CompuServe Thread

#Hard Drive Problem

11 messages in this thread
#34210From: Lee DeWittJan 22, 1992 11:46 PM
I have been having a problem with my hard drive with respect to read-write errors. This has been going on for quite some time. I purchased your QB tools program to correct it. It did in fact find errors and correct them after which the drive was immediately usefull. However these same errors kept cropping up and I began to wonder why. I have a 2000HD with a Quantum 40 MB hard drive and 2091A controller card. Here is my real problem and it has me baffled. This is a complex problem and I am not sure I can do it justice, but let me try. Let's say the system alerts me to a read-write error. Next I run your program, follow its directions, modify or delete some files or drawers and exit. Pretty soon the problem reoccurs. I follow the same steps. Next, it happens again for no reason – I become suspicious. I do not run QB t Tools. I reboot. I run QB Tools and it tells me all files appear to be good. Couple days later, the system will not even boot or recognize the hard drive in the system. It tells me I only have a floppy. I do a series of warm r reboots. The system comes up fine. I run QB Tools and all files are good! I decide never to delete another drawer or file because the problem seems dependent on the state of the machine. This same scenario has been repeated many times. Recently, QB tools found so many errors that I despaired of fixing them, so I reformatted the disk and reinstalled the system and applications programs. Then the same thing happened again! Sometimes I will get inumerable errors from you program after the system has alerted me to an error, and then if I wait a couple of days, it all goes away! Do you have any idea what could be the problem? If it is a hardware problem , what is the most likely cause: the drive or the Sytem ROMs. I also have I would appreciate any advice, as this problem is driving me crazy! Thank You. Lee DeWitt
#34217From: John DraperJan 23, 1992 1:35 AM
Lee, It would be well worthwhile checking termination, cables (including length), and making sure that reselection is turned off. -larry
#34273From: John GagerJan 24, 1992 1:12 AM
Lee, I'm not affiliated with Central Coast, but I have a couple of suggestions about your drive problem. Although your Quantum may have problems, what I would do is first be sure that the controller card is seated properly. It might not hurt to pull it out and reseat it just to make sure the connections are good. It sounds to me like you are experiencing hardware errors instead of software problems, in which case QBtools won't be of much help. John – K7KB (via Whap!)
#34297From: Lee DeWittJan 24, 1992 4:12 PM
Thanks for your help. I'll do what you suggest. I always think of the worst solution, not the simplest. Hope it works! Lee
#34296From: Steve SetzerJan 24, 1992 3:35 PM
Lee, I had similar problems with the C= 2090A controller. As silly as it sounds, I just (after a suggestion form Don Curtis) took a can of compressed air and blew all the dust out of the inside of the machine. That cleared uo all my problems. If you haven't had the cover off in a while, you'll be suprised how much dust will accumilate in there. ..Steve Whap!ping from beautiful coastal South Carolina
#34298From: Lee DeWittJan 24, 1992 4:14 PM
Well, it is awefully dusty in here! I regularly wipe a thick film off my keyboard. In fact I need a dust cover. Where do I find cans of compressed air? Thanks, Lee
#34469From: Steve SetzerJan 26, 1992 8:48 PM
Lee, Most electronic stores should have em or check your computer dealer. I got mine from Office Depot, a wholesale office supply store that carries a business line of electronics and peripherals. It is labeled for cleaning typewriters, calculators and computer equipment, I can't for the life of me remember the brand name though. ..Steve Whap!ping from beautiful coastal South Carolina
#34470From: Lee DeWittJan 26, 1992 9:07 PM
Thanks. I have an Office Max store nearby, so I'll try there. Lee
#34584From: New Horizons SoftwareJan 28, 1992 9:30 AM
Lee, First, there is no such controller as a 2091A. You must either have a 2090A or a 2091. It sounds like some piece of your hardware is giving out. Let me know which controller and I might have a better idea of what is happening. Mark New Horizons Software, Inc.
#34705From: Lee DeWittJan 29, 1992 11:54 PM
Hello, It must be a 2091 then. I just checked again last night and all files are good. I certainly hope it something as simple as a bad connection. I also have a Blitz Basic Hardware 'CPU' attached to the disk drive port. Can this have any effect? Lee
#34734From: New Horizons SoftwareJan 30, 1992 12:34 PM
Lee, Go ahead and try your system out without the Blitz thing thing attached to the computer. Mark New Horizons Softare, Inc.