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I'm thinking this is a failing SCSI Hard Drive...

RedJacketPress

Well-known member
I've been trying to format an old SCSI drive from an unknown vendor (I've seen no badges or identifying marks), and I keep running into an error using SCSI Director that strongly implies a hardware error -- Sense Key: 04, HARDWARE ERROR. I have a terminator that came with the drive, but I have no idea what to make of the DIP switches, or the counter that allows me to change a number. (I'm thinking that's SCSI ID?)

Am I correct in thinking that an error like this is most likely a failure of the hardware, and not some sort of SCSI configuration issue? I'm also using a RaSCSI connected to the internal connector on the Logic Board, and the various tools on the Bootstrap volume have all failed to initialize the drive.

Seems reasonably obvious to me, but then, it's been about 25 years since I've had to work with SCSI devices on a day-to-day basis...
 

3lectr1cPPC

Well-known member
I know this doesn't have much to do with the problem, but can you post a photo of the drive? I'm curious of the vendor of it and I might be able to figure it out with a photo.
 

RedJacketPress

Well-known member
I will try to get an image up shortly. For what it’s worth, it was attached to two more recent LaCie drives, so there’s the chance it could be another. (There was a spot on the case that had not been yellowed with age, where I was thinking there used to be a badge.)
 

3lectr1cPPC

Well-known member
Ah, it's an external enclosure. If you suspect it to be a LaCie unit, they were owned by Quantum at the time which isn't great news if you want to get it working. Quantum drives suffer from failing internal rubber bumpers that cause the heads to get stuck. The problem is that some of the drives put these bumpers under the platters, which is a huge pain for single platter drives, and bad news for multi-platter drives.
 

3lectr1cPPC

Well-known member
Yeah, those rubber bumpers are probably at fault then. I don't have memorized which ones stuck them under the platters, someone else will have to post that info here, but if they are just in the head assembly, it should be a relatively easy fix.
 

dochilli

Well-known member
Repair video:

I tried this with some drives and could rescue about 50%. But I do not trust these drives. Do not use them for important data!
 

RedJacketPress

Well-known member
Here are quick photos. (I think there are rubber feet that are missing.)
 

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