8 Apr
1999
8 Apr
'99
2:58 p.m.
I'm with you on this one. I didn't make or wish it so. AlI did was state
how things are. There ought to be a way to fix these things, but since
their cheaper bretheren are available for the PC (throw-away) market, it's
hard to get someone to fix them for less than a new one costs. Keep in mind
that a guy who fixes them himself can do the job, but even an altruistic
fellow indeed would rather spend $25 to replace a drive than spend half a
day only to find he can't fix the $#@!! thing.
Many of the drives to which I refer have only a switch, a couple of optical
interrupters, and a single IC on board. . . . . . maybe a few resistors . .
. . . They're just not made to repair. Now, if you save a few, perhaps a
board swap can help, but be careful! Those high-density connectors
attaching the FLEX to the board aren't made to be cycled more than once.
They break!
Dick
-----Original Message-----
From: Sellam Ismail <dastar(a)ncal.verio.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Thursday, April 08, 1999 1:49 PM
Subject: Re: Fooling with floppy drives
per
dastar(a)siconic.com
On Thu, 8 Apr 1999, Richard Erlacher wrote:
> Since new floppy drives cost about $25 including shipment, it's difficult
to
justify
repairing them. This is frustrating for people like you who have
drives for which replacements are not readily available for $20 or so.
What? What if you don't have $25 laying around, or $25 * 12 = $300 as
Mike says is his current number of broken drives. You don't just go and
pull $25 out of your pocket everytime a drive breaks. The last I checked
money still doesn't grow in the pasture (believe me, I check every
morning).
> Your experience with sloppy workmanship gives clear indication that $10 > hour is not enough to pay a competent technician.
The occasional look
> inside should give you good indication of why one who can't spend more
than
> 15 minutes' time fixing a $20 drive, can't
get the job done. These
devices
must be
considered "throw-away" items by now. You've got to learn to
fix-em-yourself.
Well, exactly. That's why its called a hobby.
Sellam Alternate e-mail:
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