HD drive is stuck - Floppy takes a long time to boot without HD.
The 'freezer trick' unlocks the drive.
Previously on scuzzblog: Amiga 1200 HD - The old freezer trick.
Previosuly on scuzzblog: Amiga 1200 - Failed hard drive freezer trick.
ScuzzBlog: Diaries May 2024
Entry 28th May 2024: Post 1: A1200 HD failure - Back to the freezer.
A1200 HD failure - Back to the freezer.
The following problem took me two days to resolve for reasons that
will become obvious. I have carried out this repair three times now
and this will be the last. I have set up the machine for a full
back up and that is something will also take a few days.
To the problem ...
The first part of this year has been a little tricky insomuch that
I have had telephone, gas and water works undertaken on the house
and a number of rooms have been closed off. This has meant that I
have not had good access to one of my A1200s that is on test. The
computer is an Escom Amiga Technologies machine that has little if
any surface discolouration. The drive is normally whisper quiet.
A few years back I recovered three drives that had seized up using
the very popular 'freezer trick'. I have the three drives in A1200
machines which whilst not connected to monitors are checked quite
regularly to make sure the drives are still working. Because of
the work on the services I neglected the one machine and sure
enough the drive again became stuck.
I removed the drive and placed in two sealed freezer bags. I then
placed in a fashioned aluminium tray inside of the freezer cabinet
in the fridge. I left the drive in the freezer overnight for ten
full hours.
This morning I carefully removed the drive making sure no moisture
dripped on the circuits and then placed in a paper towel before
connecting to the A1200 interface. I then switched on and like
magic she booted straight up. Job done ... or nearly.
I have now set up the machine in the Workshop with a Parnet cable
and will make a copy of the drive for the emulator. I will then
feature the contents on the emulator for the blog.
This is the third time I have had to do the 'old freezer trick'
and am not minded to do it again. I will back up the drive which
will then be placed in dead store and replaced with a new 2.5 inch
internal drive.
I would not recommend that you attempt my bonkers solutions for
yourself unless you are as bonkers as I am.
It is worth noting that a failed hard drive will cause the floppy
drive to fail also and refuse to boot. Also without the hard drive the
Amiga 1200 takes a very very long time to boot up as one of my
videos here shows.
A1200 HD failure - Back to the freezer.
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Last updated 28th May 2024
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