Atari 1010 tape drive BOOT ERROR

[atari_thomas]

Hi,

 

I got a problem with one of my 1010 tape drives.

First of all the drive looks ok. The mechanics are fine, the belts are clean and tight and the counter works.

I already cleaned the head and all connectors and contacts. Rewinding and fast-forwarding are working.

 

But nevertheless I always get the error message "BOOT ERROR", when I try to boot from commercial, original game tapes.

 

I put in the game cassette, press PLAY, hold down OPTION and START and turn on my Atari 800XL.

The drive starts and I hear the (correct) data sound from my tv speaker.

After 1-3 blocks I get the "BOOT ERROR" message on my screen and the 800XL is starting the self test.

 

I already tried to adjust the tape head position with a little screw driver.

When I turn the screw to the left, the data sound sounds really bad and when I turn the screw to the right it also gets worse.

So I guess the head is already in a good position.

 

Of course, I tried different commercial tapes. When I write a little Basic program an 'csave' it, saving works but I can't reload it from tape.

 

Think it is an adjusting issue or the head is kaput ?

[spookt]

Hmm, did you wind the tape past the coloured or transparent leader before starting? You need to manually advance so the brown oxide tape is visible before putting it into the 1010.

[+therealbountybob]

Use a pencil to do this - we still have real pencils right?!

happy times

 

perhaps try saving a basic program to near the end of a tape to see if it makes any difference. Also try LISTing and ENTERing a file too.

 

I recently dug out my XC12 when we played Jet Boot Jack in the 1st round of this seasons HSC and after a couple of attempts it loaded

[Darkhog]

You can also use pen. If it doesn't help, cassette itself is dead.

[+therealbountybob]

also did you try the SIO cable from one of the other 1010s...