Hey folks:
As some of you know, I've recently restored a PDP-11/45, RK11-C drive
controller, and an RK05 drive. I'm now at the point where I'm working to
recover and archive the contents of the dozen or so RK05 packs that I got along
with the drive and controller.
I've been inspecting and cleaning packs as I go, and have avoided mounting any
packs that have signs of significant crashes (e.g. full rings down to the shiny
aluminum) or any that have corrosion "pox".
Other packs have had just little "black smudge" style head crashes that come
off with some determination with kimwipes and alcohol. I've had pretty good
luck recovering data from these. Occasionally the drive will make a sort of
"deli slicer" sound -- I run and unload the pack, disassemble it, clean any new
smudges, open up the drive, give the heads a good inspection and clean, and
continue on. It's a little painstaking...
As I've gone through this process over a number of weeks the heads are
accumulating dust and oxide in places that are hard see and get to, and I feel
like I'll soon need to pull them and take them to my bench to really give them
a proper and thorough inspection and cleaning. I guess I'm looking for some
advice/calibration from the community here. Is it:
"OMG, are you nuts, don't take the heads out, you'll never get them aligned,"
or is it:
"Meh, RK05 alignment is not really that tough, and you would be better off
making sure your heads are thoroughly clean and intact."
Any advice appreciated!
--FritzM.
