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app:using_diagnostics [2024/01/28 23:49] – pdevineapp:using_diagnostics [2024/01/29 02:31] (current) – pdevine
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 ⚠️ This page is incomplete! ⚠️ This page is incomplete!
  
-The Diagnostic Tools feature provides a mechanism to validate that your drive functions correctly. There are two main sections, a Speed Test to validate the drive rotates at the expected rate and a Check Drive section which walks you through several steps to do an overall drive evaluation.+The Diagnostic Tools feature provides a mechanism to validate that your drive functions correctly. There are two main sections, a Speed Test to validate the drive rotates at the expected rate and a Check Drive section which walks you through several steps to do an overall drive evaluation. See the [[app:using_diagnostics#troubleshooting|Troubleshooting]] section below if you need help trying to get a drive to pass all tests.
  
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 9. The final test checks the drives ability to write data. The diagnostic program will write data to a sector and then read to verify the write worked. If the drive passes all tests you'll see a set of green check marks as shown below. 9. The final test checks the drives ability to write data. The diagnostic program will write data to a sector and then read to verify the write worked. If the drive passes all tests you'll see a set of green check marks as shown below.
 {{ :app:disk_write_success.png?500 |}} {{ :app:disk_write_success.png?500 |}}
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- {{ app:diagnostic_tools_spindle_failure.png }} 
-     Abnormal power consumption is demonstrated in the screen above, which suggests an issue with the drive motor, causing abnormal spindle speed.  
  
  
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-===== Troubleshooting ===== +===== Troubleshooting Drive Diagnostics ===== 
  
   * Always power down your drive before you disassemble or attempt to repair it by unplugging the Applesauce unit from USB power.   * Always power down your drive before you disassemble or attempt to repair it by unplugging the Applesauce unit from USB power.
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   * If your drive has abnormal power consumption (red or yellow numbers instead of green), there may be a hardware issue with the drive. Mechanical issues such as drive rails in need of lubrication can cause elevated power consumption. Careful application of mechanical silicone oil to the drive rail may improve head motion and reduce power consumption. Other lubricants such as WD-40 are not recommended and may be detrimental to the drive in the long run. Yellow numbers are only slightly abnormal, and may still allow for the drive passing the other Check Drive tests.   * If your drive has abnormal power consumption (red or yellow numbers instead of green), there may be a hardware issue with the drive. Mechanical issues such as drive rails in need of lubrication can cause elevated power consumption. Careful application of mechanical silicone oil to the drive rail may improve head motion and reduce power consumption. Other lubricants such as WD-40 are not recommended and may be detrimental to the drive in the long run. Yellow numbers are only slightly abnormal, and may still allow for the drive passing the other Check Drive tests.
 {{ :app:red_power_levels.png?400 |}} {{ :app:red_power_levels.png?400 |}}
 +
 +  * In this screen below, abnormal power consumption is demonstrated, which suggests an issue with the drive motor, causing abnormal spindle speed. 
 +
 + {{ app:diagnostic_tools_spindle_failure.png }}
  
 == Write Protect == == Write Protect ==
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 {{ :app:write_protect_sensor.png?500 |}} {{ :app:write_protect_sensor.png?500 |}}
- 
-  * Verify that you have a **formatted** floppy of the correct density and correct type. If the floppy is not formatted, formatted for the wrong drive, or formatted at the wrong density, Applesauce can not verify that the drive is reading the disk correctly. If you do not have the correct kind of formatted disk, you can try setting the drive profile manually and then using the [[app:disk_writer|''Disk Writer'']] to create a formatted disk. Note also that Drive Profiler will overwrite tracks of your disk while performing initial testing, which may interfere with Check Drive read test, unless you use a reformat the disk or use a different formatted disk for testing. 
  
 == Reading 0 | Reading 1 == == Reading 0 | Reading 1 ==
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   * You might also see a yellow checkmark in either Reading box, as shown below. A red checkmark means that it can't find any sector structures. A yellow checkmark means that it does see sector structures, but it is also seeing a bunch of noise or bad sectors.   * You might also see a yellow checkmark in either Reading box, as shown below. A red checkmark means that it can't find any sector structures. A yellow checkmark means that it does see sector structures, but it is also seeing a bunch of noise or bad sectors.
 {{ :app:read_in_yellow.png?500 |}} {{ :app:read_in_yellow.png?500 |}}
 +
 +  * Verify that you have a **formatted** floppy of the correct density and correct type. If the floppy is not formatted, formatted for the wrong drive, or formatted at the wrong density, Applesauce can not verify that the drive is reading the disk correctly. If you do not have the correct kind of formatted disk, you can try setting the drive profile manually and then using the [[app:disk_writer|''Disk Writer'']] to create a formatted disk. Note also that Drive Profiler will overwrite tracks of your disk while performing initial testing, which may interfere with Check Drive read test, unless you use a reformat the disk or use a different formatted disk for testing.
  
   * **The most common cause of a read error is a dirty head.** Try running the Clean Head routine in Fast Imager with a cleaning disk, or manually clean the head after disassembling the drive. If you are using a 3.5" drive, never attempt to clean the heads manually. Only use a cleaning disk to clean the heads of a 3.5" drive. Attempting to manually clean a 3.5" drive heads risks knocking the heads out of alignment or damaging the springs holding the heads in position, these parts are more fragile than their 5" counterparts.   * **The most common cause of a read error is a dirty head.** Try running the Clean Head routine in Fast Imager with a cleaning disk, or manually clean the head after disassembling the drive. If you are using a 3.5" drive, never attempt to clean the heads manually. Only use a cleaning disk to clean the heads of a 3.5" drive. Attempting to manually clean a 3.5" drive heads risks knocking the heads out of alignment or damaging the springs holding the heads in position, these parts are more fragile than their 5" counterparts.
 +
 +  * If you happen to read a disk that contains a significant mold or a degraded disk surface, either the mold or the surface of the disk itself can get stuck to the read/write head. As the head scoots along the surface of the disk stuff builds up on the head which is pressing into the disk surface. When this occurs you'll frequently hear a screeching or grinding noise coming from the drive. Immediately take the disk out if you hear this! Once this build up has occurred, the drive will have read and write problems with all subsequent disks and can often cause bulldozing where the particles stuck to the drive head rip into the disk that caused the problems or future disks you try and read with the same drive. Dirty heads like this can destroy multiple disks if you don't clean off the built up material. Whenever you hear strange noises, stop, inspect the disk for mold or scratches along the disk surface, and try to clean the drive heads.
  
   * If you are using a Disk ][ drive, the next most common cause of a read error is failure of the 74125 IC (same as 74LS125) on the Disk Analog Card inside the disk drive. The 74125 IC may also result in abnormal power consumption in a Disk ][. Occasionally 74125 IC failure results in the drive uncontrollably overwriting Track $00, which destroys disks. The next most common point of failure is the MC3470 IC, which is also on the Disk Analog Card. If can be useful to test these chips by substitution with replacement or known good ICs. The ULN2003 IC, which controls the stepper motor, may also occasionally fail, resulting in absent or abnormal head movement.    * If you are using a Disk ][ drive, the next most common cause of a read error is failure of the 74125 IC (same as 74LS125) on the Disk Analog Card inside the disk drive. The 74125 IC may also result in abnormal power consumption in a Disk ][. Occasionally 74125 IC failure results in the drive uncontrollably overwriting Track $00, which destroys disks. The next most common point of failure is the MC3470 IC, which is also on the Disk Analog Card. If can be useful to test these chips by substitution with replacement or known good ICs. The ULN2003 IC, which controls the stepper motor, may also occasionally fail, resulting in absent or abnormal head movement. 
  
 == Index Sensor == == Index Sensor ==
-  * The index sensor exists on some 8" and 5.25" drives to both identify where the start of a track begins as well as measure the rotational speed of the drive. The disks have a hole in the disk at a certain location and the dives have an optical sensor that can detect light passing through the hole. Each time this hole passes over the sensor, the drive knows it's at the beginning of a track. See the photo below. This method is essential for the drive to understand where it is on the disk and to start reading or writing data from a known position. The Apple ][ and some other drives do not have an index sensor as their recording formats don't need to know the start of the track to interpret the data. 3.5" drives do use an index sensor, on the bottom of the 3.5" disk the metal part in the center aligns with the spindle motor to provide a similar set of information about where the start of the tracks begin. For drives that do not have index sensors the Applesauce can use a sync sensor to measure rotational speed. If your index sensor reading fails, double check that the disk is inserted correctly. If you insert the disk upside down it will block the index sensor from being able to see the hole. In addition, the optical sensor can be obscured by dirt or simply fail due to age.+  * The index sensor exists on some 8" and 5.25" drives to both identify where the start of a track begins as well as measure the rotational speed of the drive. Some hard sector disks have separate index holes for each sector, though more common soft-sectored disks only have one hole per disk. The drives have an optical sensor that can detect light passing through the hole when it rotates into view. Each time this hole passes over the sensor, the drive knows it's at the beginning of a track. See the photo below. This method is essential for the drive to understand where it is on the disk and to start reading or writing data from a known position.  
 + 
 +The first image shows the disk rotated so the index hole is visible, and the second image shows the disk rotated away from the hole so it is not visible.
  
-The image on the left shows the disk rotated so the index hole is visible, and the image on the right shows the disk rotated away from the hole.+{{:app:img_8009.jpeg?400|}}{{:app:img_8010.jpeg?400|}}
  
-{{:app:img_8009.jpeg?600|}}+  * The Apple ][ and some other drives do not have an index sensor as their recording formats don't need to know the start of the track to interpret the data. 3.5" drives also do not use an index sensor. On the bottom of the 3.5" disk the metal part in the center aligns with the spindle motor to provide a similar set of information about where the start of the tracks begin.  
 +  * For drives that do not have index sensors the Applesauce can use a sync sensor to measure rotational speed.  
 +  * If the diagnostics fails your index sensor, first double check that the disk is inserted correctly. If you insert the disk upside down it will block the index sensor from being able to see the hole. In addition, the optical sensor can be obscured by dirt or simply fail due to age. Check inside the drive that the index sensor has not been blocked.
  
-{{:app:img_8010.jpeg?600|}} 
  
 == Spindle Speed == == Spindle Speed ==
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 ==== TODO ==== ==== TODO ====
  
-  * Explain what all of the measurements mean.+  <del>* Explain what all of the measurements mean.</del>
  <del> * Explain what all of the tests mean.</del>  <del> * Explain what all of the tests mean.</del>
-  * Better troubleshooting.+  <del>* Better troubleshooting.</del>
   * Spindle Test: other drive types   * Spindle Test: other drive types