🚀 go-pugleaf

If it runs fine from a disk, it can't be the battery.

On the other hand, the symptoms you describe suggest the battery:) If
the battery is OK and the HD is the problem, I guess it should get as
far as a floppy icon with flashing question mark. Low battery problems
can generate all sorts of strange symptons, so who knows? I'd suggest
putting in a new battery as a starter - it may not work but it is cheap
and easy (don't go to an Apple dealer, it is 2 minutes to change the
battery. The easiest source of batteries is Boots - one of the camera
batteries is the correct size and about the right voltage).

My next guess would be a problem with the HD itself rather than the
connection to the HD.

Try Disk First Aid - which should be somewhere on your original
floppies.

You could then try something like Norton Utilities, which may find the
HD - or not.

Although, if HDSetup can't find the drive, it does rather sound as
though the HD has gone to the scrapyard. I think I'd try to find a used
external HD and work with that - easier than finding one to fit inside.
Remember, you need an Apple Mac driver that will work with the HD.

Regards,
-- 
Larry Stoter
17, Rocks Park Road, Uckfield, E. Sussex, TN22 2AT, UK
email: LPS@teknesis.demon.co.uk
Phone/Fax: +44 (0)1825 767967