Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!uwm.edu!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!dalek
From: dalek@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Dale B Klipstein)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Problem with booting off a Seagate ST151 MFM drive.
Message-ID: <12317@uwm.edu>
Date: 21 May 91 14:17:22 GMT
Sender: news@uwm.edu
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Lines: 73
Originator: dalek@csd4.csd.uwm.edu

Hi,

        If you remember a while back I posted a message regarding some
problems I have had with my Seagate 151 MFM drive. Well, the problem
has returned to give me a migrane :'} I'd certainly would like to
resolve this problem one way or another, if after you listen to my
wail of woe you have suggestion, I'm all ears.

        A month or so ago I couldn't boot off of my hard drive. During
the initial start-up diagnostics came out with an error code of '1701'
-since found out it was 'drive not ready'. After a bit, the system
would boot off its Dos within rom. I then ran Ontrak's Disk Manager
diagnostic utility and it said something about bad command from
controller. Then I inspected the cables, re-seated the controller,
etc. and tried it all over. Same error occured. In futile attempt to
become an instant HD expert, I removed the drive itself. I didn't see
anyting out of the ordinary (as if I would know what is ordinary???) I
put the HD back in restarted, and lo' and behold there she be -running
perfectly normal. Other than running Disk Manager's diagnostics as
well as Norton's Disk Test, both reporting nothing wrong. The system
booted per usual and I was a happy camper. I thought it was a fluke of
tech-idiosyncrasy and I never thought about it again.

        Two weeks later the same problem occurred, I went through the
same steps listed before, however this time I found a solder joint
loose on the controller card and resolder that. It didn't solve the
problem, but it may feel good about myself! Nothing actually worked
until once again I took out the HD and put it back in. Everything back
to normal. As all of the tests indicate and general use of the system.

        BTW, in between down times, I made full backups and tried to
put all of my favorite programs of working diskettes. Ever try putting
Word Perfect on a 720K disk, and it will still work? Don't. Thank God
for Qedit!

        Well I decided to leave the system on to prevent the problem
occuring again. Unfortunitly, there was a power failure and the
'fluke' reappeared. This time tho' it took a few removal/put back in
routines (with the final time actully shaking the thing, gently of
course). Everything is fine once again, the system has been on for the
past week since then.

        In the mean time, I've called up Seagate. One tech said to
check the power supply (I wasn't sure if I had heard the drive
starting spin at first start). I did that and all the neccessary power
is there. On a second call another tech said, I quote, "I dunno." And
he preceded to tell me I should get a case and a power supply for the
drive, with the intention of leaving the thing on 24hrs while also
having the ability of turning off the CPU and monitor.

        Anyways, the problem still exists however sporadically, and
I'd still would like a solution for it. In reasoning with the drive,
yes it has gotten to that point, I've thought it could be the auto
parking heads. Having been in thier retracted posistion they may be
sticking there and a good shake, gently of course, loosens 'em up. Am
I blowing wind? Is there something I've overlooked? How about some
other type of diagnostic software that may do a more thorough test,
any suggestions? Furthermore, the drive is only 13 months old (the
problem occurred exactly 6 days after the warranty expired) and I had
bought it from a dealer who can't be reached anymore (funny, how I
didn't listen to everybody saying buy from a reputable dealer isn't
it?). Is there any alternative to making it an external HD or paying
the $105 to Seagate for an exchange? If it comes to the point of
getting a case/power supply for it, how do I go about getting one? I
have no idea what to look for. It has been suggested before that I get
another controller card, but all tests show that it is fine -could
this be a mistake on my part? Have I bored you to death?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, if you can help or at least
pat me on my head and tell me everything will be allright drop me
a line. I would really appreciate it.

Dale Klipstein