Drives, drives, everywhere but not a one that works!

I've got several MFM drives, and even one more on the way. I want to get my PC/AT up and running with original or close to original gear as possible.

I've got an IBM 0665 coming and will install that, but I'd like to get some HD in this thing in the mean time. I've have a Tandon TM502 (?) and I think it is a type 1 drive, but I want to verify with someone else here.

I did set it up as a Type 1, but I get a 1790 error on bootup.

Why do you have a question mark following "TM502" ?

Yes, the TM502 corresponds to IBM type 1.

On a 5170, here's the hard drive initialisation sequence that happens on power up:
1. Controller test - on fail display 1782
2. Recalibrate drive - on fail display 1780 (1781 for second drive)
3. Verify certain sectors - on fail display 1790 (1791 for second drive)

One known cause of the 1790 error is the drive type being incorrectly set in CMOS setup. This happens because one of the sectors that are verified (read) is the last sector on the last head of the last cylinder. You've used type 1 and so we can rule out this cause.

One known cause of the 1790 error is the data cable (the narrower of the two ribbon cables) not connected or not connected properly (e.g. not pin 1 to pin 1, or connected to the connector for the second hard drive).

A possible cause of the 1790 is if the low-level formatting of the drive doesn't match the controller's low-level format. Have you low-level formatted the TM502 whilst it is in the 5170?

Why do you have a question mark following "TM502" ?

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I didn't have the drive right in front of me, so I wasnt 100% positive of the model number.

Have you low-level formatted the TM502 whilst it is in the 5170?

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No, I haven't. I have SpinRite available, so I can and will attempt that next.

lyonadmiral said:

I've got an IBM 0665 coming and will install that,

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Note that according to an earlier thread, IBM made different sized versions of the model 0665. The one used in the 5170 was 30 MB sized and therefore the actual model number is 0665-38.

I used to have one of those drives from a 5170 and its label indicated model "0665", not "0665-38". I could tell that it was the correct version of the 0665 because of the large "20" (meaning IBM type 20) on the white sticker at the front of the drive.

I have the Tandon working now, I had the control cable plugged into the port for Drive D on the controller card.

My AT came with the Seagate version of the 30 meg drive. I think the electronics are dead on it. The drive spins up, but it doesn't do its initial boot time seeking & shaking. So I guess its all good that I have the 0665 (30 meg) coming.