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Re: MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair??

Cross-posted to 2 groups.

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Arno wrote:
> In comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage XYLOPHONE <rhubarbe0@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>> Hello,
>> I am trying to get my 20MB Miniscribe 3.5" hard drive running again.
>> The problem is that it doesn't spin up anymore when I power it up. I
>> disassembled the drive's PCB, and swapped it with the PCB from a
>> working drive, and the other HD works with both PCBs, so proving the
>> problem is with the spindle motor itself.
>> Looking closer at it, I notice that when I power it up, the platter
>> spins about 1/4 of a revolution, then stops forever, until I power
>> off and on again. Rotating it manually doesn't fix it.
>
>> What could be the problem? I feel that if I can get the HDD to
>> correctly spin again, I should be able to access the data. This drive
>> is vintage, so I'm doing all efforts to rescue it.
>
>> Thanks for any information, any hint, or any similar situation
>> experienced.
>
>> Luc.
>
> First, if the data has any real worth, STOP MESSING AROUND and
> get help from a professional data recovery service. Chances are you
> will just make matters worse.

Unlikely if the only problem is that it wont spin up but is free to rotate by hand.

> As you say the drive spins 1/4 revolution, so it cannot be stiction.
>
> Sounds like not all coils in the spindle motor get powered. As
> you tried the PCB swap, this would not be a problem with the motor
> driver amplifiers. One possibility is a contact problem.
> Another one is a possibly broken winding in the motor itself.
> Both can be debugged with a multi-tester by mesuring winding
> resistances. (If you have no clue what I am talking about, then
> you are not qualified to look into this, sorry.)
>
> The contact problem is typically easy to fix temporarily
> when located. The broken winding is usually unfixable.
>
> Arno 

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Thread

MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair?? XYLOPHONE <rhubarbe0@yahoo.com> - 2011-12-02 09:59 -0800
  Re: MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair?? "Percival P. Cassidy" <Nobody@NotMyISP.net> - 2011-12-02 13:43 -0500
    Re: MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair?? Krypsis <krypsis@optusnet.com.au> - 2011-12-03 06:27 +1100
  Re: MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair?? Arno <me@privacy.net> - 2011-12-03 00:59 +0000
    Re: MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair?? "Salam" <salem@dogfucker.com> - 2011-12-03 13:58 +1100
    Re: MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair?? XYLOPHONE <rhubarbe0@yahoo.com> - 2011-12-02 22:44 -0800
      Re: MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair?? Jerry Peters <jerry@example.invalid> - 2011-12-03 22:45 +0000
        Re: MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair?? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2011-12-04 13:08 +1100
      Re: MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair?? Franc Zabkar <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> - 2011-12-04 09:55 +1100
        Re: MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair?? Winniethepooh@100acrewoods.org (GMAN) - 2011-12-04 19:09 +0000
      Re: MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair?? "larry moe 'n curly" <larrymoencurly@my-deja.com> - 2011-12-05 09:25 -0800
        Re: MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair?? Arno <me@privacy.net> - 2011-12-05 19:15 +0000
        Re: MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair?? "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2011-12-07 04:13 +1100
  Re: MFM Miniscribe HDD does not spin, how to repair?? Franc Zabkar <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> - 2011-12-09 07:49 +1100

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