Here's the link to the topic in which we diagnosed the problem:
Re: 5.25 floppy drive read write head damaging disks

Since it was me who mentioned that I belive I should clarify things - the head cover is not strictly required for the drive to operate. It only serves to protect the upper head from external EM noise. In some cases it also doubles as a dust cover, in which case it's a bit more important to have it there. However even in that case it should not causing damage to the floppies once the dust buildup is cleaned (a simple blow of air might be enough for that) and the computer is pretty clean inside.

If your floppies get damaged, and it's always the upper side, it might be there is some dirt already stuck to the head surface. It can be hard to clean without removing the head but it can be done, the most important thing is to be able to see it - to tell how bad it is and how the cleaning is affecting it. Another possible cause is the head being chipped somehow (though the plastic is pretty hard to damage) or the suspension spring is so bent that the head tends to rest on the media with one corner of it pressing pretty hard. The corners are rounded but still, it will cause damage like that after a while. Again it's difficult to be sure without disassembly, you need to be able to look at it with some magnification and see it if clamps down evenly vs the lower head.

If you get media damage on both sides then perhaps your floppies are to blame. It can still be dirt on either head but some floppies, especially if stored in a place with high temperature swings, can start shedding the magnetic coating. Which will foul the heads and only add to the damage over time, even on good floppies.

Deunan wrote on 2025-02-08, 15:38:

Since it was me who mentioned that I belive I should clarify things - the head cover is not strictly required for the drive to operate. It only serves to protect the upper head from external EM noise. In some cases it also doubles as a dust cover, in which case it's a bit more important to have it there. However even in that case it should not causing damage to the floppies once the dust buildup is cleaned (a simple blow of air might be enough for that) and the computer is pretty clean inside.

If your floppies get damaged, and it's always the upper side, it might be there is some dirt already stuck to the head surface. It can be hard to clean without removing the head but it can be done, the most important thing is to be able to see it - to tell how bad it is and how the cleaning is affecting it. Another possible cause is the head being chipped somehow (though the plastic is pretty hard to damage) or the suspension spring is so bent that the head tends to rest on the media with one corner of it pressing pretty hard. The corners are rounded but still, it will cause damage like that after a while. Again it's difficult to be sure without disassembly, you need to be able to look at it with some magnification and see it if clamps down evenly vs the lower head.

If you get media damage on both sides then perhaps your floppies are to blame. It can still be dirt on either head but some floppies, especially if stored in a place with high temperature swings, can start shedding the magnetic coating. Which will foul the heads and only add to the damage over time, even on good floppies.

Thank you for the reply. I apologize for not replying sooner. There is no need to clarify about your advice. I was suggesting that if the head cover was present then (whatever the condition of the actual head is and whether or not it's damaging disks directly) it would have the potential to minimize the damage that the drive is currently causing to the disks. These disks were in great condition. The drive reads disks but it also destroys them in the process.

Deunan wrote on 2025-02-08, 15:38:

..It can be hard to clean without removing the head but it can be done, the most important thing is to be able to see it - to tell how bad it is and how the cleaning is affecting it.

I've had pretty good luck with 5.25" cleaning disks and suitable cleaning solvent...
Failing that, you can often get a little strip of paper (with suitable cleaning solvent) under the head from the
side, close the drive (so the heads press each other) and gently work it side-to-side.
(I've even made cleaning disks with carefully cut circles of suitable paper inside a dead jacket).

You can usually tell if there is unusual scoring in the wetted paper indicating a damaged
head (but give it a good clean first - could be "stuck crap".

Dave ::: https://dunfield.themindfactory.com ::: "Daves Old Computers"->Personal

DaveDDS wrote on 2025-02-13, 22:14:

I've had pretty good luck with 5.25" cleaning disks and suitable cleaning solvent... Failing that, you can often get a little st […]
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Deunan wrote on 2025-02-08, 15:38:

..It can be hard to clean without removing the head but it can be done, the most important thing is to be able to see it - to tell how bad it is and how the cleaning is affecting it.

I've had pretty good luck with 5.25" cleaning disks and suitable cleaning solvent...
Failing that, you can often get a little strip of paper (with suitable cleaning solvent) under the head from the
side, close the drive (so the heads press each other) and gently work it side-to-side.
(I've even made cleaning disks with carefully cut circles of suitable paper inside a dead jacket).

You can usually tell if there is unusual scoring in the wetted paper indicating a damaged
head (but give it a good clean first - could be "stuck crap".

Dave ::: https://dunfield.themindfactory.com ::: "Daves Old Computers"->Personal

Sorry for the extremely late reply I've been very busy. Those sound like great methods of cleaning the head and I will try those to the best of my ability. If these fail I'll be pretty sure it's time to get another drive 🙁
I'll use the paper and (if I can find one online) a cleaning disk.
Thanks again for the helpful and detailed reply