On Sun, 02 Feb 2003 12:32:04 -0000 (GMT) raph@panache.demon.co.uk wrote:
Before you get into a panic (or the kernel does) try re-seating your IDE cables. The heat cycling in the computer can cause things to work loose. I find this to be a particular problem with SCSI cables.
On a related theme, if you have a suspect card, it is worth taking a pencil eraser and rubbing over the contacts.
Thanks for the advice, I will remember this for the next time.
In the mean time the disk seems to have fixed itself after a power cycle. My previous experience with failing disks at work suggested that power cycles were sometimes fatal - that the drive would spin down and then refuse to start again when power was re-applied. However, my hand was forced in this case as when I tried reboot the PC to load a different kernel the BIOS couldn't find the hard disks. Cycling the power seems to have restored things to normal.
Steve.