From what you're describing, it does sound a lot like a SCSI ID conflict or termination issue, but as I said previously it could also be a lot of other things as well.
What you need to do is start narrowing down what it can be and to start you need to check and ensure everythings connected correctly. With regards to static discharge, you need to discharge yourself by touching a grounded metallic object, usually the power supply casing and then put on an anti-static wrist strap that stays attached to a ground point and around your wrist whilst you work on the machine. You can get two types of these, the disposable paper/carbon variety (the cheapest) and a purpose made one that has a wrist strap, wire that attaches to it and either a plug that goes into the power supply and connects only to the ground pin or one that simply has a crocodile clip that attaches to a ground point. Check out eBay for anti-static wrist straps.
For the purpose of poking around inside, you can simply keep one hand on the grounded power supply casing whilst the other checks connections, but obviously it's not easy to reseat connections with only one hand!
It's best to replace the PRAM battery if you can, if only to simply rule it out as an issue, it's easy enough to pop the top off the battery holder and replace the battery. They're usually 3.6v 1/2 AA Lithiums, but check and make sure the one you remove is the same spec as the one you put in.
Whilst you've got the top off, take down the make and model no. of the HD and look it up online for the termination and SCSI ID jumper settings.
What you need to do is start narrowing down what it can be and to start you need to check and ensure everythings connected correctly. With regards to static discharge, you need to discharge yourself by touching a grounded metallic object, usually the power supply casing and then put on an anti-static wrist strap that stays attached to a ground point and around your wrist whilst you work on the machine. You can get two types of these, the disposable paper/carbon variety (the cheapest) and a purpose made one that has a wrist strap, wire that attaches to it and either a plug that goes into the power supply and connects only to the ground pin or one that simply has a crocodile clip that attaches to a ground point. Check out eBay for anti-static wrist straps.
For the purpose of poking around inside, you can simply keep one hand on the grounded power supply casing whilst the other checks connections, but obviously it's not easy to reseat connections with only one hand!
It's best to replace the PRAM battery if you can, if only to simply rule it out as an issue, it's easy enough to pop the top off the battery holder and replace the battery. They're usually 3.6v 1/2 AA Lithiums, but check and make sure the one you remove is the same spec as the one you put in.
Whilst you've got the top off, take down the make and model no. of the HD and look it up online for the termination and SCSI ID jumper settings.