Controlling Floppy Disk Drive with Arduino

Question

I am having problems controlling a 3.5" Floppy Disk Drive with an Arduino Uno.

I have the floppy disk drive powered with a computer power supply that is switched on, and the Arduino powered by my computer's USB. I have cut apart the ribbon of a 34-pin IDC connector to be able to route the pins to my Arduino. I am able to turn the floppy disk motor on and move the read/write head back and forth, but I am never able to read any pulses from the Track-0 or Index pins.

I have pins 7, 15, 17, 19, and 25 from the floppy all grounded to my Arduino, and I have pins 8, 16, 18, 20, and 26 from the floppy connected to my arduino as output pins so I can control the drive.

I am expecting the Index to pulse when the disk motor makes a rotation, and for Track 0 to change when I am at the outside of the disk, but they are both always LOW. Am I missing something?

Here is the spec I found for the back of the floppy disk unit

    2   /REDWC  Input Density Select
    4   n/c N/A Reserved
    6   n/c N/A Reserved
    8   /INDEX  Output Index
    10  /MOTEA  Input Motor Enable A 
    12  /DRVSB  Input Drive Sel B
    14  /DRVSA  Input Drive Sel A 
    16  /MOTEB  Input Motor Enable B
    18  /DIR    Input Direction
    20  /STEP   Input Step 
    22  /WDATE  Input Write Data
    24  /WGATE  Input Floppy Write Enable
    26  /TRK00  Output Track 0
    28  /WPT    Output Write Protect
    30  /RDATA  Output Read Data
    32  /SIDE1  Input  Head Select
    34  /DSKCHG Output Disk Change/Ready

Here a schematic of what I have hooked up (The breadboard in this circuit diagram represents the IDC connector that is plugged into the 3.5" floppy drive.)

Floppy & Arduino Connections

Here is a photo of the IDC Connector and I labelled which wires are connected to the Arduino.

Labelled IDC Connector

Here's the code I am running.

//constants
static const int IN = LOW;
static const int OUT = HIGH;
static const int pulseDelayTime = 6;

//pins
int indexPin = 2; //8 on the drive INDEX
int track0Pin = 3; //26 on the drive. TRACK 0
int dirPin = 6; //18 on the drive. DIRECTION
int stepPin = 7; //20 on the drive. STEP
int motorEnableBPin = 9; //16 on the drive. MOTOR ENABLE B

unsigned long motorSpinTime = 1000UL; //in ms


void setup() {

  //initial delay
  delay(3000);

  //setup serial monitor
  Serial.begin(9600);      

  //setup pins.
  pinMode(dirPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(stepPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(motorEnableBPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(indexPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(track0Pin, INPUT);

  //turn the motor off initially
  digitalWrite(motorEnableBPin, HIGH);

  //print state here.
  printState("Setup done.");

  //spin the disk some.
  printState("Begin to spin motor");
  spinMotorForThisManyMs(motorSpinTime);
  spinMotorForThisManyMs(motorSpinTime);
  printState("Done spinning motor");

  //step read/write head all the way in.
  stepAllTheWayIn();

  //spin the disk some more.
  printState("Begin to spin motor");
  spinMotorForThisManyMs(motorSpinTime);
  spinMotorForThisManyMs(motorSpinTime);
  printState("Done spinning motor");

  //step read/write head all the way out.
  stepAllTheWayOut();

  //spin the disk even more.
  printState("Begin to spin motor");
  spinMotorForThisManyMs(motorSpinTime);
  spinMotorForThisManyMs(motorSpinTime);
  printState("Done spinning motor");

  //never completes.
  waitForIndex();
}

void loop() {
}

//spins the disk motor for a number of ms and prints the state
void spinMotorForThisManyMs(unsigned long msToSpin) {

  //start spinning
  digitalWrite(motorEnableBPin,LOW);

  //delay.. keep printing the state
  unsigned long maxTimeMs = millis() + msToSpin;  
  while(millis() < maxTimeMs ) {
    printState("Spinning");    
  }

  //stop spinning
  digitalWrite(motorEnableBPin,HIGH);
}



//step the read/write head all the way to the center
void stepAllTheWayIn() {
  for(int i=0;i<100;i++) {
    printState("Stepping In");
    stepInALittle();
  }
}

//step the read/write head all the way to the outside
void stepAllTheWayOut() {
  for(int i=0;i<100;i++) {
    printState("Stepping Out");
    stepOutALittle();
  }
}

//print the state of the index and track
void printState(const char* charPrint) {
  Serial.print(" Index:");
  Serial.print(digitalRead(indexPin));
  Serial.print(" Track:");
  Serial.print(digitalRead(track0Pin));
  Serial.print(" ");
  Serial.println(charPrint);
}

//move the head towards the outside a little
void stepOutALittle() {
  digitalWrite(dirPin,HIGH);
  stepPulse();
}

//move the head towards the center a little
void stepInALittle() {
  digitalWrite(dirPin,LOW);
  stepPulse();
}

//pulse the step pin
void stepPulse() {
  digitalWrite(stepPin,LOW);
  delay(pulseDelayTime);
  digitalWrite(stepPin,HIGH);
}

//waits for the index to trigger. this never gets completed.
void waitForIndex() {

  printState("beginning to wait for index pin to pulse");

  //start spinning
  digitalWrite(motorEnableBPin,LOW);

  //wait for pulse
  while(digitalRead(indexPin));
  //wait for end of pulse 0
  while(!digitalRead(indexPin));

  printState("end of waiting for index pin to pulse");

  //stop spinning
  digitalWrite(motorEnableBPin,HIGH);
}

Here is the output I am getting.

 Index:0 Track:0 Setup done.
 Index:0 Track:0 Begin to spin motor
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Done spinning motor
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping In
 Index:0 Track:0 Begin to spin motor
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Done spinning motor
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Stepping Out
 Index:0 Track:0 Begin to spin motor
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Spinning
 Index:0 Track:0 Done spinning motor
 Index:0 Track:0 beginning to wait for index pin to pulse

UPDATE: I am now receiving my expected results due to geometrikal's answer. While researching this problem I found a few code examples of Arduino to Floppy Drive. I noticed that they were setting their input pins to HIGH, but I never realized why they were doing this. After fixing my problem, I found this in some Arduino documentation (which made me realize the code examples I had were using an older version of the Arduino IDE):

"Prior to Arduino 1.0.1, it was possible to configure the internal pull-ups in the following manner:"

pinMode(pin, INPUT);           // set pin to input
digitalWrite(pin, HIGH);       // turn on pullup resistors`

In Arduino 1.0.1+ you can do it this way.

pinMode(pin, INPUT_PULLUP);

Both methods of enabling the pull-up work. The second method, using the INPUT_PULLUP pinMode, is better both because it uses 1 less line and because it's a lot easier to read. — Duncan C, Commented Aug 12, 2014 at 12:07
If anyone is still interested/following/has opinions.... I suggest you head over to enter link description here — Tuc, Commented Oct 17 at 23:40

Greenonline · Accepted Answer · 2018-08-06 17:50:34Z

11

According to this (dead link):

http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/nec/FD1035_Product_Description_Jul84.pdf

This is an archived copy of the FD1035 3.5" Floppy disk drive: Product Description July 1984 - PDF:

https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_necFD1035Pl84_876629

The outputs are open-collector, so a pull-up resistor is required. You can instead enable the Arduino internal pull-ups on those pins by

pinMode(indexPin, INPUT_PULLUP);
pinMode(track0Pin, INPUT_PULLUP);

edited Aug 6, 2018 at 17:50

Greenonline

3,0767 gold badges34 silver badges48 bronze badges

answered Aug 10, 2014 at 2:48

geometrikal

2,92515 silver badges21 bronze badges

I can't thank you enough. This is exactly what I needed.
– jeffctown
Commented Aug 10, 2014 at 15:42

Add a comment |

jfpoilpret · Accepted Answer · 2014-08-09 21:42:51Z

3

You should replace int with unsigned long in all locations where you deal with time in milliseconds.

The point is that millis() returns an unsigned long, thus using int to store millis() value, you have a loss of information due to automatic cast performed by the compiler.

The changes you have to perform are:

unsigned long motorSpinTime = 1000UL; //in ms

and:

//spins the disk motor for a number of ms and prints the state
void spinMotorForThisManyMs(unsigned long msToSpin) {

  //start spinning
  digitalWrite(motorEnableBPin,LOW);

  //delay.. keep printing the state
  unsigned long maxTimeMs = millis() + msToSpin;  
  while(millis() < maxTimeMs ) {
    printState("Spinning");    
  }

  //stop spinning
  digitalWrite(motorEnableBPin,HIGH);
}

Note that I have also performed some optimization in the waiting loop by calculating the maximum time once and then compare millis() directly to that value. This is not mandatory but I just find it a bit more clean.

answered Aug 9, 2014 at 21:42

jfpoilpret

9,1427 gold badges37 silver badges54 bronze badges

Great catch! Unfortunately, changing this code does not fix the unexpected output I am receiving. I am still receiving all 0's for the index and track 0 pins. I'm still stumped. I would say that perhaps the drive is bad but I bought 2 3.5" floppy drives for this project, and I get the same output with both of them (I guess they could both be bad, but what are the chances of that?).
– jeffctown
Commented Aug 9, 2014 at 23:42
This is potentially important, but does not in any way answer the question asked, so is the type of point which should be made as a comment.
– Chris Stratton
Commented Aug 12, 2014 at 4:06

Add a comment |

Stack Exchange Network

Controlling Floppy Disk Drive with Arduino

2 Answers 2

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged
arduino-uno
hardware
or ask your own question.

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Controlling Floppy Disk Drive with Arduino

2 Answers 2

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged arduino-unohardware or ask your own question.

Linked

Related

Hot Network Questions

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged
arduino-uno
hardware
or ask your own question.