FDS stays at bios loading screen, just spinning.

[cr4zymanz0r]

So I got this FDS about 5 or 6 years ago stating it had the belt replaced. It's worked great and I've never had an issue with it before.

Last time I used it a handful of months ago it worked fine without any apparent issues. With the advent of things like FDSstick and FDSemu, I've been using them for playing FDS games. The actual FDS unit now has been relegated to testing new FDS games I get. I got a new game in today, inserted it in the FDS, it stayed at the loading screen on the bios with the FDS read light staying constantly lit and what sounds like the disk (or at the very least a motor) constantly spinning. Left it that way for a few minutes with no change. Tried another FDS disk I knew worked for sure, same outcome. When it hasn't been in use it's just been sitting in the game room that never gets to extreme temperatures or anything.

Googling around, it seemed every suggestion to the problem is that the drive belt is worn out. I opened up on FDS to confirm, but found the belt was intact and I could manually spin the components it's connected to. At this point I'm not sure what to try next without guidance since I hear how fickle FDSs can be once you start adjusting things.

[Voultar]

That's typically the result of a failing limit switch not being properly actuated.

Or, a failing 7201/3206 chip.

[cr4zymanz0r]

That's typically the result of a failing limit switch not being properly actuated.

Or, a failing 7201/3206 chip.

If it's the 7201/3206 then it sounds like I'm mostly screwed unless I get a replacement/donor FDS, since those seem to be proprietary. If there's anyway to test proper functionality of the chip with a multimeter or something, then I'd be interested to know.

Can you point out what the limit switch is inside the FDS? Is it something that can be manually triggered if I have the FDS open to verify if it's the issue or not?