RLL hard disk controller or computer w/ same

[tala]

Hi,

I need either a hard disk controller (RLL) or a complete computer with same.
I have an old Kalok KL320 Octagon 20 ST-506 hard drive that I must get
the data from. The hard disk was originally in a Phillips 286 or 386 computer.
I'm in the SF Bay area, but I'm more than willing to pay the shipping if the
components/computer are out of my area.

Thanks,
Tala

 

[kb2syd]

Some RLL controllers did not understand drives formatted with other RLL controllers. Do you know what controller was used with it? Otherwise you just may end up nuking any data on the drive.

 

[tala]

Hello kbsyd,

Drive was used in a phillips ibm clone probably a model 3103.
Do you think I'll have to have that controller specifically?
Thanks,
Tala

 

[Druid6900]

It would certainly help to have the same controller to read the drive with.

As KB2SYD says, back then, everyone did things just a little bit differently, and, most times, it was just different enough to make life more difficult than it had to be.

I have several (as yet untested) RLL controllers of different make and model that I will be testing in the next couple of weeks and one of them may work correctly with the drive.

I also have 2, 3, and 486 motherboards to put them in, so, if you don't find what you're looking for (and we don't know exactly what controller it is yet), I'd be will to have you send the drive to me and, if any of them work with it, extract the information, burn it to CD and send you the CD and, in exchange, I would keep the drive.

That is, of course, if the HD even still works.

 

[Terry Yager]

I have a V-40 PC that I'll be rebuilding soon, as the Seagate 238 drive has become stiction-y, and the only replacement I have is an MFM drive (I know it'll work, but I have a NOS unused controller I'm going to use instead).

--T