"Kenneth" <kdw### [at] gmailcom> wrote:

> Hmm, sounds a bit like 'Monty Python' science. Do I cast the Runes while doing
> so, to see if the auspices are good?

It's likely the hard drives are Made In China (TM), so you need to use the I
Ching.

> I guess that's basically for a drive that's overheating(?)

No. I'm not sure _exactly_ why, but empirically it seems to work > 0% of the
time for people that Santa has on his Nice list.
I hate speculate, but, oh, well, if you insist...

I think it has something to do with the metal contracting in the cold, and
freeing up parts that are binding (bearings) or touching when they're not
supposed to be (platters & read/write heads}


> The trouble with mine
> is that it no longer even starts or comes on electrically. I *think* the problem
> stems from the fact that I dropped it onto a (rug-covered) floor, from a 3-foot
> height off my desk. Dumb. But I didn't think such a minor(??) shock would affect
> it so badly. A hard lesson learned.

Hmm.  I take _everything_ apart, and I'd say that 90% of the time it's bad
contacts.  In technical terms, "It's a loose wire", or with motors, it's usually
a filthy commutator and soot-caked graphite brushes.
This is different than having a brush with a filthy communist.
You can get head lice from that.
That's a pattern of proximity you don't want to repeat (or initialize).
[just to stay on-topic  ;) ]

So I'd say disconnect any ribbon cables or connectors, and re-seat them,
possibly after wiping or rinsing with electrical cleaner, isopropyl alcohol, or
just a dry paper towel or cotton swab.


> I've already ordered the helium.

Excellent!   The boil-off ought to spectacularly enhance your girlish squeals of
delight when my ingenious plan comes to fruition!

> Now I just need to build the Dewar

"Large Thermos bottle" / styrofoam cooler

....and the
> pumps...

I'm not sure where you're going with that, but it sounds NSFW....


:P

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