Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!linus!gatech!gt-eedsp!owen
From: owen@gt-eedsp.UUCP (Owen Adair)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Suggestions for a sick hard drive?
Message-ID: <142@gt-eedsp.UUCP>
Date: 11 Dec 87 13:56:27 GMT
References: <226@dalcsug.UUCP>
Reply-To: owen@gt-eedsp.UUCP (Owen Adair)
Organization: School of Electrical Engineering, Ga. Tech, Atlanta, GA  30332
Lines: 22
Keywords: Preventative maintenance

In article <226@dalcsug.UUCP> dalegass@dalcsug.UUCP (Dale Gass) writes:
>After a small jar, my two year old Seagate ST240 makes strange whining 
>sounds (about every five minutes, lasting for 30 seconds or so).  I've 


Not to worry, most likely. The problem is a grounding strap on the bottom
of the drive from the circuit board to the spindle motor. The strap wears
to the point of resonance and vibrates, making an awful noise. The solu-  
tion temporarily is to bend or unsolder the strap, moving it slightly.
This will create a 'new' position for the strap to wear itself. 
Personally, I remove the strap. It is intended for static discharge, but after
3 years on several drive, I haven't had any wierd problems. The purists
will wince at this suggestion, but it will rid you of the squeal permanently.


Good Luck.....

-- 
Owen Adair, WD4FSU                                            
Digital Signal Processing Lab, Georgia Tech, Atlanta GA 30332    
Internet:       owen%gteedsp@gatech.gatech.edu                                 
uucp:   ...!{decvax,hplabs,ihnp4,linus,rutgers,seismo}!gatech!gt-eedsp!owen