Sourcing a new ST drive

[soob]

Hi,

 

I've been offered an Atari ST(not sure which model atm) with a broken disk drive, and was wondering where the best place to source a new drive for it is? I've had a look on eBay(UK) to no avail. Is there anywhere that still sells them at retail? Any sort of Atari breakers, perhaps an ST version of Amigadeals maybe....

 

Also, what model number(s) and manufacturers should I be looking out for?

 

Cheers in advance.

[carmel_andrews]

SooB, if you have an amiga or knows someone with an amiga, get them to sell you the disk drive (internal one), take out the internal (broken) ST drive unplug the power/data connector from the (Broken) ST drive and remove the ST drive, insert the amiga drive, attach the power connector to the amiga drive, now when you attach the data connector, you have to 'twist' the cable at the drive end and plug it into the data connector on the amiga drive, you will have to cut a hole in the ST case where the drive sits to leave space for the amiga eject button or failing that just leave the case off, power up the ST and you have an ST with working drive

[Bripilot]

You could also search for an Epson SMD-300 or 340 on Ebay... that is a direct replacement for the ST's drive. You still have to flip the floppy cable, but that's it.

 

Also, make sure the drive is jumpered for ID0 and not ID1.

[soob]

Cheers for the advice. I do actually have an A500 and an A600 - which is fairly pointless, so I could butcher one of those. I didn't realise the drives were interchangable. With them not reading one another's disks, I assumed they were somehow proprietary - spot on, thanks.

 

Edit - I also found out that it's just a bog-standard 520 ST, so where does that leave me with regards to plugging it into a TV? I had an STFM as a youngster, but I've never actually seen a plain ST....

Edited April 26, 2007 by soob

[Christos]

Where are you from? PAL or NTSC?

[soob]

The UK, so PAL.

[Christos]

You will need a SCART cable. You can try contacting techie Alison (member of this forum) or buy one from 16-32

http://www.1632-sales.zenwebhosting.com/ac...ardware_91.html

The display quality will be much better than on the RF.

[soob]

Excellent, cheers.

[nyder]

I do have an epson smd300 drive. I was going thru finding possible compable amiga drives and grabbed it because I could change jumpers on it.

 

Managed to score a Chinon FX357 that was made in Malayshia, which means I can hack it to a HD drive for the Amiga. =) (Yes, I know, we are in Atari land).

 

I was wondering about atari drives, just haven't gotten that far yet.

 

Since you have some Amigas that you don't mind hacking up (*shudder*) I guess you don't need the epson smd300 drive I have.

[soob]

Well, I'd rather not butcher a Miggy tbh, but by the time I've bought and shipped a new drive here, I'm probably looking at doubling what it would cost me to buy a plain ST in the first place. I'm starting to think I maybe shouldn't bother with the offer at all, and just wait for a decent working one to come up on eBay - after all that.

[nyder]

Well, I figure $5 for shipping and $5 for me, so if it's going to cost you more the $10. Of course, I don't know if the drive works or not.

 

But i'm sure you have used PC stores/warehouses around your place? What I do is go to those and go through all their floppy drives. Sure, you get dirty and find a lot of useless drives, but you will probably end up with one.

 

My last trip netted me the epson, 3 chinon's that can be used as 880k drives for amiga and 1 chinon that will do HD. plus a few others that may or may not work.

Since I know the epson smd 300 works on Ataris', i'll be grabbing all of those also.

 

I'm just glad to hear you aren't going to butch your amiga's up. =)

[tjlazer]

If your ST is the newer style, the EPSON SMD 3x0 will fit perfectly, otherwise you will have to hack the case to fit the drive.

[nyder]

If your ST is the newer style, the EPSON SMD 3x0 will fit perfectly, otherwise you will have to hack the case to fit the drive.

 

 

Are you saying any of the Epson smd 3x0 wll work? Because I come across 340's also.

 

Guess i will start picking those up also.

 

Well, back to repc then today. =)

[tjlazer]

If your ST is the newer style, the EPSON SMD 3x0 will fit perfectly, otherwise you will have to hack the case to fit the drive.

 

 

Are you saying any of the Epson smd 3x0 wll work? Because I come across 340's also.

 

Guess i will start picking those up also.

 

Well, back to repc then today. =)

 

Yes the SMD-340 works in 1.44 mode on the STE's! Drop in replacement too.