Wanted: Original 1541 Disk Drive

Shirohagen · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 10:16 pm Post subject: Wanted: Original 1541 Disk Drive

Hi

I bought a 1541 MK1 Disk Drive on eBay but when it arrived it didn't work. They don't seem to come up that often so in the meantime I was wondering if anyone here had one they would be willing to sell to me in the UK...?

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Miidolf · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 7:30 am Post subject:

Ohh is the one you bought beyond repair ?
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all da way !!!

Shirohagen · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:26 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure Miidolf, I tried it with the computer and didn't get much joy - it powers up OK, but the red LED flashes 3 times repeatedly which I don't know what it means. I'm o technician so can't really say how far gone it is...

It doesn't really do anything apart from whir and click but never makes that reassuring disk reading noise, the computer just displays "Searching" indefinately. I opened it up to just check for any obvious physical fault and couldn't see anything.

Do you know where I can get it repaired in the UK? I already spent £20 on it so would be keen not to spend much more as it might not be repairable...

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Miidolf · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 7:00 am Post subject:

Did you already check Ray Carlsen's site out ?

http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/cbm.html
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all da way !!!

Shirohagen · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 7:19 am Post subject:

Cheers Miidolf, I looked at the site and found the following:

Quote:

UB3 325302-01 DOS ROM
When drive powered up, red LED flashes 3 times repeatedly.

&

Quote:

If the drive activity light
(red LED) stays on and the motor runs continuously, it means that the
drive failed to complete the startup sequence. The most common cause is a bad DOS ROM UB4 (901229-xx).

Which sounds pretty terminal! I have no idea what to do about this and seeing as I don't know any repair places etc I think I'm going to have to give up on it and find a working model...

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bacon · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 10:17 am Post subject:

Shirohagen wrote:

Quote:

The most common cause is a bad DOS ROM UB4 (901229-xx).

Which sounds pretty terminal! I have no idea what to do about this and seeing as I don't know any repair places etc I think I'm going to have to give up on it and find a working model...

A faulty DOS ROM is definitely not a terminal fault! It's one of the easiest parts to replace (especially if it's in a socket and not soldered in place). I'm sure there is someone on this board who can sell you a working ROM. If you're not up to repairing it yourself, please don't throw it away. Give it to someone more technically adept, or offer it for sale here in the forum.

If you lived in Sweden I would offer to take it, but the shipping from England is too expensive.
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Bacon
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Das rubbernecken Sichtseeren keepen das cotton-pickenen Hands in die Pockets muss; relaxen und watschen die Blinkenlichten.

Shirohagen · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 12:48 pm Post subject:

Cheers Bacon, I will look into it - can anyone help? - If it comes to it, I will certainly offer it here before I do anything else...

I'm still interested in a working one if anyone has one to sell, but perhaps I should post a new topic regarding the repair as I've got a bit off topic in here and don't want to get flamed!

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devnull · Guest

its probably not even the actual ROM, but more than likely just a dry joint somewhere near the rom.

Id run a soldering iron over the socket legs and see what happens.

Anyway, sorry it wasnt an easy transaction for you. Better luck next time.

TNT · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 7:48 am Post subject:

devnull wrote:

its probably not even the actual ROM, but more than likely just a dry joint somewhere near the rom.

Or contact trouble between the chip and the socket. Lifting the chip slightly and pushing it back in might help.

Shirohagen · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 10:01 pm Post subject:

OK - I've given up, the drive I bought won't work - but one of you guys might find it easy to fix or use for spares, so anyone who wants it can have it for £10 plus postage as I want to try and get some of my money back!

Still looking for a working one...

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Shirohagen · Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 11:22 am Post subject:

Quick update - found another original 1541 in working order, just waiting for it to arrive.

Just need shot of the old one now...