| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 1691.1 | Supra SCSI Interface for the 500 | CGFSV2::CADAMS | Clint Adams - Calgary, Canada | Thu Sep 15 1988 18:06 | 22 |
| On the topic of hard drives for the 500, I was thinking of the
cheapest way possible to get started.
I have access to a RD51 (ST506) and was thinking of buying the Supra
SCSI Interface from Able ($169) and an Adaptek SCSI to ST506 adapter
for about $90 from Computer Surplus (as mentioned on the Usenet). Then
build a box and scrounge a power supply for the drive and Adaptek.
After I win the lottery I could buy a big SCSI disk and throw
everthing but the Supra SCSI Interface in the trash.
The question I have is on were the Supra SCSI Interface gets it's
power, does it have it's own supply or does it get it from the Supra
Drive box? (I don't think the ole 500 could power the controller and
the optional memory).
A great feature of the Supra Interface is that you can add up to 4Mb
of RAM inside (if I'm reading the literature correctly).
Anybody out there have one of these babies and if so, how has it been
performing.
Thanks in advance..... Clint
|
| 1691.2 | Supra is fine | WJG::GUINEAU | Just a Window in Time | Fri Sep 16 1988 08:47 | 23 |
| I did something similar to what your planning.
Supra works great, although I haven't made any performance measurements
as compared to, say a C-LTD.
As far as I know, Supra makes a 2 meg internal board. That's not to say the
internal bus is limited to that, maybe just thier technology. 4 Meg sounds
real good! I currently only have 1 meg (amiga 512 + A501) and lottery dreams.
The adapter requires 5V which it gets from the disk's box. BEWARE of the
instructions that come with just the SCSI interface - they have you plug a
cable in backwards and cook the 5380 (SCSI interface chip - At least I think
it's cooked. I replaced it (~$25) and later discovered the cable. Maybe
they have fixed the docs by now - I really gave it to a tech support person
and he said they knew about that.
All in all it seems to work just great. I've sent away for the device driver
documentation, so I may try to find a cheap SCSI tape for backups and write a
driver...
John
|
| 1691.3 | Once upon a time... | DPDMAI::ANDERSONA | | Sat Sep 17 1988 00:34 | 28 |
|
I wanted to go the Supra SCSI route for the same reason that you
do. The memory expansion. I ordered from Abel last April and was
told that it was not in stock but they were expecting a shipment
any day now. After a month and a half of hearing that it would
arrive any day now I gave up and tried to order it from a company
in Texas. He said he no longer handled the Supra because of to
many customer complaints. So I went ahead and ordered a C. Ltd
from them for $180.00. Maybe I should have stuck with it I don't
know I had the drive, power supply, the Adaptec and a case all ready
to go and I got tired of waiting. The added memory would have been
nice. The moral of this story is if Abel says it is not in stock
but will be in soon, beware.
From what I was told most of the problem centered with his customers
trying to add the memory module. He said you had to solder a power
jumper in which was not in an easy location. I have never seen
the device so I am stating this second hand. But the documentation
errors described in the previous note could account for a lot of
his customer complaints and D.O.A.'s.
I am not trying to scare you away from Supra I just wanted to share
my experiences when I attempted to buy the device. Every now and
then I look at my measely 1MB and wish I had waited it out.
Alan
(still trying to fill up that 45MB)
|
| 1691.4 | 1+2=3 - I wish! | WJG::GUINEAU | Just a Window in Time | Mon Sep 19 1988 08:38 | 10 |
|
I haven't added memory yet. It looks fairly simple - just a "daughter"
board plug in. I wasn't aware of the jumper but that Doc error really ticked
me off!!!
What's 2 meg going for these days? If DEC stock would only climb a few tens
of points again...
John
|
| 1691.5 | More information on the Adaptek please.... | CGFSV2::CADAMS | Clint Adams - Calgary, Canada | Mon Oct 17 1988 15:40 | 21 |
|
Re. .3
I have a disk, power supply and a box ready to go and am now going to
order either a Wedge 500 and a DTC 5150 or the Supra SCSI and an
Adpatek.
The Wedge setup I understand and can easily configure, but I have a
couple of questions about the Supra/Adaptek configuration:
- What type of connectors for data and power does the
Adaptek require. (ie. DB25 or 50 Pin)
- What type of drive did you use and how is it working
overall. I want to use a Seagate ST-412 (10 MB) on
the Adaptek.
- Where did you get your Adaptek, how was the delivery
time and the literature for the Adaptek.
Thanks for any information... Clint
|