PS/2 Model 80 3 1/2-inch floppy drive replacement options
Manuel Alvarez-Rivera
diskette drive. IBM wants $360 for a (presumably new) replacement, and another
source is asking $371 for a new drive (as opposed to $90 for a "remanufactured"
drive). I would prefer to buy a new drive, but I find the prices quoted so far
to be totally unacceptable. Also, an IBM Helpware Center Tech Support
representative with whom I spoke (and which referred me the above mentioned sources)
implied that any company that asks less than $100 for a drive labeled as new is
lying.
As I am taking these statements as claims rather than facts, ny question is if it is
possible to get a new 3 1/2-inch floppy diskette drive for my machine for under
$100?
Any advice and/or suggestions will be more than welcome.
============================================================
Manuel Alvarez-Rivera, Programmer/Analyst
University of Pittsburgh
University Center for Social and Urban Research
(412) 624-3791
============================================================
Larry J. Ovshak
: I have an IBM PS/2 Model 80 with an apparently dysfunctional 3.5" floppy
: diskette drive. IBM wants $360 for a (presumably new) replacement; another
: "remanufactured" drive). I would prefer to buy a new drive, but I find the
: prices quoted so far to be totally unacceptable. Also, an IBM Helpware
: Center Tech Support representative with whom I spoke (and which referred me
: the above mentioned sources) implied that any company that asks less than
: $100 for a drive labeled as new is lying.
: As I am taking these statements as claims rather than facts, my question
: is if it is possible to get a new 3 1/2-inch floppy diskette drive for my
: machine for under $100?
: Any advice and/or suggestions will be more than welcome.
: ============================================================
: Manuel Alvarez-Rivera, Programmer/Analyst
: University of Pittsburgh
: University Center for Social and Urban Research
: (412) 624-3791
: ============================================================
Manuel:
Sad to say, it sounds like "IBM Spare Parts Sticker Shock" is still alive
and well! Perhaps I can provide you (and other PS/2 users who read this
Newsgroup) some reassurance that re-conditioned PS/2 FDD's provide the
end user a better value.
Let me first disclose that I represent a small entrepreneurial firm
(Precision Peripherals, Inc.) that specializes in the sale of
re-conditioned 3.5" PS/2 FDD's. We compete against IBM in this niche
area by offering two basic things: low price (only $59 for a 1.44MB PS/2
FDD, compared with the $90 quoted from your refurb source); and rigid
quality standards (each FDD is thoroughly cleaned & lubed, along with an
8-step diagnostic test & alignment to ensure full function to IBM specs).
We back each PS/2 FDD with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 120-day
warranty. For your convenience (and security) we accept Visa/MasterCard.
To answer your specific question, Manuel, I do agree with IBM's claim --
for one FDD, you are not going to find a NEW PS/2 FDD for < $100.
BTW, I realize that this Newsgroup is not for commercial purposes -- but
I occasionally see this type of posting here for PS/2 users with FDD
problems/questions, and I have tried to address these areas and offer our
product (when replacement seems necessary) in a low key manner. I hope
this is both a responsible and welcome means of offering support to PS/2
users on the Net. If anyone can suggest a more appropriate location for
posting affordable PS/2 repair parts, please let me know (given IBM's
inflated price policy for repair parts, there certainly seems to be a
need for a PS/2 hardware forum).
For additional detail on our PS/2 FDD product, Manuel, we have a posting
in biz.comp.hardware and we are also in PC Catalog OnLine
(http://www.peed.com/pccatalog.html) which also appears on Prodigy, AOL,
Compuserve, Genie and Delphi. Or let me know and I will gladly answer
any questions or send information by E-mail.
Larry Ovshak
Precision Peripherals, Inc.
29...@tccn.com
Bill Vermillion
Manuel Alvarez-Rivera <alva...@pitt.edu> wrote:
>I have an IBM PS/2 Model 80 with an apparently dysfunctional 3 1/2-inch floppy
>diskette drive.
I had one that 'ate' the sliding cover on a disk (probably bad
disk) and then refused to work forevermore.
>IBM wants $360 for a (presumably new) replacement, and another
>source is asking $371 for a new drive (as opposed to $90 for a "remanufactured"
>drive).
You can find practically new drives from any one of the houses
that sells 'pulled parts'.
The 3.5" drive is typically about $80-$90 from these sources.
Forget the list price.
> I would prefer to buy a new drive, but I find the prices quoted so far
>to be totally unacceptable.
You don't really need a new one. These are rugged and even a
used one should work.
>Also, an IBM Helpware Center Tech Support
>representative with whom I spoke (and which referred me the above mentioned sources)
>implied that any company that asks less than $100 for a drive labeled as new is
>lying.
Probably - but a drive pulled from an unused machine, while not
technically new - is the same as a new machine. Parting out a
machine is usually more profitable than selling a new discontinued
model.
>As I am taking these statements as claims rather than facts, ny question is if it is
>possible to get a new 3 1/2-inch floppy diskette drive for my machine for under
>$100?
Yup. Check locally and find some shop that specializes in
repairs get you from one of the vendors in "Processor" or
"Computer Hotline" or any of the other trade publications that
specialize in parts for the repair industry, if you can't find
these pubs yourself.
--
Bill Vermillion - bi...@bilver.oau.org | bill.ve...@oau.org
SPetracca
steve
Bdmg
kit that PS/2's it. The kits used to be available from a company in
Chicago call Hartford Computer Associates. Good luck
Jason