Cannot load cassettes

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Kawawoky71
Vic 20 Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2017 12:53 pm

Cannot load cassettes

Post by Kawawoky71 »

Hi there
My problem is that my vic is stuck on "Loading" without finding anything but the tape is full of games. I start the process with Shift + Run command.

I have some problems connecting the datasette to the rear vic's connector. I have to wiggle the datasette connector a little to insert into the vic's one but then it's start rolling the tape.

Any hints to solve the situation?

The vic works fine with the rear cartridges.

Thanks
Tony
Last edited by Kawawoky71 on Fri Sep 01, 2017 1:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bobbi
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Re: Cannot load cassettes

Post by Bobbi »

I think that is a symptom of a bad VIA (6522) chip. Maybe try swapping the two and see if it causes other issues (for example keyboard problems). If so, it is a bad VIA.
Kawawoky71
Vic 20 Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2017 12:53 pm

Re: Cannot load cassettes

Post by Kawawoky71 »

Thanks for reply. What is it? Where can i found it?
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beamrider
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Location: UK

Re: Cannot load cassettes

Post by beamrider »

Could be several things..

The tape could be of poor quality
The head could be out of alignment
The tape deck cable or vic connector could be broken.
The tape deck itself could be faulty.
The VIC tape interface circuitry [VIAs] could be faulty.

Try cleaning and demagnetising the tape heads and cleaning the tape connector on the back of the Vic.

The type in a short basic program e.g. ...

10 PRINT "TAPE TEST"

then save it to a new good quality blank tape using the command

SAVE "TAPETEST"

then reset the VIC, rewind the tape and try to load it in again.

LOAD <return>

LIST

If that works the head could be out of alignment, you will need to obtain a head alignment tape/program.

Failing that you will need to find a different tape deck to try.
Kawawoky71
Vic 20 Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2017 12:53 pm

Re: Cannot load cassettes

Post by Kawawoky71 »

Many thanks I'll try the cleaning and the custom program on a new tape.
I'll let you know.
Cheers
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eslapion
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Re: Cannot load cassettes

Post by eslapion »

Kawawoky71 wrote:Thanks for reply. What is it? Where can i found it?
You can find used ones on eBay.

This is a new equivalent replacement part: http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDet ... 22N6TPG-14
Be normal.
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Mayhem
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Re: Cannot load cassettes

Post by Mayhem »

Was gonna write some stuff but Beamrider covered it. Most likely, the tape deck needs a good clean on the read heads and a possible alignment.
Lie with passion and be forever damned...
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beamrider
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Location: UK

Re: Cannot load cassettes

Post by beamrider »

eslapion wrote:
Kawawoky71 wrote:Thanks for reply. What is it? Where can i found it?
You can find used ones on eBay.

This is a new equivalent replacement part: http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDet ... 22N6TPG-14
When you say new, is that 'new' or NOS..

Can we get them to make some 6561s? :wink:
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eslapion
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Re: Cannot load cassettes

Post by eslapion »

beamrider wrote:
eslapion wrote:
Kawawoky71 wrote:Thanks for reply. What is it? Where can i found it?
You can find used ones on eBay.

This is a new equivalent replacement part: http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDet ... 22N6TPG-14
When you say new, is that 'new' or NOS..

Can we get them to make some 6561s? :wink:
:?: :?: :?:
Mouser doesn't sell NOS. They are a very large components distributor and sell only new parts. WDC's chips are fresh out of the factory.

Sidenote: The vast majority of CMOS 6522s have problems sharing IRQs because they have a totem pole output, this specific version doesn't have this problem. AFAIK, this is the only CMOS VIA which is a direct drop-in replacement for the MOS 6522.

I replaced the 2 original MOS 6522 in a 1541 drive with 2 W65C22N and they consume 3mA each of power instead of the 60mA the original chips did.
Be normal.
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