This evening, I received with great appreciation, the Duodisk mod I had been asking for. They were courtesy of John Daniels (ah499@cleveland.freenet.edu). He asked me to post it here so that others could benefit as well. Here goes! +---------------------------------------------------------+ Subj: Duodisk Modifications There are TWO modifications that should be made to Duodisk drives. The first one was recommended by Apple perhaps 5-6 years ago, to solve occasional problems with trashing diskettes by Duodisks. The solution is to remove 2 capacitors. The 2nd modification is only required for Duodisks to be used on Apple IIGS's (though the modified Duodisk will still work fine on older Apple II's). It requires removing a resistor. The problem is that the Duodisk draws just a little too much current. This problem is especially apparent when several drives are daisy-chained from the GS Smartport. Problems are MOST likely to occur when the Duodisk is daisy-chained from a Unidisk 3.5 Drive. DUODISK MODIFICATION - REMOVAL OF CAPACITORS OK, here's the first modification for the Duodisk drive. This mod should be done on ALL Duodisks, no matter whether they're used on //e's, IIGS's, etc. The problem was that diskettes would sometimes be damaged when doing an Open-Apple-CTL-Reset, or when using disks with certain kinds of copy protection. The mod was in an Apple dealer service bulletin several years ago. Here's an excerpt from the bulletin, describing the problem: "Data on disk is damaged when using "Open-Apple-CTL-Reset" for rebooting, or when using software with certain copyright protection schemes. Analog board PN is 676-[]101 or 676-[]102." The Analog board is the one inside Drive 1 in the Duodisk. You may have to unplug the cable near the back right of the board to see the board's model number. Anyway, if you have the -101 or -102 board, just break off or cut out Capacitors C29 and C30 (at board locations A1 and B1, respectively). I've done this on all 3 of my Duodisk drives, so I can vouch for the safety of the procedure. DUODISK MODIFICATION - RESISTOR REMOVAL Here's the second modification for your Duodisk drive. This is the exact message as posted on Compuserve in 11/86 by an Apple Computer employee: ********************************************************************** Duodisk Mod 13-Nov-86 1150 Accesses: 12 This file describes how to modify your duodisk for safe use on the GS. Obviously, it is preferable that you have it done by the dealer, but if you want to do it yourself here's the info... Questions/problems to 76703,3030, PM Using the DuoDisk with the Apple IIGS The DuoDisk can not be used as the last daisy chained device on the built-in IWM disk port of the Apple IIGS. For instance, a UniDisk 3.5 will be rendered inoperable when the DuoDisk is installed in the above manner - although using the DuoDisk by itself is not a problem. A qualified technician will have to modify the DuoDisk analog board if the DuoDisk is to be used as the last device on the chain. Please use the following procedure to determine how to modify the analog board. IDENTIFYING WHICH ANALOG BOARD YOU HAVE Remove the top cover as documented in Technical Procedures. Turn the drive so that the I/O connector is facing toward you. The identifying number will be at the bottom left of the analog board. The number might read 676-[]101, 676-[]102 or 676-[]107. PERFORMING THE MODIFICATION If the I.D.# for the analog board is 676-[]101 or 676-[]102, use a pair of nippers and cut out resistor R8 (located at position A2). If the I.D.# for the analog board is 676-[]107, use a pair of nippers and cut out resistor R39 (located at position A1). *************************************************** (from a post on Fidonet by Jim Nichol) +-----------------------------------------------------+ +---------------------------------------------------------+ | Stephen Brown Toronto, Canada | | Internet: sb@pnet91.cts.com UUCP: utzoo!pnet91!sb | +---------------------------------------------------------+ | Apple II Forever !!! | +---------------------------------------------------------+ | Like my new .signature. ? Too bad. | +---------------------------------------------------------+