Sinclair PC200 Floppy problem?

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Muttley Black
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Sinclair PC200 Floppy problem?

Post by Muttley Black »

Hello all!

Yesterday i get a Sinclair PC200. I tried to boot to system disk but the floppy didn't work. To be more specific, when i switch on the computer i hear a very short sound from floppy drive but no farther. Also the led that floppy drive have never see it blink. Then, i got the usually message on the screen " insert system disk and press any key" When i do that, i saw the "drive A" & "drive B" blink but no sound from the floppy. I here the floppy ONLY when i power up the machine.

I open the floppy to clean it. I saw 2 capacitors that was in bad condition.


Image

I change them both but nothing good happens. Same thing.

I dont know if someone have a pc200 and he can help. To be honest, i dont know how floppy must work in this machine, or if the floppy led should blink or not. But i want so much to fix this problem

Thank you
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p13z
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Re: Sinclair PC200 Floppy problem?

Post by p13z »

Disc drives of a certain age invariably require a drive belt replacing :(
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Muttley Black
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Re: Sinclair PC200 Floppy problem?

Post by Muttley Black »

This drive have no belt
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1024MAK
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Re: Sinclair PC200 Floppy problem?

Post by 1024MAK »

The PC200 is a desktop version of the Amstrad PPC-512.
So apart from possibly using different connectors, I would expect it to be possible to connect a different floppy disk drive. Or connect the disk drive from the PC200 to another suitable computer in order to test it.

Mark
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Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :dance
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Muttley Black
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Re: Sinclair PC200 Floppy problem?

Post by Muttley Black »

I tried a floppy from toshiba t1100 with no success. Toshiba is the only pc that I have with 720k drive.

Do you have a pc200 in your collection?
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1024MAK
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Re: Sinclair PC200 Floppy problem?

Post by 1024MAK »

Muttley Black wrote: Tue Aug 27, 2019 12:37 pm Do you have a pc200 in your collection?
No. I also don’t have any of the similar Amstrad models.

Mark
:!: Standby alert :!:
“There are four lights!”
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :dance
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
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Muttley Black
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Re: Sinclair PC200 Floppy problem?

Post by Muttley Black »

I will try to mod an 1.44 floppy drive and post the results here. I find I guide.
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Muttley Black
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Re: Sinclair PC200 Floppy problem?

Post by Muttley Black »

Problem solved. I modded a Sony MPF-920 and now it works perfect!
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1024MAK
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Re: Sinclair PC200 Floppy problem?

Post by 1024MAK »

:D

Mark
:!: Standby alert :!:
“There are four lights!”
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :dance
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
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