I've got an original-style Datasette. The motor works, the spindles turn when they're supposed to, and the VIC-20 correctly starts and stops it when trying to save to it.
However, nothing is recorded. I've confirmed with a tape player that there is no data recorded. I tried to clean the head, but so far as I know that just means cleaning the silver metal block in the bottom center of the compartment.
Any tips on ways to get this thing working before I replace it completely?
Datasette not data-ing
Moderator: Moderators
-
Stormcrow
- Vic 20 Enthusiast
- Posts: 177
- Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2012 9:46 pm
- Website: http://trimboli.name
- Location: Ronkonkoma, NY
-
Stormcrow
- Vic 20 Enthusiast
- Posts: 177
- Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2012 9:46 pm
- Website: http://trimboli.name
- Location: Ronkonkoma, NY
So I decided to try a replacement datasette, this time one of the later models, and I get exactly the same behavior. I was told that this one was tested and worked.
I'm guessing now that there's something wrong on my VIC-20. I've cleaned the contacts for the datasette port. Is there anything else I can try?
I'm guessing now that there's something wrong on my VIC-20. I've cleaned the contacts for the datasette port. Is there anything else I can try?
-
Stormcrow
- Vic 20 Enthusiast
- Posts: 177
- Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2012 9:46 pm
- Website: http://trimboli.name
- Location: Ronkonkoma, NY
-
freshlamb
- Vic 20 Dabbler
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2004 5:38 pm
- Website: http://www.rufnoiz.com
- Location: Prince Albert SK Can
Another possibility is that the play head needs aligning. It only requires a small screwdriver a bought tape program and alot of patience. If you have a 64, the program HEAD TESTER here might help. http://sta.c64.org/c64utils.html
I have downloaded it but not tried it yet.
I have downloaded it but not tried it yet.
-
highinfidelity
- Vic 20 Nerd
- Posts: 644
- Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2011 2:34 am
- Website: http://www.hirtel.it
- Location: Torino, Italy.
I don't think alignment has anything to do with this, otherwise at least something would have been audible with an hifi cassette player.
It's either the VIC not outputting any recordable signal as argued by 6502dude, or the bias current oscillator totally quenched.
You should ask the seller if "tested" means he just loaded a test program, or if he also tried to record a program. That makes a big difference, as only when recording the bias oscillator is activated. A cassette recorder with a broken bias oscillator usually works perfectly in play mode, but do nothing else than erase the tape when in rec mode.
By the way, I assume the bias current is generated inside the datassette; is it sent out by the VIC instead?
It's either the VIC not outputting any recordable signal as argued by 6502dude, or the bias current oscillator totally quenched.
You should ask the seller if "tested" means he just loaded a test program, or if he also tried to record a program. That makes a big difference, as only when recording the bias oscillator is activated. A cassette recorder with a broken bias oscillator usually works perfectly in play mode, but do nothing else than erase the tape when in rec mode.
By the way, I assume the bias current is generated inside the datassette; is it sent out by the VIC instead?
GOD is REAL. Unless declared DOUBLE PRECISION.