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From: dickow@ui3.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: CBM 1541 alignment info requested
Message-ID: <60006@ui3.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 19-Dec-86 16:19:56 EST
Article-I.D.: ui3.60006
Posted: Fri Dec 19 16:19:56 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 20-Dec-86 21:43:42 EST
References: <1750@homxc.UUCP>
Organization: MRC, University of Idaho
Lines: 30

/ ui3:comp.sys.cbm / nms@homxc.UUCP (N.SCRIBNER) / 10:31 am  Dec 17, 1986 /

What is the latest scoop on alignment of old 1541 dis drives?
Is is cost effective to take it to the local fixit shop? Send it to
Commodore?  Buy a kit?  Is there public domain SW which would allow
an "educated", (but not expert) user to align a unit himself.
Thanks for the advice.

Neal Scribner
ATT-BL 201-949-2242
homxc!nms
----------
     1541 drives, especially 'older' ones, go out of alignment so frequently
that it seems cheaper to buy a new one sometimes. However, I have been align-
ing my own for some time. I use the CSM alignment program. Skyles electric
works is also selling a program at about 29 bucks. You can find ads for these
in just about any issue of COMPUTE! or RUN mag. I'd supply addresses but I
loaned my disk to a friend. The program comes with an extra special alignment
standard disk, so you can't pirate the thing. If you can handle a screwdriver
you can do the job. Just watch out for the 110 volts, and be careful not to
accidentally 'strip' the phillips heads that hold down the stepper motor. 
     Just one alignment performed yourself will pay for the program, since
shop jobs will cost anywhere from 30 to 79 bucks. The CSM program ran me about
$45. The first time you do it the job is a little frustrating...takes about
an hour to get it right, and some 'hunting and pecking' for the best adjust-
ments is necessary.

Bob Dickow, Univ. of Idaho School of Music
egg-id!ui3!dickow
i