My name is Mark. I am from Germany and I am not that new to the NeXT as I had been working with some models for a short period of time around 1992 at university.
I have a standard NeXTstation that runs and logins as 'root' OK but fails on the floppy drive. Maybe it is just up to the the missing hardware password. Some ROM functions are restricted and I cannot unlock. E.g. 'ef' -command is locked. If I insert a standard HD floppy disk it is taken by the drive and can only be removed by hand. The Workspace's disk functions do not take any notice of an inserted disk.
The drive is set mechanically to select no.0 out of [0,1,2,nil]. Is that alright ?
In start up procedure there is logged this:
"fc0 at 0x2114100
Sony MPX-111N as fd0 at fc0 slave 0"
Although a label on the drive does read a little different. What else I have been noticing is that the upper R/W head of the drive does not come down if I insert a disk when having removed the upper casing for inspection and cleaning. It all looks fairly good mechanically. I guess disk insertion will be working supported by that eject motor...but I don't hear anything of it when the NeXTstation is all properly assembled and closed.
Have you any ideas or hints to follow ?
Thanks
Last night it did heal by itself. I was just looking around in the files browser of the machine and suddenly some motorized noise came from the floppy drive. The disk still stuck in there from my last tries was recognised. I immediately formatted it in DOS mode on NeXT and transfered a few files from my main PC to the NeXTstation. It worked flawlessly. And it still does. Maybe just the disk change recepting switch was 'rusty'. I already had been thinking of this before. So I will have a more detailed look into these contact switches and apply some preserving electronics fluid.
Hello Mark: I have new old stock NeXT floppy drives here for $19.95 ,shipping to Germany $25
https://www.ebay.com/itm/283466694263 Best Regards Rob Blessin
Hello Rob. I will think about it. At least I also succeeded to setup and work with a faked ED floppy disk from a quality HD disk. Shipping and customs (not just fees but also personal logistics) is a big concern to otherwise affordable offers you have.
Kind regards
Mark