[comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware] Computer needs to be shaken to get harddisk going -HELP !

atluri@berlioz.nsc.com (Venkata R. Atluri) (05/01/91)

Hi,
I have a Problem with my epsom equity I+ (XT-compatable). The computer
is at my home and When I turn on the power the harddisk does not come 
alive. The computer comes up with a 1701 error code. If I physicall lift
the the computer and shake it well as if to give the harddisk some motion
then the hard disk comes up. Once the computer is working it continues to
run with out any problem. So the question is, is there any way I can
fix this problem without buying a new harddisk. Any service tips are
welcome.

Thanks in advance

-atluri

-- 
---atluri      
Reply:  atluri@berlioz.nsc.com
       {decwrl,hplabs,sun,pyramid,amdahl}!berlioz.nsc.com!atluri
Venkata Atluri, M/S D3660 National Semiconductor, Santa Clara 

quimby@madoka.its.rpi.edu (Tom Stewart) (05/01/91)

>is at my home and When I turn on the power the harddisk does not come 
>alive. The computer comes up with a 1701 error code. If I physicall lift
>the the computer and shake it well as if to give the harddisk some motion
>then the hard disk comes up. Once the computer is working it continues to
>run with out any problem. So the question is, is there any way I can
>fix this problem without buying a new harddisk. Any service tips are

No, there isn't any way to fix the problem without a new drive, but
there is a simple work around.  Leave the machine running.  Many
PC's, especially with Seagate drives, especially ones that get
turned on and off every day, develop this problem.  Keeping
the machine running is safe, uses very little power, and will
probably keep you computing for years.  Turning the machine off
and on, in it's present condition, will probably kill the drive.
  
Quimby
   
(mailer disfunctional, replies to: quimby@mts.rpi.edu, quimby@rpitsmts.bitnet)