3 Dec
2018
3 Dec
'18
5:09 a.m.
Hi,
how does one open a RL02 disk pack? A couple of packs need cleaning but I
can't figure out how to open them...
Christian
4 Dec
4 Dec
12:24 p.m.
On Mon, Dec 3, 2018 at 5:09 AM Christian Corti via cctalk <
cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
Hi,
how does one open a RL02 disk pack? A couple of packs need cleaning but I
can't figure out how to open them...
I was curious to see if there would be any replies to this. I have just shy
of 40 RL02 packs, and a few of them had bad scratches rendering them
useless. Therefore, I attempted to open them in a non-destructive way, just
to see if it was possible. So far, I haven't had much luck. Also, I noted
that while all the packs I attempted were DEC (not clones), they did have
slightly different construction and mechanics, probably based on production
date.
- Earl
5 Dec
5 Dec
8:43 a.m.
Christian Corti via cctalk wrote:
Hi,
how does one open a RL02 disk pack? A couple of packs need cleaning but I can't
figure out how to
open them...
Christian
The top of the middle part of the handle (this with the slider) is only glued slighly at
the base
part. With a screwdriver it is removeable quite easy. After removing it, it reveals the
secret of
the mechanism.
Remove the plastic parts on both sides which act as hinges. Then pull the handle (with the
"digital"-sign) outwards with some force. Possibly pry a screwdriver between the
inner plastic part
and the handle while still applying force to the handle. Eventually it will snap off the
eyelets of
the plate, which holds the disk in place.
Reassembly is a bit fiddly.
Before doing this, remove the disk from the pack, otherwise you cannot get it off the
magnets!
Micha
6 Dec
6 Dec
12:42 a.m.
On Wed, 5 Dec 2018, Michael Fritsch wrote:
The top of the middle part of the handle (this with
the slider) is only glued
slighly at the base part. With a screwdriver it is removeable quite easy.
After removing it, it reveals the secret of the mechanism.
[...]
Before doing this, remove the disk from the pack,
otherwise you cannot get it
off the magnets!
Well, this is exactly my question: how do I remove the disk (= platter)
from the pack (= cartridge). And there are no magnets
in the disk pack.
Christian
1:27 a.m.
On Thu, 6 Dec 2018, Christian Corti wrote:
Well, this is exactly my question: how do I remove the
disk (= platter) from
the pack (= cartridge). And there are no magnets in the disk pack.
Here are some pictures that hopefully clarify my question:
http://computermuseum.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/pics/temp/rl02/
How do I separate the platter from the top of the cartridge/cover?
Christian
8:28 a.m.
On Thu, Dec 6, 2018 at 4:28 AM Christian Corti via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
Here are some pictures that hopefully clarify my
question:
http://computermuseum.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/pics/temp/rl02/
How do I separate the platter from the top of the cartridge/cover?
I don't know that anyone did that back in the day - the pack cleaners
I'm aware of had arms that wiped the top and bottom surfaces of the
platter while the platter was still mounted inside the shell. I know
that RK05 packs _were_ opened and the platter/hub assembly removed,
cleaned, and replaced, but they didn't have the locking handle of an
RL01/RL02 cart.
Also, RK05s can be formatted by users (and often were), but owning to
embedded servo data, you _can't_ format RL01/RL02 media in the field,
so I'd be hesitant to dismantle the hub on an RL02 pack.
-ethan
9:26 a.m.
On 12/06/2018 10:28 AM, Ethan Dicks via cctalk wrote:
Also, RK05s can be formatted by users (and often
were),
but owning to embedded servo data, you _can't_ format
RL01/RL02 media in the field, so I'd be hesitant to
dismantle the hub on an RL02 pack. -ethan
I dropped an RL02 that had the only copy
of some programs.
When put on the drive, it vibrated badly, and the ready
light flickered.
I loosened the screws visible on the bottom, and adjusted
the centering of the platter visually. I put it back on the
drive, and the vibration was much less, but the ready light
was still flickering. I adjusted the platter a few more
times and then the ready light was solid on, and I was able
to read the files!
If the owner of the system know what i'd done in the middle
of the night, they would have wanted my head!
Jon
7 Dec
7 Dec
12:48 a.m.
On Thu, 6 Dec 2018, it was written
I don't know that anyone did that back in the day
- the pack cleaners
I'm aware of had arms that wiped the top and bottom surfaces of the
platter while the platter was still mounted inside the shell. I know
Well I don't have an RL pack cleaner. And in my case it won't suffice, I
really need to access the top surface. There are some smudges that need
more thorough cleaning with some pressure that I can't apply with just
sticking in a swab or something from the side.
OTOH the top loading disk packs for our Nova 3 (6045 drive) can be
easily dismantled. I thought that the DEC packs would be similar but no,
DEC had to invent something different...
Christian
5 Dec
5 Dec
1:38 p.m.
At 02:09 PM 3/12/2018 +0100, Christian wrote:
Hi,
how does one open a RL02 disk pack? A couple of packs need cleaning but I
can't figure out how to open them...
Wait, by 'open' do you mean 'release the bottom dust cover',
or 'disassemble and remove all plastic till the platters are fully exposed'?
By 'cleaning' do you mean blowing dust out with clean compressed air,
or some kind of all-surfaces wash & wipe?
I'd assumed the former in both, thinking you might (like me) be new to DEC hardware.
If you actually want to do a thorough surface clean of the platters, how does one
do that anyway? Is there a proceedure recommended by DEC?
Because I may eventually need to do this on old RLO2 packs I have, as I get a
PDP 11-something system together.
Guy
3:51 p.m.
Sounds like a good youtube video topic...
Marc
On Wed, Dec 5, 2018 at 1:38 PM Guy Dunphy via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
wrote:
At 02:09 PM 3/12/2018 +0100, Christian wrote:
Hi,
how does one open a RL02 disk pack? A couple of packs need cleaning but I
can't figure out how to open them...
Wait, by 'open' do you mean 'release the bottom dust cover',
or 'disassemble and remove all plastic till the platters are fully
exposed'?
By 'cleaning' do you mean blowing dust out with clean compressed air,
or some kind of all-surfaces wash & wipe?
I'd assumed the former in both, thinking you might (like me) be new to DEC
hardware.
If you actually want to do a thorough surface clean of the platters, how
does one
do that anyway? Is there a proceedure recommended by DEC?
Because I may eventually need to do this on old RLO2 packs I have, as I
get a
PDP 11-something system together.
Guy
6 Dec
6 Dec
12:39 a.m.
On Thu, 6 Dec 2018, it was written
Wait, by 'open' do you mean 'release the
bottom dust cover',
or 'disassemble and remove all plastic till the platters are fully exposed'?
Of course I mean 'disassemble and remove all plastic till the platters are
fully exposed'. I know how to remove the bottom dust cover
;-))
By 'cleaning' do you mean blowing dust out
with clean compressed air,
or some kind of all-surfaces wash & wipe?
The latter. I have a couple of disks that need some tougher cleaning than
just gently wiping the surface.
Christian
1990
days inactive
1994
days old
10 comments
7 participants
participants (7)
-
cc＠informatik.uni-stuttgart.de -
cramcram＠gmail.com -
earl＠retrobits.com -
elson＠pico-systems.com -
ethan.dicks＠gmail.com -
guykd＠optusnet.com.au -
mi＠fritscholyt.de