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The system will prompt you for your information. ========================================================================== ************ Topic 36 Fri May 15, 1992 D.BECKER8 at 22:28 EDT Sub: High Density Drives / AJAX chip I am interested in hearing from those who have installed Atari's new high density drive upgrade, AJAX chip and TOS 2.06 in the Mega STE 101 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 2 Sat May 16, 1992 D.BECKER8 at 03:16 EDT I have just finished installing TOS 2.06, the AJAX chip and Atari's new high density drive in my MegaSTE. The drive will not format high density disks. Single and double density seem OK. Atari service thinks the drive mechanism is bad. I am not sure. Earlier messages in topic 8 mirror the same problem with other Mega STE computers. - I have installed TOS 2.06 correctly - AJAX is installed - DIP switch 7 is toggled on - the replacement high density drive is installed ( PIN1 is reversed on this drive so the cable must be reversed as well) What else is there? I read rumors of missing traces on the motherboard. This is very frustrating. If you have successfully installed this Atari high density upgrade or you have overcome the problems I am now facing, I would like to hear from you! ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 3 Sat May 16, 1992 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 18:24 EDT I left a message in another topic about another problem other than the address line problem. It has to do with a screw in the power supply grounding out through the disk drive. Get rid of the screw and you get rid of your problem. If you want further info about this, I can Email you the procedure. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 4 Sat May 16, 1992 M.ALLEN14 [Mike Allen] at 20:12 EDT D.BECKER8, I'd like to see the answer to your questions too. I'm holding off the 2.06/AJAX upgrade since I've heard many conflicting stories. I've asked Atari about these stories in cat14/top14 but I'm begining to believe that no one at Atari ever reads Cat 14, 'ATARI CORPORATION ONLINE' let alone answer anything. If Atari isn't going to answer questions, why have this Category? Sorry about the flames. (not really!) 8^} Mike Allen ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 5 Sun May 17, 1992 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 06:06 EDT Maybe they are afraid of the revolving door if they supply info that someone thinks they shouldn't. Maybe it's because sometimes they seem to be attacked because they happen to be online. Who knows why they do not answer. Maybe they should have a representative that cannot get the revolving door. Leonard is a waste of time as he is not up there so to speak and all I have ever heard of from him is 'No Comment'. They should get a representative of Sam or Jack that gets their answers from them and in turn answers the users. Sometimes I think they don't want to say, "Hey, we screwed up and we will fix it" or "Yes, there is a problem and we are working on it". The later would be better than silence. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 6 Sun May 17, 1992 D.BECKER8 at 15:55 EDT Bob Beauchea recommended a power supply fix May 2, Cat 14, Topic 14 Message 37 This fix has helped other MegaSTE users but has not helped me. My inability to format high density continues though I discovered by accident before trying Bob's fix that I can read and write to SOME pre formatted IBM high density disks. This is an erratic feat and is SLOW as can be. Things just keep geting weirder! I have contacted Atari service directly through Compuserve and I hope to do the same today through GEnie mail. I find I am not hte only one with this problem, Kurt Werner has had this problem for weeks and is really fed up. He also tried Bob's fix but it did not help. Atari, here is what we need: 1. The proper pin configuration for the high density drives, maybe some of the pins are set wrong on the drive mechanism. 2. Is there a motherboard problem. If so what serial numbers are affected. 3. Can Atari or one of there service centres (Toad Computer?) please advise us on the missing trace problem or any other fix that they have had to do. I don't mind sending my MegaSTE back to Atari for a while, heck I'm even willing to pay a dealer to fix it "if someone will admit that there is a problem" and someone "really knows what that problem is"! Maybe the difficulties are confined to a very small percentage of early MegaSTE machines. If I sound frustrated, you are right, I am. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 7 Sun May 17, 1992 KWERNER [Kurt] at 19:26 EDT Go getem' David! ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 8 Mon May 18, 1992 D.BECKER8 at 14:17 EDT I was contacted this morning by Carl at Atari (California) and then put in touch with Ted for technical assistance. Heres the scoop, some of the old, original MegaSTE's will need a new chip (I don't know which one yet) and a trace attached to the bottom of the mother board. The recent MegaSTE's do not seem to be affected. I have a friend in town who just installed his high denisty and it works fine (and this irritates me more). Anyway, I have been put in touch with my local rep here in Canada and I will be shipping my computer back for the needed repairs this week. Anyone having this problem with the new drives should contact their local dealer. The dealer can contact Atari Sunnyvale for repair info. They are aware of the problem and they know how to fix it. Yeah!! Thankyou Atari for the prompt and courteous response. I will keep you all informed of my progress. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 9 Tue May 19, 1992 MUSE [Tomas] at 01:10 EDT D.BECKER, Wow! You mean to say that actually got to speak to Ted? Jeepers, voice mail must be down. ===Tomas=== ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 10 Tue May 19, 1992 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 07:03 EDT The pre production version of the MSTe will NOT use a 1.44 drive. How to tell: There is a chip located between the SIMMs and the Ajax (or WD1772). If it is rectangular, sorry you loose. If it is square and surface mounted then a 1.44 will work. If you are still having problems, check: 1. Bad Ajax 2. Bad drive mech 3. Data cable too close to power cables 4. Power supply needs middle screw removed Mike, TEAM COMPUTERS ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 11 Tue May 19, 1992 A.DIPIETRO [Anthony D.] at 19:47 EDT Mike D. Anything on the TTs? I have one from 1991...I don't want to open it or anything before I order my upgrade kit... Anthony ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 12 Tue May 19, 1992 C.MONTGOMERY at 20:22 EDT I there ane upgrade kit available from Atari or anyone that will allow me to upgrade my old Mega 4ST to the new 1.44 drive. My current drive has the large (1 1/2") center eject butten with slanted ends and the drive light is in the lower right hand corner. ??? My local dealer can't answer this one! Thanks, Charlie @ Design for Print ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 13 Tue May 19, 1992 D.A.BRUMLEVE [kidprgs] at 21:04 EDT Charlie, I think there are two routes for this, though I'm not clear on it. One (this one FOR SURE) is to buy HDrive from OPI. There's a topic on this modification in another Category (Hardware?) and they can be reached in GEMail at the address WUZTEK.OPI and via phone at 714 753 9253. A possible solution, the one I'm NOT sure about, would be offered by upgrading to TOS 2.6 via the TOS Extension Card from CodeHead. More information on this (and the TRUE story as to whether it would enable you to add a high density drive) can be found in the CodeHead Cat #32 below or in GEMail to CODEHEAD. One way or another, this capability _is_ there. I investigated the OPI solution for my own Mega4ST...My DS internal drive had died anyway, so I needed to replace it and thought an HD drive might be just the thing...But I came upon a cheap DS replacement and took it. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 14 Tue May 19, 1992 D.BECKER8 at 21:34 EDT Spoke to Randy at Atari Canada this morning. The Canadian arm of Atari is also aware of the problem on early MegaSTE's and will be sending the fix (new chip/trace specs) to all auth service centres in Canada. My dealer should have the part within two weeks. I prefer to wait the extra few days and have my local dealer fix me up rather than send my precious computer back east or south of the border. I am having no problems with single and double densities so I am not "dead in the water" waiting for my high density fix. I've had good response from Atari USA and Atari Canada in the last couple of days and this impresses me. I'll let you know when I'm finally 1.44 wheeling! ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 15 Wed May 20, 1992 C.MONTGOMERY at 08:09 EDT Thanks for the info. I'll tell my local dealer to keep poking Atari until they tell him how he can get me a 1.44 upgrade. Charlie @ Design for Print ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 16 Thu May 21, 1992 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 06:13 EDT Anthony, As far as I know there are no problems with the TT and 1.44 drives. Mike, Team Computers ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 17 Thu May 21, 1992 A.DIPIETRO [Anthony D.] at 19:17 EDT Thanks Mike...I was talking too Best Electronics and the guy said there might be problems related to the power supply. He would only sell the kit "as is"...I guess that means if there is a problem, the only recourse would be togo to Atari...I've decided to wait awhile...does that make sense? Anthony ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 18 Tue May 26, 1992 HAINES at 22:40 EDT I read through this topic earlier befiore getting my High density upgrade. On opening my Mega 4 STE, I found the power spully way in the back left corner, nowhere near the disk drive. The Ajax went in under the SCSI controller card(?) Took about 15 minutes from case open till case closed. Worked fine in all densities. Is there a real large difference in motherboards to this extent. I can't see any way the power supply on this type board could affect the drive. There is a good gap between them. This STE is about 6 months old. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 19 Thu May 28, 1992 HAINES at 18:14 EDT Talked with my dealer. He recommends pulling the center screw anyway, even though I am not having any obvious realiability problems. If the thing was designed to go to case ground through that screw and the post it secures to, shouldn't it make it less reliable to pull the power back off the correct traces. The center screw on mine goes to the bottom of the power supply cage, but not down to the motherboard. My dealer seems to think that long screws are passed through the power supply cage, and are shorting a trace down on the motherboard. Is there some misunderstanding here about what is being shorted. None of the screws on the power supply board pass below the power supply shield on mine. Do they on someone elses who is having the problem, and short out traces on the motherboard, not the power supply board? ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 20 Sat Jun 06, 1992 E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen] at 21:51 EDT Oh, NOW I find that this topic is here. :^) Still no word on my new PAL and motherboard trace. I called Atari on Friday and tried to speak with Art Morgan, but he wasn't there; his phone just rang and rang. I left a message with Atari's main desk for him to call me on Tuesday. Maybe I'll get a call. :^) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 21 Wed Jun 10, 1992 KWERNER [Kurt] at 22:49 EDT I can't go into all of it right now, but 99% of my 1.44M HD drive problems are solved! Atari is now shipping the PAL chip with the upgrades, I just received my second one from my local dealer. The jumper for boards lower than REV B goes from UA2-Pin 19 (the new PAL) to U7-pin 32 (68000 CPU). Both chips are located in front of the power supply. Ya Hu!!! ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 22 Sun Jul 05, 1992 M.FARMER2 [Mark Farmer] at 13:51 EDT To: D.Becker8 Since You Seem To Know Alot About This Ajax Chip/1.4 Meg Upgrade Can This Upgrade Be Made To A 1040STE? If So Would I Need 2.06 TOS And Where Would A Get Call/Address To Get This Upgrade? ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 23 Sun Jul 05, 1992 A.DIPIETRO [Anthony D.] at 13:57 EDT Mark, From what I understand just reading this RT, the Ajax chip needs a system running at 16Mhz or higher. I would think that if you upgraded your CPU to a speed higher than 16MHz you should be able to use the chip. I think a better solution may be to contact Toad Computers to ask about the 1.44 floppy they have that works with any ST. (so they say :) Send a note to TOAD-SERV. or check the hardware section of this RT. Anthony ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 24 Sun Jul 05, 1992 M.FARMER2 [Mark Farmer] at 17:39 EDT To: A.DIPIETRO [Anthony D.] That kind of sucks in away why they can upgrade a older atari st to use 1.4 meg drives And Atari can not. Thanks for the info. if anyone has anything else about this for me let me know. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 25 Sat Jul 18, 1992 E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen] at 01:27 EDT The conclusion (I hope!) to my story about getting my Mega STE and 1.44meg drive to work. First, let me tell you that I sent a concise, polite one-page letter to Sam Tramiel on or around July 6th, explaining my problem. So, on Tuesday I call my dealer to see if there's any news on the high-density drive stuff that we've been waiting to get from Atari. I usually called every 10 days or so. I had been expecting a "nothing" like I was receiving before when I asked about news, but much to my surprise he said that developments have been made. (Hooray!) He said he got the necessary parts and instructions and that I could stop by and he would do the modifications for a modest parts and labor fee, of course. That afternoon, I drove over there and watched as he performed all of the necessary modifications, including rerouting the hard drive power cables and installing new PAL and jumper. I had done everything else beforehand: removing that nasty center screw in the power supply, and installing the Ajax chip, and drive. While he was installing these modifications, I'd distract him by asking him Atari-related questions. ;^) So I asked about the recent events that led up to his possession of the parts. He said that he had called Art Morgan in Atari Service and asked about the parts and instructions. I don't remember if he had already received the parts and just needed instructions, but he talked to Art in any case. Art apparently had faxed four pages of instructions to do the modification, but my dealer needed more, so Art faxed four more. My dealer said that he told Art that one guy in Sacramento and Ed Krimen from San Francisco both need the modifications. And Art Morgan replied, 'Oh, yeah, Ed Krimen. He sent a letter to Sam Tramiel.' Of course, I was smiles from ear to ear. It seems that my letter had made a difference. Or at least, I'd like to think so. :^) After all, it took two months to get the parts after much prodding by my dealer and me. I don't want to think what would (or would not) have happened had I not sent the letter. So I formatted a few disks fine; no problems. But when writing to them, I had problems. Small files, under 100K or so would work fine, but 300K+ files would result in "Data on Drive A: may be damaged" errors. After a few clicks on the "Retry" button, it would complete the write, but the errors were unacceptable. On Thursday, I called my dealer again and he told me to try to disconnect my external hard drive and see if that fixes it, because some machines had weak DMA chains. But that didn't solve the problem. Then we decided I'd stop by his store since he had other Ajax chips we could test. While at his store, we tried another Ajax chip. It exhibited the same problem. We couldn't figure it out. Then he tried an Ajax chip for the TT. He explained that there are different part numbers for the chips for the TT and those for the Mega STE. In any case, the TT Ajax chip worked perfectly and that's what we settled with. Really strange. (This message may not be reprinted without my permission.) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 26 Sat Jul 18, 1992 S.STANDIFORD [Praetor] at 23:38 EDT Ed, Holy cow! You've had a spot of trouble with your 1.44meg drive, eh? I'm glad to hear that everything worked out okay for you. It's kinda cool to see that the folks at Atari sat up and took notice when you wrote to Sam! Good for you! I'm glad, however, that I didn't read this message of yours BEFORE I upgraded my Mega/STE to 1.44 meg drives. If I had, I probably wouldn't have tried it... I don't know what the difference is between Mega/STE's, but my upgrade went smoothly... Strange, huh? -Praetor ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 27 Mon Jul 20, 1992 G.ANDERSON at 23:48 EDT Gee, I wrote the T's several times... never did get an reply . Maybe they knew who I was? Gregg ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 28 Tue Jul 21, 1992 E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen] at 02:04 EDT Gregg, I didn't get a reply either. I don't think they "do" replies. :^) But I guess they read. :^) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 29 Tue Jul 21, 1992 J.LEBLANC3 [Jeff] at 05:33 EDT Ed, You mentioned that you had trouble with the Ajax chip for the MSTE, so you used the TT chip (which had a different p/n). I did the opposite. My dealer had ordered a HD drive upgrade for the MSTE, I bought it, took out the old DD drive in the TT, switched the face plates, popped in the AJAX and the drive, and it's working fine. I was worried that I may have trouble because my TT is one of the first ones released, but I haven't had any trouble so far. Weird huh? ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 30 Tue Jul 21, 1992 M.FARMER2 [Mark Farmer] at 06:14 EDT AKA: King Sparta To: Who Ever Someone said in here a week or so ago that the AJAX chip will not work with computers less than 16mhz. If I upgraded my computer (1040STE W/4 Megs) with ICD's 16mhz board would I then be able to use the AJAX chip? ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 31 Thu Jul 23, 1992 E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen] at 00:00 EDT Jeff, Yeah, from the Twilight Zone.... :^) Mark, There's a text file in the libraries (something like FC_INSTR) that will tell you how to install the Mega STE 1.44meg kit in an ST. I don't remember any of the specific details or caveats, so there may be exceptions. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 32 Thu Jul 23, 1992 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 06:01 EDT For those of you just joined the discussion...... EVERY STe (again STe, yes MEGAe too) is ready for TOS 2.06. Just remove the old TOS and plug in the new chips. No boards or modifications are needed. ALL STs can use the Ajax. It is the replacement for the WD1772 and is in all newly manufactured STs. EVERY MEGA STe and TT is ready for a 1.44 (or 2.88) floppy drive. Install TOS 2.06 or 3.06 (TOS 2.05 and 3.05 DO NOT work), the Ajax chip, a 1.44 (or 2.88) mech, and flip dip switch #7. Yes it will still read, write, format, 360K (single-sided) and 720K (double-sided) disks as well as other perverse and extended format disks (IBM, SPECTRE, Mac, Etc). If you have an ST (the older stuff) or STe, adding a 1.44 floppy will will much more complex. AND MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE AT ALL. First try the Opti drive product. Or, do all of the above for the MSTe and hand wire a switch and wire for a switchable 8/16MHz signal for the drive. Of course if you try to read/write a disk with the switch in the wrong position....fffftt. Best bet: buy a MEGA STe. Owners of older STs (NOT e's) who want TOS 2.06, go directly to Codehead (do not pass GO) and get the TEC board. Mike Drysdale, TEAM COMPUTERS If you want to have some fun right now, MEGAe owners ONLY, flip dip switch #7 (it's under the hard drive) and go to format. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 33 Thu Jul 23, 1992 M.FARMER2 [Mark Farmer] at 21:09 EDT To: M.DRYSDALE [Drys] how would I send a 16mhz signal to the drive? when im running 8 mhz? Also the Opti drive, I think are out of it, they do not answer there E-mail and others I have asked said that they will not answer any questions or return calls on the phone. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 34 Fri Jul 24, 1992 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 07:23 EDT Mark Farmer - Tou have corectly identified why it is so difficult to put a 1.44 in a 8MHz machine. MIke, TEAM COMPUTERS ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 35 Fri Jul 24, 1992 M.FARMER2 [Mark Farmer] at 19:20 EDT To: M.DRYSDALE [Drys] Whats that, sending a 16mhz signal to the drive? by the way what is "Team Computers" ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 36 Sat Jul 25, 1992 J.MEEHAN3 [>> Joe M << ] at 08:19 EDT Team Computers is a Computer store in Detroit that offers Atari and other computer support. Since I was there just last week I can tell you they had a full wall of Atari 16 bit software, a fair amount of 8 bit software, hardware including at least 2 TT's and more. >> Joe Meehan << ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 37 Sat Jul 25, 1992 M.FARMER2 [Mark Farmer] at 18:27 EDT To: J.Meehan3 [>> Joe M <<] I just found that out (Team Computers is a Store). since I was in a Book store and picked up a copy of "Atari Interface" a user group mag. It is the first time i have seen it it does not look bad. Its is at Eastpointe, MI 48021 Phone: 313-445-2983 and is a Authorized Sales and Service center. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 38 Mon Jul 27, 1992 J.LEBLANC3 [Jeff] at 21:57 EDT Mike, Are you sure about 3.05 and the high density. I picked up a MSTE High Density upgrade from my local dealer and installed it into my TT030 with TOS 3.05. It works fine. I also heard that the TT and MSTE Ajax chip are different, and are not interchangeable. I have the one from the MSTE kit and it works fine on the TT (I wonder is this is part of my floppy problems with Spectre GCR, I already rewired it per instructions left in that RT). Can anyone shed any light on this? ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 39 Tue Jul 28, 1992 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 06:04 EDT Mark and Joe, Thanks for the plug. A 1.44 drive takes data twice as fast as a 720 which runs at 8MHz. The MSTe switches the signal that goes to the drive depending what disk is in there. The STe (or STF) has no such circutry. It is very messy to hard wire it in. Mike, TEAM COMPUTERS ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 40 Wed Jul 29, 1992 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 06:31 EDT Jeff, The 3.06 and 1.44 drive issue was addressed by REHBOCK. Code was addded to 3.06 so that 1.44 would work properly ALL of the time (in ST/TT mode). We have a TT here, and GCR has problems with a 1.44 drive (any TOS). One suggested cure is: cashe off, access a 720K disk before starting GCR. Mike, TEAM COMPUTERS ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 41 Wed Jul 29, 1992 K.VANDELLEN [Ken Van] at 07:57 EDT My Spectre GCR seems not to like my HD drive. I had to hook up a floppy B. I could do everything but read a file I had saved to floppy. The drive B read it fine. Ken Van Dellen d8^) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 42 Wed Jul 29, 1992 K.VANDELLEN [Ken Van] at 08:22 EDT Drys helped me just yesterday with the GCR problem. (He's in my neighborhood, so I called him.) I had to go to an external B drive on my Mega STE, but will again try his "suggested cure" in msg. 40. I missed the part about cache off. Is it 16 mhz and cache off, or do we go to 8 mhz, too? Change it in the Control Panel under General Setup/CPU Speed? I skipped that part, and just tried to do it by opening a 720K disk. Thanks, Drys@TEAM Computers! BTW, is there a chance I need to have the surgery on my power supply screw? Ken Van Dellen d8^) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 43 Thu Jul 30, 1992 S.WINICK at 05:52 EDT Ken, You're lucky to have Team Computers in your 'neighborhood'. Mike is definitely one of Atari's better dealers, and very knowledgeable in the product line and service. I'm sure he'll be able to solve any problems you're having. Sheldon (Computer STudo - Asheville, NC) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 44 Fri Jul 31, 1992 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 06:16 EDT Donnno if the power supply screw voodoo willdoo any good. Go ahead, try it! Mike, TEAM COMPUTERS Sheldon - Gosh, I didn't know a monochrome monitor could blush. Of course the same goes for you. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 45 Sat Aug 01, 1992 J.LEBLANC3 [Jeff] at 10:06 EDT Mike, Thanks for the info. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 46 Sat Aug 01, 1992 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 10:42 EDT If that power supply has the screw in it, it will cause problems other than just GCR problems. If that screw is in there, you might want to take it to TEAM if it is under warranty or you don't feal comfortable about doing it. If it is under warranty and you do it, it will not be any longer! ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 47 Sat Aug 01, 1992 R.JOHNSON [Robert] at 17:17 EDT Ed, I just received by update ( 2.6 / 1.44 ) kit and am having the same problems you had. The drive works fine in the lower densities but is a no-go in high density. My computer is an older Mega STe. I don't know which revision the mother board is.... The revision number is blank. Could you please tell me what I will need to get this sucker straightened out? I've already removed the screw and taped the isolated area. I tried re- routing the power cables also... No luck. I guess I could take it to a dealer on the local economy, but the mark rate is really bad and it would run me a good deal of cash to have them do it for me. I just need to know what parts to purchase and what jumpers to run.. ---------------------------------------------- Mike, Now I am really confused. Here is a message you wrote back in May... Category 14, Topic 14 Message 91 Tue May 19, 1992 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 07:02 EDT The pre production version of the MSTe will NOT use a 1.44 drive. How to tell: There is a chip located between the SIMMs and the Ajax (or WD1772). If it is rectangular, sorry you loose. If it is square and surface mounted then a 1.44 will work. If you are still having problems, check: 1. Bad Ajax 2. Bad drive mech 3. Data cable too close to power cables 4. Power supply needs middle screw removed Mike, TEAM COMPUTERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I have one of these older MSTEs with the rectangular chip. Have I wasted my money after all?? -- Robert Johnson -- 11:12:24 pm CET -- Mainz, Germany ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 48 Sat Aug 01, 1992 E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen] at 22:43 EDT Robert, I was going to tell you to call the dealer that helped me, but you're in Germany. :^) Contact Mike at Team or Sheldon at Computer Studio online here. You're going to need a new PAL from Atari (which either of them should be able to supply) and run a jumper from that PAL to the 68000. Hopefully they'll be able to provide you with details. After my dealer did that and rerouted cables and ribbons per Atari's instructions, I still had trouble copying large (>100K) files to floppy; I'd get Data on Drive A: errors. In that case, after trying another Ajax chip to no avail, we used an Ajax chip for a TT and that worked fine. From what I was told, there are two part numbers for the Ajax chip, one for the Mega STE and one for the TT. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 49 Sun Aug 02, 1992 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 00:03 EDT Robert, Call TOAD Computers. They have done the mods to people's computers that had the rectangle chip. From what i know of it, you will need to have the mod done if you do not have the proper chip. I am not sure if TEAM or any of the other dealers, etc. have done this mod. I only have heard of TOAD and someone mentioned here about what TOAD said. I am pretty sure but not positive that even if you have that chip, you can still get a 1.44 to work. If you just recently purchased the Mega, maybe you can have your dealer swap it for a new version of the computer. The best thing to do is call or visit the dealer you purchased it from and talk to them. If they are not very supportive, then call TOAD, TEAM or Sheldon (Computer Studio). I have heard a lot of good things about TOAD and TEAM and I know Sheldon and he will do all he can to help the user. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 50 Sun Aug 02, 1992 R.JOHNSON [Robert] at 04:51 EDT Ed, Thanks for the suggestions and info. I guess these kinds of problems are what happens to those of us who buy too early. Won't happen again (I hope). I guess I will hold off buying any new Atari computer until that model has been out for about 2 years. That way it will have stablized enough, or at least have the right shaped chip set so any upgrade will work. I don't mind (too much) having to get a new PAL, or add jumpers or even stand on my head and whistle 'Dixie'. I just want the sucker to work. BUT I don't intend on spending mega bucks getting this 'cheap' upgrade to work. The dealer will be getting himself a package back in the mail before that happens. ---------------- Wayne, I don't think I will be calling TOAD anytime soon, and I am for sure not sending my computer back to the states to get the mod. If I can't do it here, it doesn't need to be done. Nope, the Mega isn't a new purchase. I got it last summer. The dealer I bought it from is as supportive as any dealer thats 8 time zones away can be. I called him to tell him about the troubles I am having and to have him call Atari and ask for the gory details about the fix. Hopefully he can get me some info on the problem. Seems like SOMEONE would have shipped out some instructions with the upgrades, and list the potential problems with the different computer revisions ( power supply screw, dipswitch 7, rectangular chip, new PAL, jumper wire ) and these are the only ones I know about. Now, who should that someone have been? The people who made it, of course. -- Robert Johnson -- 10:49:20 am CET -- Mainz, Germany ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 51 Sun Aug 02, 1992 J.P.C. at 11:28 EDT R. Johnson is _ABSOLUTELY CORRECT_. ATARI should pay for shipping his computer to where-ever, and FIX IT. For them to ship a NEW computer that need immediate mods in order to work as claimed, is incredulous! ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 52 Sun Aug 02, 1992 R.JOHNSON [Robert] at 12:37 EDT J.P.C. Wow! While I never said Atari should pay to ship my computer anywhere, or that it was new, this 'simple' upgrade is starting to get a bit out of hand. And before anyone else speaks up, yes, I do consider swapping a few chips and the drive mech to be a simple thing. I just wish they would have made an upgrade kit for each different board revision. That way the kit I bought would have came with all required parts, and maybe even a set of docs. And now come the comments about how they can't afford to make a kit for each revision.... Right. How many are there? Why so many? All they have to do is inform the dealers / suppliers that revision X requires these parts and revision Y needs those parts and let them make up the upgrade kits as needed. Not that difficult a task, or is it? So, would everyone please run out and purchase a Jaguar(sp) so I can buy the third or fourth generation, half price ones they will be releasing 6 months later with most of the bugs worked out? I paid $999 for a color 520ST back in '85 so you wouldn't have to. I paid $1,100 for a 4 meg 1040STe back in '90 so you wouldn't have to. I paid $1,800 for a Mega4 STe w/80 meg last summer so you wouldn't have to. I'm tired of the price wars starting after I have already purchased the outdated, over priced product. So all you techno freaks.... go for it. I'll get mine about a year after you do. -- Robert Johnson -- 6:25:16 pm CET -- Mainz, Germany ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 53 Mon Aug 03, 1992 J.LEHETT2 [J.J. Lehett] at 18:29 EDT OK, well now after more upgrades to my original TOS 2.05/1.44 MSTe (which included getting TOS 2.06, and a new Ajax chip). The same problems persist. It will continually stop formatting after the 40th track or so. The beginning first 40 or so tracks always format fine. I have done the power supply fix. I have detached the power leads to the hard drive reduce RF interference, and I have attempted numerous routing options suggested by others to make sure the power leads were as far from the floppy cable as possible. Thus I am now left with the option of a possible bad drive mech (?). I can probably borrow one from a friend (IBM), but I would like to know how easily it would be to switch the MSTe's 1.44 drive with a IBM used 1.44 drive? PS. A friend overseas is having the same problems as I. He wrote a program to test it out, and the problem was that it refused to accurately seek tracks beyond 40 on the 1.44 drive. Which is same symptoms as mine, when it attempts to go past approx track 40 on a desktop format (I am only guessing on length here, but its a repeatable location on the thermo bar for formatting), I hear the head zipping back and forth seeking the next track, and then get the disk unusable error. J.J. Lehett ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 54 Tue Aug 04, 1992 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 06:02 EDT Robert, Looks like 1.44 is not gonna work for you. I've only heard about the PAL mod here online. Have not tried it. Mike, TEAM COMPUTERS ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 55 Tue Aug 04, 1992 J.LEHETT2 [J.J. Lehett] at 23:21 EDT OK, upon further testing, I have nailed down the problem a bit more. By using the Diamond on my Tos 2.06 1.44 MSTe (that was upgraded from 2.05 1.44), I consistantly, repeatedly, and exactly get a dos -16 (bad sector) error on every HD 3.5 inch floppy (of varying manufacturers) I attempt to format. I cannot believe that something so 'exactly repeatable' is due to RF interference, or a 'flakey' chip (and I have tried 2 ajax chips as of now). It seems something inherent in the system is wrong. Anyone have ANY ideas on what might be so special about track 45? J.J. Lehett ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 56 Tue Aug 04, 1992 J.LEHETT2 [J.J. Lehett] at 23:27 EDT Whoops... missed a major point in the last post... the dos -16 error always comes at track 45, never any other earlier tracks... which is what I find so odd. J.J. Lehett ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 57 Wed Aug 05, 1992 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 05:13 EDT Are you sure you have the 1.44 meg drive. What model number is it? Did it come with the computer? If not, it may have com configured with some jumpers or something that is telling the drive to format at 40 tracks instead of 80. Just guessing here as I do not know much about floppy drive configurations. It does sound like it is set up for 40 tracks or something thinks it is. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 58 Thu Aug 06, 1992 E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen] at 22:17 EDT We need a background formatter like Mystic that works with HD floppies (including 82/20). Formatting takes too long!! ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 59 Fri Aug 07, 1992 S.WINICK at 06:00 EDT Ed, Why not simply buy preformatted diskettes. They only cost a few cents more, and save all that formatting time. We've gotten to the point that we're only stocking preformatted diskettes in the store, as most customers prefer them. Many of the major manufacturers are now offering their diskettes in preformatted form. In fact, Dysan, for example, also is packaging their box of 10 preformatted diskettes in a very nice plastic storage case. Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 60 Fri Aug 07, 1992 DOUG.W [ICD RT] at 07:57 EDT The local Best Buy sells preformatted disks for less than unformatted! --Doug ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 61 Fri Aug 07, 1992 REALM [Joey] at 18:49 EDT The best thing about preformatted is there 'fully' IBM compatible. Our MAC at work won't read an ST formatted IBM disk but it'll read the preformatted jobs. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 62 Sat Aug 08, 1992 E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen] at 00:56 EDT Hmm, I didn't think about preformatted disks. Thanks. I kinda feel like I'm missing something though when I can only get 1.44megs on a disk instead of 1.66megs. Call me frugal, or cheap. :^) Maybe I'll just tolerate the slowness. Format disks and read a software manual. :^) Hopefully at least until MultiTOS is out for a while and someone has come up with a solution. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 63 Sat Aug 08, 1992 S.STANDIFORD [Praetor] at 02:17 EDT >We need a background formatter like Mystic that works with HD floppies >(including 82/20). Formatting takes too long!! Here here!!! ------------ > The best thing about preformatted is there 'fully' IBM compatible. Our MAC >at work won't read an ST formatted IBM disk but it'll read the preformatted >jobs. Hey, I've got a question for all you drive experts out there. When I try to format a previously Mac-Formatted floppy on an IBM I get a Track-0 bad error. But when I format a Mac disk on my STE's they work fine... What's the catch? -Praetor ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 64 Sat Aug 08, 1992 REALM [Joey] at 09:24 EDT Praetor, Good question... I can do the same thing but I haven't tried formating with DOS. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 65 Sun Aug 09, 1992 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 07:02 EDT Ed, My brother gets 1.72 megs from his HD equipped MSTe. You should be able to. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 66 Fri Aug 14, 1992 K.VANDELLEN [Ken Van] at 18:22 EDT Sheldon, Yeah, I'm starting to appreciate Team more. I was loyal to a dealer a little farther away, since 1982, but he seems to be getting away from Atari stuff. I grew up in a small town, and like to know the people I deal with. Mike, I'm not sure I'm ready to try the screw voodoo myself. Maybe later. Maybe I'll come to see you, as Wayne suggests. Ken Van Dellen d8^) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 67 Sun Aug 16, 1992 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 14:31 EDT Ken, Sheldon told me the screw voodod is VERY simple. See ya latter. Mike, TEAM COMPUTERS ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 68 Mon Aug 17, 1992 K.VANDELLEN [Ken Van] at 06:33 EDT Mike, Is screwing with the screw allowed under the warranty? I have a couple of months left. Ken Van Dellen d8^) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 69 Mon Aug 17, 1992 E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen] at 22:03 EDT From Usenet: Article 6292 (1 more) in comp.sys.atari.st.tech: From: reeuwijk@dutentb.et.tudelft.nl (C. van Reeuwijk) Subject: Re: Continuing 1.44 Drive Woes Message-ID: <1992Aug17.073932.15272@donau.et.tudelft.nl> Date: 17 Aug 92 07:39:32 GMT References: <1992Aug11.005337.4789@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> <4228@wet.UUCP>,<92225.1 43240JJL101@psuvm.psu.edu> <1992Aug13.120654.3514@peponi.wcc.govt.nz> Sender: news@donau.et.tudelft.nl (UseNet News System) Organization: Delft University of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering Lines: 36 Nntp-Posting-Host: duteela.et.tudelft.nl I got this from the Atari Benelux BBS: ---- Technical information date: 25 may 1992 number: 105 High Density drive in MEGA STE If you install a high density kit in a MEGA STE with a serial number starting with A13 or a lower number (for example: A09) and it doesn't work in HD mode then the following points must be checked: Test if there is a connection between U7 pin 32 and UA2 pin 19. If there is no connection, solder a wire between these points. Check if the PAL UA2 has the CO number C301901-002 (the PAL C301901-001 doesn't work with a HD drive). C301901-002 has order number 620100 [for Atari Benelux at least - CvR]. --- Disclaimer: I only translated this. I'm not responsible for fried Ataris or HD drives. Remember that you may need a AJAX chip to replace the original disk controller. I recommend the replacement anyway since even if the original controller works at the higher speed, it was never designed for it. Since I am one of the unlucky victims, I will try the patch above as soon as possible. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= C. van Reeuwijk e-mail: reeuwijk@et.tudelft.nl Delft University of Technology Phone: +15-781429 Dep. of Electronic Engineering Telefax: +15-785922 Mekelweg 4 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands End of article 6292 (of 6293)--what next? [npq] ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 70 Tue Aug 18, 1992 S.WINICK at 05:31 EDT Ken, Breaking the warranty seal is not allowed under the warranty; that's why it's there. If you're having a problem with the system while still under warranty, I'd recommend that you simply return it to the dealer you purchased it from and have it repaired. Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 71 Tue Aug 18, 1992 K.VANDELLEN [Ken Van] at 18:13 EDT Thanks, Sheldon. I've had a few problems with the drive, but I'm not sure at this point that they are the drive's fault. For example, it seems that DataDiet doesn't complete a copy when I use MaxiFile, so I get the file name and a size of 0, but, they tell me, the copied file stays in the DD workfile. That can make it look like the drive isn't working right. There may have been other such incidents, also. I was think of having the screw voodoo done, just in case. I got the computer from Mike at TEAM, and I'm sure he can help me. He's my main Atari dealer now that the guy I dealt with since early 1982 has lost interest in Atari (or Atari lost interest in him). Ken Van Dellen d8^) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 72 Tue Aug 18, 1992 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 23:37 EDT Ken, Only if you get caught screwing around. Mike, TEAM COMPUTERS (Don't take this out of context!) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 73 Wed Aug 19, 1992 REALM [Joey] at 01:41 EDT Ken, If I remember right Data Diet always makes 0 files out of the files you just used. The first file always remains the right size even though it's compressed too. It's been a while since I've messed with it but I'm pretty sure thats how it works. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 74 Wed Aug 19, 1992 S.WINICK at 05:19 EDT Ken, Looks like Mike is already on top of your problem. Run the system over to him and I'm sure he'll be glad to check it out for you and if necessary remove the sometimes troublesome screw in the power supply. For those of you out there worried about that much discussed middle screw in the power supply, please don't get overly concerned about something being wrong with your MegaSTe. The screw in question rarely causes problems, and if it does, you'll see the interference on the monitor display. Unless you're getting video interference, there's no need to have the center screw removed. It's only a problem on very few machines so there's no need to blow this minor problem totally out of proportion. If your machine ain't broke, don't fix it! We see far too many computers brought or sent into our service department that were perfectly fine until the customer decided to open it up to 'fix' something. Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 75 Wed Aug 19, 1992 J.MEEHAN3 [>> Joe M << ] at 06:39 EDT Ken, I suggest you re-read your DD manual and it sould explain the 0 file size thing. That is the reason I have chosen not to use DD for now, well one of the reasons (I also added 200 meg). DD has stated they are planing to add a change to the next release to work on this "problem." Please note the "'s. After you read the manual you should understand why it is not really a problem but more of an inconvience. >> Joe Meehan << ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 76 Wed Aug 19, 1992 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 21:31 EDT You may also get interference on your TV as I did on the one in the next room with that middle screw in. Sheldon is right though. Unless you are having problems, it ain't broke. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 77 Thu Aug 20, 1992 K.VANDELLEN [Ken Van] at 07:50 EDT Mike, >Only if you get caught screwing around. I guess if you're my dealer, you'd be the logical person to catch me, if anyone. Joey and Joe, You're right on the 0 files. I forgot. Thanks. So you're in Columbus, Joe? We ventured down there from metro-Detroit this summer for the Ameriflora. Nice show. I saw an old lady driving a Cadillac with a personalized plate that said UM FANS, and an M pillow on the parcel shelf. That takes guts! Sheldon and Wayne, My SM124 sometimes sort of shudders (just one shake passes by the screen), but I think it did that before I got the MSTE, too. Thanks. Ken Van Dellen d8^) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 78 Sat Aug 22, 1992 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 14:51 EDT I've got to echo Sheldon on the screw thing. It's not that important. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Milage may vary. Etc. Mike, TEAM COMPUTERS ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 79 Sat Feb 13, 1993 R.MORROW10 [Bob M.] at 02:06 EST Anyone know who sells--that is, who HAS IN STOCK-- an AJAX chip? I picked up a 1.44 drive for $30 and want to put it in my STe/TOS 2.06. It seems that most dealers have these things on backorder. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 80 Thu Feb 25, 1993 J.ALLEN27 [FAST TECH] at 01:58 EST John Russel...JRI...has some AJAX's in stock. (510) xxx xxxx Call information. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 81 Thu Feb 25, 1993 D.A.BRUMLEVE [kidprgs] at 02:55 EST John Russell, JRI, 510 458 9577. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 82 Sat Feb 27, 1993 R.MORROW10 [Bob M.] at 02:03 EST I called JRI today and they had me call BNC Compu-Vision @408-986- 9960. Both have the Ajax chips in stock, and at BNC they go for $40. _However,_ the tech at BNC said he's never seen a HD floppy put into a 1040 STe. This has got to be one of the greatest-kept secrets of all time. Almost everyone knows it CAN be done, but those who do know won't tell you! ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 83 Sat Feb 27, 1993 T.MCCOMB [=Tom=] at 12:19 EST Bob- the Ajax is for the MEGA STE or TT, not a plain jane STE. It needs a 16Mhz signal along with other goodies. -Tom McComb {12:05 pm} Saturday, February 27, 1993 ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 84 Sat Feb 27, 1993 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 16:53 EST OK, here's the secret on how to put a 1.44 drive in ST (or STe). Spend lots of money. Make lots of board level changes to the computer. When you are done; have something that is NOT reliable. I've seen it done. The guy that did it was sorry he did. The guy he sold it to was sorry he did. Mike, GenTech and POWER Computers ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 86 Sat Apr 03, 1993 K.HOUSER [Kevin MQ Def] at 09:44 EST Would someone tell me how to determine (via software!) if the disk in the drive is a HD or DD disk on the Mega STE? I'm sure there is some bit flag which tells whether the disk is HD or DD and software can read that bit. Thanks in advance for any help. --Kevin ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 87 Sun Apr 04, 1993 E.WELLS at 03:24 EDT I made need to replace the AJAX chip in my TT (cause the floppy don't work worth scrap as a 1.44), does anyone know what one might cost? My local dealer (believe it or not, Orlando has TWO) told me it would cost about $100 (max) to replace including labor... EHW ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 88 Sun Apr 04, 1993 F-D-PERCIVAL [Fred P.] at 09:43 EDT EHW, If you really need an Ajax chip, and your dealer has one, you may have to pay his price. Most dealers CANNOT GET ANY MORE! ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 89 Sun Apr 04, 1993 R.MORROW10 [Bob M.] at 22:30 EDT Kevin- Ask your MSTe to format a floppy disk. *I think* you will see SINGLE SIDED DOUBLE SIDED and HIGH DENSITY options in the dialog box. Hi Density is MSTe/TT/Falcon only. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 90 Mon Apr 05, 1993 PMC.INC at 02:20 EDT E.WELLS, you might think about getting a Floptical drive, that's how I use 1.44 MB on my TT. Not only is $100 expensive just to do 1.44, it's a pain in my opinion... if you need to source Flopticals let me know, we've got the best prices... oscar @ pmc ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 91 Mon May 10, 1993 C.SALISBURY2 at 19:50 EDT I haven't read all of these messages yet, what follows is a"note in a bottle" message I wrote about a week ago, and I'm still looking for an answer: I have TT that is about 2 years old, with TOS 3.05. I'm located in Mpls. MN where there is virtually no Atari support. Twice I ordered a 1.44 M floppy drive upgrade from my local dealer, but it never arrived. Since I am an optimist after reading the messages on 1.44 M floppies on Genie, I bought a Teac 1.44M drive for $60 plugged it in flipped dip switch 7, and tried it out. It doesn't work. I get the "Drive A not responding, abort/retry" message. This leads to a number of questions. Is this error likely to be because I haven't installed the Ajax chip? If the Ajax will correct this problem, where can I buy one? And how much does it cost? Is this error likely to be because I haven't installed the TOS 3.06? If the TOS 3.06 will correct this problem, where can I buy it? And how much does it cost? Remember I'm not on Atari's map, so I will have to buy Mail Order. Thanks.*s ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 92 Tue May 11, 1993 PMC.INC at 01:31 EDT C.SALISBURY2: I have a TT like yours. I hooked up one of our Floptical drives to it and it works excellently. Didn't have to put in another drive or replace any chips. It just plugged into the SCSI port and now it reads/writes 1.44 MB disks 2x as fast as a standard floppy drive. They range in price from about $329 to $399, let me know if it sounds interesting. oscar @ pmc PS: Flopticals also read/write 720K disks and 20MB Floptical disks. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 93 Tue May 11, 1993 BOB-BRODIE [Atari Corp.] at 18:49 EDT C.Salisbury2: Yes, you're problem is that you haven't installed the Ajax chip. We have been backordered on the chip, please send me email reminding me to look into it for you. There have been other solutions from other vendors than Atari. There was a company in Utah that made a 1.44 meg upgrade kit, and I think Toad had one as well. As Oscar has pointed out, you can also use the Flopticals, too. regards, Bob Brodie ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 94 Sat May 15, 1993 BOBDV [Bob] at 11:41 EDT About a month and a half ago I left a message in Cat 14 Top 14 regarding the status of an 1.44M upgrade to my MSTe which has given me mixed results. Many over in that topic helped me get "half" way there which I'm gratefull for, but maybe Mr. Brodie can complete the other half of the puzzle! Here is a list of the mods made to the computer: > Ajax chip onboard > Tos 2.06 onboard > Dip switch #7 on > Atari Epson HD drive installed > Power supply "center-screw mod" performed > Cables re-routed to prevent interference > PAL UA2 upgraded to "-002" > Jumper between UA2#19 and U7#32 installed Results: My internal drive (the Atari-Epson) will only _READ_ 1.44M disks, BUT my external HD drive (Teac-generic case) will format, read, and write 1.44M (1.67M extended) disks with NO problems. It would be nice to be able to use _BOTH_ drives for backing up in HD! Any suggestions (if there are any left!) will be deeply appreciated. Thanks in advance .... Bob .... ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 95 Sat May 15, 1993 B.STRINGER at 14:38 EDT I have a Mega STE with TOS 2.06, internal High Density drive, & Ajax chip. The internal drive works fine with all Atari and IBM format disks. I "upgraded" an old Atari SF 314 DS/DD drive with a TEAC HD mechanism. I had to fabricate a longer 34 conductor cable and a longer internal power connector and it works, sort off. The external drive does not like to read anything but HD format disks i.e. 1.44meg and extended HD format. It sometimes will not read HD disks foramtted with the internal drive. Any ideas? Thanks! ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 96 Tue May 18, 1993 BOB-BRODIE [Atari Corp.] at 16:41 EDT BobDV- I'd suggest that it's time for a authorized service center to have a look at the machine and see what they can do. Contact me in email with an address, and I'll suggest someone for you. regards, Bob Brodie ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 97 Thu Jun 03, 1993 C.ALLEN17 [Cliff] at 21:27 EDT R.Morrow10, I'm not saying it can't be done, but looking at the schematics side by side of the 1040STE and MegaSTE, there are differences in the circuit that would make a plug and go conversion to a HighDensity drive very challenging, if even worth it. Kevin MQ Def, As R.MORROW10 mentioned, but this will only indicate that the switch S701- 7 is in the on postion, not whether there is a High Density Drive installed. Visually look inside the floppy drive (via the access door on front) and see if there are two small vertical black pins, one on each side. 2 indicates HD, 1 indicates DD. C. Salisbury2, Your errors are caused by not having the AJAX and TOS 3.06 installed. BOBDV, >The center screw mod dealt only with interfence on the monitor. >I don't know about the difference it would make changing UA02. >Why was a jumper placed from your "UA2-19 and U7-32"? On all the mods I've done, it was just a matter of installing the HighDensity drive, TOS 2.06, the AJAX dip and setting S701-7 to the on position. When I install the HighDensity drive, special note must be taken to ensure alignment of the number one pin on the cable to the drive. They are reversed on the HighDensity drive as apposed to the DD drive. Cliff (Ashevillite) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 98 Fri Jun 04, 1993 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 05:25 EDT You cannot go by the number of pins (for the write-protect holes) to determine if a drive is HD or DD. The drive that came in my MSTE had 2 pins (one on each side) and it was only DD. It seems that some manufacturers use the same mechanism but, they use different circuit boards. ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 99 Fri Jun 04, 1993 C.ALLEN17 [Cliff] at 20:50 EDT I always learn something new. Every DD I've seen or installed only had one pin. The 2 pin versions where always labeled HD. I had even doubled checked with another computer tech that works on (excuse me) DOS machines. Live and learn. Cliff (Ashevillite) ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 100 Sat Jun 05, 1993 BOBDV [Bob] at 11:32 EDT Cliff: The jumper from UA2 to U7 was a _fix_ to certain earlier MSTe's (which mine is) to provide a missing trace. This mod BTW enabled my _external_ HD drive to operate reliably in either DD or HD mode for reading, writing, and formatting. The problem still lies with the _internal_ drive. I am very familiar with the reversed cable syndrome that exists between Atari DD drives and industry standard drives. The internal HD drive will read HD and DD disks fine BUT WILL NOT write or format HD disks which naturally means the cable is hooked up correctly. Reversed cable spells drive light on constantly with _NO_ access to _ANY_ type of disk. Bob .... ------------ Category 14, Topic 36 Message 101 Sun Jun 06, 1993 C.ALLEN17 [Cliff] at 17:33 EDT Bob, A missing trace, whoa. Cliff (Ashevillite) ------------