I have an A500 which is in reasonably good shape. It still has it's original colour and a 512Kb expansion card with RTC. But the trapdoor and expansion port covers are missing, and the floppy drive is broken (constant read errors). Is it worth fixing? What would a replacement floppy drive cost me?
A500 - fix or throw away?
- Thread starter joska
- Start date
- Replies 8
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We can't discuss prices on this site, but an a500 is the best available amiga on the market so ...
I would defenetily keep it for spares. It might be better for you to source another local amiga and donate some parts.
You might be able to fit this with some mech mods.
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=294
Don't forget to clean the heads with some isoproyl alcohol before you give up. Or use this (I use ear cleaner with alcohol)
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=276
Looking at the whole lot I would say go for another unit.
---------- Post added at 12:43 ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 ----------
ps: transferring some parts is rather easy, and can be done quickly.
---------- Post added at 12:45 ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 ----------
if only the plastics remain an issue, you might open up a wanted thread for the plastics. They are light, easy to ship.
I would defenetily keep it for spares. It might be better for you to source another local amiga and donate some parts.
You might be able to fit this with some mech mods.
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=294
Don't forget to clean the heads with some isoproyl alcohol before you give up. Or use this (I use ear cleaner with alcohol)
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=276
Looking at the whole lot I would say go for another unit.
---------- Post added at 12:43 ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 ----------
ps: transferring some parts is rather easy, and can be done quickly.
---------- Post added at 12:45 ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 ----------
if only the plastics remain an issue, you might open up a wanted thread for the plastics. They are light, easy to ship.
Hi, You can at least try and clean the heads of the floppy, failling that there are many tuturials on modding a PC floppy to work with the Amiga, they are cheap to find and after the mod they work very well (need to do some work on the eject button to fit proprelly).
And yes I think it's worth repairing the A500
.
And yes I think it's worth repairing the A500
.
You could get a HxC floppy emulator if that "float your boat".
You could fit a regular floppy with some dremel-work
Or you could get the parts from non working models. It was the most popular Amiga, so spares should be plentiful. Just put out a wanted ad, and I'm sure your computer will be complete in no time for a small sum.
SkydivinGirl
Retro Girl
As others have said, don't bin it. You can keep it for parts, sell the parts, sell the whole thing, offer it up to another AmiBayer in the Recycle Bin. Anything is preferable to throwing it out. 
Heather
Heather
OK, I won't throw it in the bin 
I disassembled the floppy drive this evening. The heads were stuck due to hardened grease on the axle. Once I freed it the drive sort of worked. It has problems aligning the heads but after a couple of resets it suddenly works... I will look into my stash of PC and ST floppydrives and see if I can find something usable.
I disassembled the floppy drive this evening. The heads were stuck due to hardened grease on the axle. Once I freed it the drive sort of worked. It has problems aligning the heads but after a couple of resets it suddenly works... I will look into my stash of PC and ST floppydrives and see if I can find something usable.