On 09/26/2017 12:52 PM, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote:
> Get SpeedStor (SSTOR.EXE) and use it.
> Once you do, you will never want to go back to the "Advanced
> Diagnostics" nor the BIOS routine.
That'll work. You can also scribble up your own formatter using the
BIOS calls--or check the SIMTEL20 archive for hard disk utilities. In
any case, it's not a big deal if you don't have ROM BIOS support for a
formatting utility.
> Actually one of the most common complaints on the early ST506/412 drives
> was noise from the spindle wiper! There was a little springy piece of
> copper? that rubbed on the end of the spindle. Over time, it would wear
> a divot, polish that, and start to squeal. Do NOT just rip it off!
> ("that fixed the noise"); push it sideways very slightly, so that it
> can start to wear a NEW divot.
That, and some drives used a solenoid operated spindle brake (just a
felt pad). Activating the solenoid released the brake. Occasionally
the thing would fail and the spindle motor couldn't overcome the drag.
And then there's rubber gone goopy, stiction, etc. Fun and joy--well,
not so much.
--Chuck
