Date   : Wed, 13 Apr 2005 19:34:31 +0100
From   : "John" <blip@...>
Subject: Possible faulty disk drive

Hi All

Just got my hands on a 5.25 Opus 40/80 track drive to revive my stored
disks
with the 'new' BBC and I'm having some problems.

Even on previously unused disks I am unable to format some, with the BBC
reporting sectors not found etc, even when the format appears to run
through
successfully.

As the drive is used more (within the same session), performance seems
to
improve, although disks seen as unreadable stay that way. The
readability of
commercial disks seems much better. Heat related issue, perhaps.

My first question is this : If these disks have been stored in a fairly
dust
free environment for 16 years, should they have deteriorated and if so,
is
it likely the commercial disks would survive better OR is this disk
drive
damaging my disks - I'm sure on the new disks that a worn track is
appearing
around a third of the way in when these are being formatted and general
wear
On the old disks... the drive is pretty noisy most of the time.

Second question : Would the drive motor benefit from any sort of
lubrication?

Third question : Can I recover data from the disks if damaged? The BBC
appears to know there is data on the disk, can even see the catalogue
sometimes, but is clearly struggling.

Finally, should I cease and desist till I get my hands on another drive
rather than risk continuing with those few disks that DO work?

Sorry about the War and Peace, but some of those disks contain personal
stuff from 16 - 18 years ago and I don't want to lose any more than I
have
to!

Thanks


John
=A0