1541 Read error

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Floopy
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1541 Read error

Post by Floopy »

So the time has come that my 1541 is just giving me more read errors than I can take. My issue is that I don't know how to fix this? I know you need a disk, but I only know how to dismantle floppy drives.
Last edited by Floopy on Thu Oct 26, 2017 2:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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eslapion
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Re: 1541 Error

Post by eslapion »

If you take a blank floppy, format it and then read a few sectors here and there, or save a large file to it, can you read it back ?

If yes, then the head is out of alignment.

If not, it's possible the R/W head is dying.
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Floopy
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Re: 1541 Error

Post by Floopy »

If I write to it now and then read it then it works fine, but if I read disk I made 6 months ago or factory disk then no. I only get the directory of the disk and nothing else loads.
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groepaz
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Re: 1541 Error

Post by groepaz »

do you have proper SD disks?
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Floopy
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Re: 1541 Error

Post by Floopy »

Why does Single density disk matter :?:
I use 3M SD,DD disk.
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groepaz
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Re: 1541 Error

Post by groepaz »

oh DD of course. anything that isnt HD actually (which doesnt work well) :)
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vicist
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Re: 1541 Error

Post by vicist »

My Exelerator+ Disk drive has never been able to read/write a DD disk!
Only SD disks work with this drive.
groepaz
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Re: 1541 Error

Post by groepaz »

afaik there is no difference in the material, so that would be really odd (and isnt it a 1541 compatible drive?)
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Floopy
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Re: 1541 Error

Post by Floopy »

Well the issue is not the disk, because I use a variety of disk and all of them are starting to have read errors. I'm 96% sure the issue is a misaligned head, my issue is I don't know how to put it back into alignment.
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norm8332
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Re: 1541 Error

Post by norm8332 »

Here is a video that may help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KuWJVUDc5k
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groepaz
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Re: 1541 Error

Post by groepaz »

alignment issues can be ruled out quite easily - only (and ONLY) when formatting/saving/loading on the same drive works, but loading factory made disks ("original disks") does not, then it is an alignment issue. when you get random problems even with disks written on that drive, then alignment is most likely NOT the problem.

also, if you dont know exactly how to align a drive, and if you dont have the equipment to do it - dont even think about doing it. you'll only make it worse and eventually render the drive unusable
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Floopy
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Re: 1541 Error

Post by Floopy »

Well that is my issue, I can read and write disk formatted 2 months ago, but factory disk will not read. I'm also getting disk that I formatted 6+ months ago not reading properly. I can get the directory on all disk though.

"Equiment" what kind of equipment?
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Floopy
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Re: 1541 Error

Post by Floopy »

norm8332 wrote:Here is a video that may help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KuWJVUDc5k
That's what I feared, I need a realignment disk. It's annoying to see how expensive they are. :evil:
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norm8332
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Re: 1541 Error

Post by norm8332 »

I always just use a commercial (bought) disk and it works fine.
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Floopy
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Re: 1541 Read error

Post by Floopy »

I have an oscilloscope, any solutions with that maybe?
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