PC internal HD, is there a command to lock the HD arms for packing and moving (truck)

My friend packs up her PC in a trunk and puts it in the back of a pickup truck to take it from county fair to county fair. I remember a long time ago that there was a command to lock the hard drive's arm for moving and shipping. Is there still such a command and if so how to use it.

She was also told by a computer repair shop that the CD drive gears where broken because it was improperly packed. Is there any way that the CD drive gears brake if the CD window was closed before and after the trip? The computer is a PC desktop and there is no power for the CD window to open durring the time between packing and unpacking.

Thanks Much Geeks,
Chris

 

Re: PC internal HD, is there a command to lock the HD arms for packing and moving (tr

"Manual" head parking is no longer required on modern hard disks;

http://www.storagereview.com/guide2000/ref/hdd/op/actParking.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_disk#Landing_zones

 

Re: PC internal HD, is there a command to lock the HD arms for packing and moving (tr

 

Re: PC internal HD, is there a command to lock the HD arms for packing and moving (tr

It is possible that some of the electronics controlling the mechanical aspects of the drive have bit the dust. It's also possible that internal power cabling to the drive has come somewhat loose. If a utility is used (mouse clicking) to open/close the tray, the data cable may have come loose too. Check all the cabling inside, on all devices.

I've opened many CDROM drives and can't imagine how the gears could get broken during a transport. Unless it bounced out of the vehicle and was crushed between two tractor-trailer trucks. I think she should shop around for a better computer shop to use.

If the issue is that the CD tray won't open, (they do get stuck on occasion, sometimes from a CD being left in during transport when the system may be turned every which way), straighten the first section of a paperclip (so it's "L" shaped giving you a "handle").

Push the straightened single wire (end) into the tiny hole in the front panel/bezel of the drive, just below the tray. A firm push is required to manually release the "locking" mechanism. The tray should pop open. This can be performed while the system is powered up. Once it opens, use the tray button to close it and reopen it. It may perform OK after this.