Tandon TM-100 Disk Drive Service ---Looking

[Dougtronics]

Does anyone offer or would be willing to offer repair service or refurbishing services of TM-100 Disk Drive? I personally have a fcouple of TM-100 not reading the disk. It was reading ten years ago. I think is the mechanical part has some age promblem. It is still not working after I lubricated them. All my disk have been checked and are in good shape.

__________________
Douglas Ho
Dougtronics Comm. & Co.
Sunnyvale, California

Modren Equipment:
PC over 2 Ghz with Windows XP home
Compaq persario 2100 with Windows XP home
Acer Laptop with Windows Vista Prem
Dell Laptop with Windows Vista Prem

Vintage Equipment:
Kaypro II
Kaypro 2

[Lorne]

Have you tried cleaning the heads?
That's where I find most of my problems.
Old disks can make for dirty heads.
There's plenty of threads about that on this forum, if you do a search.

[Druid6900]

Gee, thanks for the reference, Lorne LOL

[Lorne]

Gee, thanks for the reference, Lorne LOL

It was just a hunch, but I thought the OP might of been wanting them back in Imperial rather than Metric time (like in 2009 US time).

Seriously (and as long as Druid is over his infection/drug problem), he can fix/repair your drives, no problem.

And as an added bonus, if his standard rates are still the same, it won't cost you any more, but he'll feel like he's getting a whole lot less, since the USD has tanked in comparison with the CAD (and every other currency for that matter).

[Dougtronics]

Have you tried cleaning the heads?
That's where I find most of my problems.
Old disks can make for dirty heads.
There's plenty of threads about that on this forum, if you do a search.

I have done all the cleaning and lubricating. The heads still not moving back and fore to read disks. Disks have been checked by other kaypro and is ok

Thanks,

Dougtronics

[modem7]

I have done all the cleaning and lubricating. The heads still not moving back and fore to read disks.
Is the drive's access LED/light turning on?

[Chuck(G)]

I've seen TM-100's with bad stepper (positioner) drivers. There were at least 3 versions of the TM-100 electronics board, each with its own endearing characteristics (Tandon used 6, 4 and 3-wire steppers on the TM-100 drives). I've also seen at least one TM-100 with a shorted winding in the positioner stepper.

PM me if you want me to have a look at the drive.

[Dougtronics]

Is the drive's access LED/light turning on?

Drive lights and drive ID are all functioning.

Dougtronics

[Dougtronics]

I've seen TM-100's with bad stepper (positioner) drivers. There were at least 3 versions of the TM-100 electronics board, each with its own endearing characteristics (Tandon used 6, 4 and 3-wire steppers on the TM-100 drives). I've also seen at least one TM-100 with a shorted winding in the positioner stepper.

PM me if you want me to have a look at the drive.

You mean you like to look at my drive? You are welcome and tell me how? I also want to know, is there any way to test the stepper drivers?

Dougtronics

[Chuck(G)]

You mean you like to look at my drive? You are welcome and tell me how? I also want to know, is there any way to test the stepper drivers?

Do I like? No--I've seen more of these drives than I really care to. On the other hand, I can probably identify the problem more quickly with the drive in front of me than it takes to post about it. Your option.

To check the stepper drivers, step the drive and check the waveforms at the stepper leads. There's also a Sam's for this drive, which might also be a good starting point for a do-it-yourself-er.

[Dougtronics]

Do I like? No--I've seen more of these drives than I really care to. On the other hand, I can probably identify the problem more quickly with the drive in front of me than it takes to post about it. Your option.

To check the stepper drivers, step the drive and check the waveforms at the stepper leads. There's also a Sam's for this drive, which might also be a good starting point for a do-it-yourself-er.

What is Sam's title description? Anybody got a copy?

Dougtronics

[tezza]

I don't have a Sams document but I do have a Tandon TM100 Operating and Service Manual.pdf.

Click here to get it (http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/temp/Tandon-TM100-Operating-and-Service-Manual.pdf). Let me know when (or if) you have it. I don't want to leave it on my website longer than I have to.

Tez

[Dougtronics]

I don't have a Sams document but I do have a Tandon TM100 Operating and Service Manual.pdf.

Click here to get it (http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/temp/Tandon-TM100-Operating-and-Service-Manual.pdf). Let me know when (or if) you have it. I don't want to leave it on my website longer than I have to.

Tez

Thank you I got it and will look over it on end week

Dougtronics

[Chuck(G)]

Here's the Sams Computerfact information for the TM-100 (http://openlibrary.org/b/OL11078181M/Tandon-Tm100-2/2a-Disk-Drive/Book-%28Sams-Computerfacts%29). It's manual CD8.

[Lorne]

Here's the Sams Computerfact information for the TM-100 (http://openlibrary.org/b/OL11078181M/Tandon-Tm100-2/2a-Disk-Drive/Book-%28Sams-Computerfacts%29). It's manual CD8.

Does that link get you the info on the Sams, or the actual Sams?
(I can't figure out how to find/get it from that site).

There was a Sams for the Tandon drives that went on Ebay a few weeks ago. If I remember correctly, I took second place in that auction (I must be too cheap). I emailed the seller to ask if he had another copy, and if not, if he would ask the buyer if I could get/buy a scan of it. He emailed back yesterday that he's forwarded the request to the buyer.
I'll have to wait and see.

[Chuck(G)]

The link I posted was just the openlibrary card catalog entry for it. You might also check wtih Ira Goldklang who does have a scanned copy of the Computerfact.

[modem7]

I found my copy and scanned it.
Available at http://members.dodo.com.au/~slappanel555/manuals/Tandon_TM100-2.pdf (3 MB)
Yes, I know the link is slow. Better than nothing.

[Druid6900]

Ok, when you get tired of screwing around with it and want it serviced by somone that's been doing it since before IBM had personal computers, drop me a line.

We went through the same routine with Lorne's TPI drives and nothing worked until he sent them to me.

[Chuck(G)]

Ok, when you get tired of screwing around with it and want it serviced by somone that's been doing it since before IBM had personal computers, drop me a line.

Dru,

Better you than me. I hate the bloody cheap things. I'll bet TM-100s account for 80% of the 5.25" drive questions posted here.

Did you know that those awful JTS made-in-India IDE hard drives were yet another Jugi Tandon (hence the name) venture?

[Dougtronics]

I found my copy and scanned it.
Available at http://members.dodo.com.au/~slappanel555/manuals/Tandon_TM100-2.pdf (3 MB)
Yes, I know the link is slow. Better than nothing.

Thanks, I made a copy already. I plan to strip the TM-100 to bare bone, need all kind of help I can get. I think I need a logic probe. I plan to build one. Any good suggestion.

Dougtronics

[Lorne]

Ok, when you get tired of screwing around with it and want it serviced by somone that's been doing it since before IBM had personal computers, drop me a line.

We went through the same routine with Lorne's TPI drives and nothing worked until he sent them to me.


glutton for punishment
Fig. someone who is eager for a burden or some sort of difficulty; someone willing to accept a difficult task.


You're trying to get in ahead of the grasping at straws point this time, huh?

[tezza]

Dougtronics,

Stripping a drive takes a lot of skill. Unless you really want to do this yourself, my suggestion would be to send Druid6900 a private message and make arrangements with him. He's indicated he is willing to look at the drive.

Tez

[Lorne]

Dougtronics,

Stripping a drive takes a lot of skill.

Tez

I can testify to that, as I just did it two hours ago to remove a stepper motor from a DS Tandon to use in a SS Tandon.
First of all, you actually do have to strip it to the bone (at least to get the motor out anyway - unless there's an easier way than I did it).
There's a ton of very small parts, and small screws of various types.
Unfortunately, I've already spent enough on weird tools in this hobby, that I had the correct ones at hand (almost at hand - it took about 10 separate trips to the tool box).
I haven't quite yet worked up the courage to rip apart the (what seems to be rare) SS Tandon drive to replace the motor.
In addition, I suspect that after taking it all apart, replacing the motor, and reassembling it, that alignment of all types will be required.
That in itself is liable to be an expensive, if not daunting task.
Don't bite off more than you can chew - It'll probably be cheaper getting it fixed by someone with a glutton for punishment, or replacing it, if you can find one. (and if you do find one, let me know because I need one (maybe two), SS Tandon drives).

[Dougtronics]

Dougtronics,

Stripping a drive takes a lot of skill. Unless you really want to do this yourself, my suggestion would be to send Druid6900 a private message and make arrangements with him. He's indicated he is willing to look at the drive.

Tez

Thanks, very good suggestion, I might wind up doing that. I found a Kaypro user at my work and he said he will help me to diagnosis drive, mother board, power supply before I go for an outside job.

Dougtronics

[MikeS]

(and if you do find one, let me know because I need one (maybe two), SS Tandon drives).
Unless it's for authenticity, can't you just use the DS drives in place of the SS?

[Lorne]

Unless it's for authenticity, can't you just use the DS drives in place of the SS?

You can, and that's how my 5150 came to me, but I am switching them out just for authenticity.

[MikeS]

You can, and that's how my 5150 came to me, but I am switching them out just for authenticity.

Ah, so "Glutton for punishment" was not just a comment, but your signature; I see... ;-)

[Dougtronics]

From the results of my friend assisted testing, I am now able to close out this posting of Tandon TM-100 Disk Drive Service ---Looking. Thanks everybody for the help.

Results of my Kaypro II testing:
1. My two TM-100 Drives are working properly
2. My spare TM-100 Drive is not working. I have yet to determine problem is mechnical or electronics.
3. The mother board is not working properly. I try to isolale to the section of disk driver. Will post this later for everybody's suggestion.

Dougtronics

[Druid6900]

No, it's not being a glutton for punishment at all.

Over my career in computer maintenance, I've, probably, aligned several hundred drives of various size and manufacturer. I have the tools, the software and the experience to do it.

In those years of aligning drives, I've never had to replace a head or stepper motor, although several spindle motors have had to go along with a couple of broken bands for that type of drive.

I could, probably, align a drive in my sleep and may well have :)

[GADFRAN]

Hi !

Why not just replace them with TEACs ???

Some of my other posts indicate my long term very happy experiences with TEACS over the ever problematic issues with the early Tandons.

I never had an issue with any TEAC ! The Tandons were always an issue.

I wasted too much time fooling with them, until I finally decided to switch to TEACS.

Other drives may also be much better than Tandons.

Farris is a good source also for drive repair, options, replacements, etc. Just do a search of this site or even Google.

But if you are a "purist" and want to keep the Kaypros in "original" condition, then that is another issue.

I am very practical. I want them to work reliably and dependably above all else. I had a lot of work to do back then and could not tolerate computer systems that were not consistently working.

All the best !

Frank

[Chuck(G)]

...as long as it isn't one of those dreadful plastic-bodied FH Teacs (FD53?). Perfectly dreadful--I wonder if any have survived.

[Dougtronics]

Hi !

Why not just replace them with TEACs ???

Some of my other posts indicate my long term very happy experiences with TEACS over the ever problematic issues with the early Tandons.

I never had an issue with any TEAC ! The Tandons were always an issue.

I wasted too much time fooling with them, until I finally decided to switch to TEACS.

Other drives may also be much better than Tandons.

Farris is a good source also for drive repair, options, replacements, etc. Just do a search of this site or even Google.

But if you are a "purist" and want to keep the Kaypros in "original" condition, then that is another issue.

I am very practical. I want them to work reliably and dependably above all else. I had a lot of work to do back then and could not tolerate computer systems that were not consistently working.

All the best !

Frank

I recall reading your experiences with TEACS, as such I ordered a Mitsubishi. However, further testing showed my two TM-100 were actually functioned properly. The problem is the motherboard. Until motherboard fixed I am not able to use the Mitsubishi, so that the life of two TM-100 could greatly extended.

Dougtronics

[MikeS]

No, it's not being a glutton for punishment at all.

Over my career in computer maintenance, I've, probably, aligned several hundred drives of various size and manufacturer. I have the tools, the software and the experience to do it.

In those years of aligning drives, I've never had to replace a head or stepper motor, although several spindle motors have had to go along with a couple of broken bands for that type of drive.

I could, probably, align a drive in my sleep and may well have :)
Agreed. With the proper stuff they're usually pretty easy to clean & align; I've even done a few myself in my time and actually found them relatively reliable and foolproof (for their time) contrary to opinions to the contrary.

I was commenting on the OP's original intention to completely strip it to the "bare bones" and then reassemble and align etc. it with nothing more than a homemeade logic probe; that did seem to be "asking for it" and it's a good thing that he found that they were in fact working before he destroyed them.

[Dougtronics]

Unless it's for authenticity, can't you just use the DS drives in place of the SS?

I just revisited this quote, while I was so frustrating with my failed motherboard. After reseating everything, the board still not budging. The question I want to ask is how can we tell the drive is SS or DS in side the unit. Also similarly how can we tell I floppy diskette is SS or DS.

Dougtronics

[Lorne]

The question I want to ask is how can we tell the drive is SS or DS in side the unit. Also similarly how can we tell I floppy diskette is SS or DS.

Dougtronics

If you can physically see the drive, you can check for the connectors at the front of the drive. If it has two connectors (P5 & P6), it's double sided. If there's only a P6, it's single sided.

1995

I would be surprised if you have any SS disks - I've found them hard to come by. A DS disk will work in a SS drive, if it has been formatted as SS.