DDI-1 / FD-1 Only Reading 50% of Commercial Game Disks

[simondo]

I recently joined the forum after getting my CPC464 up and running after 15 years in the attic. I replaced the drive belt, cleaned capstans and head in my DDI-1. CPC464 edge connectors and DDI-1 connections cleaned with isopropanol.

However approx. 50%of my game disks including my beloved UN Squadron give 'read error'. The UN Squadron disk is part of a 3 disk US Gold collection, all of which give 'read error'. All my populated Maxell and Dixons 3" disks cat and load fine.

Interestingly my SWIV game disk began to load, hung and now reports 169k free  . It is also strange that it is just my commercial game disks that are affected.

Is this just a case of time being unkind to my game disks or is my DDI-1 / FD-1 playing up?



**Edit** just seen post below about a 6128 owner with similar problem - moderator please remove and I will post this there.

[zeropolis79]

 Put the disc in and try typing in |CPM. Might work.

[Token]

I don't know the game (only knew it on Amiga) but I saw that it could require more RAM on cpc-power http://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&onglet=dumps&num=32

(work with a 64K extension)
Fonctionne aussi sur CPC 464 ou CPC 664 ayant extension de 64Ko de RAM.

[Bryce]

Have you checked that the disks are spinning at the right speed?

Bryce.

[simondo]

Bryce
I intend to get a HXC and use the disk tool to check rpm. I am monitoring Neil79's problems very closely also.

[Bryce]

Yeah, Neil kind of messed his motor up unfortunately. I think the word "extremely carefully" are missing from the guide on how to adjust the motor speed. If you decide that it's a job that's beyond your experience, you can send it over to me and I'll service it completely.

Bryce.

[simondo]

Thanks Bryce, I may well do that.

Token
Forgot SWIV was 128k, what a rookie mistake! SWIV now loads with RAM pack but hangs on black screen before menu screen. Another issue perhaps? Not too bothered about SWIV anyway, but I thank you kind sir.

[gerald]

Yeah, Neil kind of messed his motor up unfortunately. I think the word "extremely carefully" are missing from the guide on how to adjust the motor speed. If you decide that it's a job that's beyond your experience, you can send it over to me and I'll service it completely.

I will add more detail to the adjustment section:
- identifying the motor type that is subject to risk of failure (MMA)
- specifying the screwdriver size

[zeropolis79]

Thanks Bryce, I may well do that.

Token
Forgot SWIV was 128k, what a rookie mistake! SWIV now loads with RAM pack but hangs on black screen before menu screen. Another issue perhaps? Not too bothered about SWIV anyway, but I thank you kind sir.

Simon, if you don't want SWIV, I'll buy it from you and see if I can get it working..

[Bryce]

Thanks Bryce, I may well do that.

Token
Forgot SWIV was 128k, what a rookie mistake! SWIV now loads with RAM pack but hangs on black screen before menu screen. Another issue perhaps? Not too bothered about SWIV anyway, but I thank you kind sir.

That may just be a bad connection to the RAM expansion.

Bryce.

[simondo]

Bryce,
I bet your right as usual. The DDI-1 and DKTronics RAM don't half flop around on the back of the keyboard.

zeropolis79
I will let you know about SWIV. It's got original cardboard box & instructions.

gerald
Thanks for your efforts with extra instructions.

[zeropolis79]

The DDI and ram pack should not wobble.. sounds like something is loose. Try using a vaccum cleaner crevece tool on the expansion port and the connectors on both interfaces and the back of the RAM pack.

Can you photograph your set-up and maybe something can be seen that might help..

[simondo]

Got it working now. Cleaned all connectors (again) and all is well. SWIV and North & South working, both 128k games.

zeropolis79
sent you a PM regarding SWIV if you want it.