Seagate ST-251 problems

[Keith Dickinson]

in article <591 at rpi.edu>, woody at pawl.rpi.edu (Chris A. Widmann) says:
> Xref: novavax comp.unix.questions:12484 comp.unix.xenix:5276 comp.sys.ibm.pc:27727
>   I just installed a Seagate ST-251 40 meg hard drive in a 20MHz AT clone.
> The drive works great for a few minutes and then it starts to squeel like 
> crazy. The problem will disappear and reappear after a few more minutes. It
> doesn't affect the performace of the drive at all, and seems like only a 
> part in the drive is vibrating but doesn't affect anything else. I am worried
> that it might actually be something rubbing at the spindle and creating the
> load squeel. Is it actually destructive to the drive? I will probably end up
> taking it in to get it serviced. BTW: it was brand new!
> 
>  Chris Widmann (Woody)               "It is a dog eat dog world out there
>  Internet: woody at pawl.rpi.edu         and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear."
>            woody at uruguay.acm.rpi.edu          
>  WWIVnet : 1 at 5853  

Chris,

  There is only 1 possible (non destructive) possability for the noise you are
hearing from your drive.

  If you remove your drive from the computer and turn it over, you will see
near the center of the PC-Board a strip of metal soldered to the PCB and
running to the 'hub' of the spindle. This strip is called a Ground Tab. It's
used to eliminate static buildup on the disks.

  That strip MAY be vibrating a little when the spindle runs. This could give
you a "buzzing" sound that can get rather loud. If you remove the screws from
the board (there are three screws on the edges) and bend the ground tab in
so that it will make better contact (or possibly twist it slightly in case
the buzzing is coming from a rough edge) and re-attach the board (do not
torque the screws more than 8lbs/in please) it SHOULD get rid of your 
problem (or atleast change the noise).

  While you have the board loose, you might wish to look under the PCB to
check for any foreign objects (paper, styro-peanuts, etc). That kind of
stuff, when rubbing aginst the spindle motor, can create a terrible rackette.
 
  If these solutions don't do anything for you, I'm affraid your just out
of luck. The problem will be inside your drive and you will simply have
to get it replaced. Seagate grants a 1 year waranty on drives so you should
be able to take it back to the place you purchaced it from (with a reciept)
and simply swap it out for a new one.

Sorry your having troubles.
Keith Dickinson
Seagate Technician
Delray Beach Repair Facility
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