hi,

- I have IBM Explorer for HDD DTLA and all files for this HDD
- but don't know how to repair broken HDD.( IBM DTLA )
- this HDD is not detected by BIOS.

what is broken ?

this program will read IBM drives, but the version available
does not fix the drives.

It is quite neat to see if the drive is working somewhat and of course
in recording some F/W modules.

It can write NVRAM if this is what you want to do.
It cannot access a blocked drive.

Hope the brilliant authors release a "full version some day"

IBM DTLA 30GB is broken
- not detect inn BIOS
- drive not spin
- after press F2 ( from mhdd ) WRFT and BUSY is on.
- usag and map tbl is empty
explorer read ROM1, NVRAM full, RAM, RSVDO
- how make repair
- i don have pc3000 hardware

!- Open the drive - carfully .
2- Observe it after you open - like
2.1 - Has dust inside ?
2.2 - What is the position of the heads...

3- Turn it on ( after you had open it ) and see wht happens with the heads, and see if the plates can turn on.
4- Come back here and try to describe everything that you saw.

Cehahum - If drive does not spin - why give you the advice do open the drive?
After opening he will have dust inside his non spinning drive.
But - if it spins and he spin it without its cover the pressure inside will change and after this operation the heads which were maybe ok crash with the surface and there you can put the heads to the trashcan.
Better idea would be search for the same harddisk - partno. is a good thing and test electronic board with the "new" drive.

Ok, why open it ?
1- because the disk do not spin - but ....., I do not saw any mention that the drive do not turn on..
2- This is why I think that all people that want to work in this aread need to learn first.
3- Sometimes the drive do not spin but it turns on, and when this happens......
4-Also if you or anyother here want to work in this area, you and them need to understand that a place to open drivers is part of the bussiness.
5- ANd if you do not have it, you need it, And it not so expensive.
6- But to understand this you need information and you need to learn and you will need to expend some time in this.
7 You can have a place to open drivers using some unexpensive things - look arround
Also I understand that everybody can give an opinion here, you and me and everybody here are free to write and to read and to choose what we want to keep and what we think that is not a good information or advice, do you think ?
Maybe next time the best thing for me is - to keep my FINGERS out of my keyboard.
Thanks for remember me this.

hi all,

- next try to programm NV-RAM
- load firmware to nvram from PC3000
- load LDR file from another drive
- from PC3000 make : formating, logical scanning

- but disk not boot from DOS
- try from Mhdd 3.9 make fast reset, next F4 with Reset Wait, working
- formating and scanning from dos tools, HDD is good

THX for all for is job

Just a minor correction:

[quote="Nonsmoker"] But - if it spins and he spin it without its cover the pressure inside will change and after this operation the heads which were maybe ok crash with the surface and there you can put the heads to the trashcan.

As far I know, there are two different filters in a HDD: one inside the HDA (for filtering particles in suspension in the air inside, resulting, for example, from a crash or just minor contacts between head and surface lubricant), and another one, the barometric, to maintain the air pressure inside the same as outside ("do not cover this hole", remember?). This is the reason why:

1) HDD specs include the range of working altitudes (below and above the sea level, operating and non operating);

2) You are asking for trouble if you move a HDD from a cold environment to a hot one and then turn it on immediately, because of humidity condensation inside the HDA (wich was not brought from factory, for sure);

3) IBM (and probably more manufacturers) produced at least one HDD model hermetically sealed, not only for maintaining optimal air pressure inside the HDA, but to make it possible to work in harsh environments. This has obvious military, aircraft and industrial applications.

Am I right? Have you ever had a head crash just for opening the HDA?

Best regards,

Daniel