Apple IIc disk drive

[Papalapa]

Hi! Recently I got an Apple IIc and all is working except the internal disk drive. I passed the built-in checking (Ctrl+Open Apple+Closed Apple+Reset) and after around 1 minute it says "System OK", but when I put a disk inside during the startup (and even withtout any disk inside), a noise can be heard and the message "No bootable device" is shown.

 

I use the original DOS 3.3 floppy disk from my Apple IIe and I also tried the ProDOS 2.0.3 boot disk unsuccesfully. Both of them correctly work in my Apple IIe. I guess that Apple IIe disks will work also on Apple IIc it isn't?

 

As I cannot load the DOS or ProDOS software I cannot start the computer and therefore I cannot pass any drive checking software. Will be possible to connect one of my Apple IIe 5,25" drives to the Apple IIc? Is there some cable adapter to do this? I also own the wDrive (drive emulator) for the Apple IIe, and I know that this manufacturer made a cable to connect the wDrive to the Apple IIc, but unfortunatelly he "closed" the company and there's not on-line anymore.

 

Any ideas about how can I check the drive or load some drive checking software?

 

Thank you

 

[trash_44fr]

Hi,

 

The very first thing to do is to clean the head of the disk drive with alcohol. This is usually the root cause of your problem, especially if the disks are working with another drive (yes, //e and //c disks are interchangeable).

 

The wDrive is still selling, I bought one some weeks ago, but the site has changed. You can go to the Shop to order one IIc adapter. If needed, I can provide you the email of the guy who is running the business.

 

Last but not least, you can download diagnostics software by using ADTPro but it requires a specific serial cable for the //c.

[Papalapa]

As I only had one floppy drive, I couldn't do anything, and before using ADTPRO I disassembled the computer and connected the floppy drive to the Apple IIe and it worked properly there.

 

I have passed tests and calibrated the drive, and everything was correct. Then I connected the the Apple IIe drive to the Apple IIc and it also worked fine, so it was not a controller problem. Finally I connected the drive back to the Apple IIc and was working fine. I did not know very well what had happened but I was not happy because things that fix themselves "alone" are not usually fixed. Indeed, when I closed the Apple IIc and started up, I got the error message again.

 

I removed the cover one more time and when I tested the computer without the cover it worked fine, so it seemed to be a mechanical problem. With the cover removed, if I press with my hand on the floppy drive it would fail again, I'm not sure if it was touching some component on the PCB (I don't think so) or touching something that disturbed the motor turn. Anyway, I have solved the problem by placing four 1.5mm metal washers in the four floppy drive supports to separate it a bit the drive from the PCB and it has not failed anymore. As they are metallic, they ensure the ground contact with the PCB through the two original "washers-scourer" that were originally set.

 

It was a fun breakdown, although it kept me busy all the morning.

 

[Papalapa]

21 hours ago, trash_44fr said:

Hi,

 

The very first thing to do is to clean the head of the disk drive with alcohol. This is usually the root cause of your problem, especially if the disks are working with another drive (yes, //e and //c disks are interchangeable).

 

The wDrive is still selling, I bought one some weeks ago, but the site has changed. You can go to the Shop to order one IIc adapter. If needed, I can provide you the email of the guy who is running the business.

 

Last but not least, you can download diagnostics software by using ADTPro but it requires a specific serial cable for the //c.

Many thanks for your support, it was were very useful for me and as you can see the Apple IIc is correctly working now.

 

I'm surprised that KbooHK is back again. The guy told me that all the management will be passed to a Facebook group, but when I checked time ago I don't found any webshop so, I'm glad to know that they are on-line again.

 

Bye ?