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Conference hydra::amiga_v1

Title:	AMIGA NOTES
Notice:	Join us in the NEW conference - HYDRA::AMIGA_V2
Moderator:	HYDRA::MOORE

Created:	Sat Apr 26 1986
Last Modified:	Wed Feb 05 1992
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	5378
Total number of notes:	38326

645.0. "Write Protect Woes" by CSC32::J_PARSONS () Wed Aug 12 1987 08:50

    I've got a peculiar problem with new new (refurbished) A1000. I
    will intermittently (more often than not) get a requestor box telling
    me that a diskette is write protected when trying to initialize
    it or duplicate a disk onto it. This occurs even though the write
    protect hole is completely covered. So far this has only happened
    on BASF ds/dd disks; I was able to successfully init about 7 out
    of 30 of them. I have some Sony ds/dd bulk disks, and they have
    been initialized successfully multiple times without fail.
    
    Any ideas as to why this might be happening? I need to determine
    if it's the disks or the drive as soon as possible.

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
645.1		PLDVAX::SMCAFEE	Steve McAfee	`Wed Aug 12 1987 09:47`	11
	Lay a BASF disk next to a Sony Disk. Is the BASF thinner on the smallest dimension? I remember some time ago someone mentioning a brand of disks which were thinner than normal not working properly. I think the problem was with the write protect tab, but I might be just imagining this. Anyhow I believe the person stated that they used something like tape or extra labels to make the disks thicker. regards, steve mcafee
645.2		CSC32::J_PARSONS		`Wed Aug 12 1987 10:27`	6
	I really hope this is all the problem turns out to be. Does anyone know the number of the note referenced in .1? I'd like to know whether the disk needs to be closer to the bottom or the top of the drive (ie which side needs to be "thickened") Thanks for the response.
645.3	maybe it's your disks	Z::TENNY	Dave Tenny \| DTN 225-6089	`Wed Aug 12 1987 11:19`	9
	There is definitely a difference in disk quality between manufacturers. I have never had a problem with a Sony disk. But I have had many problems with some grey, generic brand I bought. I remember awhile ago there was lots of fun (but highly speculative) discussion about the color of a disk correlating to it's quality.
645.4	quick fix	NAC::VISSER		`Wed Aug 12 1987 11:55`	6
	It could be that the plunger on the microswitch that detects the write protect hole is too short or worn down; this explains the thin disk syndrome. If it were my Amiga, I would open it and see if the switch has a height adjustment. If not, I'd build it up with a drop of epoxy. John
645.5	Whew....the drive's OK!	CSC32::J_PARSONS		`Thu Aug 13 1987 13:06`	7
	After some experimentation last night I determined the problem to be with the disks, although I guess I could make a mod to the drive so the problem won't occur even with these disks. What I found is if I applied just a slight bit of downward pressure to the top left side of the disk it would format flawlessly. My external drive should come in today; I'll see if these disks have the same problem on it.