Can you cite a reference? In my experience, MFM drives are about the
most robust things on the Planet. The tracks are so far apart that
normal temperature changes have no effect. I have some ST-251s (I think
that is the model) sitting at the bottom of a closet. I bet if I could
find a system today to power them up, they would work just as well as
20 years ago (if the grease hasn't congealed).


I used to have a 286 with one of those, I used it for years after
removing the cover to break free stiction so it would spin up and it
never failed.

Unfortunately the similar 30MB RLL drive in my PC/XT died, I dragged it
out of long term storage in my mom's shed and it makes some unhealthy
noises and won't boot