Tape drive not working correctly (filmed) where to start?

lynwen · 23:15, 30 January 13

Tape wiggles around whilst playing and the loading sounds are all wrong! Help! When the tape sits inside it looks raised more on the right hand side than the left as if its inserted crooked, but have re inserted it many times the correct way and still have this problem.

some tapes load even though it sounds poorly, others display read errors.

You need volume way high to be able to hear it sorry

Gryzor · 10:53, 31 January 13

Can you verify if the deck's -erm, what do you call the two round things that transfer movement to the tape??- rotate at a constant speed? Sounds like they're not...

ralferoo · 13:11, 31 January 13

You need to replace the tape drive belt. Back in the day, my original 464 had exactly the same problem (well, not quite as bad as yours, as I fixed it as soon as I stopped being able to load anything, but it's amazing how well the CPC loads even though it sounds in pain!). Anyway, it's a cheap fix. Back in the 90s, I bought a replacement belt from what is now http://cpc.farnell.com/ but I doubt they still sell drive belts for tapes.

Your best bet might be to ask the guy who sells drive belts here and on ebay if he can get hold of a tape belt too.

lynwen · 14:01, 31 January 13

Quote from: ralferoo on 13:11, 31 January 13
You need to replace the tape drive belt. Back in the day, my original 464 had exactly the same problem (well, not quite as bad as yours, as I fixed it as soon as I stopped being able to load anything, but it's amazing how well the CPC loads even though it sounds in pain!). Anyway, it's a cheap fix. Back in the 90s, I bought a replacement belt from what is now http://cpc.farnell.com/ but I doubt they still sell drive belts for tapes.

Your best bet might be to ask the guy who sells drive belts here and on ebay if he can get hold of a tape belt too.

Hi ralferoo, I have checked the drive belt and it "appears" to be in tact (see picture below - why is it so huge, I selected the thumbnail at end of post option

) . I didn't mess around too much inside because this is the one machine out of the three I want to keep.

I have 2 other working machines where I can nab the belt from to test it though!

I have 2 first edition models (including this one which looks brand new) and another is a revision 1 model, which had a problem with the counter but is now working again.

[attach=2]

lynwen · 14:03, 31 January 13

Quote from: Gryzor on 10:53, 31 January 13
Can you verify if the deck's -erm, what do you call the two round things that transfer movement to the tape??- rotate at a constant speed? Sounds like they're not...

I'll take another look, I dont think they were though, it would speed up and slow down randomly but ever so slightly its hardly noticeable

beaker · 15:04, 31 January 13

FYI someone is selling a replacement tape deck on ebay if its past saving. *****REPLACEMENT AMSTRAD CPC 464 TAPE DRIVE(1st VERSION)***** | eBay

ralferoo · 15:16, 31 January 13

One thing to be careful about with the tape decks is that the connectors are different between older and newer 464s. It might be chunky keys vs flat keys, I'm not sure.

But anyway, on one revision of tape decks there is extra 5V pin in the header, on the other it's a GND. And they're shorted together on the deck so you will short your power supply if you use the wrong revision...

ralferoo · 15:18, 31 January 13

Quote from: beaker on 15:04, 31 January 13
FYI someone is selling a replacement tape deck on ebay if its past saving. *****REPLACEMENT AMSTRAD CPC 464 TAPE DRIVE(1st VERSION)***** | eBay

This guy has all the constituent parts of a 464 listed all as working and good condition. He is a computer butcher as he's clearly taking apart a fully working CPC and we shouldn't encourage him to do it again by buying from him. IMHO of course.

Gryzor · 15:24, 31 January 13

To me the tape sounds like the reel is slowing down and speeding up, that's why I asked about them revolving at a constant speed...

As for the image, not sure what you did, but I fixed it for you; you need to use the form to upload your image, *then* choose one of the drop-down menu options.

beaker · 15:34, 31 January 13

Quote from: ralferoo on 15:18, 31 January 13
He is a computer butcher.

But why not when I have so much in common with the seller.... mwha ha ha ha!!!

[attach=2]

Spoiler: Show

Gryzor · 16:07, 31 January 13

This would go down a charm with my empty case that I use to camouflage a multicharger...

Bryce · 17:01, 31 January 13

@Lynwen: Two things to check:

1 - Try turning the tape with a pencil. If it's very difficult to turn the tape might need to be fully re-wound in both directions to re-align the tape in its case.

2 - Try loading a game with the CPC open and see if the belt is slipping. even though the belt might look good, the dry out over the years and loose their grip. If this is the case, then you should replace the belt. If the belt is "jumping" in steps, it's probably the mechanism / cogs above that need a good cleaning and some grease (vaseline works best).

Bryce.

lynwen · 18:13, 31 January 13

Hi Bryce!

Its not number 1 as it is working with ALL tapes not just one, also I have two other amstrad cpc 464s and all the SAME tapes load correctly i.e. no silly noises like its drowning.

So, I tried number 2 and found out something REALLY weird.

I have filmed the tape "oh mummy" loading when the machine is in its normal position and as you can hear it sounds wrong.

When I flip it open to watch the belt it loads perfectly, so I cant see any problem!! See video below and listen for when I load the same tape on same machine but its in an upright position so I can see inside.

WTF?

Badstarr · 18:34, 31 January 13

Sounds like that mysterious force of gravity to me ?

lynwen · 18:54, 31 January 13

Quote from: Badstarr on 18:34, 31 January 13
Sounds like that mysterious force of gravity to me ?

Thats what I thought however when in normal position and putting the tape in (bypassing door i.e. with the door open) and then gently push the tape downwards it doesnt work.

ralferoo · 19:44, 31 January 13

I've just spotted an ebay seller of the belts if you find you do need one after all: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amstrad-CPC-464-cassette-Drive-Belt-/121058331194

lynwen · 20:15, 31 January 13

Quote from: ralferoo on 19:44, 31 January 13
I've just spotted an ebay seller of the belts if you find you do need one after all: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amstrad-CPC-464-cassette-Drive-Belt-/121058331194

Thank you!

Anyone have any simple instructions for replacing this belt? I really want to minimalize what I unscrew/take out

Bryce · 20:47, 31 January 13

Forget the belt it's fine. A belt problem won't vary depending on the angle? The problem is the tape alignment spring. When you look into the open tapedeck (where the tape goes), you'll see a metal tab / spring at the back in the centre. It pushes the cassette against the heads. Bend it a bit forward so that it presses harder against the tape and the tapes should load as normal.

Bryce.

lynwen · 21:18, 31 January 13

Quote from: Bryce on 20:47, 31 January 13
Forget the belt it's fine. A belt problem won't vary depending on the angle? The problem is the tape alignment spring. When you look into the open tapedeck (where the tape goes), you'll see a metal tab / spring at the back in the centre. It pushes the cassette against the heads. Bend it a bit forward so that it presses harder against the tape and the tapes should load as normal.

Bryce.

Hi Bryce, no luck

found the metal tab at the back centre and bent it as forward as possible but its still not working. Have even inserted the tape without using the lid and pushing the tape downwards and still no luck

Please see the new video below demonstrating. GRRRRRRR!

(uploading)

Bryce · 21:36, 31 January 13

Hmmm, then I can only recommend that you grease all the cogs etc and see if that improves the situation.

Bryce.

lynwen · 21:42, 31 January 13

lynwen · 22:09, 31 January 13

Quote from: Bryce on 21:36, 31 January 13
Hmmm, then I can only recommend that you grease all the cogs etc and see if that improves the situation.

Bryce.

Is this possible WITHOUT taking the tape drive out or do I need to get it all opened up?

Bryce · 22:13, 31 January 13

Well you should remove the tape mechanism from the upper casing, but that's all, don't try to dis-assemble all the cogs!! You can distribute the vaseline with a cocktail stick or small paint brush around any visible cog teeth and shafts.

Bryce.

lynwen · 22:15, 31 January 13

Quote from: Bryce on 22:13, 31 January 13
Well you should remove the tape mechanism from the upper casing, but that's all, don't try to dis-assemble all the cogs!! You can distribute the vaseline with a cocktail stick or small paint brush around any visible cog teeth and shafts.

Bryce.

Yeah I think I'd end up breaking it even more if I started pulling it apart

Badstarr · 09:41, 01 February 13

It could just be that moving the cassette mechanism into the position you described simply allows the moving parts to "hang" in a more comfortable position or that the effect of gravity in this new position aides the mechanism in some way.

I would recommend giving all the cassette units a good service, clean, grease cogs etc replace drive belts (just had a quick glance at recent posts and I can see Bryce has already advised this). It's a worthwhile task and it will give your cassette decks an even chance of working. If they still act up afterwards then you can at least rule out the items covered in the service so to speak.

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Tape drive not working correctly (filmed) where to start?