Date   : Fri, 20 Sep 1991 06:17:13 GMT
From   : wupost!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!unix.cis.pitt.edu!kwgst@decwrl.dec.com (Filip Gieszczykiewicz)
Subject: Re: Kaypro-10 Disc Stuck

In article <685223151@bronto.cs.duke.edu> jeh@duke.cs.duke.edu (Justin
Harlow) writes:
>I have a Kaypro-10 which was working fine when I stuck it in the closet
>about a year ago. When I had occasion to resuscitate it recently, I
>found to my dismay that the hard disc would not spin up. It makes a
>couple of muffled "clunk" sounds when I power it up, but that's it. The
>computer is OK, because I can boot it from floppies, but needless to
>say, the HD has 99.9% of my files on it (I know, I know... backups :-(
>
>Anyway, does anyone out here know of a way to jumpstart the disc short
>of physical destruction? I looked for little holes and tool access
>ports but found nothing obvious. Any suggestions would be greatly
>appreciated.  If I get it going, I will probably soon post a "Kaypro 10
>for sale" ad, so the person who solves the problem gets a good
>discount.
>

       Greetings. Wow, another Kaypro 10 user! I got mine for $10 WORKING! -   
       I don't think you will give me a discound _that_ good! :-)

       Anyways, I have a drive just like that in my IBM XT. It's a 20MB
       28ms deal and instead of tossing it, I drilled a hole in the computer
       case, took off the static strap, made a handy-dandy "crank", and
       everyday, before turning on the power, I spin it up - MANUALLY!

       It brings a new meaning to the saying: 

       "The XT is to PC's what Model T was to cars" ;-)

       SERIOUSLY, what you need to do is this:

       Take off the screws, 2 on top, 4 on each side (phillips).
       Take out the hard disk controller card (4 screws) - remember
       how the cables go!
       Take out the floppy drive (4? screws from bottom)
       Take off cables from floppy drive and hard drive - same for power.
       Take out the 4 screws from the bottom that hold the HD cage.
       Disconnect the 80-pin ribbon cable.
       Take out the 4 screws that hold the HD in metal box.
       On the PCB side, in the middle of the board, there should be
       a metal strap (grounding) - if there is a screw, take it out,
       if not, just bend the metal.

       HERE IT IS: With a small screwdriver, spin the "wheel" a few revs.
       
       IF YOU MANAGE TO ASSEMBLE THE COMPUTER, THE HARD DRIVE WILL SPIN UP!

       I'm serious, this is the only way on the K10. 

       In my PC, I just installed the drive up side down and took off
       the grounding strip completely. The hole in the case is aligned with
       the hole that was left when I took the carbon "plug" out. The plug
       is used as a bearing for the contact area where the static strap
       touches the spinning motor. I just insert the crank, crank it a
       few times, and hit the BIG RED SWITCH and it boots just fine - as
       it has for 1+1/2 years!

       Take care.

       P.S. So, what's the deal on NEVER mounting a hard drive up side down?
       I put over 1,000 hours on mine (with thre above problem) :-)
-- 
If reply bounces, try "kwgst@pittvms"... no? try "fmgst@unix.cis.pitt.edu"
Did you hear? Some Poles burned the Russian flag near the Soviet embassy,
in Poland. :-) :-) "Nothing is impossible if you don't have to do it yourself."