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Cleaning a floppy drive?

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First post, by ratfink

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I've noticed that floppy disks seem to be destroyed quite often when I use them - sometimes I guess they are just old and the slightest use finishes them off. But I noticed from one I used just now, there was dust all over the corners when I withdrew it from the drive. This is 5.25" disks I am talking about.

For a 3.5" drive I have a cleaning disk and in any case 3.5" drives usually have a door that keeps dust out. Any tips for cleaning a 5.25" drive? A jet of compressed air maybe? Or is there some other favoured method?

Reply 1 of 3, by elfuego

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I would open it carefully and try to clean it the usual (hard) way... But I might be wrong. Did only CD drives cleaning so far...

Reply 2 of 3, by Moogle!

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Floppy heads may be misaligned. Motherboard or I/O card controller might be going bad.

The one on my Tualatin machine is, and it's eating floppies.

Reply 3 of 3, by h-a-l-9000

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The threaded bar might need some oil

1+1=10