In GadgetUK164’s latest video, viewers dive into a real-world floppy drive repair that’s anything but routine. What begins as a simple hardware check quickly spirals into a full-on diagnostic adventure. Two JU-253 drives, recovered from storage, arrive with dents, missing parts, and mysterious faults.
Bent Frames and Missing Sensors
The first challenge involves physical damage. One drive has a corner crushed, likely from years of poor storage. The other is missing essential disc-change and write-protect sensors. GadgetUK164 carefully bends the metal frame back into shape using tools and patience. Then, he improvises a solution—wiring in a temporary switch to simulate disc changes.
This DIY approach helps determine whether the drive can function under test conditions. However, even after adjustments, the drive shows strange cold-boot behavior. It fails to spin up or detect discs until it warms up.
Swapping Capacitors and Tracing Faults
Next, attention turns to the electronics. Several capacitors are replaced with lower ESR versions, aiming to resolve any voltage instability. Unfortunately, the issue continues. The real clue appears when the PCB is warmed with hot air. Suddenly, the drive begins to respond correctly.
This suggests a thermally sensitive fault. The suspected area is near the power connector. Further inspection reveals a crooked PNP transistor that looks poorly soldered. It fails a component test and is replaced with a general-purpose alternative.
The Fix and Final Verdict
Once replaced, the floppy drive repair finally succeeds. The drive boots instantly—even when cold. Testing confirms the issue is resolved. The ready signal, previously inconsistent, now registers correctly in the Amiga test kit.
The repaired drive is not only functional, but reliable enough to become a permanent test unit. Future improvements may include designing a proper PCB for the missing switches. For now, GadgetUK164 settles on a well-earned win.
Lessons Learned and Future Plans
The video closes with a solid takeaway: even small, overlooked parts like a single transistor can halt an entire system. This floppy drive repair required hours of probing, improvising, and persistence. With the test drive now working reliably, GadgetUK164 plans to refine the switch assembly, turning this ghetto mod into a permanent testing solution.
Whether you’re a retro computing veteran or new to drive repairs, this episode showcases how patience, logic, and a bit of solder smoke can bring vintage gear back from the brink.
