[Coco] Disk controller

[Chad H]

Well, not sure if those controllers have 7416 buffer chips or not, but one of my FD-502 controllers was acting erratic and after desoldering the 7416's and replacing them with beefier 7406 buffer chips it was good as new.  I went ahead and did the upgrade to my other controller to. Have never since had any further problems out of either one.  This might be something to check IF it has the 7416 chips..

http://www.mediafire.com/view/cde2vmcqp63jt/Board%20Images#4sqrj7b4u1qpp5q



-----Original Message-----
From: coco-bounces at maltedmedia.com [mailto:coco-bounces at maltedmedia.com] On Behalf Of Bill Pierce
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 10:17 AM
To: coco at maltedmedia.com
Subject: Re: [Coco] Disk controller


Gene, that was going to be my reply :-P
I spent about 3 days one time trying to figure out why my drive wasn't working. I had moved my system from one room to another and went from a working system to a drive coming on and nothing else happening. I don't remember why I tried flipping the cable, but that what I ended up doing. When that solved te problem, I then marked the top side of the cable on both ends to make sure that didn't happen again. 
As a note, most 3.5 drive cables can't be flipped as they have a guide pin, but on a Coco, the initial cable is usually terminated with the (then) standard 5.25 type ends. There's usually an adapter from 5.25 style to 3.5 style at the drive end of the cable. In my setup, it is actually inside the case on the adapter plate. It has a "single drive" cable running from the controller to the drive case. The cable then plugs into a "card edge" on the back of the drive case (3rd party, not Tandy) with 5.25 style connection, then continues via ribbon cable inside with 2x 5.25 style connectors to the adapter plate which also has a 5.25 card edge built in that goes to a very short 3.5 style cable that connects to the drive. 
Talk about a hassle to clean all the card edges, 4 in all from the Coco to the drive. 5 if I use a second 3.5 drive.

I also have several "hybrid" cables that have 5.25 style connectors as well as 3.5 style. All my 3.5 drives have drive select jumpers so I can use them in any order I want.


Bill Pierce
"Today is a good day... I woke up" - Ritchie Havens
 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Gene Heskett <gheskett at wdtv.com>
To: coco <coco at maltedmedia.com>
Sent: Thu, Mar 27, 2014 10:37 am
Subject: Re: [Coco] Disk controller


On Thursday 27 March 2014 10:36:36 Bill did opine:

> I have a 26-3129 disk controller that is acting VERY strangely. I’m 
> using a dual 3 ½” drive setup.
> 
> When plugged in, it causes the drive 0 light to come on, whether or 
> not there is a disk in the drive. It will NOT read ANY disks in either 
> drive (RS-Dos or NitrOS-9).
> 
> I have swapped the 24pin chip for another, and get the same result.
> 
> Ideas?
> 
> Thanks

Drive 0 cable installed upside down?


Cheers, Gene
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