Thanks to all the folks that wrote to me with suggestions regarding the Quantum hard drive. Unfortunately pricewatch does not have this model, but I then discovered that Quantum's web site still lists it as a current model so it can't be too bad. Tomorrow I think I'll walk from store to store until I find one.
Picked up tickets to my trip - I'll be away from 14/5 to 21/5, which I'm much looking forward to!
Put a 'CD-ROM patch FAQ' on kernel.dk. Hopefully that will save me from a lot of questions. Find it here.