Congratulations! Yes, Geert has always been a Linux wiz. He still actively maintains 680x0 support in Linux.
You should definitely replace your drive
This adapter works in my A4000 (€13 + plus a cheap CF card):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Later I upgraded to one of these:
http://eab.abime.net/showpost.php?p=...7&postcount=18
It will be quieter. Faster? Maybe. It's easy to transfer the OS from one drive to another on an Amiga.
Something else:
Check the clock battery! After 20 years it probably will be bad.