Re: WTB Corvus HD

[mister_boffo@hotmail.com (Mr. Boffo)]

On 19 Dec 2000 20:22:35 GMT, apple2pd@garp3.icaen.uiowa.edu
(ground.ecn AppleII Librarian) wrote:

>In article <FeY_5.158001$U46.5128280@news1.sttls1.wa.home.com>,
>Ernest <ernestls@home.com> wrote:
>
>>I'm also interested in buying a B-Sider tape back-up unit, if anyone wants
>>to sell one of those. (ya right)
>>
>>Ernest
>
>I have two FCP "Sider" harddrives and one B-Sider tape backup unit with
>two tapes.  The harddrives are non-functional (power-supplies I think),
>but the B-Sider should be functional.  This includes two interface
>controllers, manuals and software.  I will sell as a complete package, not
>as separate components.  Make an offer if interested.

Have you opened up the power supplies and taken a look inside? Every
electronics product has a fuse in it, whether or not that fact is
listed on the outside of the device. I've "fixed" a IIc monitor and a
IIgs power supply by replacing the internal fuse. (Use same size and
rating!)

It's thoroughly possible that the sider hard drive is suffering from
"sticktion" and the increased torque requirements blew out the power
supply fuse. You might try hand-rotating the drive spindle to unbind
it -- that may help it spin up on its own. Some have suggested
"baking" an old hard drive in the kitchen oven, setting the oven to
about 150 degrees and letting it warm up for an hour or so. That would
melt the gooey old spindle grease and help it spin up more easily..

I would be interested in getting the Sider drives -- just to take them
apart, photograph the guts, put the info up on a website -- and then
send them on to whoever really wants to USE them.. Those things are
intruiging antiques and it'd be nice if there were more info available
on them. Also I suppose a pinout of the cable would be nice, as I have
seen the drives and cards... but then there's no cable. Blech.

What's inside anyway? I assume there's a plain old two-ribbon-cable
MFM or RLL drive lurking inside.. probably a Seagate ST-422 5.25" MFM
or something. If the drive is frozen, I think I may have some spare
old MFMs lurking around here somewhere..

-Mr. Boffo

Email: mister_boffo@hotmail.com