ScuzzBlog: Diaries March 2017
Entry 9th March 2017: Post: 8
Spectrum belt
Hi
I set up a small area for the +3 and enjoyed going through the manual
yesterday. All was fine when I switched off last night. Even set up a
Binatone tape machine to use with the Spectrum 48K and with both computers
running through my small SONY colour TV, all was well in the world. This
morning however the +3 had bombed. Dreadful wavy image on screen and unable
to get any sense out of it. Fortunately I have another working +3 albeit
with a broken disk drive. So I swapped over the drives and all was fine.
Then I noticed a distinct issue with the power as I switched on. These
things are a pig cus there is no switch on the computer, you just have to
plug and unplug or switch off at the socket.
I dug out another power supply. If you thought the A500 brick was heavy you
should try picking one of these up. Plugged in and the computer did not make
the noise and was working fine. Thinks ? I then got the other computer that
was faulty this morning and now is working fine again. I dunno.
scuzz
-----Original Message-----
Hi
I had a go at mending a DD1 drive for an Amstrad but failed. The interface
card that sits over the belt pully is connected with so many cables you can’t
get at the belt. The thing had not only broken but stuck to the pully wheel.
I managed to save the write protection spindle. No idea where the thing
goes.
I gave up and maybe have a go another day.
I decided to have a go instead at a Spectrum +3. This involved and I will
list in sequence
Removing the back screws [ long from the case ]
Remove the two end screws [ small ]
Split case
Unhook the single connector below the keyboard.
Unhook the two ribbon connectors to the keyboard.
Pull out the power and the floppy ribbon to the drive.
Disconnect the earth wire and screw retaining drive.
Lift the drive clear.
Remove two screws to front face plate and pull off.
Remove three small brass screws to interface . The small screw was a pig to
undo.
Remove two side connectors to interface plate.
Lift the interface card very carefully. It will still be retained by cables.
You have enough space to remove the belt and hope its not stuck to the
pulley wheel. [ mine came off in one piece ]
Carefully place your new drive belt over the pulley wheel and extend and
drop over the lower smaller wheel.
Check to see that the belt is not twisted and the mechanism freely rotates.
Reverse your removal process.
Fire up the Spectrum [ Amstrad ] +3
Scroll down to +3 BASIC
Type 100 PRINT “ scuzz retro rules “
save “scuzz”
Watch and listen with amazement at the 3” drive doing its bit. And after the
OK type ‘ cat ‘ and return and see your new file “scuzz” on the list.
Type LOAD “scuzz”
And like magic it all works.
I bought these belts from a Brian A Watson from Ely Cambridgeshire back on
the 12th December 2007. Finally got round to fixing the machine. Next up I
will give a go at the 6128. As you do... but maybe not tonight.
scuzz
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