�                       multialign.doc
�                       ##############
�                 written by rex r. collins
�                 #########################
�
�this document file has been created in order to explain, as
�best as possible, how to get the most out of multialign.
�much of this file will talk about how to assemble,
�disassemble, and align your 1541 while multialign is
�running.
�
�don't be scared! even if you know nothing about mechanics
�whatsoever, taking apart the 1541 is pretty easy. i've done
�it at least two dozen times, sometimes in less than five
�minutes! and i can assure you, it is completely safe. i have
�aligned at least half a dozen drives with no consequences,
�using this program and a phillips head screwdriver. nothing
�more.
�
�but before we go into disassembling the 1541 drive, let's
�first go into the features of multialign:
�
�
�
�
�
�
�                  multialign - loading up
�                  #######################
�            load"multialign",<device #> and run
�            ###################################
�
�the first question that appears is:
�
�how many drives will you be using? (1-4)
�##################################
�
�yes, that's right, you can test as many as four drives, with
�devices 8 thru 11. if you select "1", the program will
�prompt you to insert a formatted disk in the drive.
�
�if you answer "2", "3", or "4", the program will ask:
�
�do you need to set device #'s? (y/n)
�####################################
�
�if you have set the device #'s by slitting the solder
�jumpers, then answer no. but is you need to set the device
�#'s using the software method, answer yes and follow the
�prompts. you will first be asked to:
�
�turn off all drives - press any key.
�####################################  then you will be asked
�to turn on each device as you want  it to be set, first by
�setting device 11 (if you choose  4 drives) then 10 (if 3
�drives) then 9 (if 2 drives) then finally device 8.
�
�once that is done, you will then be asked to insert
�formatted disks in all drives and press a key to begin...
�
�the testing starts out at track 18, the directory, on device
�8. the red light will flash as each sector of track 18 is
�checked.
�
�the function key menu will display on your screen like this:
�
�  f1 = back 1/2 a track
�  f2 = move to track 1 
�  f3 =forward 1/2 a track 
�  f4 = move to track 35 
�  f5 = move to track 18 (dir) 
�  f6 = next device # 
�  f7 = end program
�
�you may check all tracks from 1 to 40, in half-track
�increments. do not go past 1 or 40 when moving from track to
�track, otherwise you may damage the disk inside.
�
�if the result line shows "o.k." after 20 sector checks,
�chances are that track is perfectly aligned! any other
�message, accompanied by a sound, is an alignment error of
�some kind.
�
�check your track indicator - if the program is looking for
�track 18 and reading track 17 or 19, your stepper motor is a
�full track off. this has been known to happen!
�
�half tracks must always read the track of its base number,
�ie. track 18.5 must always read on track 18. if it is
�reading on track 19 the stepper motor is a half track off.
�
�when using more than one drive, the f6 command advances to
�the next high- est device number, and then when at the
�highest device, goes back to device 8.
�
�the f2 command does not create "the knock" so you can relax.
�it uses half- track routines to "click" its way to the
�outside track without hitting the metal stop inside the
�drive.
�
�but when you end the program, you must initialize your
�drives using the dos command: open1,device,15,"i":close1.
�turning the drives on & off won't work because the
�half-track routines are imbedded in the disk drive rom.
�
�this program cannot be blitzed or otherwise compiled. the
�sound routines use pokes that crash the program when
�operating in a compiled state.
�
�
�
�
�
�now that i've expained that, let's go on to:
�
�              multialign - aligning your drive
�              ################################
�
�
�                  to disassemble the 1541:
�                  ########################
�
�1) turn the drive upside down and,
�   with a size 1 phillips head screw- driver, unscrew the
�   four screws that hold the casing together.
�
�2) turn the drive right-side up and
�   lift the top off. you will see a metallic grid covering
�   the circuit board.
�
�3) remove the two screws holding the
�   grid to the chassis, on the left hand side of the drive
�   as it is facing you.
�
�4) carefully take the grid off. you
�   will then see the circuit board and various connectors.
�
�5) remove the three-prong connector
�   with the red and black wires. that is the connector to
�   the green power light imbedded in the lower casing of the
�   drive.
�
�6) look down in the cracks of the
�   chassis, between the chassis and the casing, and you will
�   see six screws holding the chassis to the lower casing.
�
�7) remove these six screws and lift
�   the chassis from the casing. put the grid and both
�   casings aside for now.
�
�8) carefully turn the drive upside
�   down. you will see a flat cylinder with a white label on
�   it, held in place by two screws that have been sort of
�   "painted on" to keep the motor in place.
�
�9) set the drive upside down in a way
�   that does not pinch the connectors or resistors. then
�   loosen, don't remove, the screws to the stepper motor --
�   just enough so you can turn the motor by hand. be
�   careful! these screws are made of flimsy metal and the
�   threads strip very easily. you may have to take a raz- or
�   blade and scrape the paint off before you use the
�   screwdriver.
�
�
�
�
�   to use the drive with multialign in its current state:
�              ################################
�
�1) turn the drive right side up and
�   plug it in to the computer and the power strip. try to
�   set it on a surface where you can reach the stepper motor
�   with your hand. if you have a mini-cabinet, for exam-
�   ple, you can set the back half of the drive onto the
�   cabinet and let the front side sit open. the rear of the
�   drive is heavier than the front so balance should not be
�   too much of a problem. but if it is, try to prop up the
�   left side of the front drive, as the right side contains
�   the stepper motor.
�
�2) load the program (perhaps with
�   another drive) and run it.
�
�3) as the program checks the disk for
�   alignment, reach underneath and ro- tate stepper motor
�   slowly. if you hear more beeps than you did before, you
�   are turning the motor the wrong way. you must turn it
�   very slowly, and only a little bit at a time. you may
�   also have to remove your hand to get proper readouts from
�   the pro- gram. if you hear no beeps after 10 seconds,
�   that track is aligned!
�
�4) once you have set track 18, proceed
�   to other tracks and check their alignment. you may find
�   this frust- rating at first as one track may be in
�   alignment and another track is not - but the disk must be
�   perf- ectly aligned on all tracks and half-tracks or else
�   some parts of your disks won't load!
�
�5) once all tracks have been confirmed
�   as aligned, tighten the stepper motor screws very
�   carefully! you don't want it to go out of alignment again
�   by turning the screws too fast or jolting the chassis
�   while the screws are loose!!
�
�
�                  to reassemble the 1541:
�                  #######################
�
�1) replace the chassis into the lower
�   casing and the six screws that hold it in place.
�
�2) replace the green light connector.
�
�3) replace the metal grid. be careful
�   not to pinch any wires. you don't have to screw it in
�   place but you can if you wish.
�
�4) replace the upper casing and the
�   four screws that hold the casings together.
�
�
�
�
�
�there you have it! a step-by-step guide to using multialign.
�
�i hope you make as much use out of
�