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From: sld@beach.cis.ufl.edu (Steven Louis Davis)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: standing AT computers on end
Message-ID: <10018@ufcsv.cis.ufl.EDU>
Date: 4 Jan 88 05:09:28 GMT
References: <0.21DECDF9@ankh.UUCP>
Sender: news@ufcsv.cis.ufl.EDU
Reply-To: sld@beach.cis.ufl.edu (Steven Louis Davis)
Organization: UF CIS Department
Lines: 29

In article <0.21DECDF9@ankh.UUCP> Jerry_Grynspan@ankh.UUCP (Jerry Grynspan) writes:
>I have been told that although there is no problem with either standing 
>on end or running in a conventional position, You should backup the 
>drive before changing .he orientation and low level format after the 
>change. After low level format reinstall your software. This is due 
>to possibility (primarily on older machines of stepper band HDs which 
>will not track quite identically and may foul up disk format). Either 
>position is fine, just be careful when changing. I have never done 
>this switch myself so this is not the voice of experience. Just repeating 
>what I have heard, and it sounds reasonable. 

After following this discussion, I have come to believe that it must depend on
the drive being used.  I have an AT with a (gasp CMI) 32MB drive which I first
kept on a table top.  While there I kicked the table, moved it around (while
the machine tap danced), and nothing happened except that I realized that I
would prefer the unit on the floor.  So I put it there where it's been happy
ever since.  From time to time I open up the case which requires that I put it
level (still on the floor) and I play with the diagnostics and run progams from
the hard drive (while level) and I have *never* had *any* trouble with my hard
drive.
I am certainly not suggesting the abandonment of good backup practices as
outlined above, but maybe one should just get ones hands on a good drive and
kick back; after all, life's too short.

--
******************************************************************************
Steven L. Davis                     telephone: (904) 392 0276 & (904) 371 7041
                                    Internet:  sld@beach.cis.ufl.edu
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