check out how to clean the ways. I am assuming that this is a single platter type top or front load with a 2.5 5 or 10 meg capacity. If you can get the schematics, or do some tracing, one thing that most of these will do is spin up w/o moving the heads. You can get this to happen by either physically pulling a driver connector, or setting a switch to be sure the heads don't get energized. I would get the drive to be able to spin up first w/o head load and be sure that it is happy (finding a test manual would help a whole lot here). Then be sure you get the media you plan to use cleaned. If you have a fixed disk, you probably have a bigger problem than if you have removable, since you can get in and clean the cartridge media and inspect it much easier than a fixed platter in a drive. Use lint free cleaning swabs and isopropyl alcohol for cleaning. I doubt there are any media houses left in existance, but if there are, you could send the media to them for a clean job and inspection. Clean the heads off and inspect them as well before any power up. Then all you need is luck and a quick hand on the power if you crash. these drives can survive a crash with some luck if you are quick enough and don't fry the head. Of course the media will be lost, but that is better than the whole unit. Jim Joe wrote: