Uploaded May 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Recapping walkthrough of Apple (SONY) 400K 3.5" floppy drives for 1984 Macintosh 128K & 512K (& Lisa) computers. Video closes with Epyx Winter Games (1985).

⚠️ DISCLAIMER! A recap won't fix most problems you may have with your 400K drive. Old grease that has frozen mechanical parts is the biggest problem which I cover in my Lube Repair video here: youtu.be/Se10T6gPl-c

🔎 INDEX
0:00 — Intro
3:38 — External Drive (Disassembly)
6:30 — Internal Drive (Disassembly)
7:05 — Discharge the CRT
7:58 — Drive Removal (Internal)
10:38 — Overview of 3 different 400K drive mechanisms
12:43 — Older "A" 64K ROMs (Mac 128K or 512K)
13:18 — Newer "B" 64K ROMs (Mac 128K or 512K)
16:07 — 400K & 800K drives, side-by-side
21:20 — Removing the spring-loaded parts (optical sensors)
26:16 — My soldering setup
29:28 — Big PCB Recapping
35:17 — Small PCB Recapping: OA-D34
38:12 — Small PCB Recapping: OA-D34V-22
40:34 — Head Cleaning
41:52 — Reassembly
49:09 — Testing
56:49 — Faint Beeping Sounds (from Speaker) are normal
57:26 — Closing Words
1:00:17 — Epyx Winter Games

💾 Winter Games DOWNLOAD: macintoshgarden.org/games/winter-games
• Why it doesn't work on Mini vMac: bit.ly/2YMi4DW

🛒 CAPACITORS:
• Mouser Cart (for any 400K drive): bit.ly/2zSpzyy
⭐ *Oct. 2025 UPDATE*: Out-of-stock caps forced me to choose 2 tantalums as replacements, and I mention caveats here: tinyurl.com/jbfz6anp

🛠️ TOOLS & THINGS TO BUY:
• Anti-static pad with Wrist Strap (16x24" / 41x61cm): amzn.to/3bfAE9Z
or
• Hi-temp Anti-static pad with Wrist Strap (16x12" / 41x30cm): amzn.to/2SOm1nK

• Wall socket Ground adapter for banana-jack Wrist Strap: amzn.to/2Yvq5ge
• Torx T15 with LONG neck (to open Mac): amzn.to/3qLyJYb
• Bulldog Clip (helpful to pry off back case): amzn.to/2H7lIhF
• 99% ISO Alcohol (Spray Bottle!): amzn.to/3ae4fG6
• 99% ISO Alcohol: amzn.to/3NoFkxN
• 99% ISO Alcohol: amzn.to/2YsK8v3
💁‍♂️3 alcohol choices because it's often out of stock. 70% will work, 91% is better, but 99% is best for electronics cleaning.
• 1 Cotton Swab for head cleaning
• Thermal Grease: amzn.to/2SNmB5e
• Phillips Screwdriver (+)
• Needle Nose Pliers: amzn.to/2U9Kc0M
• Wire Nippers 4.5": amzn.to/2J4Wkdk
• Flat-head (-) Screwdriver (for CRT discharging)
• Wire with alligator clips at both ends (for CRT discharging)
• Basic Soldering Iron Kit (80W, cheap!): amzn.to/3tELJAP
or
• Soldering Station (120W, ESD safe): amzn.to/30g1Frt
or
• HAKKO (Japanese) brand Soldering Station: amzn.to/2YvIo42

• Solder (Leaded Rosin Core 1.6mm): amzn.to/3IGuxxm
• Desoldering wick (Amazon US): amzn.to/3iMAnA5
💁‍♂️TIP: Set soldering iron temperature to 350°C. Don't use lead-free solder.
• DE-5000 Handheld LCR Meter (Amazon US): amzn.to/2ScttJz
💁‍♂️The best handheld meter to check capacitor ESR, capacitance, etc. Comes with all 3 accessories: TL-21, TL-22 & TL-23.

🔋 PRAM Battery (for Mac): amzn.to/2R1qYZE

💾 FloppyEMU: bit.ly/2WBmhHO

💵 NOTE: Your price on Amazon (US only) is the same even if you don't click the "amzn.to" Affiliate links above, but if you do kindly click and purchase within 24 hours, Amazon may pay me a small commission on all qualifying items in your Cart (even items not linked above).

📚 USEFUL INFORMATION:
• 400K drive repair discussion about "Sony Test": tinyurl.com/5n6s3r3a
💾 Sony Test 7.0 DOWNLOAD: macintoshgarden.org/apps/sonytest-70
• 400K Floppy Drive Specifications (brief): bit.ly/2T5sNGC
• 400K Floppy Drive Specifications (detailed): bit.ly/3berqe8
• Clicking sound Fix: bit.ly/36yTjfB
• "Disks always locked" cause: bit.ly/2QVbh5l
💾 System 0.85 DOWNLOAD: bit.ly/2YHJkU2
• How to use 800K drives with Macs that have 64K ROMs: bit.ly/3fE7Rj0

🔥 ROM REVISION INFO
• bit.ly/4fd0L2D
• bit.ly/4f81WkB
• bit.ly/4eQJoEZ

🗣 Join us at tinkerdifferent.com and in the "Vintage Apple Macintosh Enthusiasts" FaceBook group for more vintage Mac tips, trade and help.

💰SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL
If you wish to buy me a drink or otherwise support my content creation: paypal.me/supportJDW

🙏 MY SINCERE THANKS to the following Paypal subscribers in Early May 2020:
• James Browne
• Patrick Randall
• Rami Preshov

📺 Please SUBSCRIBE:
youtube.com/c/JDW11/?sub_confirmation=1

🎬 MY OTHER VIDEOS
youtube.com/user/JDW26/videos

#Apple #400kfloppy #Macintosh #JDW