Erica Eshoo wrote:
On Mon, 5 Nov 2007 06:12:24 +1100, Rod Speed wrote:
but the video implies that the power supply "pushes" the current
Just a clumsy description.

I think I get what Rod Speed is saying.
When I start my blender, the lights dim for a second in my California
kitchen. Then everything is fine.

I think what Rod Speed is saying is, if the hard disk drive motor is
drawing too much current for the original power supply to handle, then
adding a larger capacity (more current) power supply, will allow it
to draw more current than the original power supply could handle.

That, in an emergency situation such as mine, might be the way to
free a "stuck" drive.

As noted, my drive isn't stuck - it's just clicking and spinning
until the clicking gives up ... so I think I'll give up on the larger
power supply. Plus, I'm using the Vantec IDE-to-USB adapter which
comes with its own power supply.

Funny thing, the hard drives I tested STILL WORK on the Vantec
IDE-to-USB adapter even without plugging in the external power
supply. I guess they get power from the USB - but I'll use the
external power supply also to power the naked laptop hard disk drive.

The good thing is we're learning - the bad thing is that we probably
can't use any freeware on earth to resurrect this drive ... or can we?

Nope, its got a hardware problem, thats why it isnt seen by the OS.