Ok so that's good news.
What happens is that SSL when it boots it tries to load automatically the reel disk after the booting process. Although this can be disabled on the SETUP page, this is the default behavior and the one you have configured.
What I suppose the software behaves is like this:
- Boots
- Tries to load REEL
- If REEL not present on the drive it gives you a warning and allows you to CANCEL and proceed without loading REEL.Whats happening in your case makes total sense if the REEL drive is malfunctioning:
- So the software boots and tries to load automatically the REEL disk. Because your REEL drive is malfunctioning the software hangs waiting for REEL to return.
And you proved that by switching the drives. Once you switch them the computer no longer boots.
So what I would do now is basically try to troubleshoot what's happening with the REEL disk. Questions:
- When it tries to load the REEL led enables?
- Do you hear the motor of the disk spin? Hear carefully because the computer noise is so high that will mask the motor. It's best if you just take out the disk rack and put it over a table open and see if there's any motor movement.
This will allow you do troubleshoot if it's a total drive fail or motor fail. If both are alright try to clean the heads drive head.
Check this video out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6CEVtOlpoYBy the way, if anyone is curious how an 3.5 inch floppy works, here's a curious video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW1WGBcdRuULets us know what you find out.
Cheers,
Artur