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  1. #1
    skyfox is offline Uncommon
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    Default Help! Commodore 64 1541 Disk Drive not working!

    I just pulled my old Commodore 64 out from the attic and hooked everything up but the Disk Drive is not working! Its a 1541 Disk Drive for a C64

  2. #2
    wheelbarrow's Avatar
    wheelbarrow is offline Uncommon
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    Quote Originally Posted by skyfox View Post
    I just pulled my old Commodore 64 out from the attic and hooked everything up but the Disk Drive is not working! Its a 1541 Disk Drive for a C64
    How is it not working? Can you be more specific? Like does it not power up at all, or maybe it powers up but does not load games?

  3. #3
    skyfox is offline Uncommon
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    The green light is on, the red light is also on, the motor keeps spinning (even though I did not issua a LOAD command or insert a Diskette) and if I try to LOAD a game it hangs.

    Any idea?

  4. #4
    jared's Avatar
    jared is offline Staff
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    Quote Originally Posted by skyfox View Post
    The green light is on, the red light is also on, the motor keeps spinning (even though I did not issua a LOAD command or insert a Diskette) and if I try to LOAD a game it hangs.

    Any idea?
    If motor keeps running and red light keeps lighting, I think it means that the 1541 Disk Drive failed to complete its startup process. I remember reading that when you light up the C64 1541 disk drive it goes through some internal diagnostic process. I think in your case something goes wrong and it doesnt complete that process.

    Not sure what you could do to fix it...maybe try turning it on or off a few times, or maybe bang it against the wall or something...

    Dont think there are that many placed that you could take it in for repair nowadays. I think it would be less headache and less cost just to get a new one on Ebay. They go for like $30 on Ebay.

  5. #5
    Zorch is offline Uncommon
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    You might want to take a look at Ray Carlsen's Repair articles.

    Your description might point to a defective chip on UC2 (Motor Control Interface).

  6. #6
    skyfox is offline Uncommon
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    Quote Originally Posted by Zorch View Post
    You might want to take a look at Ray Carlsen's Repair articles.

    Your description might point to a defective chip on UC2 (Motor Control Interface).
    thanks Zorch, yeah that sounds like it from the description on the site, but it does not seem clear how to repair it... so i think i'm just gonna go with Jared's advice and get a new 1541

  7. #7
    skyfox is offline Uncommon
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    Went to a flea market today and got a new Commodore 1541 Drive for $20

    Sold my old one for $5

    Am gonna test it now hope this one works

  8. #8
    wheelbarrow's Avatar
    wheelbarrow is offline Uncommon
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    Let's hope you didn't buy someone else's broken Commodore drive whom he sold to the flea market for 5 bucks just like you

  9. #9
    skyfox is offline Uncommon
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    Just tested the drive and it works, so i'm good now. Thanks all for the help

  10. #10
    Commodorian is offline Uncommon
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    Default Re: Help! Commodore 64 1541 Disk Drive not working!

    With old C64 equipment if it isnt working, sometimes it is better to just replace it completely rather then fixing it

    (Plus probably there arent many computer shops that specialize in C64 nowadays )

  11. #11
    Commodorian is offline Uncommon
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    Default Re: Help! Commodore 64 1541 Disk Drive not working!

    Though the Commodore 64 is a VERY reliable computer generally, I still have mine from when I was a kid and everything still works great!

 

 

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