[cctalk] Gimix hardware, MFM Hard Drive & 8" Double Side Drives

I just purchased an old Gimix computer (now if only I can get it from Orlando to Chicago before my friend goes down there for Christmas). It has an OMTI 20C-1 MFM hard disk controller with a IMI 5018 19MB hard disk drive in it. It has been recommended that i don't even turn the system on with the hard drive in it but rather I remove the drive an I send the IMI 18MB drive directly to a recovery house for data recovery. What do you all think about that? Do any of you have any experience with a recovery service for MFM ST-506 Drives? Also, does anyone have a half height 30MB or larger MFM ST-506 compatible drive that will work with the OMTI 20C controller for sale at a reasonable price. Preferably one that at least spins up. Also, does anyone have the syquest 5MB removable MFM drive and some cartridges, also at a reasonable price. My goal is to equip the Gimix with the following drives: * 2 80 Track DS/DD 5 1/4" half high floppy drives (in the system) * 2 77 Track DS/DD 8" Floppies (I have these in need of cleaning up, just not in a Gimix case) * 1 18 to 50MB MFM half high MFM Hard Drive (system has a full high 18MB drive) * 1 6MB Syquest removable cartridge drive half high (I need to find) At some point I would love to expand the RAM to as close to 1MB as I can (CPU/Motherboard supports up to 1016KB) and add a 3 or 4 port intelligent serial card and an intelligent parallel card (I'm sure these cards are unobtanium). Thank you all for your help If you have a dual 8" drive setup (double sided drives, and enclosure) that you need a good home for, please let me know. I'm in the Chicago Area. Thanks,           Mike bitwiz(a)12bitsbest.com