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| Click here to select a new forum. | | SE floppy read/write/format issue | Posted by: Anonymous on 2026-09-26 12:28:30
Hello,
So I have an SE with the dual 800k drives. I cleaned and lubed one of them, but it's rather finicky (sometimes reads, sometimes writes, NEVER formats).
Alright, so I assume I maybe wiped the heads too aggressively. I clean up the other one, making sure not to touch the heads, and I get the same issue.
My main question is, is it even worth recapping? Is there any possibility that an old cap would be the issue?
Thanks 🙂 | Posted by: A24A on 2026-09-27 19:20:33
Could the position of the read/write heads have been affected?
One perhaps should not rule out the possibility that the read/write heads still are not completely clean. Do you have access to a suitable double-sided cleaning diskette?
Have the floppy drives worked previously? Are genuine 2DD/DSDD (800K) floppies being used? That is, not HD diskettes, which use a different magnetic medium. | Posted by: Anonymous on 2026-09-28 15:04:38
I don't have a cleaning floppy (yet), and I've only recently bought it from a guy who had it on his shelf, and he hasn't tested the drives in decades. Regarding the floppies, I assume they're correct? It says 3M Imation Double Density, only one hole in the top corner (write protect). | Posted by: A24A on 2026-09-28 16:36:30
Regarding the floppies, I assume they're correct? It says 3M Imation Double Density, only one hole in the top corner (write protect). Yes, a double-sided double density (2DD or DSDD) floppy would be correct for an 800K drive.
Also, found a web page that possibly could be of interest to you:
www.retrotechnology.com/herbs_stuff/clean_disks.html#heads (in fine) | Posted by: bibilit on 2026-09-29 04:30:13
So far, had recapped many logic boards, never one for a disk drive.
As you can sometimes have a read or a write, the head is probably ok, are you using new disks or old ones ? (old disks are not reliable, most are covered in moisture, meaning a clean head can be dirty after a reading)
Also, are both heads in contact when the upper tray is down ?
On the back of the head, you have a small spring to increase pressure, maybe try to move it to another position. | Posted by: Anonymous on 2026-10-01 06:48:36
I never knew about the head spring, and all my disks are old (by old I mean loose and unsealed boxes). As far as contact, I'll have to check.
Ill buy a floppy cleaner disk, are there any recommended ones, or they all do the same thing. | Posted by: Fred1212 on 2026-10-02 00:02:34
Track 0 alignment issue. | Posted by: A24A on 2026-10-02 06:14:46
If necessary, you may want to look for Larry Pina's book The Dead Mac Scrolls (ISBN 0-940235-25-0) via one of the online booksellers. Alternatively, check whether your public library can help you, either directly or through an interlibrary/distance loan. This book has information about, for example, a track zero alignment procedure. | Posted by: finkmac on 2026-10-02 07:06:39
or you can read it here | Posted by: Anonymous on 2026-10-08 06:21:13
Blegh, alright. I bought a cleaning floppy, and it doesn't help. The format completes the first pass but fails upon verifying any disk. I'll attempt the track alignment. Are there any programs that can give me info on the head/track zero alignment? | | 1 |
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