14" hard drive refurb....

From: Dwight Elvey <elvey_at_hal.com>
Date: Tue Aug 10 17:57:20 1999

"Jay West" <jlwest_at_tseinc.com> wrote:
> Ok, I know this sounds crazy....
>
> One person told me that if the heads were heavily oxidized, that they could
> be cleaned with a soft toothbrush and TOOTHPASTE (followed by a rinsing in
> 91% alcohol)???????
>
> Anyone know if this is crazy or advisable?
>
> TIA
>
> Jay West

Hi Jay
 Years ago, while working for Intel, our group received
a 10 Meg hard drive ( one fixed/one removable platter ) that
had been water damaged. The fixed disk had been damaged and
coating from the disk was built up on the head. We used a
Q tip and rubbing alcohol to clean the head and used it
for the remainder of time I was at Intel. We used an
extra removable platter as a source to replace the damaged
fixed disk.
 I would suggest using jewelers rouge or some optical grade
cerium oxide instead of tooth paste. Remember that the
tolerances on these old heads was a lot slacker than
current day heads. It is mostly important that the head
doesn't have spikes that might drag on the platter.
Dwight
Received on Tue Aug 10 1999 - 17:57:20 BST