18 Mar
2011
18 Mar
'11
7:11 a.m.
On Thursday (03/17/2011 at 07:56PM -0000), greid57 at o2.co.uk wrote:
Hi all,
this thread has turned up at the right moment...
I'm beginning to resurrect an 11/23 system so I can get stuff off an batch of old
RL01's & RL02's.
If it hadn't been for the comments about the foam filter, I'd have found out the
hard way!
The foam was like an exihibit from the Mummy's tomb - just crumbled away as soon as
it was touched!
So, I suppose it's safe to run the drive for a while *without* this filter, but is
there anything to use as a
short-term substitute?
I found foam filter material at the local DIY store that was intended to
add a filter to a home HVAC floor register. They are small roughly 3x9"
white foam filters that I then cut to the same size as the mummified
filter. But, honestly, I don't think the pre-filter is critical to
running the drive if you are doing it in an otherwise clean environment
and not running the drive 24x7. The pre-filter is intended to catch
only the big chunks anyway-- leaves, sticks, hairballs from your cat, etc.
Also, if I leave the head-lock in place, and try to
run up the drive with a pack, would it run up to speed
so I could leave it to 'purge' the pack before powering-down and *then* allowing
the heads to load?
Hmm... personally, I wouldn't do that because you will have the servo power
the heads into that locking plate. It would be better I think to disconnect
the servo control wire which is inside the compartment with the read/write
board. There is a red wire with bullet connector which is intended to be
disconnected during many of the alignment/cal procedures. This wire carries
the servo control signal and when opened, keeps the head movement unpowered.
I think this would be more safe than just locking the heads and then trying
to run...
These packs and drives have not been stored in the
best conditions, which is why I want to take precautions.
Some of the other suggestions about blowing the pack off with compressed air,
etc. might be good advice as well.
Thanks for any suggestions,
Graham Reid
--
Chris Elmquist