Description
SyQuest SQ319RD 15MB Removable Hard Drive ST-506 SQ300 Cartridge Drive
The SyQuest SQ319RD is an early removable-media hard drive that uses SyQuest SQ300-series 5.25" removable disk cartridges and connects via the ST-506 (ST506/412) interface. It supports 15 MB of storage using RLL encoding, or 10 MB using the older MFM encoding standard. This is a rare and historically significant piece of early portable storage technology from the late 1980s.
Specifications & What's Included
- Model: SyQuest SQ319RD (SQ 319RD)
- Interface: ST-506 / ST-412 (ST506/412)
- Storage Capacity: 15 MB (RLL encoding) / 10 MB (MFM encoding)
- Compatible Disk: SyQuest SQ300 15MB removable cartridge
- Form Factor: Half-height 5.25" drive bay
- Controller: Integrated PCB with ST-506 edge connector
- Power: Standard Molex 4-pin connector
- Spindle Motor: Sinano Electric Co., Ltd. (Made in Japan) — model 4H4009S-4349
- Manufactured: USA (per label)
- Disk cartridge NOT included — drive mechanism only
Applications
The SyQuest SQ319RD belongs to SyQuest Technology's earliest generation of removable hard disk drives, designed for personal computers of the late 1980s that used the ST-506/412 interface — the dominant hard drive standard of that era before IDE/ATA and SCSI became common. These drives connected to standard ST-506 hard drive controller cards, making them compatible with IBM PC/XT/AT-class machines and compatible systems. The removable cartridge format gave users a way to transport large amounts of data (large for the era) between workstations, archive files, or share work across systems — a significant capability before USB, network file sharing, or optical media were practical options. The SQ319RD predates SyQuest's more widely known later models (such as the SQ555 and EZ135) that used SCSI. Today these drives are sought by vintage computing collectors and restorers working on early IBM PC-compatible systems, CAD/CAM workstations, and late-1980s desktop computers that used ST-506 storage.
This SyQuest SQ319RD 15MB Removable Hard Drive is being sold AS-IS for parts or repair. We are unable to fully test this drive — we can only confirm that it powers on. No removable disk cartridge is included. The unit shows normal age-related wear consistent with vintage storage equipment from this era. Please review all photos carefully and contact us with any questions before purchasing.
Warranty Information
Additional Information
Brand: |
SyQuest |
Model: |
SQ319RD |
MPN: |
SQ319RD |
SKU: |
46645 |
Type: |
Removable Cartridge Hard Drive |
Interface: |
ST-506 (ST506/412) |
Storage Capacity: |
15 MB (RLL) / 10 MB (MFM) |
Encoding: |
RLL (15MB) or MFM (10MB) |
Compatible Disk: |
SyQuest SQ300 15MB Removable Cartridge |
Form Factor: |
Half-Height 5.25" |
Country/Region of Manufacture: |
United States |
Seller Notes: |
Drive only — does not include a removable disk cartridge. Sold as-is. |
Condition Notes: |
SyQuest SQ319RD 15MB ST-506 removable hard drive sold AS-IS for parts/repair. Powers on only — cannot be fully tested. No disk cartridge included. Please view photos and contact us with questions. |
California Prop 65 Warning: |
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, and DEHP (a phthalate), which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Go to P65Warnings.ca.gov |