Date   : Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:20:27 +0000 (GMT)
From   : debounce@... (Greg Cook)
Subject: Re-using floppies

On Thu, 15/10/09, me@... <me@...> wrote:

> On 12 Oct 2009, at 15:03, Mark
> Haysman wrote:
> 
> > Absolutely, although it does depend somewhat also on
> the type of drive
> > you're using, and they type of head it has.
> 
> Would anyone like to offer an opinion as to the best way to
> clean this? 
> one?
> 
> http://davidglover.org/things/disk/
> 
> It looks pretty filthy in those pictures, but it I've been
> using it? 
> recently and it seems to be working fine. I'd just rather
> clean it? 
> before putting any new disks into it.

Dampen a cotton bud in acetone (nail polish remover), mop both heads gently,
check with a mirror then rub dry.  Shifts it every time, isopropanol is not
so effective.

Here's a typical square head with a typical dirt pattern (and very good 
access!)  Call that filthy?  I've seen much worse come off one disc.  I also
see the head assembly is driven by a steel band, which is more tolerant of
'nudging' the heads to get difficult sectors than a screw.

Greg Cook
debounce@...
http://homepages.tesco.net/rainstorm/