[comp.sys.mac.misc] Looking for help with a problematic 80MB internal HD

ddl683@sarah.albany.edu (Cinderella Man) (06/21/91)

	A few days ago my IIci rebooted and showed some very weird and
frustrating problems with the hard drive (an 80MB Quantum) -- folders
disappearing without a trace before my eyes, an un-rebuildable Desktop
file, and other unfriendly things.  I posted a desperate plea for help
to the net, and got some good advice via email (which I REALLY
appreciate, thank you all!).  In the end, I salvaged what I could,
reinitialized the drive, and reinstalled System 7 and my software.

	This drive has always had a problem: it accesses randomly and
without being called, so only a disk-based operation will make it
stop.  Sometimes on bootup, it spins interminably but never boots.
I've gotten the impression from the net, and from Apple's Service
Source CD-ROM, that this is indicative of an eventually "fatal"
problem, and I see my crash-and-burn of a few days ago as an omen.
What I DON'T know is where the problem originates.  Is it the disk
mechanism itself, or the on-board controller?  How can I find out?
This Mac is no longer under warrantee, and money is a major issue.
Assuming it IS a controller problem (Disk First Aid now says the HD is
fine), how can I get it fixed, and how much will it cost?  I have a
sinking feeling that a dealer is gonna want to swap out the
motherboard for large amounts of cash.

	Thanks for bearing with my angst, I'm grateful for any help
this community can provide.

						Derek L.
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