Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!wuarchive!mit-eddie!mit-amt!mjkobb
From: mjkobb@mit-amt.MEDIA.MIT.EDU (Michael J Kobb)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Quantum ROM fix report
Summary: If that's true...
Keywords: Apple Quantum Hard Drive PROM fix
Message-ID: <1144@mit-amt.MEDIA.MIT.EDU>
Date: 2 Dec 89 06:24:58 GMT
References: <14618@well.UUCP> <9323@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu> <20837@mimsy.umd.edu> <27801@dhw68k.cts.com> <32331@auc.UUCP> <1989Dec1.141819.453@sdr.slb.com>
Reply-To: mjkobb@media-lab.media.mit.edu (Michael J Kobb)
Organization: MIT Media Lab, Cambridge MA
Lines: 28

In article <1989Dec1.141819.453@sdr.slb.com> shulman@sdr.slb.com (Jeff Shulman) writes:
>
>According to an Apple "Tech Tidbit" on the PROM exchange the Apple Technician
>is supposed to run the HD Diagnostics Utility to excersize the disk for
>45 minutes distributing the lubricant.  Otherwise the disk will try to do it
>over a period of days (weeks?) in normal use.

  This (and the post that the drive looks for off-track errors and exercises
the head about that area to distribute lubricant) makes enough sense to be
plausible.  So, let's assume for a second that it is true.  Then, WHY THE
HELL HASN'T APPLE ANNOUNCED IT???!?!!?  If this is the case, I'd think that
they would want to publicize, as widely as possible, that the drive will
settle down after the lubricant is distributed, and they would want to tell
people whose drives drives are having these spastic exercise troubles to
run HD Diagnostics to exercise their drive for 45 minutes or so.  Quantum
should also be breaking their backs to clear their names.

  Apple and Quantum have both suffered severe erosion of consumer confidence
through this fiasco.  If it is the case that the PROM is smarter than
previously believed, then would SOMEONE at Apple please tell us all?  As it
stands, Apple looks like they've kludged up a lemon to appease the public and
hoard more money.

--Mike

Disclaimer: I think that disclaimers are an incredibly sad statement about our
society.  Nonetheless, nothing that I say can or should be construed as having
been said by anyone.  Ever.