More Floppy Disk Help

#1 Sat, 4 Oct 2008 - 00:59 68kMLA

I just got a "new" floppy drive, but it makes grinding noises and won't read disks. I put a new floppy in and it mounted, but failed on erasure. Should I take the time to lube it or is this something even worse than I thought?

#2 Sat, 4 Oct 2008 - 02:41 68kMLA

Can't say from the minimal description. The standard things to do are:

1) Clean the heads, eliminate dust bunnies.

2) Clean off old lube, re-lube (don't go overboard, though). Check that the moving parts move freely (chassis, spindle motor, head motor).

If the drive can then read disks it formats, but not those formatted by other drives, then you may need to perform a head realignment.

If the drive can't even read disks that it formatted, then you have more serious problems.

#3 Sat, 4 Oct 2008 - 03:14 68kMLA

I have a choice between WD-40 or sewing machine lube. I will try WD-40 first cause that seems to be a poular option.

#4 Sat, 4 Oct 2008 - 04:08 68kMLA

Use WD-40 only to dissolve the old stuff, then thoroughly wipe it all off. Do not -- repeat, do not -- use WD-40 as a lubricant for that drive.

I have used automobile chassis lube in the past. I don't know what that sewing machine stuff looks like, but if it has a paste consistency, it's almost certainly a better choice than WD-40.

#5 Sat, 4 Oct 2008 - 23:45 68kMLA

Teh drive now completely refuses to read disks. The other drive I have is getting better, the heads move, finally. Both of my drives are still dead as far as I care. I hope auto-inject drives will fit in a Quadra 660av. :\