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From: mark@hpcilzb.HP.COM (Mark Turner)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Freaky hard disk problems
Message-ID: <870289@hpcilzb.HP.COM>
Date: 2 May 90 20:52:55 GMT
Organization: HP Design Tech Center - Santa Clara, CA
Lines: 29

The internal Apple/Quantum 40Mb hard disk in my SE/30 is doing some
funny things lately, and I'd like to know if anyone else has experienced
the same problem.

What happens is that when the computer is just sitting idle, the disk
will begin making frantic seek noises.  It sounds as if the heads are
seeking back and forth across the disk at top speed.  Even more strange,
the amber "activity" lamp never lights up as this is going on.  This
leads me to believe that the hard disk itself is triggering this
activity, rather than a Mac application or virus.

I can often make it stop by doing something to make the Mac read from
the hard disk, such as launch a program or open a file.  But when it
really becomes a problem is when I shut down.  More often than not the
disk decides to freak out when I shut down.  I hate to turn off the
power when the disk is still seeking, but sometimes I have no choice.

The disk works properly in all other ways.  No data loss or other problems.

One final note:  the disk did this occasionally almost from day one, but
never when I brought it in to the dealer.  Now that it's out of warranty
it's gotten worse.  I could still qualify for Apple's 1/2 price warranty
extension, but now the damn thing is doing it so much I don't think it
will pass the manditory health check.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mark Turner
mark@hpcilzb.hp.com