From: yurick@vaxb.llnl.gov
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc
Subject: Re: C64 user needs HELP
Date: 21 Jul 92 05:12:14 GMT
Organization: LLNL_LIS

In article <1992Jul20.200634.25127@doug.cae.wisc.edu>, someone writes:
> In article <1992Jul21.001955.5073@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu> someone writes:
>>Hello Amiga Peoples:
>>
>>1)  The disk drive stopped working some time ago...  When I try to
>>    load "$",8,1 <rember that great command?

This really isn't answering your question, but...
If you are trying to see what's on the disk's directory, the command is:
        LOAD "$", 8 (RETURN)
        LIST (RETURN)

If you add the ',1' to this command, you'll see something other than a readable
directory, on your screen. 

Is your drive actually designated as device 8?  Some people change the device
numbers of their drives to 9, 10 or 11 (depending on how you've arranged the
jumpers inside of the unit).  You can also change the device # of a drive
through a software command, but I don't remember what the exact command is any
more.  But it is in the users manual, that came with the unit.

Check your cable, coming from the C64 to the drive.  Maybe it's bad.

Get your hands on a SAMS manual, for the drive.  I've used it a few times to
realign my 1541.

>>3)  What kind of price should I expect to pay for the repair in #1
>>above if I can't fix it myself.  I talked to one gentleman who says he
>>charges a $10.00 'look-at' fee.  And he says it probably needs
>>realignment, which is another $20.00 fee.  Can I do the realignment
>>easily?  I'm willing to operate on the drive if necessary...
> 
> Those fews are reasonable.  You can do realignment yourself, but it won't
> be as good as a shop with an oscilloscope can do.  It may well be good enough
> though, IF THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM -- since you say that the drives doesn't
> spin, you at least have some other problems besides calibration.
> 

If you can get a SAMS manual, and an alignment program, this might help.  It
isn't too hard to realign the drive, but as the other poster stated...it
probably won't be exact, but close.  You'll wind up spending more than $30.00,
if you buy the manual and the alignment program, but at least that way you'll
always have those items (in case something pops up in the future).  

You'll have to be the one to decide if...
   A) it's ONLY out of alignment (if it's really out of alignment, at all)
   B) you should pay someone to see what's truely wrong with the unit, and get
it fixed.  And maybe pay more, if it's something other than misalignment.
   C) You should fork out money, for the items to fix the problem yourself,
that you might (or might not ever) use again.


> You might want to watch comp.sys.cbm for used 1541's for sale.  Then generally
> go for $40-$60.

This is probably your cheapest solution.  Plus, you can always hang onto your
old drive...possibly get it fixed at a later date, thus giving you a second
drive.

I hope this helps!

Good luck,
Joe
-- 
*****************************************************************************
*  Joe Yurick         California U.S.A.       E-Mail : yurick@vaxr.llnl.gov *
*** My thoughts & views are rarely my own, much less that of my employer! ***
*****************************************************************************
               I think, therefore I am...an Amiga owner!              
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc