TCS:
I should have tried another box earlier .... Now I've done that and the drive performs exactly as in the first box - an "urk" and no motion.
The drives seem quailified for a one-way trip to the county's computer recycling center. That's always hard on my morale, since the computers in the pile are often fancier than what I have at home - but there's a "No Scavenging" sign and eagle-eyed attendants.
End of story.
sc