which has a 1770 controller).

-- 
Phil.
philpem@...          
http://www.philpem.me.uk/