I need a ST-419 hard drive

From: Joe <rigdonj_at_intellistar.net>
Date: Fri Feb 19 00:09:02 1999

At 11:03 PM 2/18/99 +0000, you wrote:
>>
>> Jeff,
>>
>> I tried a ST-251-1 but it wouldn't work. Here's the story:
>>
>> I picked up a HP 9133XV drive with a bad drive in it. The XV is the one
>> that you can partion into 4 so that it looks like 4 HP 9895 floppy drives
>> to the system. It's the only hard drive that can be used on the HP 85, 150
>> and some of the others. This one has a Seagate ST-419 drive in. I replaced
>> it with a Seagate ST-251 that has the same number of heads but more tracks
>> and is smaller and faster. The system recognizes if but it won't format it.
>
>Are you sure you're really doing a low-level format?

  No, I'm not sure. I'm just using the initialize command in HP BASIC and
the format command in HP CPM. That's the only "tools" they give you. I
have no idea how to do a low level format on these.
>
>It's possible the controller (in the 9133) is expecting to see a drive
>with the correct sector pattern - the low-level format - already in
>place. When it doesn't see it, it complains.

    That's what I'm wondering too. FWIW I did replace a Seagate ST-225 in
another drive with a drive from a PC and it worked fine after initializing.
  
>
>I don't know if the 9133 (as supplied) is capable of low-level
>formatting. On some other controllers (not HP, nothing to do with the
>HP150), this was done by setting the DIP switches correctly and turning
>on. Alternatively, you might need a special ROM set for the controller
>board, or even a special manufacturing rig.
>
>> It says that the drives are bad. I'd like to get it running again since the
>> XV drives are hard to find.
>>
>> The 251 does have fewer sectors (17 vs 32). I don't know if that's why
>> it failed or not.
>
>The 251 is (AFAIK) soft-sectored. The 17 sectors is something that's
>specified when you low-level format it.

  That's what I thought but maybe HP has some special sector markers on one
of the platters.

>
>If it is the case that you're not doing a low-level format, then not only
>do you need an ST419, but also an ST419 that's been formatted on this
>type of controller

   Yes, the only way to find out is to get a 419 and try it.

   Joe
>
>-tony
>
>
Received on Fri Feb 19 1999 - 00:09:02 GMT