Path: utzoo!utgpu!utstat!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!unmvax!nmtsun!nraoaoc
From: nraoaoc@nmtsun.nmt.edu (NRAO Array Operations Center)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: GVP Quantum hardcard problem
Keywords: harddrive, GVP, Quantum
Message-ID: <3482@nmtsun.nmt.edu>
Date: 12 Nov 89 09:41:22 GMT
Reply-To: nraoaoc@jupiter.nmt.edu (NRAO Array Operations Center)
Distribution: na
Organization: New Mexico Tech, Socorro NM
Lines: 41

I have a problem with a GVP 40meg Quantum hardcard in an A2000.  I am
using 1.3 and the autobooting eproms are installed (and have worked
stably for about a year with one exception described below.)  This
problem arose while I am working out of town, so all the information
I have comes from phone conversations.

When the computer is turned on, the hard disk access light flashes a
few times, and after a variable length of time the workbench hand
appears on the screen.  If one attempts to access the drive, the
message is that it is not mounted.  I remember a series of postings
about Quantum drives failing.  Is this what such a failure looks like?

The confusing thing is that just before this problem was noticed, a
neighbor and a telephone repair man came to the door and told my 10
year old something about a cable.  I am embarrassed to admit that I
have a surge protector for the telephone line into the modem, but it
was not in use (so that the telephone line could be more easily
switched between the A1000 and the A2000 - I will fix that now).
Therefore it is possible that something entered the computer through
the phone line - but I now think that is unlikely.  A few weeks ago I
had a problem with an error "key already selected" and had to backup
and reformat one partition.  The error occurred during very routine
activity, so I was already worried about a hardware problem.

I asked my 15 year old to 1) try the modem to see if the serial port is OK
2) try the printer to see if the parallel port is OK, 3) run the memory test
that comes with the Micron board to see if the memory is OK.  He has not
done these things yet, but except for the hardcard, everything seemed OK to 
him.

Now the question:  What else can we check to isolate the problem to the GVP
board?  A second, more fuzzy question:  if anyone has any good idea about 
what is wrong, is there anything that can be done to salvage things on disk.
One partition is filled with demos and games and is not backed up.  (I have 
not got my sons' hopes up because as I recall these drives are sealed units
that just get thrown out (or maybe reconditioned in the factory like 
Winchesters).)

I would be very grateful for any advice.

Pat Palmer (email: ppalmer@oddjob.uchicago.edu)