paulrickardsNov 12, 2024

Retro peeps: Anyone have any tips for getting a SyQuest 88 MB drive to work? All cartridges spin up but it seems to fail the disc init check and just blinks green LED slowly (no red LED). Adrian’s Digital Basement trick of SilverLining’s “short test” didn’t work.

Apps that claim to read and seek don’t move the head. Self tests (with a jumper) do seek/move head properly.

BlueSCSI initiator doesn’t start.

Heads look clean/level/in tact.

Edit: Solved! See replies 😎

#RetroComputing

Show threadvxoNov 12, 2024

@paulrickards As I recall, it should eventually settle to a state where you have a solid green light. Until that startup test passes, you indeed will not be able to read or seek, the interface should just return a not ready state.

These drives may be subject to shorted capacitor drama on the logic board. Start with a visual inspection.

Show threadPeter LeonardNov 12, 2024
Agree with @vxo — I think I have a spare 88meg drive that I can loan you (if it’s working!) @paulrickards
Show threadvxoNov 12, 2024
@pleonard @paulrickards Good luck! Anything on this format is very at risk media due to the dwindling supply of working drives.
Show threadpaulrickardsNov 12, 2024
@vxo @pleonard Thanks! Agree with the need for a successful startup/solid green LED. I did examine the board which does have a few electrolytics. Didn't look leaky but it's hard to tell. That's likely a good starting point (the vintage matches Macs that suffer the same problem).
Show threadvxoNov 12, 2024
@paulrickards @pleonard I recall the startup sequence on these drives being really goofy. It'd spin up, *overspeed* a moment, then go into servo lock, release the head locking solenoid with a loud click, then deploy the heads, read *something* off the disk, and do a quick seek test before declaring itself ready for business with a solid green light
Show threadPeter LeonardNov 12, 2024
@vxo @paulrickards yes and all accompanied by very distinctive sounds! You could even sense that something was off with a cart, purely sonically.
Show threadvxo
@pleonard @paulrickards the sound one makes when it clamps out of balance is spectacular and terrifying
Nov 12, 2024 at 9:09pmWeb
Show threadPeter LeonardNov 20, 2024
@vxo @paulrickards I shall sing you the song of my people
Show threadpaulrickardsNov 20, 2024
@pleonard @vxo Nice! Glad to see yours is working. The sound is unforgettable.
Show threadvxoNov 20, 2024

@pleonard @paulrickards welp.

that is PLEASING.