Space, the next frontier

From: Jason <roblwill_at_usaor.net>
Date: Mon May 24 20:21:57 1999

Talking about ST 506's, I have an old 5 MB one. It spins up, but I need a
controller for it. The only XT MFM controller I have is a WD XT-GEN, and
they don't work with the 506's.

Anyone have a spare controller that they don't need? Preferably an old
IBM??

ThAnX,
///--->>>
                -Jason Willgruber
               (roblwill_at_usaor.net)
                   ICQ#: 1730318
<http://members.tripod.com/general_1>

-----Original Message-----
From: Dwight Elvey <elvey_at_hal.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
Date: Monday, May 24, 1999 12:18 PM
Subject: Re[2]: Space, the next frontier


>ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell) wrote:
>> And it's getting
>> ever harder to get working ST506 drives.
>
>Hi
> The biggest trouble with these drives is that the head
>stepper has a limit arm right where fools can get at
>it. Wipe the arm back and forth once, with the disk
>stationary, and you've made a nice groove in the surface.
>The other thing is on the braking of the spindle. Some
>used a mechanical brake but others used dynamic braking.
>The ones with dynamic braking are real sensitive to
>having the heads drag backwards because of rotational
>inertia. Both of these are handling issues. It does
>help to alway park the heads on the far end before
>moving the machine that has one of these drives. When
>removing, one should also tape a piece of cardboard over
>the steppers end so you don't bump the sector limit arm
>and move the heads sideways. Some also have spindle locks
>but be real careful to watch the rotational direction.
>Turn the spindle the same way that it normally runs, only.
> The reason these two things cause so much trouble is that
>the back side of the heads have a real sharp edge. It tends
>to dig into the disk like a carpenters plane.
> If your old setup doesn't have a head park routine, I
>would highly recommend that you write one. I recommend
>that you always park the heads every time before you power
>off. I have several 506's that are still running and
>have many hours on them.
>Dwight
>
>
Received on Mon May 24 1999 - 20:21:57 BST

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