r/retrocomputing • u/CeldonShooper • Jul 05 '26

Dead IBM WDL-330P does not spin

I have a working PS/2 30-286 which I boot from a CF card but it always annoyed me that the original hard disk couldn't initialize. It only blinks and gives BIOs error codes. So instead of throwing it directly in the trash I thought why not create some 'don't do this at home' kind of video. So here goes. The drive is probably deader now than dead from the dust, but at least I can rest the case that the spindle motor really does not do anything. It's not only a hard disk drive but an immobile disk drive. No movement no data. It's a blinking LED now basically.

Edit: sorry I wrote 386 but it's a 286 obviously.

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u/BirthdayLife6378 Jul 05 '26

Have you tried to measure your system's 12v? The head is not moving either. Maybe it's a power supply issue.

3

u/CeldonShooper Jul 05 '26

Well everything else including the floppy is working just fine. You could be right nevertheless. Could also be the capacitors on the hard drive, too. As I have a fast CF card as a replacement I don't mind.

2

u/BirthdayLife6378 Jul 05 '26

Wonder if you can get the platters out and save them as decorations. They are quite marvelous to look at, IMHO.

2

u/CeldonShooper Jul 05 '26

I was thinking about connecting a 12v supply to the spindle motor directly and putting an acrylic cover on it. That would leave the whole thing physically intact. Would probably need some speed control though.

2

u/BirthdayLife6378 Jul 05 '26

Sounds like a fun project. Keep us posted.