🚀 go-pugleaf

wiechman@athos.rutgers.edu (NightMeower) writes:
>All of this discussion has only said that there are some problems with
>certain Quantums 40s or 80s.  Which ones are at risk?

Having seen TWO 80Mb drives go south this summer, I've been following
this stuff with great interest.  I talked with Apple Customer Relations
today, and they told me:

1) The new PROM is a fix which prevents problems with the disk lubricant
   from showing up.  (I know zip about hardware; any experts care to
   comment on whether this is plausible?)  I thought the guy said there
   is also a separate firmware bug which the PROM fixes, but I'm not sure
   I got this right.

   [A mailing from Apple Developer Services, dated 3 Oct, says that the
   PROM fix has nothing to do with the "stiction" problem, which I assume
   means the lubricant problem.  Wonder who to trust here...]

2) Apple dealers know which drive numbers mean bad lubricant, and I assume
   they'll give you new PROMs, although the person I talked to said that
   PROMs will probably be in short supply...

Meanwhile, my THIRD drive has been making infrequent buzzing noises,
similar to the single death-rattle my FIRST one emitted before croaking.
It'll be a long time before I buy another Apple-label drive.

 -- Mike Morton // P.O. Box 11378, Honolulu, HI  96828, (808) 676-6966 HST
      Internet: mikem@uhccux.uhcc.hawaii.edu
    (anagrams): Mr. Machine Tool; Ethical Mormon; Chosen Immortal; etc.