Did you read thru this: http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/5150_5160/hdd … ssibilities.htm
You cannot change controllers on MFM/RLL drives without reformatting, the drive is "locked" to the specific controller even if trying with same controller types.
Intermitten errors are usually a sign the drive is failing... but not always.

Thank you for helping. I tried low level formating. However that works only when it works anyway. Speedstore reports a controller error 0x20 when trying to low level. When it does not work no drive shows up in Speedstore and Advanced Analytics is throwing the 1704. The disk spins but the stepper does not move when it is down. Any more ideas? Thanks, DrAlis

Horun wrote on 2021-10-02, 14:12:

Did you read thru this: http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/5150_5160/hdd … ssibilities.htm
You cannot change controllers on MFM/RLL drives without reformatting, the drive is "locked" to the specific controller even if trying with same controller types.
Intermitten errors are usually a sign the drive is failing... but not always.

Horun wrote on 2021-10-02, 14:12:

Did you read thru this: http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/5150_5160/hdd … ssibilities.htm
You cannot change controllers on MFM/RLL drives without reformatting, the drive is "locked" to the specific controller even if trying with same controller types.
Intermitten errors are usually a sign the drive is failing... but not always.

Also I get. 1701 with no disk connected, which is unlike note 1 in your link. I was hoping for a loose pin but I wiggled plenty already. Disk is also quietly spinning so mechanically ghings seem fine... except the stepper... but dont know what to fix there with my skill level.

Horun wrote on 2021-10-02, 14:12:

Did you read thru this: http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/5150_5160/hdd … ssibilities.htm
You cannot change controllers on MFM/RLL drives without reformatting, the drive is "locked" to the specific controller even if trying with same controller types.
Intermitten errors are usually a sign the drive is failing... but not always.

And forgot to mention , I did work through the link before. Great summary of things to check. Too bad I did not find mine yet. Thanks!

1701 is one of the proper errors with no HD per http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/ibm_xebec/ibm_xebec_pod.htm if the controller passes first 4 steps but fails the Test Drive Ready in step 5 AFAIK
Hmm sounds like the stepper circuit is failing and is not moving the heads out of the Landing Zone to track 0 which would cause an error,
not sure if you can lube the stepper parts like you can in some older floppy drives. Could be bad caps on the circuit board.

I like the stepper circuit idea, but no idea where I would need to look. Also strange thing is, if it works it works flawlessly until next power cycle. That includes the stepper. If it does not work soft reset will not change things. Also to annoy me me when I dissassemble and reassemble the disk likes tonwork for one power cycle... not sure if that is any use

Horun wrote on 2021-10-02, 16:21:

1701 is one of the proper errors with no HD per http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/ibm_xebec/ibm_xebec_pod.htm if the controller passes first 4 steps but fails the Test Drive Ready in step 5 AFAIK
Hmm sounds like the stepper circuit is failing and is not moving the heads out of the Landing Zone to track 0 which would cause an error,
not sure if you can lube the stepper parts like you can in some older floppy drives. Could be bad caps on the circuit board.

I was considering using the option to 'defeat recalibration' on the disk according to oem manual to make it go ready. Anybody know if this is a good idea?

Bad idea. If the disk can't recalibrate it's not going to work correctly

lube it up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UJ0YE1a1Fs

Thanks I think I will try that. I had the same suspicion that it might have slightly to much force required. The crazy thing is if the drive works - its stepper motor is f*in strong. So I thought it must be powerful enough because if it is of I can move the stepper relatively easy.

Any tipps on the oil (to not only fix temporary)? I am a little shy on the bike oil thing. I got no Teflon, not sure if that is critical. Is there a standard electronics drive lub?

I will report how it goes...

Best, Alex

rasz_pl wrote on 2021-10-11, 15:41:

lube it up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UJ0YE1a1Fs

I promissed to report back. Alright so I got some fine lube and carefully applied it to the stepper axle. Distributed it and fired it up...

1701 still

🙁

I'll keep trying & thanks

rasz_pl wrote on 2021-10-11, 15:41:

lube it up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UJ0YE1a1Fs