My CPC6128 has been in storage for a few years, so I was fully expecting the drive not to work.
It gave the "Disc missing" message, so I opened it up and found the belt had fallen off. I popped it back on but it just slipped right off again - too loose.
Now I don't have any proper replacement belt, so I just used the closest size belt I had. It seems a bit tight but makes the drive spin without falling off.
With this new incorrect size belt installed, I am now getting Drive A: Read Fail on every 3" disk in my collection. I have no other 3" drive to test with, but I am certain that not every single disk could have failed. They have been stored away from magnetic fields.
I have also cleaned the read/write head with Q-tip and isopropyl alcohol, and the seek head is travelling fully forward and back long its worm gear.
Can "Read Fail" error be caused by drive belt too tight?
Can "Read Fail" error be caused by drive belt too tight?
Yes
Where in Australia are you located, I am in Williamstown Victoria.
If you are nearby i probably can help.
Ray
I'm in Queensland. But don't worry - I have new drive belt on order already.
I'll wait till the new belt turns up then see if the "Read fail" error goes away.
HI blackdalek
Ok. a Bit far to drop over.
Good Luck
Ray
Drive belt arrived today and installed. 3 inch drive works perfectly again, and all my 3 inch CF-2 disks still work perfectly too.
I've always found the 3 inch disks to be the most robust for reliable data storage, outlasting all my old PC 3.5 inch disks by years.
As magnetic disks go, 3.5inch disks would have to be the worst, most unreliable media I've ever used. I don't think I ever found a 3.5 inch disk which lasted longer than a few months of read/write accessing. Bad design, poorly manufactured. Complete opposite of the 3 inch disks.
What is it about the CF-2 disks which makes them last so long?