jiro@shaman.com (Jiro Nakamura) (04/12/91)
In article <1991Apr11.104807.20341@bhpcpd.kembla.oz.au> quy@bhpcpd.kembla.oz.au (Ameuroceasifica) writes: >Please advise the best way to clean mouldy floppy diskettes. >The mould appears as dark stains on the visible portion of >the plastics. The drive makes loud grinding noises when attempting >but failing to read the disk. I'd say "throw it out." The mold has most probably bonded with the plastic (like some molds do: see tupperware in back of fridge with 2 year old spaghetti noodles). Whatsmore, the grinding sound is most probably said mold banging against drive head, greatly dirtying and possibly damaging it. OK. What you should do: 1) Get a drive cleaner and clean your drive head. Possibly, take your drive apart and clean the head with a Q-tip. It might be that the normal cleaners won't do a good job. 2) Take your floppy out of the plastic cover/case and wash it gently with a sponge under cold water being careful not to put fingerprints or those spaghetti noodles on it. Put back in case. Do 2 only if you really need the info. A $2 disk isn't worth a $200 drive. - jiro ps. I disclaim any responsibility for any damage caused by above procedures. Be careful! -- Jiro Nakamura jiro@shaman.com Shaman Consulting (607) 253-0687 VOICE "Bring your dead, dying shamans here!" (607) 253-7809 FAX/Modem
jdudeck@polyslo.CalPoly.EDU (John R. Dudeck) (04/14/91)
>>Please advise the best way to clean mouldy floppy diskettes. >>The mould appears as dark stains on the visible portion of >>the plastics. The drive makes loud grinding noises when attempting >>but failing to read the disk. From my experiences in the tropics, mold attacks the binder used in the magnetic surface, and when it comes in contact with the head, the material comes off and sticks to the head. It may be possible to clean the floppy enough to read it once. Chances are in any case you will have to clean your floppy drive head. My rule is to not ever stick a diskette in to a drive if you can see mold or fungus on the diskette. Same is true for cassettes in a cassette player, reel-to-reel tapes, etc. -- John Dudeck "Communication systems are jdudeck@Polyslo.CalPoly.Edu inherently complex". ESL: 62013975 Tel: 805-545-9549 -- Ron Oliver