Indus GT issues

[8bitold]

Hello all,

     Ok. I will start with a question. What kind of problems did everyone have with the Indus GT and (if possible) what did you do to fix them?

 

 

 

[+toddtmw]

I got an Indus GT after I got a Rana 1000. And compared the Rana, the Indus was much better. I really did not have any issues with it at all.

 

Sorry not much help, but it was (and with the new ROMs and mods still is) a pretty nice drive.

[gilsaluki]

First Drive was an Indus.  It did die one day--can't remember the issue.  Wouldn't read.  However, I bought a used one and have used it every since.  35 plus years using an Indus.  My fav drive.  That being said, I have had real good luck with 1050s as well.

[8bitold]

My Indus was a work horse. Got neglected and now will not read. I was able to pick up a 1050, but not a Indus yet. 

[+Faicuai]

1 hour ago, 8bitold said:

Hello all,

     Ok. I will start with a question. What kind of problems did everyone have with the Indus GT and (if possible) what did you do to fix them?

 

 

 

 

1. None with the one I bought many years ago, until my cousin took it.

2. None with a nice one I bought used, a few years ago.

3. Display-led segment (simple repair) with a one I restored from other's parts (which I never thought it would work!)

 

288 rpms +/- 0.3, all day long... both equipped with 64 KB RamCharger boards, track-buffering, and running CP/M.

Edited May 21, 2020 by Faicuai

[8bitold]

2 minutes ago, Faicuai said:

 

1. None with the one I bought many years ago, until my cousin took it.

2. None with a nice one I bought used, a few years ago.

3. Display-led segment (simple repair) with a one I restored from other's parts (which I never thought it would work!)

 

288 rpms +/- 0.3, all day long... both equipped with 64 KB RamCharger boards, track-buffering, and running CP/M.

 

WOW. Running CP/M. That is cool. 

[+Faicuai]

2 hours ago, 8bitold said:

 

WOW. Running CP/M. That is cool. 

 

Watch 64-KB RamCharger track-buffering in action, now supported on SDX 4.49 release:

 

 

Enjoy!

[xrbrevin]

my Indus had a bad ROM socket, causing intermittent operation.

I replaced the socket, updated the ROM and its been fine ever since.

Also, make sure you use a 12v DC power supply. I used a 9v one for a bit and it was less reliable, changed to a 12v and it instantly became robust.

[8bitold]

I have the original power supply. It is tagged 11.5V. I found the original IndusGT brief case.

[gilsaluki]

I got my 2nd hand from Mr. Paul V. Alhart of Lompoc, CA.  He still lives there.  He can repair them, align them, etc.  He used to write for Antic and Atari Classics Magazines.   He wrote several enhancements for Atariwriter and AW Plus.  In fact, I wish I had that disk now.  I may contact him.

Paul V Alhart, age 73

VIEW FULL REPORT

[+slx]

I'd think the most unreliable or break-prone part is the smoked plexiglass screen which is often warped on units seen for sale and likely to break and hard to repair if handled carelessly. 

[Kyle22]

17 hours ago, slx said:

I'd think the most unreliable or break-prone part is the smoked plexiglass screen which is often warped on units seen for sale and likely to break and hard to repair if handled carelessly. 

Secure it to a flat surface on the STRAIGHT end. Warped end sticking up. Put a large fishing sinker or some weight on there. Let it sit for months, or blow a hair dryer on it to make it faster. [NOT] too hot. Absolutely NO [HEAT GUN]. You can bubble, distort or warp it. Be careful.

:)

 

[Wally1]

i had the little lever latchbreak

 

so i had to use my fingernail to open it

 

cpm is good bros?

 

wordstar

what else

 

[oracle_jedi]

I had the drive belt disintergrate on mine.  Since it is the same Tandom mechanism used in the 1050, I got a replacement from Best.  It worked fine.  I also upgraded the main ROM when I fixed the drive belt.  The updated ROM reduced the busy time after IO completes so the drive stops spinning.

 

I also installed a Super Charger.  I used CP/M to play Zork and also run Turbo Pascal.  I was quite impressed with TP, it behaved pretty much exactly as I remember the DOS version.

[gilsaluki]

This discussion made me dig my original GT out of the closet and try and get it repaired.  Cosmetically, it is in excellent condition.  Powers up, but will not spin up.  Who knows?

[xrbrevin]

best of luck gilsulaki, they respond well to a bit of TLC!

Edited May 23, 2020 by xrbrevin
typo

[gilsaluki]

On 5/23/2020 at 2:15 PM, gilsaluki said:

This discussion made me dig my original GT out of the closet and try and get it repaired.  Cosmetically, it is in excellent condition.  Powers up, but will not spin up.  Who knows?

Yeah, well, Paul has made my old Indus purrr again.  New controller chip, alignment, etc.  Received his A-T-A-R-I disk full of AW+ updates.

[irwinpks]

On 8/3/2020 at 8:53 AM, gilsaluki said:

Yeah, well, Paul has made my old Indus purrr again.  New controller chip, alignment, etc.  Received his A-T-A-R-I disk full of AW+ updates.

Do you have contact information ?  My Indus reads intermittently.... and i'd like to get it so it would be 100% where I can offload to an SDMAX all the files that I have.

[BillC]

3 hours ago, irwinpks said:

Do you have contact information ?  My Indus reads intermittently.... and i'd like to get it so it would be 100% where I can offload to an SDMAX all the files that I have.

Post #10 contains enough information for an internet search.

[gilsaluki]

Paul V. Alhart 524 North Zee St. Lompoc, CA 93436.   He's been at the same address for many years.  Email:  [email protected]

[Paul Westphal]

He’s my go-to disk drive guy. 

Awesome guy!

[Mathy]

Hello guys

 

Does Paul want his address to be posted in the open?  Especially his mail address?  Could be a spam-magnet if you post it like that.

 

Sincerely

 

Mathy

[irwinpks]

6 hours ago, gilsaluki said:

Paul's info was here...     perhaps you can delete the address now?  much appreciated!! 

Awesome...thank you!!

Edited August 20, 2020 by irwinpks

[Sugarland]

On 5/21/2020 at 2:42 PM, 8bitold said:

Hello all,

     Ok. I will start with a question. What kind of problems did everyone have with the Indus GT and (if possible) what did you do to fix them?

 

 

 

 

The power switch on our Indus became very loose. Eventually a friend fixed it. Not sure what he did.

 

[gilsaluki]

15 hours ago, Mathy said:

Hello guys

 

Does Paul want his address to be posted in the open?  Especially his mail address?  Could be a spam-magnet if you post it like that.

 

Sincerely

 

Mathy

The address is all over the net.  It is in many magazine articles from Atari Interface, Atari Classics, Current Notes, etc, etc.  I even found his phone number on the net and spoke to him personally.  He still sells utility disks and Atariwriter Plus Companion disks.  So, yeah.  His address is okay to provide here.