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ADAM Disk Drive Test Procedure
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R.I.D. DISK DRIVE TESTER
R.I.D. DISK DRIVE TESTER
"Coleco's Disk Drive Test Software"
by Phil Kosowsky
The most useful disk drive software that Coleco made that the average person can use is R.I.D., which stands for Recording Interchange Diagnostics Test, and is now available in the Public Domain. To get started, place the R.I.D. TEST disk in your disk drive and pull the COMPUTER RESET. Note, you must have a write protect label on the R.I.D. disk. The R.I.D. TEST will load by itself and continue through all testing procedures.
The following will appear on the screen and the test will start.
COLECO GOLD STANDARD
RECORDING INTERCHANGE
DIAGNOSTIC
TEST DESCRIPTIONS
WRITE PROTECT TEST
The disk drive tries to write to the disk. Since the disk has a write protect tab on it the drive should not write. After the test is completed either passed or failed will appear on the screen. One more thing for some reason, if you are not using the Adam printer this part of the test will fail. If this part of the test fails then the test is ended so in order to use this software you must use the Adam printer.
DISK DRIVE SPEED TEST
This test the speed of the disk drive then displays the results. If the speed is right on it will show correct. If the speed of the drive is off, the word slow or fast will be displayed. If the speed is greater then 2 percent off then this part of the test will fail. This part of the test is great to use when adjusting the speed of your disk drive.
ABSOLUTE TRACK POSITION TEST
This test checks to see if the absolute track alignment is within tolerance. The results will be displayed on the screen as passed or failed.
TRACK TO TRACK TEST
This checks to see if the tracks alignment is within tolerance. The results will be displayed as passed or failed.
MOTOR HYSTERESIS TEST
Again this is a passed or failed test.
TUNNEL ERASE TEST
Again this is a passed or failed test.
HEAD AZIMUTH TEST
This checks the azimuth alignment of the read/write head. The results will displayed as passed or failed.
SIGNAL TO NOISE TEST
This checks to see if noise is within tolerance. Again this is a passed or failed test.
DRIVE CLAMPING TEST
This checks to see if the drive is within tolerance or needs adjustment. Again this is a passed or failed test.
TEST RESULTS
If your disk drive passes all of the above test the following will show up on the screen:
THIS DISK DRIVE HAS PASSED
ALL GOLD STANDARD TESTING!
ADDITIONAL TESTS
Two more things need to be tested that the R.I.D. software does not test for. The first, just store a SmartWRITER file on a blank disk and then retrieve it. The second thing to check is the AdamNET outlet for the second drive. This can be done by storing a SmartBASIC file on the second disk drive or by using Coleco's disk drive read/write cartridge. This cartridge will read/write to a blank disk in the second drive while checking for: data compare error, checksum error, media not found, block # error and write protect error. All of these tests are pass or fail.
PUBLICATION NOTICE
This technical column has been provided by KOSOWSKY'S ADAM REPAIR as part of its continuing support for the ADAM COMPUTER. This column will be published in both the A.N.N. & NIAD newsletters on a bi-monthly basic. Reprinting is allowed but must be reprinted in its entire length unedited unless express written permission is given by Kosowsky's Adam Repair. While all information is believed to be true, neither Kosowsky's Adam Repair, Philip Kosowsky, NIAD, A.N.N., any Adam Newsletter or BBS using or presenting this information, nor the officers, agents, employees, or members of any of them, make any representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, safety, or utility of any material or information contained herein contained, either by interpretation, use or misuse. Further, those above mentioned accept no responsibility for any losses or damages, direct, indirect, incidental or consequential resulting from application, use, misuse, interpretation, etc. of the information and material contained herein.
"Coleco's Disk Drive Test Software"
by Phil Kosowsky
The most useful disk drive software that Coleco made that the average person can use is R.I.D., which stands for Recording Interchange Diagnostics Test, and is now available in the Public Domain. To get started, place the R.I.D. TEST disk in your disk drive and pull the COMPUTER RESET. Note, you must have a write protect label on the R.I.D. disk. The R.I.D. TEST will load by itself and continue through all testing procedures.
The following will appear on the screen and the test will start.
COLECO GOLD STANDARD
RECORDING INTERCHANGE
DIAGNOSTIC
TEST DESCRIPTIONS
WRITE PROTECT TEST
The disk drive tries to write to the disk. Since the disk has a write protect tab on it the drive should not write. After the test is completed either passed or failed will appear on the screen. One more thing for some reason, if you are not using the Adam printer this part of the test will fail. If this part of the test fails then the test is ended so in order to use this software you must use the Adam printer.
DISK DRIVE SPEED TEST
This test the speed of the disk drive then displays the results. If the speed is right on it will show correct. If the speed of the drive is off, the word slow or fast will be displayed. If the speed is greater then 2 percent off then this part of the test will fail. This part of the test is great to use when adjusting the speed of your disk drive.
ABSOLUTE TRACK POSITION TEST
This test checks to see if the absolute track alignment is within tolerance. The results will be displayed on the screen as passed or failed.
TRACK TO TRACK TEST
This checks to see if the tracks alignment is within tolerance. The results will be displayed as passed or failed.
MOTOR HYSTERESIS TEST
Again this is a passed or failed test.
TUNNEL ERASE TEST
Again this is a passed or failed test.
HEAD AZIMUTH TEST
This checks the azimuth alignment of the read/write head. The results will displayed as passed or failed.
SIGNAL TO NOISE TEST
This checks to see if noise is within tolerance. Again this is a passed or failed test.
DRIVE CLAMPING TEST
This checks to see if the drive is within tolerance or needs adjustment. Again this is a passed or failed test.
TEST RESULTS
If your disk drive passes all of the above test the following will show up on the screen:
THIS DISK DRIVE HAS PASSED
ALL GOLD STANDARD TESTING!
ADDITIONAL TESTS
Two more things need to be tested that the R.I.D. software does not test for. The first, just store a SmartWRITER file on a blank disk and then retrieve it. The second thing to check is the AdamNET outlet for the second drive. This can be done by storing a SmartBASIC file on the second disk drive or by using Coleco's disk drive read/write cartridge. This cartridge will read/write to a blank disk in the second drive while checking for: data compare error, checksum error, media not found, block # error and write protect error. All of these tests are pass or fail.
PUBLICATION NOTICE
This technical column has been provided by KOSOWSKY'S ADAM REPAIR as part of its continuing support for the ADAM COMPUTER. This column will be published in both the A.N.N. & NIAD newsletters on a bi-monthly basic. Reprinting is allowed but must be reprinted in its entire length unedited unless express written permission is given by Kosowsky's Adam Repair. While all information is believed to be true, neither Kosowsky's Adam Repair, Philip Kosowsky, NIAD, A.N.N., any Adam Newsletter or BBS using or presenting this information, nor the officers, agents, employees, or members of any of them, make any representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, safety, or utility of any material or information contained herein contained, either by interpretation, use or misuse. Further, those above mentioned accept no responsibility for any losses or damages, direct, indirect, incidental or consequential resulting from application, use, misuse, interpretation, etc. of the information and material contained herein.