TheRogue Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Hi there guys, I've got a problem with my 1050 that is quite unlike the other 1050 threads on this forum. My 1050 powers up fine, passes self diagnostic fine, accesses disks fine, but will not read data from any disks. It only gives boot errors when connected to my XEGS, and when I access it with ProSystem, it gives me a "Cannot determine disk type" error. When I try to write to it with ProSystem, it spins up the drive and says it's formatting, but then halts with a "Drive Failed Format" error. Any idea what the problem is? I just installed a Happy 1050 mod in it, and would really like to start using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sup8pdct Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 (edited) You can start with checking for a dirty head. You said you have installed the happy mod, I would check you have the connector from the head is the right way around and is on the pins properly just in case. (thick black earth brade to the rear from memory) Another thing to try tho unlikely is to reseat/replace the FDC (2793 or 2797) Other posiabilitys are problems with the circuit board or the head itself. James Hi there guys, I've got a problem with my 1050 that is quite unlike the other 1050 threads on this forum. My 1050 powers up fine, passes self diagnostic fine, accesses disks fine, but will not read data from any disks. It only gives boot errors when connected to my XEGS, and when I access it with ProSystem, it gives me a "Cannot determine disk type" error. When I try to write to it with ProSystem, it spins up the drive and says it's formatting, but then halts with a "Drive Failed Format" error. Any idea what the problem is? I just installed a Happy 1050 mod in it, and would really like to start using it. Edited March 20, 2009 by sup8pdct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marius Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 And the disks are ok? I have had this once too... I was ready to throw the 1050 out of the window, when I found out I was testing with a non atari disk all the time :S Probably not your issue... but it might be...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRogue Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share Posted March 20, 2009 The first disk I tested with was the Happy 1050 diagnostic disk. Then I just grabbed random 5-1/4" disks and tried to format them with prosystem, and also just got errors. I will double check the cables when I get home this afternoon, but I checked them after I installed the Happy 1050 and there was no problem. I think it might be a dirty head. I'll run it for a little while with a head cleaning disk this afternoon. By the way, how long should you leave one of those head cleaning disks in the drive for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rybags Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 You just opened it and tinkered with the guts. Therefore, don't bother with head cleaning disks - just do it directly with a cotton bud and head-cleaning fluid. All the disks do is wipe the gunk to the side, where it'll just pile up and eventually spread itself everywhere again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRogue Posted March 21, 2009 Author Share Posted March 21, 2009 Well I'm a dumbass, one of the cables, the one that's by itself at the rear right of the drive, was plugged in too far back so that one pin was disconnected. I fixed the problem, and now it works beautifully. Thanks everyone (D'OH!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRogue Posted March 21, 2009 Author Share Posted March 21, 2009 (edited) OOps, I spoke too soon, the drive will now read disks fine, but when I go to write, ProSystem will just give the same "Drive Failed Format" error. Any ideas what would make it read but not write? Could it be out of allignment? I will give it good cleaning and see what happens. UPDATE: I cleaned it and the same thing still happens. I also forgot to add that it sometimes makes a knocking noise when it's attempting to format. ANy clues? UPDATE II: After a VICIOUS cleaning involving a tonne of alcohol and a cleaning disk as well as a program that let me manually step the head one track at a time, I finally have made it consistently write to disks. It doesn't help that a TONNE of the disks I was using were mislabeled HIGH DENSITY disks :x I ended up cutting a write notch into the disk my Happy 1050 software came on, and at first it wouldn't write to that either, but after the afformentioned vicious cleaning, it now works. So you were all right in a way. I had a misplugged cable, incorrect disks, and dirty heads. You all win. COME ON DOWN!! *price is right music* Edited March 21, 2009 by TheRogue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sup8pdct Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 So what prize do we all win? James OOps, I spoke too soon, the drive will now read disks fine, but when I go to write, ProSystem will just give the same "Drive Failed Format" error. Any ideas what would make it read but not write? Could it be out of allignment? I will give it good cleaning and see what happens. UPDATE: I cleaned it and the same thing still happens. I also forgot to add that it sometimes makes a knocking noise when it's attempting to format. ANy clues? UPDATE II: After a VICIOUS cleaning involving a tonne of alcohol and a cleaning disk as well as a program that let me manually step the head one track at a time, I finally have made it consistently write to disks. It doesn't help that a TONNE of the disks I was using were mislabeled HIGH DENSITY disks I ended up cutting a write notch into the disk my Happy 1050 software came on, and at first it wouldn't write to that either, but after the afformentioned vicious cleaning, it now works. So you were all right in a way. I had a misplugged cable, incorrect disks, and dirty heads. You all win. COME ON DOWN!! *price is right music* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRogue Posted March 21, 2009 Author Share Posted March 21, 2009 Yes, you all win my undying gratification. Now don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out! Just joking everyone! I'm very grateful that you helped me figure this out. Thanks alot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marius Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 But eh... Mislabeled high density disks? The last two years I only use high density 5.25" disks, and I have never had any trouble with them. Isn't it a right idea to use HD 5.25" disks? Marius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sup8pdct Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 I have had mixed results using HD disks mostly in the negative. I have heard that HD disks need a stronger head current to write properly. James But eh... Mislabeled high density disks? The last two years I only use high density 5.25" disks, and I have never had any trouble with them. Isn't it a right idea to use HD 5.25" disks? Marius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Larry Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 I have had mixed results using HD disks mostly in the negative.I have heard that HD disks need a stronger head current to write properly. James "Upgrading and Repairing PC's" has an excellent chapter on floppies and media. Using HD disks with a DD/SD drive is not recommended, but some folks have had OK results -- just like using DD 3-1/2" disks as HD (with the added sensor hole). I have a bunch of Sony SS/DD 3-1/2" disks that worked beautifully as DS and as HD replacements. These were completely stable over time while other brands wouldn't even format correctly. Whatever they had in that media formulation was great stuff! -Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ijor Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 There is a big difference, in this regard, between 5.25 and 3.5 floppies. As already mentioned, the main problem of using HD media on DD drives, is that HD media has a much higher coercivity (the intensity of the magnetic field required for recording). On 5.25 floppies, HD ones have a coercivity that is about 15% higher than DD ones. But on 5.25 floppies, the coercivity of HD is more than twice the one on DD ones! So 3.5 HD disks on DD drives kinda work. 5.25 HD disks on a DD/SD drive like the 1050 will rarely work if at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ijor Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Errata (realized too late about the typo, and now I can't edit the post anymore) On 5.25 floppies, HD ones have a coercivity that is about 15% higher than DD ones. Replace 5.25 with 3.5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.