Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!PRC.UNISYS.COM!fritzson
From: fritzson@PRC.UNISYS.COM
Newsgroups: comp.sys.xerox
Subject: Re: Xerox 1186 Monitor
Message-ID: <8909281313.AA06917@caesar>
Date: 28 Sep 89 13:13:19 GMT
References: <63027@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu>
Sender: welch@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu
Distribution: inet
Organization: Info-1100
Lines: 20

> From: Reply-To: M G SriRam 
> On a related note regarding the 1186s, we noticed in almost all of
> them that the hard disk occasionally  refused to start up after
>  being powered off.  the solution to this problem was discovered
>  on another net by one of our graduate students. Simply remove
>  the hard disk and (gasp!) shake it vigorously, and strike it
>  with the flat of your hand a few times.  Reinstall and it will
>  work fine!  This is not a joke, i have done it 5 times so far!

I have to add my support to this. Though I haven't done it to our
1186s, I have had the same problem and solution work fine on the same
disk in other machines. The technician who talked me into trying it
said that the head doesn't retract properly when the disk is shutoff.
As a result it won't start spinning. Striking it from the side unjams
it and allows it to retract when power is applied. I have had to use
this trick several times, even on my personal disk at home, and have
never lost a byte.

Rich Fritzson				fritzson@prc.unisys.com	
Unisys - Paoli Research Center		(215) 648-7606