I hope I'm not wearing out my welcome, but it seems my A3k is destined to give me grief.

After fixing HD/OS issues, VGA issues, all seemed well until I tried using some floppies.

Basically, the machine is destroying all the floppies I put into it, if they aren't write-protected.

I have two methods of creating floppies, I have an A1200 that is working fine, i can use that to format and save files to a floppy. I also have a Catweasel MK4.

Regardless of what I use to create the floppy, if I write-protect it, then put it in my a3k, it works fine. If I eject the disk, close the write-protect window, and re-insert, i get DF0:? on the desktop and the disk is no longer useable. (unless i re-image the disk on the 1200 or the catweasel)

I also cannot format a disk with the a3k, if I try, it says its unable to write cylinder zero.

I have tried attaching an external Roctec drive (that works fine in my a1200), but the exact same thing happens. If the disk is unprotected, it is destroyed.

I have VirusZ III installed, it never complains of a virus.

I'm at another roadblock here. Anyone have any advice?
I suppose i can make due without using floppies, but,

-C6

My A3000 floppy drive became unusable a while back.

Not sure if yours is the same problem but this is how I cured it.

If you look at the motor it has a threaded spindle.

The grease on this spindle has probably become old and hard due to its age.

Try removing this old grease and maybe re-lubricate with some wd40 or something.
Careful not to get any in to the mechanism and heads.

My drive has been working good as new ever since.

Hope this helps and good luck.

marvinpa

Forgot to say, let us know how you get on and if it fixes your prob.

Good luck!

Dunno if this could be the case, but check your floppy cable, and if possible, try to replace it with a known good one. I'd suggest also swapping the drive itself, but I know these are quite rare (alas, my A3000's floppy is dead).

I'd think WRITE ENABLE signal got stuck somewhere on the mainboard. Like if it is low (or grounded), then the drive would try to write down on the floppy whatever data there is on WRITE DATA line, even if there is none. (Unless the WRITE PROTECT latch on the floppy disables writing by physically breaking this WRITE ENABLE signal.)