[OT] Troubleshooting ATA Drives..

[Vintage Computer Festival]

On Thu, 10 Mar 2005, John Foust wrote:

> At 09:28 AM 3/10/2005, Vintage Computer Festival wrote:
> >It is these very off-topic threads that break out that are causing Jay and
> >the moderators grief.  Please police yourselves better.
>
> Dayum.  Here we go again.  I was biting my tongue.  I did respond off-list
> to the original post.  Then others posted more on the list.
>
> I sincerely thought my post was on-topic because it's about methods of
> saving old drives, and the topic comes up every 3-9 months.

I hope this doesn't turn into another long-winded thread, but it became
apparent to me that some folks might not understand why  the purists here
would object.  Below is the private reply I sent to Lee Davidson
explanation the distinction:

> What was wrong this time? ATA drives have been around for more than
> a decade and are used in other than PC clones. Troubleshooting them,
> especially the no longer available small to middling sizes, is a
> skill not to be dismissed lightly.

Because they aren't classic!!!  And also, recognizing this, David
specifically request off-list replies.

> > Please police yourselves better.
>
> Oh ok, I find myself guilty and sentence myself to a slightly
> disappointed look next time I'm passing a mirror. Hmmm, I can see a
> flaw with this policy. 8^)=

The difference is between what is and what isn't "classic", based on all
the discussions we've had about it on the list.  It's possible you skipped
by those discussions (I wouldn't blame you) but there is a definitely fine
line between what's "classic" (i.e. the stuff we like to discuss on this
list) and what's simply "older" (i.e. ATA hard drives).

-- 

Sellam Ismail                                        Vintage Computer Festival
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International Man of Intrigue and Danger                http://www.vintage.org

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