MiniScribe 3438P jumpers?

From: jpero_at_cgo.wave.ca <(jpero_at_cgo.wave.ca)>
Date: Sat Dec 20 04:28:54 1997

> > I've tried some random settings, and in most of them it comes
> > up to speed okay, selects, and then after about three seconds
> > starts a probably unhealthy wobbling, sounding as if it is rapidly
> > seeking a million different tracks, one after the other.
>
> Microprocessor-controlled MFM drives of this era often do something
> like this to reassure the microcode that everything is kosher. How
> long does it do this for - seconds, minutes, forever?

After platters spinup is done, the stepper does: seek to hard track
0 stop then seeks few back and forth to calibrate then end then back
to track 0. All happens within 3 seconds max.

If anything gives problems in that timeframe, it stops and flash
morse code.

> > In
> > at least one setting, it doesn't always recognize when it has
> > got up to speed, and continues ramping up to a frightening pitch.
>
> Y'know, at least some of the jumpers are for "factory use only". I'll
> bet this is one.
Some are not. I did experiment them before.

>
> > With the jumpers set as they were in the XT, it selects okay,
> > but I get error messages any time I try to read, write, or
> > format the thing. It still works okay in the XT though.
>
> Can you do writes in the XT?
Test the HD in any peecees first to insure it's 100% and input all
the defect listing during the LLF process too! Use Spinrite 3.x to
"scrub" the platters at level 6 setting. Takes hours but worth it!


>
> Have you tried DS0, in addition to the DS1 that the XT disk controller+cable
> is undoubtedly insisting on? Are you using a straight-through 34-line
> cable on the S/09, like a sane disk controller design would insist on?
> Or are you using one of those hokey twist-in-the-middle PC-clone cable?
>
> Tim. (shoppa_at_triumf.ca)
>
Jason D.
Received on Sat Dec 20 1997 - 04:28:54 GMT