where to start fixing FD-1 and DK'tronics 64K ?

dodogildo · 23:06, 19 January 16

Hi mates,

I recently got myself a couple of cool CPC 464 stuff relatively cheap (DDi-1 interface, FD-1 Floppy Drive and DK'tronics 64K cartridge all for 75 EUR). Sold untested, seemingly a steal in pretty good condition cosmetically, but they ended up being some pain in the ass. I need some advice:

1) DDi-1 didn't work at first. I cleaned and tightened the connector pins and it started working suddenly. That's good for now. A partial victory at best.

2) FD-1 Floppy Drive is making strange voices and won't read any of the disks I'm feeding in. What to do? Where to start? Changing the drive belt?

3) I tested DK'tronics 64K with both a 464 and a 664. The boot screens are reporting 64K as the expansion is not plugged-in at all. Is that the normal behaviour? What's the official test procedure? (The pass-through connector is definately working as the DDi-1 is working chain plugged over the DK'tronics cartridge. ) If faulty, how to fix it?

Any idea?

||C|-|E|| · 23:20, 19 January 16

Well... about the question number 2, I would definitely start checking the drive belt, although it would be nice to hear the sound. Anyway, if it has never been replaced I would assume that is probably dead

. Regarding the DK´tronics , maybe I am going to say something completely stupid, but did you load the software that comes with it?

Dizrythmia · 23:26, 19 January 16

Quote from: dodogildo on 23:06, 19 January 16
2) FD-1 Floppy Drive is making strange voices and won't read any of the disks I'm feeding in. What to do? Where to start? Changing the drive belt?

That's where I would start

Quote from: dodogildo on 23:06, 19 January 163) I tested DK'tronics 64K with both a 464 and a 664. The boot screens are reporting 64K as the expansion is not plugged-in at all. Is that the normal behaviour? What's the official test procedure? (The pass-through connector is definately working as the DDi-1 is working chain plugged over the DK'tronics cartridge. ) If faulty, how to fix it?

The 64k boot screen is just that, a screen. With my 64k RAM pack plugged in I get the same thing but it still works when it's supposed to. I think it's just something in the ROM that they didn't bother changing.

EgoTrip · 08:38, 20 January 16

Best way to test if the 64k expansion is working is to load 128k only software, such as The Addams Family

Bryce · 09:28, 20 January 16

Same as above: Change the belt.

The DK'Tronics RAM expansions don't have a ROM, so there is no change on the boot screen. The quickest way to confirm it's working is with SyXs RAMTest. That will tell you whether it's present at all and whether the RAM is working.

Bryce.

dodogildo · 11:26, 20 January 16

Thank you guys. Are those belts from Cool Novelties any good? Amstrad CPC 6128 Floppy Disk Drive Belt 5 Pack 5 New Belts | eBay

Bryce · 11:39, 20 January 16

Quote from: dodogildo on 11:26, 20 January 16
Thank you guys. Are those belts from Cool Novelties any good? Amstrad CPC 6128 Floppy Disk Drive Belt 5 Pack 5 New Belts | eBay

Yup, they are the ones you need.

Bryce.

Lazy Dude · 16:32, 22 January 16

Quote from: Bryce on 11:39, 20 January 16
Yup, they are the ones you need.

Bryce.

In a world of lazyness this is great, I now don't even have to dig about trying to locate a seller. Sweeeet!

TFM · 20:56, 22 January 16

To check how much RAM ins connected use this:

http://cpcwiki.eu/imgs/2/28/E-RAM_Test_2014.zip

dodogildo · 07:34, 26 January 16

I found this excellent page http://dataserve-retro.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d70.html

dodogildo · 21:49, 02 February 16

An update, after changing the belt the FD1 is now working like new. The old one came out in 4-5 pieces

Of course I dismantled everything, bathed the box in soapy water, wiped the pcbs with isopropyl alcohol, applied compressed air here and there. Now I've a 100% working external floppy drive in near mint condition that I've no idea what to use for

Bryce · 22:17, 02 February 16

Congratulations.

As far as "What to do with" is concerned: My recommendation would be to use it to read and write 3in disks while connected to a CPC464. I'm told it's quite good at that. Almost as if it was designed to do it.

Bryce.

OCT · 22:39, 02 February 16

Quote from: Bryce on 22:17, 02 February 16use it to read and write 3in disks while connected to a CPC464. I'm told it's quite good at that. Almost as if it was designed to do it.

BTW as mentioned in the PCW corner I've got another drive that (after a surge) needs more fixing than the belt: Want to try (or use mechanically fine remainder for spares if all else fails)?

Munchausen · 23:03, 02 February 16

While on the topic of drives and belts, you can get new drive belts from CPC for just £1 from CPC. But the site is down right now so I can't give you a link. The important thing is (from the good old comp.sys.amstrad.8bit faq which I still keep a printed copy of):

You should look for one with the dimensions 72mm x 3 mm x 0.5 mm (although I believe it is OK to use belts in the length range of 69-72 mm long and either 3 or 4mm wide).

eliot · 16:37, 03 February 16

This is a good place to know: CPC Parts - Cent Pour Cent

Munchausen · 09:59, 04 February 16

Quote from: eliot on 16:37, 03 February 16
This is a good place to know: CPC Parts - Cent Pour Cent

Yep. I am talking about cheapest possible drive belts though. CPC is back online: -- - BELT6 - BELT,FLAT, 72.0X3.5MM(DIAXW)-0.5MM THICK | Premier Farnell CPC UK

£1.01 each, if you get 10 or more £0.86 each.

Of course, it's good to support TotO too.

dodogildo · 10:33, 04 February 16

I'd go with TotO's 100%

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where to start fixing FD-1 and DK'tronics 64K ?